ConnectPhrase · Ages 8-80 · In use
ben là
A Québec interjection that pushes back: 'come on', 'seriously?', or 'well, obviously'. It can also just buy a second to think.
Ben là, c'est pas moi qui a mangé le dernier biscuit! (Come on, I'm not the one who ate the last cookie!)
For parents and educators
Harmless. The tone carries the meaning: a long, rising 'ben làààà' usually means 'you're exaggerating'.
Where it came from
From 'bien' (well) and 'là' (there). Found in Québec writing and speech for generations.
Also heard as
bin là, ben voyons
Sources