The French verb franchir means “to cross,” “to overcome,” or “to break through.” It is often used in both literal and figurative contexts and appears frequently in formal and journalistic French. It is a regular verb of the second group, conjugated like finir, choisir or réussir. Etymology Franchir comes from the Old French franchir (12th…
The phrase pourquoi faire is a common expression in French that translates literally to “why do” or “why make,” but its actual meaning depends on context. It is usually used to ask about the purpose of something, and it often carries a tone of skepticism or doubt. In some contexts, it can sound rhetorical or…
French learners often encounter the particle ne used in contexts where it does not indicate negation. This usage can be confusing, as it diverges from the more familiar negation structure ne…pas. Two forms of this non-negative ne are worth distinguishing: the ne explétif and the ne littéraire. Though both are considered stylistic or optional in…
French learners often come across two verbs related to dressing: vêtir and s’habiller. At first glance, they may seem interchangeable, but they have distinct meanings, uses, and levels of formality. This article explains the difference between the two and provides clear examples to help you use them correctly. Vêtir: to dress someone The verb vêtir…