Month: March 2010

Uncategorized

“le french flair”–How to translate this expression in English?

  French Charm. No photo of the star rugby player (see today's story…) for you. I hope a photo of a beautiful French woman will do. I met Estelle during my latest photo périple through the town of Montfaucon. At the bakery, Estelle serves chocolate eggs, jelly beans, Tic-Tacs, Hollywood gum, and melt-in-your-mouth money… enough friandises to fill the kids Easter baskets on Sunday! Merci … Continue reading “le french flair”–How to translate this expression in English?

Kristin Espinasse45 Comments
Uncategorized

Joyeux Anniversaire, Jean-Marc + se reposer sur ses lauriers

Resting on one's laurels. (Note: I didn't have a picture of a laurel, so how about anemones instead? Let's rephrase things now to "easing up on one's anemones" se reposer sur ses lauriers     : to rest on one's laurels A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse I did not bring my husband his cup of kawa this morning. Instead, I crept up … Continue reading Joyeux Anniversaire, Jean-Marc + se reposer sur ses lauriers

Kristin Espinasse134 Comments
Uncategorized

How to say “baptism” in French or Comment dire “baptême” en anglais

 Around the time I met my husband… Il y a vingt ans. We've been following each other's dreams ever since. Read on in today's column (photo of Jean-Marc. His picture is taped to my computer screen). le baptême (baa-tem)     : baptism le baptême de l'air = first flight, first ride in an airplanele baptême de l'eau = first swim, sail… first time in the … Continue reading How to say “baptism” in French or Comment dire “baptême” en anglais

Kristin Espinasse48 Comments
Friends

Aubade: a beautiful French word with a beautiful meaning

 New to French Word-A-Day? Bienvenue!  Sign up for free updates of the latest posts. une aubade (oh-bad)     : dawn serenade donner une aubade à quelqu'un = to serenade someone  A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse On ne sait jamais ce que demain sera… One never knows what tomorrow will bring and for Tessa and me that meant that someone would sing! … Continue reading Aubade: a beautiful French word with a beautiful meaning

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
Friends

la question mille francs + French words “le délire”, “le plumeau”, “la poubelle” and cleaning out my writing den

Balance, order, and sunshine — essentials for a thriving mind. la question à mille francs (lah-kest-yon-ah-meel-frahn)     : the sixty-four thousand dollar question (something that is not known, the answer for which wins top prize!). A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse It is WONDERFUL to be back in my writing room! So how did I find myself typing in a corner of … Continue reading la question mille francs + French words “le délire”, “le plumeau”, “la poubelle” and cleaning out my writing den

Kristin Espinasse43 Comments
Nostalgia

“Une petiote” is a synonym for “little girl” in French + childhood story

Meet-up: Jean Marc will be in LA soon… & elsewhere in the States… une petiote (peh tee oht)     : little girl, lass un petiot (peh tee oh)     : little boy, lad A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse Don't you just wonder who lives behind these fascinating French façades? The characters that cohabit, the personnages who putter derrière la porte? I … Continue reading “Une petiote” is a synonym for “little girl” in French + childhood story

Kristin Espinasse42 Comments
Jules, Writing

French word for “goal” or “aim” and thoughts about writing

Flowers far from France… le but (bewt)     : goal, aim. A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse Yesterday morning a great big soupir stopped me in my tracks and had me asking why? Why do I do what I do? What am I aiming for? Am I on the right track? I called Mom last night and caught her ironing. Le repassage? … Continue reading French word for “goal” or “aim” and thoughts about writing

Kristin Espinasse94 Comments
Illiteracy

analphabetisme

Ever read to someone at the library… because that someone could not recognize the letters in the story? analphabétism (an-alfa-bah-teezm)     : illiteracy. Precious. Precious Jones, an inner-city high school girl, is illiterate… and faced with the choice to follow opportunity and test her own boundaries.See the film. Order it here.      A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse On Sunday I … Continue reading analphabetisme

Kristin Espinasse45 Comments
Dental Issues

coup de dent

 What is love? Photo taken yesterday, outside our kitchen window.  Free delivery of French Word-A-Day, direct to your in-box! If you haven't yet subscribed, take a moment and sign-up now (click here). And thank you for over a hundred Best Tips For Learning French. Don't miss them, here. ***   un coup de dent (koo-deuh-dahn)      : a nip (a little bite) .A Day in a … Continue reading coup de dent

Kristin Espinasse53 Comments
Uncategorized

Where to Rent / Hire a Car in France?

  Thank you for helping to answer Paula’s car rental question: We are coming to France again in April… Do you have any suggestions for car rentals associated with your site as you do hotels? We usually rent from [company name withheld) but it gets expensive for the 4 weeks.  Please share your car rental suggestions and tips — and see reader recommendations here. Tell … Continue reading Where to Rent / Hire a Car in France?

Kristin Espinasse57 Comments