French Word of the Day

to take the highway

Je m’engage sur l’autoroute vers Marseille.
I’m taking the highway (motorway) to Marseille.

MORE ABOUT THIS EXPRESSION
This expression could be used with any road:

• Je m’engage sur la 101. (I take the 101.)
• Je m’engage sur la route N79. (I take the N79.)
• Engagez-vous sur la route à péage. (Take the toll road.)

TODAY
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. Today, we’ll help you get past la voiture to a practical phrase that will keep you moving.

if it suits you
(literal, unused translation: if it sings to you)

On va au magasin cet après-midi, si ça vous chante.
We’ll go to the store this afternoon, if you like.

TODAY
One of the most difficult things about becoming fluent in French is learning to recognize all of the many idiom expressions — those phrases that mean something different than their literal meanings suggest. In English, think of the phrase It’s raining cats and dogs. Today’s phrase, originally suggested by Bill Scoble, a friend of our site, is a similar example. Add phrases like this to your vocabulary, and you’ll sound like a native speaker in no time.

farm (as an adjective)

On va apprendre des mots pour les animaux fermiers.
We’re going to learn words for farm animals.

TODAY
We’re learning the vocabulary of the farm, or la ferme.

teacher, professor

Madame DuChamps est professeur de français.
Mrs. DuChamps is a French teacher.

TIP: The gender of the word professeur is masculine whether it refers to a man or woman.

heavy

Il voulait bouger la grande pierre, mais elle était trop lourde.
He wanted to move the big stone, but it was too heavy.

a fridge, refrigerator

Mets le lait au frigo, s’il te plaît.
Put the milk in the fridge, please.

up there

Regarde l’oiseau là-haut.
Look at the bird up there.

Oh là là
One of the things you might notice when you visit a French-speaking country is that the word là — there — comes up a lot. Inevitably, there seems to be some pointing involved as someone describes to you where something is located. Moreover, là is often combined with other adverbs of place to emphasize the direction of something. Today’s word is one example of how là works with another adverb.

a student

Jean est étudiant. Mireille est étudiante aussi.
Jean is a student; Mireille is also a student.

a wake-up call

Voulez-vous un réveil par téléphone?
Do you want a wake-up call?

TODAY
Our vocabulary topic is the hotel. If you’re planning a trip to France or another French-speaking country now or just someday in the future, words like today’s will help you take care of the very essential task of reserving a room and navigating the hotel once you’re there. Bon voyage!

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