The family hat. John bought it for Mom, in Mexico. Mom left it to me, in France. Marsha borrowed it in San Remo, and yesterday, while sitting out in the morning sun enjoying our coffee together, Dad asked: may I use your hat? une nappe (nap) : tablecloth, sheet (layer) la nappe phréatique = ground water, water tablela nappe de mazout = oil slickla … Continue reading What is a “nappe” in French?
My family and I stole away for a two-day séjour in Italy. C'était dépaysant, as the French say–or a nice "change of scenery".un séjour (say-joor) 1. stay 2. living room, family room bon séjour = have a nice stayune carte de séjour = a residence permitle titre de séjour = green cardle séjour linguistic = language study vacationla salle de séjour = … Continue reading sejour + how to say “a nice change of scenery” in French
An old hardware store in Les Arcs-sur-Argens… and another one in today's vignette. c'est moi qui paye (say-mwah-kee-pay) : it's on me Example Sentence:Non, mais tu rigoles? C'est moi qui paye!Don't be silly. I'm paying for it! A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse "I think the translation is 'hardware store'," I say to my dad as we enter our town's … Continue reading To spring for the bill (or how to say “it’s on me” in French)
"Soda Pop". The cliché, above, was an accidental self-portrait taken while focusing on the bigger picture. It will remain a whimsical and wonderful souvenir of my visit with Dad. Note: Pop and I aren't really drinking sodas (and I never call Dad "pop", except to name this photo): that's a can of water in my left hand and a camera in my right. Dad's holding … Continue reading How to say “snapshot” in French + photos from Sanary-sur-Mer
A calanque is an inlet from the sea, ideal for walking your dog, picnics, and snorkeling! être coincé (etruh-kwen-say) : to be stranded Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wav Nous avons été coincés deux fois cette semaine: une fois sur la mer et une fois sur la terre.We were stranded twice this week: once at sea and once on land. A Day in … Continue reading How to say “stranded” in French?
A wild boar, a hedgehog, a dog… lion… chicken. I can't find a photo of a porpoise to illustrate today's word–thankfully these furry and feathery volunteers behind a shop window are happy to pose as one. (And the handwritten ads were taped to the window by students looking for work). le marsouin (mar-swehn) : porpoise In old French le marsouin was pourpois (poisson-cochon, or fish-pig) … Continue reading What’s a “marsouin”? + French garden tour!
Jean-Marc took this photo while out fishing for daurade (sea bream or porgy). He brought back some bulots, or whelk, instead. I'll try to post a picture soon. la sirène (see-ren) : mermaid, siren.sirène des pompiers = firefighter sirenla petite sirène = the little mermaid A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse I have never stepped foot inside my husband's boat–that … Continue reading How to say mermaid in French?
Random photo… and nothing to do with the BIG FAVOR I want to ask you–except to butter you up. (Will pastry butter do the trick?) I've just joined Goodreads, a site where bookworms hang out and share what they're reading. I invite you to connect with me there and (here's the favor part) add my books to your "want to read" list–but only if you really … Continue reading Tarpin! A slang word in French meaning “so” or “very” or “super”
