The vocabulary and sayings that we are going to see here are to be used in a social context, with friends or family. When you are in a professional setting, we advise you to stay with your scholarly French and avoid any “slang” or improper language techniques.… Read More
Pardon my French!
At school, in group classes or private lessons, we learn proper French, the French of Molière and Victor Hugo.
But the French people don’t always speak such a romantic French. If you plan on spending time with locals during your next vacation in Paris or on the French Riviera, maybe you will need to learn a bit more.… Read More
French of France V. French of Quebec
Our French-speaking cousins overseas definitely speak French, but their French is a little bit different which includes its own unique idioms. Before we speak about grammar or about the language itself, you will see the first big difference, or better yet hear it.… Read More
Do you know that many objects are named after their inventor? – Part 1
Here the two fold story of the French nouns that were originally the last name of the person who invented them:
Part 1:
“Un Amphitryon” can be used in a very formal language as “a host who receives guests for diner”. This name became popular after the success of a Moliere play from the XVIIth century, whose main character was called this way.… Read More
French Idioms: What do they mean?
French language is full of idioms that seem to be coming from nowhere. Indeed, we do love to embellish our way of speaking! Below is the origin of some common idioms:
“To fall into the apples” means to faint. This idiom is believed to be invented by George Sand, a contemporary writer who used to write “I’m in the cooked apples” when she was feeling very tired.… Read More
