Category: Grocery Store Encounters

Grocery Store Encounters, Smokey

French for “fighter, warrior, survivor” + Fate, Love, and Dogs: Our golden retriever is “un battant”

These are our dog’s parents. That’s “Sam” on the left and Breizh, right. They lived life to the fullest and are over the rainbow bridge now. We hope to keep their son, Smokey, on this side of that colorful arc-en-ciel for as long as possible. Read on, in today’s post. Today's Word: un battant     : fighter, warrior, survivor French Audio/Listening: Click the following link … Continue reading French for “fighter, warrior, survivor” + Fate, Love, and Dogs: Our golden retriever is “un battant”

Kristin Espinasse66 Comments
Family Life, Grocery Store Encounters, Jules

S’épancher: to pour out one’s heart + Another grocery store encounter

A flower shop in Sospel, France. The hearts in the fleuriste's window hint at today's word. The story below reveals the full meaning. Enjoy two sound files in today's post and thank you for sharing this journal with a friend. Today's Word: s'épancher     : to pour out one's heart Example Sentence and Sound FileRetenir ses larmes, voilà bien, selon moi, le comble du … Continue reading S’épancher: to pour out one’s heart + Another grocery store encounter

Kristin Espinasse36 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters, Senior Citizens in France

A Beautiful Escape via the French word échapper belle

Today's story takes place in La Ciotat, not far from the beach.  ECHAPPER BELLE (ay-shap-ay bel)     : to have a close call, a lucky escape; to let off the hook L'ECOUTE: Practice your French Listening Skills. To hear the French in today's story, click below. Next, check your comprehension by viewing the vocabulary list (farther down). Listen to the vocabulary list, click here … Continue reading A Beautiful Escape via the French word échapper belle

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters

Two brothers at Aldi and riots in France

L'Ile Verte. The green island, here in La Ciotat, for a peaceful image to begin today's post. Today's Word: chercher ses mots*     : to be at a loss for words *I settled on this "word of the day" following the struggle in writing a story in these sad, scary, and emotionally-charged times. Thank you for reading with open hearts. A DAY IN A … Continue reading Two brothers at Aldi and riots in France

Kristin Espinasse69 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters

Draguer: At what age are you “lucky” to be hit on (or even noticed at all)?

Joyeuse Saint Valentin! That's Happy Valentine's Day in French. Photo: A "liste des courses" spotted at our local supermarché…where pick-up artists and good Samaritans operate. Don't miss today's vocabulary-packed story, below. TODAY'S WORD: se faire draguer or se faire brancher         : to get hit on brancher une nana = to hit on a girl, to make a pass at a girl CLICK HERE to … Continue reading Draguer: At what age are you “lucky” to be hit on (or even noticed at all)?

Kristin Espinasse41 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters

Peuchère or What Not to Say to a Disabled Person

I'm having the time of my life with my wonderful mom! I love this innocent, serendipitous photo with Mom and her little fish purse. The sign says: "You are at the right place. Look no further." Vous êtes au bon endroit. Ne cherchez plus.  peuchère (peuh-sher)     : poor dear, poor thing Peuchère is a Provençal expression of sympathy, used to indicate compassion for … Continue reading Peuchère or What Not to Say to a Disabled Person

Kristin Espinasse102 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters

How to say discount card in French: Carte de Fidelite

Name this photo (taken in the nearby village of Suze la Rousse) la carte de fidélité (lah kart deuh fee del ee tay) noun, feminine     : rewards card, discount card (loyalty card) Audio File and Example Sentence: Download Wav or Download MP3 Avec votre carte de fidélité, vous recevrez dix pourcent de réduction.With your rewards card, you receive a ten percent discount. A Day … Continue reading How to say discount card in French: Carte de Fidelite

Kristin Espinasse37 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters, Max, Shopping, Story Selections 2006

Emplette: Only in France Can Children Buy Wine!

Fruit and vegetable crates at a corner market in Orange (Vaucluse). une emplette(om-plet)noun, femininea purchase   When Max and his soeur cadette, Jackie, offer to ride their bikes to the bakery, I request a little detour along the way.  "Please stop by the supérette. We're out of toilet paper!"  The kids wrinkle their noses, complaining that they'll look carrément ridicule shopping for le papier WC.  But … Continue reading Emplette: Only in France Can Children Buy Wine!

Kristin Espinasse24 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters

Underwear in French: from “caleçon” to “culotte”

un caleçon (kal-sohn) noun, masculine 1. boxer shorts, underpants 2. leggings (for women) Also: caleçons de bain = swim trunks caleçon(s) long(s) = long johns une caleçonnade = a “spectacle de boulevard” (road show) including risqué themes ……………………… Expression: jeter le caleçon à quelqu’un = to provoke someone to fight ………………………. Citation du Jour: Le caleçon est au vaudeville ce que la toge est à … Continue reading Underwear in French: from “caleçon” to “culotte”

Kristin Espinasse