Here's an interesting question I got from a student of French: “I understand that animal names in French are generally masculine and feminine (eg. une girafe) but if I am talking about a male girafe, can I say ‘un girafe’? Now, dear listener, how would you answer this question? Listen to this episode to find out! LINKS and RESOURCES "French Animal Names: What to Call Your Dog if it’s a Female" My article: " Masculine or Feminine? Telling the Gender of French Nouns" French Your Way Podcast, Episode 32: "How to Tell if a French Noun is Masculine or Feminine (Part 1)" French Your … Read More →
FYW 051 : French expressions with animals (Part 2)
Learn more common French expressions with animal names! (check www.frenchyourway.com.au/podcast48 for Part 1 of expressions with animals). You’ll impress if you can fit these in a French conversation with native speakers ;-) How many of the following French expressions with animals did you know? Can you share some expressions with animals existing in your own language? Do you know their equivalent in French? Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Revenir à ses moutons Etre frisé comme un mouton Un ours mal léché Noyer le poisson = to confuse the issue Faire … Read More →
FYW 048 : French Expressions with Animals (Part 1)
In this episode, discover some popular French expressions with animal names! You’ll impress if you can fit these in a French conversation with native speakers ;-) How many of the following French expressions with animals did you know? Can you share some expressions with animals existing in your own language? Do you know their equivalent in French? Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Faire l’autruche = to bury your head in the sand Avoir le cafard Un cafard = a cockroach Faire un froid de canard Appeler un chat un chat Avoir un chat dans la gorge = to … Read More →
French Animal Names : What to Call Your Dog if it’s a Female
I recently received a very interesting and unusual question that I had never been asked before. As the answer covers a few different areas, I was immediately inspired to write an article and share it with you. Thanks a lot Tish for your question! “I understand that animals are generally masculine and feminine (eg. une girafe) but if I am talking about a male girafe, can I say 'un girafe'? Imagine that I am writing a story with my children about 'une coccinelle' but the 'coccinelle' is a male whose name is Bruce. Do I refer to this 'coccinelle' throughout the story as 'il' or 'elle'? I even … Read More →