What’s the difference between "penser", "croire", "croire à", "croire en" ? Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Penser = to think Je pense donc je suis. Croire = to believe Je crois/pense que c’est une excellente idée de répondre a cette question! = I think that it is an excellent idea to answer this question! Croire (conjugation in the indicative present tense): je crois, nous croyons, ils croient Une croyance = belief, creed ; conviction Une croyance religieuse Croire = penser Je crois que vous faites une erreur. = I believe /think that you’re … Read More →
FYW 009 : What Time is it?
An overview of the common mistakes from French learners when it comes to ask for the time or say what time it is! Do you make these mistakes too? Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Le temps = time (general notion) Le temps passe vite = Time flies. Une fois = a time (occurrence) Il était une fois = once upon a time Je ne le répèterai pas trois fois = I won’t repeat it 3 times ! L’heure (nf) = the time (hour) Vous avez le temps? = Do you have the time? (do you have a few minutes for me ?) Vous avez l’heure?= Do you have the time ? (do you know what … Read More →
FYW 008 : Monnaie vs Money
They sound similar and yet, French word "monnaie" doesn’t mean "money". Let’s go through money-related every day French vocabulary and expressions. This episode will enrich...your knowledge! ;-) Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode argent (nm) = money ; silver (metal, colour) monnaie, devise (nf) = currency L’euro est la monnaie de la France monnaie (f) = change la petite monnaie = loose change, small change une piece de monnaie = a money coin un billet = a bank note un portefeuille = a wallet un porte-monnaie = a purse Vous avez (de) la monnaie ? = … Read More →
FYW 007 : Date, Month, Year, Seasons…and French Poetry
How to tell the date in French: a bit of French grammar and a poetic bonus as I’ll be reading a famous poem by Verlaine for you: "Chanson d’Automne"... Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Le 30 mars, le 4 avril, le 7 mai, le 1er (premier) septembre le (+ date) = le 1er janvier, le 2 avril, le 9 septembre le 1er janvier, le 2 janvier, le 3 janvier, etc en (+ month) = en mars, en novembre SEPTembre, OCTobre, NOVembre, DECembre = sept (7), huit (8), neuf (9), dix (10) en (+ year) = en 1920, en 2015 une saison = a season le printemps, l’été (nm), … Read More →
FYW 006 : “To demand” vs “Demander”
If you translate "to demand" by "demander" in French… well, listen to this episode! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Obligatoire, imposé(e) = mandatory Un mandat = a postal order, money order / a mandate, authorization Le président est élu pour un mandat de 5 ans. = The president is elected for a 5year period. Exiger (v.tr.dir) = to demand (something) ; to require Le directeur exige le silence = The headmaster demands silence. Le directeur exige que ses employés soient au travail a l’heure = The boss demands that his employees be at work on … Read More →
FYW 005 : “Ca va?” – How to Reply (and How to NOT Reply!!) to this Seemingly Basic Question
I’m hoping to help you succeed for good with asking “How are you?” and also how to answer this question. Seems too simple? I’m not so sure! I’ll give you an overview of all the mistakes I have been hearing countless times…even from advanced students! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Ça va ? / Comment ça va ? / Comment allez-vous ? Ça va ! / Je vais bien, merci Bof! = so so Comment est ta/votre sœur ? Elle est sympa, elle est blonde, etc Comment va ta/votre sœur ? (=How is your sister GOING ?) Elle va bien. / Ca va bien. (=She’s going well, she’s … Read More →
FYW 004 : French Food – the Very Meaty Episode!
As a vegetarian, I have trouble finding good restaurants in France where I can eat something other than the sides... In this episode, I’m making a special effort to help you ask for your steak cooked the way you like! For entrée, we’ll dive into the history of England to understand why English language uses two separate words for the same animal (sheep/mutton, cow/beef). Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Avoir une faim de loup = to be very hungry, to be starving (literally “to have the hunger of a wolf”) Mouton (nm) = sheep ; mutton Boeuf (nm) = ox ; … Read More →
FYW 003 : “Travel” vs “Travail”
Yes, they sound similar. No, they don’t mean the same thing. My students often get the words “travail” and “travel” mixed up so I will go over these in today’s episode. I will also explain the spelling difference between “travail” and “travaille”, another common source of confusion! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Voyager = to travel Bon voyage! Un travail = a work Voyage d’affaires (nm) = business trip J’adore mon travail = I love my work Je vais au travail = I’m going to work Travaille = form of the verb “travailler” (to work) Un appel = a … Read More →
FYW 002 : “For” (+ duration): Avoid Saying “Pour” if Possible!
This common mistake comes from an incorrect translation from English and drives many French teachers to the verge of sanity! (including myself). I hope these explanations and examples will help! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode J’ai étudié à l’université (pendant) sept ans = I studied at university for seven years. Je suis allé(e) en vacances (pendant) dix jours = I went on holiday for ten days. La semaine prochaine, je vais (aller) en vacances (pour/pendant) dix jours. = Next week, I’m going on holiday for ten days. J’ai besoin de cette information … Read More →
FYW 001 : Accent circonflexe -That Little Hat on some Letters!
Learn about the different names given to the French accent circonflexe. I will run you through its different uses and functions. Listen to see if you knew them all…you may well also learn a heap of French vocabulary on the way! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode accent circonflexe / “petit chapeau” / “chapeau chinois » être une forêt -un chemin/sentier forestier, un garde forestier une fête - un festin, un festival un hôpital - hospitalier, l’hospitalité une île - l’Islande un maître - un Master, une maîtrise une bête - un bestiaire une pâte, une … Read More →