Learning French: se gaver and other terms to describe overeating
It is also an informal way to describe being obsessed with or irritated by something
Say se gaver when you have eyes bigger than your stomach
Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock
Je me suis gavé !
Eating and mealtimes are a key part of French culture, especially when it comes to spending time or celebrating with family and friends.
We look at the different meanings behind se gaver and share more French synonyms to describe having a full stomach.
Read also: 15 French phrases to do with food and eating
What does se gaver mean?
Gaver is a verb which means to stuff or force feed, for example what is done to geese when making foie gras.
As well as this literal translation, it can also be used as a slang way of referring to overeating and having a full stomach.
You might even hear se gaver in a more figurative sense to mean having an obsession with something.
Another use of this term is ça me gave, which means: that annoys me or that bores me.
Read also: Seven ways to complain like a French person
When do you say se gaver?
You can say this to describe eating lots of food:
It can also imply being obsessed with or cramming your mind with something:
This term can also express annoyance:
Read also: Learning French: tout est bon dans le cochon and other pig expressions
To whom do you say se gaver?
It is slang, informal language and should only be used with friends and family.
Avoid using this in important or formal situations.
Depending on your tone of voice and the context of where this is said, it could come across as inappropriate or rude.
Other greedy eating terms?
Se bourrer de - To gorge on
Se goinfrer de - To pig out on
S'empiffrer de - To stuff yourself with
Se bâfrer - To scoff
S’enfiler - To neck
Faire bombance - To have a feast
Engloutir - To wolf down
