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Magical French Expression
| Meaning | open Sesame | |
| Register | normal | |
| Pronunciation | [say zah moovr(eu) twah] | |
| IPA | [se zamə uvʁə twa] | |
Usage notes: The expression Sésame, ouvre-toi comes from Histoire d’Ali-Baba et des Quarante Voleurs, a story in Les Mille et une Nuits.* This magical phrase, originally uttered in order to open the mouth of a cave, is today used for magical or humorous effect when opening doors, boxes, etc. It generally implies that the item is difficult to open and/or that there is a treasure hidden inside.
Par exemple…
| Il y a une quarantaine de clés, j’espère qu’il ne faudrait pas essayer chacune. Sésame, ouvre-toi ! | There are about forty keys, I hope I don’t have to try each one. Open Sesame! | |
| Je meurs de faim, je vais jeter un coup d’œil dans le frigo. Sésame, ouvre-toi ! | I’m starving, I’m going to take a look in the fridge. Open Sesame! |
By extension, un sésame (ouvre-toi) can refer to some sort of requirement (letter of reference, password, secret handshake, bribe …) without which entry is denied.
| Il y a un videur à la porte, peut-être qu’il va demander un sésame. | There’s a bouncer at the door, maybe he’s going to ask for a password or bribe. | |
| Je veux devenir membre de ce club, mais il y a un « sésame ouvre-toi » que j’ignore. | I want to become a member of this club, but there’s some unknown requirement. |
Un sésame can also refer to a figurative door, such as a path to opportunities.
| L’éducation est un sésame pour un bon emploi. | Education opens doors to good jobs. | |
| Une deuxième langue est un véritable sésame pour découvrir le monde. | A second language is a real key for discovering the world. |
* The original Arabic was first translated into French, then from that into English: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves in One Thousand and One (Arabian) Nights.
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