Archive for 'Culture'
A Little Bit about Canada (in French) Posted by Jennie on Jul 2, 2010
Je ne l’attendais pas du tout—I didn’t expect it at all. Je vous ai proposé le Canada, le Madagascar et le Sénégal (I offered you Canada, Madagascar and Senegal) et vous avez massivement voté pour (and you overwhelmingly voted for)… Le Canada ! You’ve recognized la beauté du chapeau des États-Unis (je rigole je t’aime Canada !)…
French Slang Expressions with the Letter F Posted by Hichem on Jun 28, 2010
Le B.A.-BA de l’Argot (The ABC of French Slang) is back, and today, it’s with la lettre F, containing a long répertoire of words and expressions which you will surely like to learn and memorize, and more importantly, above all else, to recognize, whether in reading or hearing. Allez, c’est parti ! (Here we go!) * * *…
La Fête de la musique! Posted by Jennie on Jun 22, 2010
As I write this, on fait la fête à Paris (they’re partying in Paris). Aujourd’hui, le 21 juin, c’est la Fête de la musique! (It’s the Festival of Music!) En 1981, Maurice Fleuret, appointed Director of Music and Dance (Directeur de la Musique et de la Danse), had a dream : « la musique partout et le…
French Slang Expressions with the Letter E Posted by Hichem on Jun 11, 2010
In the “E” section of the B.A.-BA de l’Argot, we get to know today four French slang words used rather frequently; j’ai nommé: – s’Éclater; – s’Emballer; – s’Embrouiller; – s’Engueuler; – Épingler. * * * * s’Éclater: The verb “éclater” means literally “to burst.” But figuratively speaking, its reflexive form, “s’éclater” means “to have an awesome time”, or…
Dans le Port d’Amsterdam (Brel vs. Bowie) Posted by Hichem on Jun 5, 2010
Today we discover a song by a special *Belgian* artist. Most people, till today, tend to mistake him for a French. That, if anything, reflects how profound of an impact he left on la chanson française. His name is Jacques Brel, and contrary to many other singers and musicians, he is one whose artistic life “se passe de tout de commentaire” (does not…
Se baigner vs. se baigner Posted by Jennie on Jun 4, 2010
I was sitting dans un café (in a coffee shop) today, thinking “What on earth will le post d’aujourd’hui (today’s post) be about?” Je n’avais plus d’idées—I didn’t have any more ideas. But the hot, en sueur (sweaty) people walking by gave me my answer. Il fait hyper chaud à New York. It’s super hot…
L’Homme au Masque de Fer Posted by Hichem on Jun 3, 2010
Today, we will evoke une énigme de l’histoire de France, and it is not related to a fiction character (fans of “Iron Man”, désolé, but stick around nevertheless.) Usually, les secrets d’états (state secrets) take a few decades before they are divulgués (divulged) to le public, but it seems that some secrets are never really meant to be unveiled…