Une bête de somme means a workhorse or a beast of burden. Back in the 12th century, “une somme” meant the load that a horse or a mule could carry. Then, in the 16th century, the term “bête de somme” arrived. These days, the more common word for burden is “un fardeau,” but the term “bête de somme” survives in its original form.
“Prêcher dans le désert” means to speak without being heard, to speak to those who don’t want to listen, or to speak uselessly to people who don’t want to allow themselves to be convinced. Literally, it means “to preach in the desert” and is an evocative saying. This expression dates from the 18th century. It doesn’t…
The French verb “parer” means “to ward off,” “to parry,” or “to fend off.” It can also mean “to protect,” “to attribute” or “to adorn.” So many meanings for one verb!
Homonyms are words that sound the same. Vert, vers and ver are three French homonyms with completely different meanings. 1. Vert: Meaning:“Vert” is an adjective in French that translates to “green” in English. It is used to describe the color that is often associated with nature, foliage, and growth. “Vert” is a versatile term and…
Exploring the French Verb “s’occuper de”: Usage, Etymology, and Examples 1. Understanding “s’occuper de” “S’occuper de” is a reflexive verb in French, which means it always requires a reflexive pronoun. The reflexive pronoun “se” changes according to the subject of the sentence: 2. Usages of “s’occuper de” a) Taking Care of Something or Someone One…
“Faire tintin” means to be frustrated or deprived, to receive nothing when you were expecting something. Despite the illustration above, this saying has nothing to do with the comic book character Tintin. He was created in 1929, but the word “tintin” dates back to the 13th century. It originally referred to the noise of objects…
French words that end in the letters “al” can be a trap for learners. That’s because in the plural, they change their spelling to “aux.” The classic example is “un cheval,” which in the plural becomes “des chevaux.” But this applies to every single noun and adjective ending in the letters “al.” Nouns are relatively…