Archive for 'Vocabulary'
Hi Hungry, I’m Dad – La Fête Des Pères In French Posted by John Bauer on Jun 13, 2018
La fête des pères (Father’s Day) is just around the corner! Unlike la fête des mères (Mother’s Day), cette fête (this holiday) doesn’t involve remembering two different dates when you’re from les États-Unis! In both France and aux USA, la fête falls on the third Sunday of June. La fête des pères is both a…
A Leaf Of Paper – Talking About Le Papier In French Posted by John Bauer on Jun 6, 2018
There is a never ending list of incredibly common words that always surprise me when I realize I don’t know them. The funniest part about these kinds of words is how they sneak up on me. It’s easy to never think about how to say a simple everyday thing until you need to say it!…
Not all sugar and spice Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jun 5, 2018
Last week we read an old story designed to remind les jeunes garçons sages (good little boys) how to behave. As promised at the end of that last post, this week, we look at a similar reminder for les gentilles filles (good girls). La Mouche * Listen to how the t at the end of fort ‘runs into’ occupée. View…
French Lyrics: Le poinçonneur des Lilas Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Jun 5, 2018
Last week, we went over Serge Gainsbourg’s beloved song “Le poinçonneur des Lilas.” Now, let’s take a look at the lyrics and the word play the famous chanteur/compositeur wrote. The catchy réfrain of this song begins: “J’fais des trous, des p’tits trous, encore des p’tits trous.” (“I make holes, little holes, and more little holes.”) This refers…
If only it were that simple Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 29, 2018
My son will be 24 years old next month! He is my pride and joy, but raising a boy did have its challenges. Like many parents, I was always looking for just the right way to guide him on the path to adulthood (and to good manners, behavior, and grades!) If only I’d come across…
Learning 3 New Words From 1 Mistake Posted by John Bauer on May 23, 2018
Hier (yesterday), summer weather stormed through Paris and it started pouring during the humid afternoon. Le temps (the weather) may seem like nothing but small talk, but it ended up teaching me trois nouveaux mots (three new words)! It was a dark and stormy après-midi (afternoon) when it started happening. I turned to mon collègue…
A visit to Monaco Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 22, 2018
The Grand Prix de Monaco is this weekend (le 24 – 27 mai/May). It seemed like the occasion idéale (perfect opportunity) to talk about that tiny country nestled between France and Italy along la mer méditerranée (the Mediterranean Sea). Monaco or Monte-Carlo At just 2 square kilometers (or 485 acres), Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world (only…