Tu as la tête sur les épaules

Meaning: You're grounded, sensible, and dependable — not easily swept off course.

Literally: You have your head on your shoulders

Origin: Common French expression praising someone's steadiness and good judgement.

More French compliments & insults

T'as pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre You're not exactly a genius — the wire to cut butter is about the most obvious tool imagi…
Tête de mule An impossibly stubborn person who refuses to change their mind no matter what.
C'est une vraie chèvre They're hopelessly stubborn and infuriating — a goat that refuses to be moved.
Casse-pieds A massive bore or pain in the neck — someone who wears you down with their irritating way…
Espèce de patate You dim bulb — a potato being the very picture of inert, unthinking stodginess.
Quel râleur / quelle râleuse You never stop moaning — everything is a complaint, nothing is ever good enough.

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

L'esprit de l'escalier Thinking of the perfect comeback only after the moment has passed — on your way down the…
Terroir The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or…
Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.

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