Month: August 2013

Uncategorized

Braise the dog update + how to say “different strokes for different folks” in French

Happy Art (or L'art joyeux). The other day I was snapping a picture of this lively fishing boat, or pointu, when a passerby sniffed Quelle horreur! ("How tacky (that boat is)!" I was struck by the comment until I rememembered we don't all see things the same way or, as we say back home, Different strokes for different folks! Even if I wouldn't paint a boat in the … Continue reading Braise the dog update + how to say “different strokes for different folks” in French

Kristin Espinasse90 Comments
Uncategorized

how to say “from the bottom of the heart” and “shooting star” in French?

When nature frames a lovely scene…. Photo taken in Cassis. Dear Readers, French Word-A-Day is free thanks to sponsors and readers like you! Whether you have read my language journal since October 2002–or whether you have just signed on–I thank you du fond du coeur for supporting this educational enterprise! More than learning a new French word or phrase, I hope you will come away from the … Continue reading how to say “from the bottom of the heart” and “shooting star” in French?

Kristin Espinasse48 Comments
Neighbors

How to say searchlight and intruder in French?

In addition to the visitors we invite (read about these guys, above), we had some unwelcome guests recently. A story about a prowler, or un rôdeur de nuit, in today's column.  faisceau de lumière (fay-so-deuh-loo-myer)     : light beam    Example sentence (and handy retort!): Still smarting from a recent disagreement? Why not forward the following quote (mwah ha ha ha! That'll get 'em!) …il … Continue reading How to say searchlight and intruder in French?

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
Culture, Heidi, Hospitality, Insects

How to say “cleaning frenzy” in French! + photo vocabulary!

Gone fishing! I'll see you in a week, when the next post goes out. Meantime, keep up your French vocabulary by visiting the French word archives. Thanks for reading and for sharing our language journal with friends and family. See you soon–with more photos and stories from a French life! Bisous, Kristin  la frénésie de ménage (fray-nay-zee deuh may-nazh)     : cleaning frenzy  … and … Continue reading How to say “cleaning frenzy” in French! + photo vocabulary!

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
Animals, Neighbors, Recette / Recipe

RECIPE: Annie’s Soupe de Poissons

  A fish shop in Brignoles.   la soupe de poissons (sewp-deuh-pwa-sohn)     : fish soup Jean-Marc has been catching lots of little fish these days. Last time it was une rascasse! Apart from being unappetizing to look at, they are too small to eat. "Faites la soupe de poissons!" Make fish soup! our friends tell us. Recipe, in today's story….   A Day in … Continue reading RECIPE: Annie’s Soupe de Poissons

Kristin Espinasse78 Comments
Expressions

manger ses mots

Socks on stage, taking a bow in front of the curtains. I have always been a sucker for whimsy. I love French architecture and adore the building blocks of language…  manger ses mots (mahn-zhay-say-moh)     : to speak inarticulately, to mumble  Aha! and you thought manger ses mots (to eat one's words) meant to admit you were wrong. Relax! You're thinking of the English idiom. … Continue reading manger ses mots

Kristin Espinasse136 Comments