All About "Mettre", One of the Most Underrated French Verbs
As French verbs go, mettre isn’t the most exciting. It’s got practical definitions, it isn’t living a double life, and it doesn’t immediately evoke big, thrilling feel…
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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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When Should You (And Shouldn't) You Use Enchanté ?
The first time I met my wife’s colleagues, I made a fool of myself. I greeted them, told them my name and they answered: “nice to meet you”. “Yes”, I answered. I didn’…
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Paf ! the Ultimate Guide to French Onomatopoeias and Animal Sounds
What sound does a hen make in France? It depends on who you ask. A French person would say cot cot, but an Anglophone would answer “cluck”. Both are correct. Onomatop…
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16 Famous French Painters (And a Few Others You May Not Know)
From medieval innovators to avant-garde modern artists, France has a long history of talented painters. Some have risen to worldwide fame and even single-name recognit…
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How to Type and Pronounce French Accents
French accents are sneaky creatures. They wait in the dark, looking for an innocent letter to jump onto and transform. But what do they want exactly? I mean, sure, the…
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8 common ways to say "good luck" in French + audio pronunciation
As a whole, the French aren’t the most superstitious of people. Whenever I warn my son not to open an umbrella in the house, or sprinkle some salt over my shoulder, my…
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The dangerous meanings of mademoiselle
In France, Mademoiselle is a complicated word! Most of us learn three basic titles in French: Monsieur (abbreviated M.), Madame (abbreviated Mme.), and Mademoiselle (a…
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7 Ways of Saying "by" in French
It may have only two letters, but “by” is a big a word! We use it in so many situations, from giving directions, to talking about art and literature, to expressions –…
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All About French Castles, Including How to Visit One in Real Life - or from Your Living Room
There are some things that typically come to mind when people think of France. One of them may be some kind of castle or palace. It might be a particularly famous one,…
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Nostalgia, Jokes, and Secret Snacks: The Surprising Way French Cookies Are Viewed in France
Quick – name a French cookie! If you couldn’t, don’t be disappointed. The French are known for their pastries, but they’re not a cookie culture. No, “cookie culture”…
