pronounced more or less: zheu nanh reuh viyehn pah
Note: the "-ens" of "reviens" is nasalized, as is the pronoun "en."
Variation: J'en reviens pas.
Literal translation: I'm not coming back from it.
Meaning: "I can't get over it," as in "wow/huh, what a surprise"
Implications: This expression immediately positions the speaker's reaction to whatever has just transpired or whatever has just been said as unusual or even abnormal. S/he is surprised, astonished or possibly even shocked. Sometimes it marks disapproval, sometimes delight.
Remark: The pronoun "en" stands in for "my astonishment" or "my surprise" at whatever has provoked the astonishment or surprise.
Example One (positive reaction of delight): France's countryside is dotted with tiny villages, far from city advantages, such as libraries. Imagine our village library: the size of a large walk-in closet, shared with the one-room school, also used to store anything and everything created by the school kids over the past twenty years. Plus around two thousand books, most of which are not available because there's no room on the limited shelf space; many of the books are stowed away in boxes under tables and shelves in the "library," also at the Agence postale, the Mairie and in YOUR HOUSE. Je n'en reviens pas... OK, that's a negative reaction, but a great spot to plunk down the expression: there are boxes of books under my desk as I type. Finally, a 3-room space was renovated last year, top to bottom, and we shazam, we have a new library! AND it's beautiful. AND all the necessary equipment has been ordered: we're moving in next month! Five+ years of blah-blah (tchatche) becomes a reality! Je n'en reviens pas!!!!!!!!!
Example Two (negative reaction of flabbergast): We decided to host a soirée théâtrale in the empty space of said library, awaiting delivery of shelves, tables, chairs, computers, etc. What better way to seduce future potential readers into the place? The Théâtre du vent arrived at 19:00 to set up. We offered to help; they declined, asking us to come back an hour later for the before-show apéritif (this is France, after all). When we returned, the empty space had been converted into a bedazzling, ruby-colored decor that provoked delighted "je n'en reviens pas" from each and every one of us...
Note: It fell to me to introduce the show, thank all those who had contributed to the evening...I forgot to thank the mayor, seated right in front of me...je n'en reviens pas !
