Devant
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Devant

The French word “devant” can be used as a preposition, as an adverb, or as a noun. Preposition As a preposition, “devant” means “in front of,” “ahead of” or “before.” Adverb As an adverb, “devant” means “in front,” “at the front,” or “ahead.” Noun As a masculine noun, “le devant” means “the front.”

la mode, le mode

la mode, le mode

“Mode” is a French noun that can either be masculine or feminine. Its meaning changes depending on whether it is the masculine version of the noun or the feminine version. In its masculine form, it means “mode” or “way.” In the feminine, it means “fashion.” So you can remember the difference by remembering that women…

Christmas

Christmas

The French word for Christmas is “Noël.” It is a masculine noun, but you don’t have to use the article “le” before it, in most situations. “Christmas time” is “la période de Noël.” If you want to say “at Christmas,” it is simply “à Noël.” To wish someone “Merry Christmas,” you say (or write) “Joyeux…

Thanking

Thanking

The way to say “thank you” in French involves words like “merci,” “remerciements” and “remercier.” Most people are familiar with “merci,” but may not have heard of the other two words. Merci “Merci” is either an exclamation or a masculine noun meaning “thanks” or “thank you.” Remerciements “Les remerciements” (masculine plural) is a noun meaning…

humour vs humeur

humour vs humeur

Both “humour” and “humeur” are French nouns. But they mean different things. “L’humour” (masculine) means “the humour” or “the comedy.” It corresponds fairly closely to the English word “humour” (or “humor,” in US English). In French culture, especially cultivated and sophisticated French culture, “wit” was seen as more important. The French idea of “wit” is…

rigolo
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rigolo

The French word “rigolo” can be either an adjective (meaning “funny”) or a noun (meaning “a funny person”). The Adjective “Rigolo”: Masculine and Feminine Forms: The masculine singular adjective “rigolo” becomes “rigolote” in the feminine singular in French. Etymology: The word “rigolo” comes from the verb “rigoler,” which means “to laugh” or “to have a…

pareil
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pareil

“Pareil” is a French word that can be used either as an adjective, a noun or an adverb. Adjective As an adjective, “pareil” means “similar” or “such.” It must agree in number and gender with the noun it describes, just like any other French adjective. Its feminine form is spelled “pareille.” Noun “Pareil” can also…

phoque

phoque

“Un phoque” is a French masculine noun meaning “a seal,” referring to the marine mammal. Idiomatic expressions Etymology The word “phoque” is derived from the Latin “phoca,” a feminine noun meaning “seal.” Its first surviving recorded usage in French was in 1532, when it was spelled “focque.” By 1573 its spelling had changed to “phoque”…

cuiller/cuillère

cuiller/cuillère

The French word “la cuiller” means “the spoon.” It can also be spelled “la cuillère,” which is a spelling that more accurately reflects its pronunciation (KWEE YAIR). Both spellings are accepted in modern French. The spelling of “la cuillère” has recently become more popular, however, due to its more logical connection with standard French phonetics…

Homophones

Homophones

In French, there are many nouns that have the same sound but different genders and meanings. Here’s a list of some examples: These nouns are homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings and genders.