French Terms Related to Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is an annual celebration called le mardi gras (literally, "Fat Tuesday") or le carnaval in French. It is celebrated all around the world.

Les Dates de Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras Dates)

Mardi Gras takes place 46 days before Easter (le Pâques) — that is, sometime between February 3 and March 9. Mardi Gras is the day before Lent (le carême), which begins on Ash Wednesday (le mercredi des Cendres). The most famous Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans (la Nouvelle-Orléans), but many cities in Europe and the Americas also put on spectacular events.

Les Couleurs de Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras Colors)

Mardi Gras has three official colors:
le violet   purple (justice)
l'or   gold (power)
le vert   green (faith)

Les Traditions de Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras Traditions)

Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated with a parade led by a captain, during which trinkets, or "throws," are tossed to the crowd. The parade is followed by a costume ball presided over by a king and queen.

Le Vocabulaire de Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras Vocabulary)

une babiole   trinket
un bal masqué   costume ball
un bijou   jewel
le capitaine   captain
un char   float
un collier   necklace
un costume   costume
le courir   Mardi gras run
une couronne   crown
un défilé   parade
un déguisement   disguise
un doublon   doubloon
une effigie   effigy
un feu de joie   bonfire
un flambeau   torch
la foule   crowd
un krewe   krewe (Mardi gras organizer)
un mardi gras   a person who really gets into celebrating Mardi gras
le masque  mask (make a Mardi gras mask)
une paillette   sequin
une perle   bead
la plume   feather
la reine   queen
le roi   king
French expressions with mardi gras

Le Slogan de Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras Slogan)

Mardi Gras' slogan is "Let the good times roll," which is translated literally into French as "Laissez les bons temps rouler".