The English phrase “I can’t believe it” can be expressed in French in several ways depending on the context. Some translations are direct, while others are idiomatic. Je n’arrive pas à y croire This is one of the most common translations. It conveys the idea of struggling to accept or grasp something. Examples: Je ne…
“Penser que” means “to think that” and introduces opinions, beliefs, or suppositions. Unlike “penser à” (to think about) and “penser de” (to think of/have an opinion about), “penser que” specifically introduces a complete thought or statement that the speaker believes to be true. Basic structure and meaning “Penser que” requires the subjunctive mood in negative…
The French word monde means “world” but is frequently used to mean “people.” When combined with certain expressions, it refers to crowds, gatherings, or simply “a lot of people.” The two most common expressions are beaucoup de monde and du monde. They both indicate the presence of many people, but they differ slightly in register…
The French phrase “j’en serai quitte” means “I will just have to,” “I will get away with it,” or “all it will cost me is…” The word “quitte” comes from the idea of being free of a debt or obligation once something has been paid or endured. In everyday French, this phrase often introduces the…
The French verb aérer comes from air and means to let air circulate, to ventilate, or to expose something to fresh air. It is an -er verb, conjugated like parler. Its uses extend beyond literal ventilation and include figurative meanings, such as clearing one’s head, or making something lighter and less dense. It is pronounced…
The English phrase “half-half” or “half and half” can refer to an equal division, a mixture of two things, or a situation where something is shared equally. In French, several expressions can be used, depending on the meaning. Moitié-moitié “Moitié-moitié” is the most common way to say “half and half” in French. It is used…
Sabrage is the French tradition of opening a bottle of champagne with a sword. Instead of gently removing the cork by hand, the neck of the bottle is struck with the blunt edge of a saber (ie, its back edge) so that the cork and collar of glass break away together. The rest of the…
In French, most nouns ending in -al form their plural in -aux instead of the regular -als. This is a common ending change for such nouns from singular to plural. Usage examples Exceptions that take -s in the plural A few nouns ending in -al do not follow the -aux rule and simply add -s…
The English adjective “clean” has several possible meanings. In French, different adjectives are used depending on the context. The most common are “propre,” “net,” “pur,” and “nettoyer” used adjectivally in participle form. Propre “Propre” is the most common translation of “clean.” It is used for physical cleanliness, such as a clean room, clothes, or hands….
The English verb “to raise” can mean many different things depending on the context. In French, several verbs are used, including “élever,” “lever,” “augmenter,” “soulever,” and “susciter.” Élever “Élever” is most often used when speaking of raising children or animals. It can also be used for raising plants or even abstract things like the level…