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“Tricky” French Conjugation: The Verb ALLER (To Go) Posted by Hichem on Apr 25, 2013
One of the trickiest verbs to conjugate for the new learners of French language is hands-down ALLER (To Go) Unlike other verbs, aller can in some cases transform itself in a seemingly different verb, as in “il va” or “j‘irai.” Obviously, the best way not to make any mistake with this verb is to simply memorize its…
Salut! Comment vas-tu? Posted by Hichem on Apr 22, 2013
Hello there, c’est encore moi (it’s me again.) We haven’t spoken since a long time. By now, we may only be a vague souvenir (memory) to each other. That’s why I just wanted to say “salut” (“hello”), and ask you: “Comment vas-tu?” (“How are you?”) Joe Dassin “Salut” (“Hello”) – 1975 His son Julien Dassin sings…
Top 10 French Expressions Using the Word FORT (Strong) Posted by Hichem on Apr 19, 2013
You want to be FORT (strong) in French? Well, then there is nothing better than learning new French idiomatic expressions… À plus forte raison (especially) if the said expressions contain the word FORT (strong.) * * * TOP 10 French Expressions Using the Word FORT (Strong): 10 – Fort en… The most obvious of all 10…
How to Get into a Grande École in France Posted by Hichem on Apr 14, 2013
To many students from all over the world, to be offered the opportunity of studying in an Ivy-League school in France is tantamount to un rêve (a dream) that becomes true. Of course, la clé du succès (the key to success) is hard work and perseverance. And that means quite a lot of it! Today…
La Plume Française (The French Quill Pen) Posted by Hichem on Apr 11, 2013
Unlike what their name may suggest to some at first, the French group “Louise Attack” is no Heavy Metal band à-la-Rammstein. In fact, their songs are for the most part relaxées (chill) and rather mellow. One of such songs is “la Plume“, meaning “The Quill Pen“, which we feature today, together with an exclusive translation of its…
Paris Vs. Barcelona: “La Grande Surprise” Tonight? Posted by Hichem on Apr 6, 2013
After a rather good performance in the match aller (first leg game) made against Barcelona, will the Paris Saint-Germain have what it takes to create la grande surprise tonight, by beating the Catalans in the Quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League? The task of les Parisiens already seems like coming out of a “Mission:Impossible” movie…
Vous n’aurez jamais notre cœur (You Will Never Have Our Heart) Posted by Hichem on Apr 3, 2013
Last week, while evoking l’Alsace et la Lorraine, and raising the question of whether they were originally French or German, we characterized the temporary loss of these two territories as provoking to many a French person a corresponding “temporary loss of sanity.” For nearly half a century, a heavy wind of revanchisme (from the word…