Understanding the French Phrase être de retour The French phrase être de retour translates to “to be back” in English. It is used to indicate that someone or something has returned to a place or state. This expression is common in everyday conversation and can be applied in various contexts. Meaning and Usage Être de…
The French phrase “pas mal” is a common expression that translates literally to “not bad” in English. However, its meaning can vary depending on context, tone, and situation. It can express anything from mild approval to genuine admiration, and sometimes even sarcasm. 1. Literal Meaning: “Not Bad” When used neutrally, “pas mal” simply means something…
The phrase ça fait rien is a common expression in French that translates literally to “that does nothing” or “that makes nothing.” However, its actual meaning in conversation is more nuanced and idiomatic. It is used to convey indifference, forgiveness, or to downplay the importance of something, much like “it doesn’t matter,” “never mind,” or…
The French phrase “non plus” serves as a negative equivalent to “aussi” (also/too), functioning similarly to the English “neither” or “not… either”. It is exclusively used in negative constructions to indicate that a statement applies equally to someone else. Basic structure “Non plus” typically appears at the end of a negative sentence, following this pattern:Subject…
In French, there is no direct equivalent to the English present continuous (“I am eating”) or past continuous (“I was eating”). Instead, French speakers use the construction “être en train de” + infinitive to emphasize that an action is (or was) in progress. This guide will cover how to use it in both the present…
The French verb rester (“to remain”) gives rise to several useful impersonal constructions that express what is left or remaining. An impersonal construction means the subject of the verb is “il,” which normally means “he,” but instead translates to “it.” So instead of meaning “he remains,” it means “it remains” or “there remains.” 1. The Basic…
If you’re learning French, you’ve probably come across both tard and en retard in contexts related to time. At first glance, they seem similar—after all, both suggest some kind of lateness—but they are not interchangeable. The Key Difference In short: Examples of tard Use tard to describe actions that happen late in the day or…
The French phrase “je vous en prie” means “you’re welcome,” but it carries several additional meanings depending on the context. Meanings of “Je vous en prie” The phrase “je vous en prie” is a polite expression that can serve several functions in French. Here are the main uses: 1. You’re welcome This is the most…
The French phrase “de la part” is a versatile expression that appears in many contexts in everyday French conversation and writing. Its basic meaning is “on behalf,” although it can be translated in other ways. Meanings “De la part de” essentially means “on behalf of,” “from,” or “from the side of.” The complete phrase is…
Literal Meaning The French phrase “tant bien que mal” literally translates to “as well as badly” in English. This may sound strange at first, but it makes sense when you consider that it describes a situation where something is done with both success and difficulty at the same time. Figurative Meaning In everyday use, “tant…