It’s important to know the days of the week in French. Each day has an English translation. Each day also has an original meaning, which may sometimes help you to remember it.
| French | English | Original French meaning |
| lundi | Monday | Day of the Moon |
| mardi | Tuesday | Day of Mars |
| mercredi | Wednesday | Day of Mercury |
| jeudi | Thursday | Day of Jove (Jupiter) |
| vendredi | Friday | Day of Venus |
| samedi | Saturday | Day of the Sabbath |
| dimanche | Sunday | Day of the Lord |
French uses a seven-day week aligned with the international standard, beginning on Monday. The French names come largely from Latin and preserve references to classical deities and celestial bodies. The following table shows the days in French and English. French English lundi Monday mardi Tuesday mercredi Wednesday jeudi Thursday vendredi Friday samedi Saturday dimanche Sunday…
The French verb “prendre” means “to take,” but a bit confusingly it can also mean “to bring.” Its conjugation in the present tense is irregular, so it must be memorised. However, “prendre” forms the basis for compound verbs such as “comprendre” (to understand), “apprendre” (to learn), “reprendre” (to take back), “surprendre” (to surprise) and many…
The French verb “devoir” means “to have to” or “must.” An earlier post looked at “devoir” in a general sense. Let’s examine a few specific aspects of “devoir” that are indispensable for reading and talking in French. Past participle The past participle of “devoir” is “dû.” Unlike the past participles of “avoir, savoir, vouloir, pouvoir,…
English uses the word corner in several ways. It can mean the place where two walls meet, the point where two streets meet, the edge of a room, or a quiet or hidden spot. French does not rely on a single word for all these uses. The most common translations are le coin and l’angle….
The French noun “un coup” is versatile and widely used in various contexts. It can mean “a blow” or “a stroke,” but its meanings extend far beyond these basic definitions. Basic Meanings Idiomatic Expressions “Un coup” appears in many idiomatic expressions, each with its own unique meaning. Here are some common ones:
Weather is a common topic in daily conversation, and French offers a wide range of vocabulary and expressions to talk about it. Some use the phrase il fait, while others use verbs such as pleuvoir (to rain), neiger (to snow), or geler (to freeze). Many weather expressions are impersonal, using il as the subject. Basic…
