French Phrase
Ce tiroir, c'est le bazar.
Meaning
Literally, 'This drawer, it's the bazaar,' but the idiomatic meaning is 'This drawer is a mess.' The phrase uses the colloquial noun 'bazar' to describe a state of disorder.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to comment on a drawer (or any confined space) that is extremely untidy, especially in informal conversation with friends or family.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cetiroirc'estlebazar
Ce (demonstrative adjective)
Used before a masculine singular noun to point out something specific, like 'this' in English.
tiroir (noun, masc.)
Means 'drawer'. In French nouns have gender; 'tiroir' is masculine, so it takes 'le' in the plural or when referenced with a definite article.
c'est (contraction)
A contraction of 'ce' + 'est' used to identify or describe something; here it introduces the description of the drawer.
le (definite article)
The masculine singular definite article, required before the noun 'bazar' in this idiomatic expression.
bazar (colloquial noun)
Originally a market, but colloquially means 'mess', 'chaos' or 'disorder'.
🗨In Conversation
Ce tiroir, c'est le bazar.
This drawer is a mess.
Oui, il faut le ranger avant de chercher tes affaires.
Yes, you should tidy it up before looking for your stuff.
✕Common Mistakes
Ce tiroir, c'est désordonné.
Use 'c'est' with a noun, not directly with an adjective. Say 'Ce tiroir est désordonné.'
Ce tiroir, c'est bazar.
The article 'le' is required in this idiom. Omitting it sounds ungrammatical.
Ce tiroir c'est le bazar!
The exclamation mark is fine, but the comma is optional; many speakers drop it in spoken French.
↔Alternatives
Ce tiroir est en désordre.
This drawer is in disorder.
Ce tiroir est un vrai fouillis.
This drawer is a real jumble.
Ce tiroir est un bazar.
This drawer is a mess.
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, 'bazar' is a playful, informal way to describe chaos. It originally referred to a market (from Persian via Turkish) but has become a staple of spoken French. Avoid using it in formal writing or presentations; stick to 'désordre' or 'fouillis' in those contexts.