The phrase “let the good times roll” is most frequently heard during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, as it is a Cajun expression. Cajun French, or Louisiana regional French, is derived from the language of French settlers who colonized the Mississippi Delta area and intermarried with Cajun settlers. The language includes different grammatical structures and unique words not found in a more classic variety of French.
Let the Good Times Roll
The French translation of “let the good times roll” can be spelled in a few different ways. The first of these options is the grammatically correct version:
- Laissez les bons temps rouler
- Laissez le bon temps rouler
- Laisser les bons temps rouler
- Laisser le bon temps rouler
While each of these translations is spelled slightly differently, they share a similar pronunciation: le-say lay bohn tomps roo-lay. Each one is a literal, word-for-word translation of “let the good times roll.”
However, the phrase “laissez les bons temps rouler” is not grammatically correct in French. If you were to say this phrase in France, you’d most likely get the response “cela ne se dit pas,” which means “that’s not said here,” because it is not a typical French saying.
Use one of these alternatives instead, which have similar meanings to the Cajun expression “laissez les bons temps rouler.”
- Prenons du bons temps
- Que la fête commence!
- Éclatons-nous
Party Time!
Saying “let the good times roll” in French is a fun and festive way to get people riled up and let them know that the party is starting. While it may not be a popular saying in France because of its improper grammatical syntax, it is always popular in New Orleans, where locals and tourists alike like to laissez les bons temps rouler!
