For this last edition of 2004, a more personal look into la naissance* of this letter from France; a background on how it came about, and its raison d'être* (besides building one's French vocabulary!). Most of the stories in 2004 were in keeping with a French theme. For today's personal story, a Wild West theme seems fitting, considering my Southwestern roots. Though I left the … Continue reading la reconnaissance
French Word-A-Day will be on break from December 10th – January 4th. Menu du Jour: Homonyms (part II) and "A Day in the Life…" même (mem) adjective1. same2. the same (one)3. even Expressions:être à même de = to be capable ofquand même = all the same; honestly!merci quand même = thanks anywayde même que = just astout de même = even so, nonetheless ………………………Citation du … Continue reading même
A special treat for you today: Barbara is back with a column on French homonyms. Read it in English or French. Either way, enjoy! pareil, pareille (pa-ray) adjective 1. the same 2. equal Expressions:du pareil au même = exactly the samen’avoir pas son pareil = to be remarkablesans pareil = unparalleled, uniquerendre la pareille = to get revenge on someone Citation du Jour:Le tennis … Continue reading pareil
le rideau (ree-do) noun, masculine 1. curtain Expressions:tirer les rideaux = to draw (or close) the curtainsgrimper aux rideaux = "to climb the curtains" (to be very excited)tirer le rideau sur quelque chose = to cease to talk about a subjecttomber en rideau = to break down (in car)un rideau de fumée = a smoke curtainun rideau de feu = a sheet of firele rideau … Continue reading un rideau
la soif (swaf) noun, feminine1. thirst Also:un(e) soiffard(e) = someone who likes to drink, one who drinks too much alcohol ……………Expressions:avoir soif = to be thirstyjusqu’a plus soif = until one’s thirst is quenchedgarder une poire pour la soif (to keep a pear for the thirst) = to put something aside for a rainy day ……………………..Citation du JourOn n’a jamais aussi soif qu’après avoir traversé … Continue reading la soif
une vitrine (vee-treen) noun, feminine1. window Expression:en vitrine = in the windowlécher les vitrines (to lick the windows) = to go window-shopping ………………….Citation du JourLes descriptions de femme ressemblent à des vitrines de bijoutier. Ony voit des cheveux d’or, des yeux émeraude, des dents perles, deslèvres de corail. Descriptions of women are like a jewelers’ window. In them we see golden hair, emerald eyes, pearly … Continue reading une vitrine
une ordure (or-dewr) noun, feminine 1. dirt, filth (plural) 2. trash, garbage Laura K. Lawless: The Everything French Grammar Book: All the Rules You Need to Master Français Also:ordurier(ière) = filthyune boîte à ordures = a garbage can Expression:dire des ordures = to talk filth, to utter obscenities …………………….Proverb:Au pourceau, l'ordure ne pue point.Filth doesn't bother a pig. A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse … Continue reading une ordure
…………………………………………………………………………………………… Words in a French Life: "…a heart-winning collection from an American woman raising two very French children with her French husband in Provence, carrying on a lifelong love affair with the language."…………………………………………………………………………………………….. vide (veed) adjective 1. empty 2. blank le vide, noun (masculine): 1. emptiness, void, space 2. vacuum 3. gap Also:un vide-poches (empty-pocket) = tidy; pin trayun vide-ordures = a garbage chuteun vide-pomme = … Continue reading vide
un peigne (peh-nyuh) noun, masculine 1. comb Also:un peigne-cul = a creep, a lout; a "heavy," annoying, irritating person…………….Expressions:se donner un coup de peigne = to run a comb through one’s hairêtre sale comme un peigne = to be very dirtypasser au peigne fin = to carefully examine somethingrire comme un peigne = to laugh stupidly …………………………Proverb from Provence:Sers-toi de ton peigne tant que tu … Continue reading un peigne
From one pèlerine to another, whether you are "wandering" to France virtually, via armchair, or joyfully in your rêves/dreams, je vous souhaite / I wish you a "Happy Thanksgiving." pèlerin, ine (pel-rehn, reen) noun 1. pilgrim Also:un pèlerinage = pilgrimage, place of pilgrimage …………….. Expression: prendre son bâton de pèlerin = to leave on a pilgrimage ……………………………………………..Citation du Jour / French Quote of the Day … Continue reading un pèlerin
