French Etc » Mot du jour Podcast

franchir le pas – to cross the step. franchir le pas means ‘to take the plunge’. FRANCHIR is conjugated like FINIR is. * « J’apprends le français depuis un an et je voudrais aller en France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) mais je n’ai pas encore franchi le pas. » “I’ve been studying French for a year and I’d like to go to France but I haven’t taken the plunge yet.” présent (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/present-tense/) :  je franchis le pas, nous franchissons le pas imparfait (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/past-tenses/) :  je franchissais le pas, nous franchissions le pas futur (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/10/10/future-tense-in-french/) :  je franchirai le pas, nous franchirons le pas Related:  About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) . Try using this expression today. Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only . Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’. Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/) Bonne journée française !

en caractère gras - in fat character - means in bold type. * « Tape (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/04/26/technology/)-le en caractère gras pour que ce soit (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/10/10/5538/) plus visible. » "Type it in bold type so it's more visible." Related: Technology Vocab (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/04/26/technology/) . Subjunctive Formation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/10/10/5538/) . Punctuation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/07/24/ponctuation/ ) . There are many other expressions you probably won't find in your textbook on the Web site (../). Venez nous voir. That was Anne's native take on a French expression. Bonne journée française. Visit frenchetc.org - anne@frenchetc.org - Try our e-tutorials (../about/tutorial-info/via-skype/).

y a pas photo: il n'y a pas - there isn't - photo is short for photogaphie - photogaphy - y a pas photo - there isn't a picture.  I believe this expression comes from the races. When you know right away who the winner is, there is no need to take a picture, hence "there is no picture (to be taken). y'a pas photo means 'it's obvious', 'it's clear', 'there is no doubt', 'it's a no-brainer'. * « C'est évident qu'il va réussir à (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/03/05/special-verbs/) son (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/03/15/my-my-my-possessive-adjectives/) interro. Y'a pas photo.  » "It's obvious that he'll do well on his (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/03/15/my-my-my-possessive-adjectives/) quiz. Its' a no-brainer." présent (../2009/05/26/uses-of-present-tense/) : y a pas photo imparfait (../2009/06/02/passe-compose-vs-imparfait/) : y a pas photo futur (../2010/05/05/french-future-tense/) : y a pas photo Related: Photo vocabulary (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/06/09/photovocab/) . Games (http://quizlet.com/4664059/french-photography-flash-cards/) . Test (http://quizlet.com/4664059/test/?mult_choice=on&tf=on&prompt-def=1&limit=20) . Flashcards (http://quizlet.com/4664059/flashcards/) . That was Anne's native take on a French expression. There are many other expressions (../2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) and more that you won't find in your textbook. Visit www.frenchetc.org. Bonne journée française !

faire le grand écart – to do the big gap or to do the split. faire le grand écart means ‘to be torn between.’ * « Il fait toujours le grand écart entre vivre à Paris et vivre aux Baux-de-Provence (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/05/24/bauxdeprovence/). » “He’s still torn between living in Paris and living in Baux-de-Provence.” présent (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/present-tense/) :  je fais le grand écart, nous faisons le grand écart imparfait (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/past-tenses/) :  je faisais le grand écart, nous faisions le grand écart futur (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/10/10/future-tense-in-french/) :  je ferai le grand écart, nous ferons le grand écart Related:  About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . Baux de Provence (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/05/24/bauxdeprovence/) . Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) . Try using this expression today. Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only . Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’. Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/) Bonne journée française !

être du sport – to be some sport. être du sport means ‘to be physical’ or ‘to be tough.’ ÊTRE is a really irregular verb in many tenses. * « Ça va être du sport de faire les valises, réserver l’hôtel et partir sur la route ce soir avant 20H00. » “It’s going to be though to pack the suitcases, reserve the hotel room and be on our way tonight before 8.” présent (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/present-tense/ ) : c’est du sport imparfait (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/past-tenses/) :  c’était du sport futur (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/10/10/future-tense-in-french/) :  ce sera du sport Related: Les loisirs (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/07/17/leisure-vacation-terms/) . ÊTRE (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/10/09/etre4tenses/) . Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) . Try using this expression today. Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only . Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’. Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/) Bonne journée française !

en goguette means ‘ready to have a good time’, ‘gallivanting’. en goguette is an old-fashion expression, yet it’s still pretty common. It’s often used with the verbs ‘partir’ or ‘être’.* « Je ne sais pas où ils sont. Ils sont partis en goguette il y a déjà trois heures. » “I don’t know where they are. They were gallivanting and left three hours ago already.”Related: ÊTRE (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/10/09/etre4tenses/) . Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) .Try using this expression today.Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only .Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’.Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/)Bonne journée française !

se méfier de means 'to be wary of'. SE MÉFIER DE is a regular –ER reflexive verb.* « Elle se méfie des cartes sans puce (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/09/06/bank-cards-france/). » "She’s wary of credit cards without a microchip."Related: Bank cards in France (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/09/06/bank-cards-france/) .Access to Tutorials (http://www.frenchetc.org/about/tutorial-info/) . More expressions (../2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Visit www.frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/) . Bonne journée française !

ne pas être dans son assiette (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/06/23/settingtable/) to not be in your plate. ne pas être dans son assiette means 'to not be feeling very well', 'to be under the weather'.* « J’peux pas [je ne peux pas] aller faire les soldes (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/12/les-soldes/) avec toi aujourd’hui. J’suis pas [je ne suis pas] dans mon assiette. » "I can’t go check out the sales with you today. I’m under the weather."Related: Les soldes (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/12/les-soldes/) . Setting up the table (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/06/23/settingtable/) . Assiette, plat, plateau (../2011/06/23/assietteplatplaeau/) .Leave a Reply below with your comment or question. That was Anne's native take on a French expression. Sign up for your tutorial here (http://www.frenchetc.org/about/tutorial-info/). There are many other expressions (../2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) and more that you won't find in your textbook. Visit www.frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/). Bonne journée française !

