Pronunciation: [eh(n) puh seebl nay pa fra(n) say]
Meaning: There’s no such thing as can’t
Literal translation: Impossible isn’t French
Register: normal
Notes: The French expression impossible n’est pas français is actually a proverb, equivalent to « there’s no such thing as can’t » or simply « nothing is impossible. » In French, you should never say that something is impossible, because – according to the proverb – impossible isn’t even a French word. Likewise, in English, you should never say that you « can’t » do something because the concept of « can’t » doesn’t exist. In other words, nothing is impossible and there isn’t anything you can’t do. It would make a good motivational poster in either language (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Example
Tout le monde m’avait dit que c’était impossible ; moi, je leur ai répondu qu’« impossible n’est pas français » et puis je l’ai fait.
Everyone told me « you can’t do that »; I told them that there’s no such thing as can’t and then I did it.