What does mort de rire mean?

"Mort de rire" literally means "to die laughing" and is the French equivalent of "LOL" (Laughing Out Loud).

Understanding "Mort de Rire"

"Mort de rire" is a common French expression used to convey extreme amusement or hilarity. It paints a vivid picture of someone laughing so hard they metaphorically "die" from it.

Literal Translation

The phrase breaks down as follows:

• Mort: (masculine form) Dead
• De: Of / From
• Rire: Laughter / To laugh

Combined, it directly translates to "dead from laughter" or "to die laughing."

"MDR" - The French LOL

In modern digital communication, "mort de rire" is almost universally abbreviated as mdr. This abbreviation serves the same purpose as "LOL" in English, indicating that something is very funny in text messages, social media posts, and online chats.

Usage and Context

"Mdr" is highly informal and is predominantly used in casual conversations, similar to how "LOL" is used. It's a quick way to express amusement without typing out the full phrase.

• In Texting/Messaging: When someone tells a joke or shares something funny, a common response would be "mdr."
• Social Media: You'll frequently see "mdr" in comments sections or captions on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram.
• Informal Spoken Language: While the full phrase "mort de rire" can be spoken, the abbreviation "mdr" is less common in direct speech, unless mimicking texting style.

Examples of Use:

• "J'ai vu la vidéo du chat qui danse, mdr!" (I saw the video of the dancing cat, LOL!)
• "Ton histoire est hilarante, j'étais mort de rire." (Your story is hilarious, I was dying laughing.)
• "Il a trébuché et est tombé dans la piscine, mdr!" (He tripped and fell into the pool, LOL!)

Understanding "mort de rire" and its abbreviation "mdr" is essential for anyone engaging in informal communication with French speakers, as it's a fundamental part of contemporary French digital slang.