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François Ier: Patron of French Renaissance Posted by Hichem on May 21, 2013
“Une cour sans femmes est comme un jardin sans fleurs” (“a court without women is like a garden without flowers.”) Thus spoke François Ier (Francis I in English), like a true Frenchman some would say. But contrary to some other French monarchs, female company was not his only preoccupation. In fact, the lifetime dream of François was to bring…
Simply French Rock Posted by Hichem on May 18, 2013
Everyone agrees, Noir Désir is a household name on the French Rock scene. Their song “Un Jour en France” (“A Day in France”) has perhaps not reached the standing of a “classic” yet, but it does offer a pretty good idea about the message this band conveys through its music. Noir Désir’s “Un Jour en France” (“A Day…
Et Si…? (What If…?) Posted by Hichem on May 15, 2013
Ever wonder what if things went differently? Le monde serait-il devenu si différent? (Would the world have turned out to be so different?) The French musical featured today sings, tongue-in-cheek, about the so-called Effet papillon (Butterfly Effect): Every little detail could transform the world as we know it. Or is there more to that? Ray Ventura’s “Le…
May I Offer You “Un Cadeau de Mai” (A May Present)? Posted by Hichem on May 9, 2013
Since the month of May is not over yet, may I offer you an old popular French poem? Drôle de coïncidence (funny coincidence) perhaps, this poem happens to be precisely about offering presents during the month of May. QUE DONNERAI-JE À MON AMIE EN MAI? (WHAT SHALL I GIVE TO MY FRIEND IN MAY?) Que donnerai-je…
Top 10 French Expressions Using the Verb “JOUER” (To Play) Posted by Hichem on May 6, 2013
Ever noticed that if you just add the letter “u” to the French pronoun “je“, it becomes a noun: “jeu” (“game”)! If you enjoy this kind of little tricks, that means that you like the corresponding verb of “jeu“: “jouer” (“to play.”) For example, you can say: “Charlie Chaplin aimait bien jouer au chat et à…
J’me Tire (I’m Outta Here)! Posted by Hichem on May 3, 2013
In proper French, if you want to announce that you are leaving, that you’re about to be gone, then you can say: “je pars“, “je m’en vais“, “je quitte les lieux“, etc. If you feel like saying it informally, however, or rather in French slang, then you have the choice between expressions (not to be used…
Top 10 French Expressions with the Word “PLEIN” (Full) Posted by Hichem on Apr 30, 2013
Today’s post is plein à craquer (chock-full) of French idiomatic expressions which -surprise surprise- use the word “plein” (full.) Open up your note-books, and make sure you memorize as many as you can! * Top 10 French Expressions with the Word “PLEIN” (Full) 10- Plein de (full of) This is the most obvious expression using the…