French Word of the Day

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Saturday, August 28, 2010

une résidence universitaire

a college dorm or residence hall

Habites-tu une résidence universitaire?
Do you live in a college dorm?

REMARQUEZ!
Habiter, which means to live in, is one of the first verbs most students of French learn. Although it can take a preposition (j’habite dans un appartement), French speakers commonly omit the preposition as in today’s example.

THIS WEEK
With the return of so many students to classrooms at the end of this month and early next, it’s a perfect time to get grounded in some of the basic vocabulary of the classroom. If you’re studying French for the first time, get ahead of the curve with these words and phrases — and maybe even impress le prof!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VERB PRACTICE!
Teachers, tell your students about our 4 new verb practice exercises — 100 questions total! — that we’ve added to our Voilà! members area. The online practice sessions make it easy to gain proficiency in -er, -ir, -re and the most common irregular verbs. For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here.
NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

des devoirs

n.m.pl., homework

Rendez vos devoirs avant de partir, s’il vous plaît.
Turn in your homework before leaving, please.

THIS WEEK
With the return of so many students to classrooms at the end of this month and early next, it’s a perfect time to get grounded in some of the basic vocabulary of the classroom. If you’re studying French for the first time, get ahead of the curve with these words and phrases — and maybe even impress le prof!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VERB PRACTICE!
Teachers, tell your students about our 4 new verb practice exercises — 100 questions total! — that we’ve added to our Voilà! members area. The online practice sessions make it easy to gain proficiency in -er, -ir, -re and the most common irregular verbs. For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here.
NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

se spécialiser en

to major in

Janet se spécialise en français. Et moi, je me spécialise en anglais.
Janet’s majoring in French. And I’m majoring in English.

THIS WEEK
With the return of so many students to classrooms at the end of this month and early next, it’s a perfect time to get grounded in some of the basic vocabulary of the classroom. If you’re studying French for the first time, get ahead of the curve with these words and phrases — and maybe even impress le prof!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VERB PRACTICE!
Teachers, tell your students about our 4 new verb practice exercises — 100 questions total! — that we’ve added to our Voilà! members area. The online practice sessions make it easy to gain proficiency in -er, -ir, -re and the most common irregular verbs. For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here.
READY TO JOIN US? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

Monday, August 23, 2010

corriger les copies

to grade the papers

Notre professeur a corrigé les copies.
Our professor graded the papers.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VERB PRACTICE
Teachers, tell your students about our 4 new verb practice exercises — 100 questions total! — that we’ve added to our Voilà! members area. The online practice sessions make it easy to gain proficiency in -er, -ir, -re and the most common irregular verbs. For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here.
NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

THIS WEEK
With the return of so many students to classrooms at the end of this month and early next, it’s a perfect time to get grounded in some of the basic vocabulary of the classroom. If you’re studying French for the first time, get ahead of the curve with these words and phrases — and maybe even impress le prof!

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

OOPS!
Yesterday’s e-mail incorrectly identified the gender of the word clignotant.
Please note that it is masculine.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

les clignotants

n.m.pl., blinkers

N’oubliez pas de mettre les clignotants avant de changer de voie.
Don’t forget to put on your blinkers before changing lanes.

THIS WEEK
We have been covering cars and driving.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VERB PRACTICE!
Teachers, tell your students about our 4 new verb practice exercises — 100 questions total! — that we’ve added to our Voilà! members area. The online practice sessions make it easy to gain proficiency in -er, -ir, -re and the most common irregular verbs. For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here.
NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

Vocabulary Section: Cars, Word of the Day
Thursday, August 19, 2010

les codes

low-beam headlights

Il a mis ses codes en face d’une autre voiture.
He put on his low beams in front of another car.

TO SAY THE OPPOSITE
High-beam or full-beam headlights are les pleins phares.

  • Il met les pleins phares. (He turns on his high-beam headlights.)

THIS WEEK
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. This week, we’ll help you get past la voiture to some practical words and phrases that will keep you moving.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Vocabulary Section: Cars, Word of the Day
Tuesday, August 17, 2010

emprunter un chemin

to take a road

Empruntez le chemin à droite à travers la campagne.
Take the road on the right through the countryside.

MORE ABOUT THIS EXPRESSION
Although emprunter usually means to borrow, it takes on a slightly different meaning in this expression.

THIS WEEK
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. This week, we’ll help you get past la voiture to some practical words and phrases that will keep you moving.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Vocabulary Section: Cars, Expressions, Word of the Day
Monday, August 16, 2010

une bagnole

a car (slang)

C’est une bagnole sensationnelle!
This is a terrific car!

MORE ABOUT THIS WORD
The French often use the word bagnole for car. While it can have a slightly negative connotation — think jalopy — it also can denote a certain playful affection for the vehicle and is used regularly in conversation.

THIS WEEK
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. This week, we’ll help you get past la voiture to some practical words and phrases that will keep you moving.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Vocabulary Section: Cars, Word of the Day
Sunday, August 15, 2010

rédiger une ordonnance

to write a prescription

Le docteur vous rédige une ordonnance pour soigner la toux.
The doctor writes you a prescription to treat the cough.

THIS WEEK
We’ve been covering vocabulary useful for a visit to the doctor’s office, chez le médecin.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Vocabulary Section: Body and Health, Word of the Day
Saturday, August 14, 2010

Ouvrez la bouche…

Open your mouth…

Ouvrez la bouche et faites <<Aah.>>
Open your mouth and say, “Aah.”

THIS WEEK
We’ll cover vocabulary useful for a visit to the doctor’s office, chez le médecin.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

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