y mettre du cœur – there to put some heart. y (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/02/08/y-pronoun/ ) mettre du cœur (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/02/13/expressions-with-coeur/) is short for mettre du cœur à l’ouvrage and it means ‘to do something with energy and enthusiasm’, ‘to go at it’, ‘to put your heart and soul into it.’* « Tu n’as pas réussi mais tu y as quand même (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/03/quand-meme/ ) mis du cœur. » “You didn’t succeed, but still, you put your heart and soul into it.”présent (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/present-tense/) : j’y mets du cœur, nous y mettons du cœurpassé composé (http://www.frenchetc.org/grammar-insight/tenses-and-modes/past-tenses/) : j’y ai mis du cœur, nous y avons mis du cœurpassé composé négatif :je n’y ai pas mis du cœur, nous n’y avons pas mis du cœurRelated: Expressions with CŒUR (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/02/13/expressions-with-coeur/) . Pronoun Y (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/02/08/y-pronoun/ ) . QUAND MÊME, etc. (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/03/quand-meme/ ) . Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) .Try using this expression today.Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only .Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’.Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/)Bonne journée française !

être aux anges – to be at the angels. être aux anges means ‘to be ecstatic about something’, ‘to be on cloud nine.’* « Elle est aux anges, elle voulait seulement avoir son exam et en fait, elle a eu une mention. » “She’s ecstatic, she just wanted to pass her exam and she actually made honor roll.”Related: Graduation vocabulary (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/02/24/graduation-vocabulary/ ) . School vocabulary (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/10/17/at-school/ ) . French school system (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/05/12/schools/ ) . Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) .Try using this expression today.Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only .Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’.Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/)Bonne journée française !

cossu, cossue means ‘visibly expensive’, ‘posh’. It’s generally used about houses.* « Ils vivent dans une maison très cossue. » “They live in a really posh house.”Related: Méli-mélo d’expressions (http://www.frenchetc.org/2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) . Lost in translation (http://www.frenchetc.org/2012/03/22/lost-translation/) . First french words (http://www.frenchetc.org/2007/10/18/first-french-words-phrases/) . English words in French (http://www.frenchetc.org/2011/01/11/english-words-french/) .Try using this expression today.Access to Free weekly podcasts (http://www.frenchetc.org/podcasts/) . Home blogue . About France (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrance/) . About Paris (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutparis/) . French Songs and Poems (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/songs/) . About French (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/blogue/aboutfrench/) . French vocabulary bites (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/vocabularybites/) . French manuel (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/) . French textbook (http://www.frenchetc.org/category/homecategory/manuel/french-textbook/)  for members only .Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’.Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/)Bonne journée française !

un accroc du boulot, une accroc du boulot. être accroc du boulot means to be a workaholic. accroc - without pronouncing the final C - is short for accroché/e, to be hooked on. boulot is familiar French for work. Another common way to say a workaholic is un bourreau du travail.* « De toutes façons, tu [ne] vas pas la voir avant 21H00. Tu sais bien qu'c'est une accroc du boulot. » "In any case, you won't see her before 9 tonight. You know she's a workaholic."There are many other expressions you probably won't find in your textbook on the Web site (../). Venez nous voir.That was Anne's native take on a French expression. Bonne journée française.Visit frenchetc.org - anne@frenchetc.org - Try our e-tutorials (../about/tutorial-info/via-skype/).

(http://www.frenchetc.org/wp-content/fichiers/nouveau/computer.jpg) bidouiller is a cute little word I love. Je bidouille, nous bidouillons. J’ai bidouillé, nous bidouillerons.* « T’inquiète pas, j’ai bidouillé un truc et ton ordi va marcher maintenant. » * “Don’t worry, I tweaked your computer a little and it’s going to work now.”Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’.Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/) Bonne journée française ! Visit www.frenchetc.org for more.

sur le bout des doigts - on the tip of your fingers. sur le bout des doigts means thoroughly, very well, inside and out.* « Ils connaissent l'œuvre de Saint Phalle sur le bout des doigts. » "They know Saint Phalle's works inside and out."Related: Body parts vocabulary (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/11/13/body-parts-vocabulary/) . Expressions with body parts (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/03/09/body-parts-expressions/) . Tu verras song (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/05/02/nougaro/) . connaitre vs. savoir (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/04/12/savoirconnaitretest/) .Leave a Reply below with your comment or question. That was Anne's native take on a French expression. There are many other expressions and more that you won't find in your textbook. Visit www.frenchetc.org. Bonne journée française !

poser sa démission. poser is to put, une démission is a resignation. poser sa démission is to give notice.* « Elle ne pourra pas faire cette mission car elle a posé sa démission. » " She won’t be able to do this assignment because she gave notice."Related: Office terms (http://www.frenchetc.org/2010/03/10/office-vocabulary-2/) . Post your comment about this right down here at ‘Leave a Reply’. Come to FRENCH ETC. for French, French vocabulary, French grammar, French culture, about France, about French, français, vocabulaire, learn French, French podcasts, learn French by podcast, French language podcasts, French tutorial, French one on one, French expressions, expressions, e-learning, learning French, French online, France, listening comprehension, dictées, French dictation, sign up for FRENCH ETC. at frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/fe-signup-page/) Bonne journée française ! Leave a Reply below with your comment or question. That was Anne's native take on a French expression. There are many other expressions (../2009/08/14/meli-melo-dexpressions/) and more that you won't find in your textbook. Visit www.frenchetc.org (http://www.frenchetc.org/). Bonne journée française !