French Word of the Day

French Fanatic

Learn French vocabulary with one new French word a day
Search our site


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

le mode, la mode

le mode = the way or method
la mode = fashion

Le mode de rester à la mode est d’acheter de nouveaux vêtements.
The way to stay in fashion is to buy new clothes.

THIS WEEK
We’re having fun with words that have more than one definition that varies according to gender. When the gender changes, so does the meaning!

VOILÀ! LE NOUVEAU QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU’RE LEARNING AT FRENCH FANATIC!
Join Voilà for only 3.95 per month to access online practice quizzes and more.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Vocabulary Section: Grammar Tips, Word of the Day
Monday, October 15, 2012

mettre

to put, to put on

Mettez votre manteau avant d’aller dehors.
Put your coat on before going outside.

TO SEE A COMPLETE CONJUGATION OF METTRE
We suggest conjugation-fr.com.

Vocabulary Section: Verbs, Word of the Day
Monday, October 15, 2012

rompre

to break off, to break with

Il a rompu avec sa petite amie de trois ans.
He broke up with his girlfriend of three years.

LEARN MORE
For a complete conjugation of today’s verb, visit conjugation-fr.com.

THIS WEEK
We’re building our reservoir of useful verbs by looking at a few that are not necessarily the most common but are nonetheless good to know.

VOILÀ! LE NOUVEAU QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

THIS HOLIDAY, GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF FRENCH FANATIC!
Join Voilà for only 3.95 per month to access online practice quizzes and more.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Vocabulary Section: Verbs, Word of the Day
Monday, October 15, 2012

analogique, numérique

analog, digital

Il faut toujours choisir entre une montre analogique (avec aiguilles) ou numérique.
You always have to choose between an analog (with hands) or digital watch.

THIS WEEK
We’re exploring a common topic that is covered early on in most French classes — the time — but with a level of detail you might not have learned before. We’ll cover parts of the clock and other words that will help you do more than just say or understand what time it is.

TRACK YOUR LEARNING WITH OUR QUIZ!
How well did you learn last week’s words? Take our Weekly Quiz to find out!

TODAY’S WORD BROUGHT TO YOU BY YABLA.
Yabla French Video Immersion.
The fun way to learn French

Vocabulary Section: Time and Calendar, Word of the Day
Thursday, October 11, 2012

avoir mal à la tête

to have a headache

Vous dites au médecin, “J’ai mal à la tête. C’est grave.”
You tell the doctor, “I have a headache. It’s bad.”

TODAY
We’re considering a phrase that might be useful for a visit to the doctor’s office, chez le médecin.

Vocabulary Section: Body and Health, Word of the Day
Wednesday, October 10, 2012

un gant/une moufle

a glove/a mitten

Les adultes portent souvent des gants; les enfants portent des moufles.
Adults often wear gloves; children wear mittens.

Also: Another word for mittens is mitaines (n.f.).

TODAY
Our vocabulary topic is fall and winter clothing and dress.

Vocabulary Section: Clothing, Word of the Day
Sunday, October 7, 2012

désormais

from now on

Nous allons désormais conduire une voiture électrique.
From now on, we are going to drive an electric car.

GRAMMAR NOTE
Désormais is an adverb of time. But unlike many adverbs of time, it tends to follow the conjugated verb it describes rather than coming at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Vocabulary Section: Adverbs, Word of the Day
Saturday, October 6, 2012

être

to be

Je suis étudiant.
I’m a student.

For a complete conjugation of être, click here.

Être is perhaps the most common of all French verbs. Learn how to conjugate it, and you’ll be well on your way to learning French!

See more common verb conjugations in our Quick Verb Guide.

Vocabulary Section: Verbs, Word of the Day
Friday, October 5, 2012

un cadran

a dial or face

Les horloges et les montres ont normalement un cadran et deux aiguilles.
Clocks and watches normally have a dial and two hands.

TODAY
We’re exploring a common topic that is covered early on in most French classes — the time — but with a level of detail you might not have learned before.

Vocabulary Section: Time and Calendar, Word of the Day
Wednesday, October 3, 2012

le patinage de vitesse

speed skating

Le patinage de vitesse se déroule sur une piste de glace.
Speed skating takes place on a track of ice.

« Previous PageNext Page »