French Word of the Day

Publié le 17 août 2010

to take a road

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

OUR FAVORITE WORDS FROM 2010
This week, we’re reviewing our favorite Words of the Day from 2010. We actually had a hard time choosing our favorite word from the week of words we published in August on the topic of Cars and Driving. We loved this phrase because it’s so very French and indispensable vocabulary for communicating about directions.

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Publié le 8 novembre 2010

le vase = the vase
la vase = the mud, silt

Les fleurs poussent dans la vase avant d’être mises dans le vase.
The flowers grow in the mud before being put in the vase.

OUR FAVORITE WORDS FROM 2010
This week, we’re reviewing our favorite Words of the Day from 2010. We loved this pair of words — le vase and la vase — because they were such a reminder that knowing the gender of words really does matter. As a masculine word, vase means a vase, and as a feminine word, it means mud. Completely different, one beautiful, one messy, but oh so similar sounding. Ça c’est la langue française!

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Shall we leave?
(literal translation: to put up the sails)

Il se fait tard. On met les voiles?
It’s getting late. Shall we leave?

Publié le 19 juin 2010

to reboot the computer

Il faut souvent redémarrer l’ordinateur après une mise à jour.
You often have to reboot the computer after an update.

OUR FAVORITE WORDS FROM 2010
This week, we’re reviewing our favorite Words of the Day from 2010. We loved the phrase redémarrer l’ordinateur, or to reboot the computer, for its sheer practicality. Unless you live in a cave, even living in France will not save you from the need to discuss this subject from time to time.

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Publié le 4 janvier 2010

to bundle up (oneself)

Elle s’est emmitouflée dans un manteau d’hiver.
She bundled herself up in a winter coat.

OUR FAVORITE WORDS FROM 2010
This week, we’re reviewing our favorite Words of the Day from 2010. Today’s word made the list just because we like the way it sounds. You can almost hear the act of bundling up in the sound of the verb. Emmitouflez-vous!

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Originally published 9 February 2010

to fall in love

Jean-Pierre est tombé amoureux de Sophie, et elle est tombée amoureuse de lui.
Jean-Pierre fell in love with Sophie, and she fell in love with him.

A FRENCH FANATIC FAVORITE
Today’s word is not just one of our favorite words; it’s one of yours, too. Tomber amoureux, to fall in love, was the most visited word posted on French Fanatic in 2010 and continues to be among the most viewed of all the words we’ve ever posted. With Valentine’s Day approaching, it seemed the perfect time to revisit it.

Publié le 21 avril 2010

a plume

Les vents ont poussé le panache de cendres du volcan islandais vers l’Europe.
The winds pushed the plume of ash from the Icelandic volcano toward Europe.

OUR FAVORITE WORDS FROM 2010
This week, we’re reviewing our favorite Words of the Day from 2010. The word panache intrigued us, because its meaning in French is reminiscent, yet somewhat different, than how we’re accustomed to using the word in English. In English, someone or something has a certain panache, or confident flair, while, in French, the word literally means a plume.

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