How to Use the French Pronoun “en”
If you want your French to sound more advanced, one of the best ways is to understand how to use the French pronoun “en.”
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Opening a French Bank Account: Key Vocabulary & Information
Opening a French bank account is one of the most important things to do on any expat’s to-do list. But it can be one of the most puzzling if you don’t understand the relevant vocabulary.
10 Ways to Say Goodbye in French
Sometimes it’s the simple things that trip you up when speaking French. Saying goodbye, for example, might seem like an easy enough thing to do. But there are numerous phrases for it and, believe it or not, it is possible to use the wrong one! Here are 10 ways to say goodbye (or otherwise end a conversation) in French:
Verb Spotlight: Amener, Apporter, Emmener, Emporter
In this month’s verb spotlight, we’re going to focus on the French “bring / take” verbs. It’s no surprise that these verbs – amener, emmener, apporter and emporter – can prove troublesome for Anglophones as there are very subtle distinctions between them and none has a direct translation into English.
French Swear Words: Better You Know!
Yes, you must even learn these when you are in France. Nothing’s more embarrassing than repeating something that you’ve often heard in French, thinking it’s no more than a harmless interjection…. only to learn (regretfully late) that you’re actually turning the air blue with vulgarities.
7 Verbs that Have No Direct Translation in French
When you imagine a word that has no direct translation into another language, it’s easy to imagine the existence of some exotic, complex word. For example, take the French verb “entarter.” This means, “to hit someone in the face with a pie”. Somehow that seems like exactly the kind of word that would have no direct translation in to English (or possibly any other language). But how about the verb “to kick?”… “To hug”? Seemingly basic English verbs such as these have no direct counterpart in French.
7 Polite French Phrases to Learn before Visiting Paris
The French – Parisians, in particular – have a reputation for being rude. But the behavior that foreigners perceive as rudeness is often the result of cultural misunderstandings. To avoid any such misunderstandings, learn the following 7 French phrases before visiting Paris. With these phrases at the ready, we think you’ll see that Parisians are much more friendly than they’re reputed to be!
Surviving the French Job Interview: Cultural & Language Tips
Looking for a job in France? If so, it’s never too early to start preparing for the job interview. In this blog post, we discuss the cultural quirks of the French job interview and the 12 French phrases you’re most likely to hear.
Café Talk: 12 French Phrases for Hanging Out in a Parisian Café
Ah, il fait si beau! This spring Paris is flirting with all of us by offering days of golden sun, bright blue skies and breezes as gentle as a caress. This is perfect weather to sit at a café terrace with a glass of rosé and watch the world go by. If you plan on spending time in a Parisian café, here are some handy words, phrases and other tips to make this classic Parisian pastime even more enjoyable!
Verb Spotlight: “Faire” – Usages and Expressions
The verb “faire” is one of the handiest verbs in the French language, but it can be one of the most confusing for beginners. Not only is faire an irregular verb, but it has multiple uses and appears in numerous French expressions and idioms. Even trickier…
French Easter Traditions, Vocabulary and Ideas for Celebrating in Paris
Joyeuse Pâques! Bonnes Pâques! Bonnes fêtes des Pâques! You will hear these phrases everywhere in France starting from Easter Sunday (or sometimes a day or so before), and lasting the whole week. Of course, these phrases are different ways of wishing someone a Happy Easter.
Does Not Translate: 7 Common Mistakes Anglophones Make In French
When learning French, it’s natural to try to translate phrases word-for-word from English. Sometimes it works. But sometimes the words that form an innocent phrase in English may become something awkward, naughty or incomprehensible in French. Since we don’t want you wandering around France asking about condoms or saying that you’re horny when you intend …
Does Not Translate: 7 Common Mistakes Anglophones Make In French Read More »