Category: Jean-Marc

Jean-Marc

Un avion de chasse: after “canon” another French word for “hottie” or “babe” + French vocabulary: prendre sa revanche, taquin, rebonjour, phare, pantoufle

Learn a host of new French words as I poke fun at my husband in today’s billet. Don't miss the sound file, where Jean-Marc pronounces all the vocabulary in French and in English. Photo taken in the magnificent Parc du Mugel, here in La Ciotat. Today's Word: Taquiner     : to tease, to kid, to joke, annoy, poke fun at What is Taquiner? Having fun … Continue reading Un avion de chasse: after “canon” another French word for “hottie” or “babe” + French vocabulary: prendre sa revanche, taquin, rebonjour, phare, pantoufle

Kristin Espinasse18 Comments
Alps, Bilingual Story, Driving, Jean-Marc

Le Ravin: Jean-Marc’s car accident in the French Alps

Today's Word: le ravin     : ravine, a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm… Audio File: Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the last sentence in his story, below.A BILINGUAL STORY  by Jean-Marc Espinasse (English version follows, below) Puisque que la météo avait prévu de la neige dans les Alpes, je me suis décidé à partir tout seul ce weekend pour faire de la … Continue reading Le Ravin: Jean-Marc’s car accident in the French Alps

Kristin Espinasse44 Comments
Alps, Jean-Marc

How to say cane (or trekking pole…) + photos from French Alps

Our golden retriever, Smokey, and one of his many sticks. In today's story, Jean-Marc searches for the perfect bâton along the sentier to Fontenil, high up in the Southern Alps. Read along and learn a dozen useful French terms including a funny word for perfectionist… Today's Word: le bâton    : stick, cane, staff    : le bâton de ski = ski pole Sound file: … Continue reading How to say cane (or trekking pole…) + photos from French Alps

Kristin Espinasse17 Comments
Driving, Jean-Marc, Travel

Say ride share or car share in French: covoiturage

What's your favorite way to get around France? Walk or ride? If you said "ride," then today's covoiturage tip is for you!  le covoiturage (ko-vwah-tewr-ahzh)     : rideshare, carshare, carsharing, carpool Audio File and Example Sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file BlablaCar est un service de covoiturage economique, ecologique et convivial. BlaBlaCar is a carpool service that's economical, ecological and convivial. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse … Continue reading Say ride share or car share in French: covoiturage

Kristin Espinasse42 Comments
Birthdays, Jean-Marc, Video

il parait + video interview on French TV

Out of the rubble a wine is born!  Jean-Marc gave more than heart and soul when he made his first wine: he gave his blood, his tears, and an alarming number of kilos. I talk about this, and more, in an interview about the organic winemaker on French TV.  il paraît (eel-pah-ray)     : it seems, it appears synonyms: on dit (they say) or … Continue reading il parait + video interview on French TV

Kristin Espinasse110 Comments
Fashion, Jean-Marc, Mr Sacks

Sacoche – how to say satchel or briefcase (or “man purse”) in French

A scooter in St. Tropez. Look closely at the sagging object my husband is carrying. Meet Mr. Sacks, Jean-Marc's lovable sidekick. The photos in the following story were taken over the years…. Today's Word: la sacoche (sah-kohsh)     : handbag, saddlebag, purse, bag from the Italian saccoccia, or "little pocket" la sacoche en cuir = leather bagla sacoche d'écolier = school bagla sacoche à … Continue reading Sacoche – how to say satchel or briefcase (or “man purse”) in French

Kristin Espinasse230 Comments
Jean-Marc, Mr Sacks

fouiller

In case you're wondering: my husband gave me permission to write the following story! Here he is with his tattered and sagging sacoche. (side note: the bag has been on its last leg since 2004, and just keeps going and going and going!) Photo taken in 2010 in Caltagirone, Sicily.  fouiller (foo-ee-ay)     : to rummage through something (a pocket, a drawer) Audio File: hear Jean-Marc … Continue reading fouiller

Kristin Espinasse37 Comments
Health, Jean-Marc

rein

The life of a grape farmer, where torn trousers, sopping-wet work shirts, and "too much on the mind" are part of making good wine!  Who has time for health? Read on…. le rein (rehn)     : kidney néphrologue (m/f) = kidney specialistles reins = the small of the backavoir mal aux reins = to have a backache (in lower back)  Audio File & Example sentence by … Continue reading rein

Kristin Espinasse77 Comments