How to use and conjugate the verb Finir
Finir means “to finish” or “to end” in French. This makes it a useful and common verb, with some useful and common derivatives as well. Let’s take a look at finir and…
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Everyday words and phrases, slang, grammar, verbs, pronunciation and life in France, plus honest guides to the apps, courses and resources that help you speak French.
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How to call French numbers (and avoid embarrassing misdials)
It’s easy enough to log onto the internet and start spotting and using French internet slang. But what about calling a French number if you want to use some of your ne…
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Five reasons Pepé Le Pew isn’t really French
Although he’s become a controversial figure, for many of us, Looney Tunes character Pepé Le Pew was our first introduction to French culture. The skunk’s accent and lo…
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What to use instead of the present perfect in French
Have you ever…wondered how to say “Have you ever in French?” Don’t worry: the confusion you might have felt while wracking your brain for an answer is totally understa…
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Everything you need to know about French acronyms
Acronyms are words that are made up of the beginning letters in a longer term. They exist in many languages, but they’re extremely important in French. Let’s look at s…
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Josephine Baker: the incredible story of a spy, dancer and activist
In the 19th and 20th centuries, a number of notable Black Americans found refuge in France, especially Paris. There was no segregation in France (at least not legally)…
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The essential guide to French abbreviations
Whether it’s to save space, avoid repeating long terms, or even simply to sound cool, French speakers often abbreviate (shorten) words. Let’s look at some of the most…
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Is Valentine's Day a thing in France?
A lot of people think that there’s nothing more romantic than being in France on Valentine’s Day. They’re not totally wrong; France is a beautiful country full of oppo…
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What’s the difference between “C’est” and “Il est”?
When you first learn French, it seems easy: C’est means “It is/It’s” or “That is/That’s”, and Il est or Elle est means “He is/He’s” or “She is/She’s” (or “It is/It’s”…
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8 ways to introduce yourself in French
Introducing yourself in French is an important skill. After all, chances are, at least part of the reason you’re learning French is to talk to French speakers one day…