French Culture Retro Pubs 4 Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jul 30, 2019 in Culture, Vocabulary
This week we’ll rap up our exploration of classic ’80’s commercials with a look at a commercial for the lessive Gama (Gama laundry detergent). After our earlier discussion about shops and shopping in France, this pub (commercial) introduces us to some of the commerçants (shopkeepers, business people) who work in France.
| Français | English |
| Rue Gama | Gama Street |
| Y a** le boucher tout taché | There’s the butcher all stained |
| Il lui faut du costaud* | He needs something strong |
| Pour être à nouveau beau* | To be handsome again |
| Pour partir au boulot* | To go to work |
| Rue Gama | Gama Street |
| Y a** aussi le garagiste | There’s also the mechanic |
| Qui se tache, c’est pas triste*** | Who gets stained, and not just a bit |
| Faut*** quelque chose qui fait le poids | Requires something hearty |
| Pour enlever ces taches-là | To remove those stains |
| Rue Gama | Gama Street |
| Y a** la fille | There’s the girl |
| Qui toute blanche | Who all in white |
| Jolie comme un dimanche | Pretty as a Sunday |
| Propre comme un sou neuf | Clean as a new penny |
| Comme un printemps tout neuf | Like the new spring |
| Rue Gama | Gama Street |
| Oui Gama | Yes Gama |
| Fait mieux le poids | Really holds its own |
| Contre toute la saleté | Against all the dirt and grime |
| Et les taches se détachent avec facilité | And the stains come out with ease |
| Rue Gama (x3) | Gama Street (x3) |
* Notice all the different spellings, but the same sounds!
**Y a is short for the very useful Il y a (There is or there are).
*** C’est pas triste is an idiomatic expression. It literally means It is not sad or That’s not sad but it is used to express something more like to a great degree.
**** Faut (from the verb falloir) here is short for Il faut, another very useful expression that means To have to or must. It expresses an obligation.
Le Tour de France
We haven’t talked about it, but the Tour is underway in France. This news clip from the 19e étape (19th stage) caught my attention though. It’s a great example of why some are saying we shouldn’t be talking about Global Warming … but Global Weirding! This is indeed some weird weather. Check out the grêle (hail) that covered the streets and the torrents d’eau (rushing water) that cut off the route of this latest stage of the race.
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About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.