Handy vocabulary for Christmas markets in France A French-learner’s guide to navigating des marchés de noël
Pièce: a popular French word with some English parallels This handy word has multiple uses in everyday language
How many of these French swear words do you know? Learning expletives can be useful for a variety of reasons
magazine The origins and meaning of faire son beurre Say this to describe benefiting from something... often financially
À tire-larigot and more tire phrases to use when in France From every verb comes a plethora of words in French
Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue... Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?
Understanding enantiosemes: words with two, opposite, meanings Un hôte, un crépuscule, un écran and more
Regional languages in France: more teaching, less speaking Breton, Corsican, Basque: A new report assesses the state of regional language teaching nationwide
The origins and meaning of mettre la charrue avant les bœufs A phrase for when someone gets ahead of themselves
The meaning of auto-tamponneuses and more fairground vocabulary Language differences reveal unique perspectives on bumper cars
When and why do we say à faire pleurer dans les chaumières? Use this phrase to describe a moving or tragic tale
The meaning and origins of ‘staircase wit’ Explore the origin of the fascinating phrase 'L’esprit de l’escalier', and how this concept reflects a universal human experience
The spooky story behind on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge There are two possible etymologies for this expression - and one involves an alleged mass murder and cannibalism
What does lire dans le marc de café mean and when should it be used? This useful expression draws a connection between coffee grounds and crystal balls
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say être dur de la feuille? A leaf-themed phrase for when a person is hard of hearing
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: beware of red herrings when using English idioms Explore how expressions reveal cultural nuances between English and French
What are the rules for correct French email etiquette? Written and electronic communication can sometimes differ
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say noyer le poisson? A fishy phrase for someone who creates confusion
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: what does thune mean and when should it be used? This casual word is used to talk about money, with roots dating back to the 17th Century
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: pain bénit and six more expressions to do with bread Bread is an important part of French culture - no wonder so many phrases are bread-related
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: the origins and meaning of être sur un petit nuage and other cloud phrases Use this expression when you are feeling on cloud nine
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say découvrir le pot aux roses? A flowery phrase for when you come to a realisation
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: how native speakers really talk to each other Nick Inman explores the intriguing divide between formal and informal French, and how mastering both can enhance your cultural fluency
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: can you pronounce these 12 challenging words? From squirrel to kettle, these are words you might use on a daily basis
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: tohu-bohu and more ways of expressing chaos You might hear these terms being used to describe France’s ongoing political turmoil
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say copains comme cochons? The story behind this phrase actually has nothing to do with pigs
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: the origins and meaning of il n'y a pas le feu au lac Say this to someone who needs to slow down and relax (maybe by a lake)
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when to capitalise 'Français' and other nationalities The rule is easier to understand than it may at first seem
RIP Thierry Ardisson, late-night language lover Explore the legacy of Thierry Ardisson, the iconic French talk show host known for his wit and eloquence
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: on ne va pas se mentir has become a linguistic tic Filler phrases have been likened to 'window dressing'
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: 'Le Grand Large' and more grand expressions English-speaking visitors to France assume this intriguing coastal name translates as 'The Big Big'
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: charbonner and more phrases to describe hard work Our columnist Justin Postlethwaite highlights the many ways of describing 'serious graft' when in France
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: seven phrases that feature dogs (and some cats) We take a look at expressions featuring our four-legged friends in celebration of National Dog Day
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: phrases overheard in France during la canicule From cooking in Marseille to air-con despair, we look at some of our favourite new expressions
Beaches: the different words for stone in French Beaches in holiday hotspots such as Nice are famous for their pebbles
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say se fendre la poire? A fruity phrase for when you cannot stop laughing
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: unlocking slang for money talk Talking about money is somewhat taboo in France - but slang expressions for it abound
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: what does sursis mean and when is it used? The word was heard in the recent court case involving actor Gérard Depardieu
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: Ça crame and other phrases for when the weather is too hot Discover different ways to describe the heat in French
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: the origins and meaning of manger les pissenlits par la racine A deadly dandelion saying
Five films and TV shows to improve your French during the August grandes vacances From summer thrillers to lockdown throwbacks, there is something for everyone this month
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: mes pensées t'accompagnent and other ways of expressing condolences Find inspiration for writing sympathy messages
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: what is the difference between la mer and l’océan? Understand which words people in France use to talk about the shore
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: the origins and meaning of 22 v’la les flics and other police terms Hearing the number 22 when in France may suggest the police are nearby
Who do the new French language tests changes affect - and from when? Use our handy graphic to see if this applies to you
France’s summer holiday habits: more aoûtiens than juilletistes We look at when and where the French are going on holiday this year
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say il y a anguille sous roche? Find out which Franco-American celebrity used this phrase in a TV interview
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say entre chien et loup? Use this saying to describe the moment after sunset
Eight examples of French romanticising everyday language From death and black eyes to cooking and moving forward, French has a way of romanticising life
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: avoir la pêche and other fruit expressions With France's summer fruit season upon us, we pick out some of our favourite fruit-based French phrases
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: the origins and meaning of avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez A mustard metaphor for rising anger
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: 12 words and phrases that are untranslatable in English From faire du yaourt to l’esprit d’escalier, here are some words that have no direct English equivalents
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: do acronyms confuse or simplify language learning? We look at common sigles that you might come across in France
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: test your Bastille Day vocabulary From fireworks to military parades, do you know these words related to France’s fête nationale?
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: the origins and meaning of ce n’est pas la mer à boire Say this when something is easy-peasy
The French do not follow Brits in their ‘faux’ road-crossing habit Pedestrians in France do not tend to hurry across zebra crossings
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: what does faire semblant mean and when should it be used? Say this when someone is putting on an act
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: when and why do we say se faire des cheveux blancs? Discover the connection between this worrisome phrase and Marie Antoinette
5 podcasts to improve your French this summer Listening is one of the most important language skills to grasp and podcasts are a great tool
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: vocabulary to use at a medical appointment in France Practise key health phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: rouler en chasse-patate and more Tour de France expressions The 100-year-old annual bicycle race has long-standing traditions and even its own vocabulary
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: what does fou rire mean and when should it be used? A funny phrase for when you cannot suppress your laughter
Try these tips for learning French when you are in your fifties Columnist Cynthia Spillman’s husband failed O-level French twice but then passed his GCSE and AS-level aged 52 - she shares the tips that helped him become more fluent
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: jouer à l’oreille and more musical phrases Fine-tune your music-themed vocabulary for the fête de la musique on June 21
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: vocabulary to use at the post office in France Practise key post-office phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: Ça tape and nine other expressions for hot weather From a 'lead sun' to 'swimming' in sweat, here are some phrases to use as the temperature soars across France
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: what does quelconque mean and when should it be used? An adjective to describe something ordinary or insignificant
Taf: what does this common little word mean (it is actually an acronym) When to use the acronym for 'travail à faire', or 'work to do'
French translations can be delightful... when done wrong Columnist Nick Inman looks at author Mark Twain's humorous take on French translation
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: how to tell the time in France O’clock, half past, noon… Practise key time phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: Five fun ways to make a decision in France From chifumi to chou-fleur... do you know the French equivalent to 'rock, paper, scissors'?
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: can you guess the film behind these translated titles? Paris' Nuit Blanche 2025 shines a spotlight on cinema – here we look at the some of the surprising choices for translations of film names
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: tips for speaking to a mechanic in France Practise key phrases and vocabulary for taking your car to the garage, in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: why do we say le vent d’autan rend fou? Plus, more ways to describe madness when in France
