Archive for the 'Learn French' Category
October 29, 2019
The French Celebration of Armistice Day
How do the French celebrate Armistice Day, and why?
Armistice Day in French culture is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays. It commemorates the end of WWI, during which France suffered heavy losses. In this article, you’ll learn about his significant public holiday in France, and about French Armistice Day traditions.
At FrenchPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!
1. What is Armistice Day?
If you know French history, you might know that November 11, 1918, is an important date for French people. In fact, it is a public holiday. This is the date of an armistice, a convention signed by several governments in order to stop combat between... Show more
October 24, 2019
French Numbers: From 1 to Infinity…and Beyond!
Numbers are everywhere, in countless aspects of our daily life: from counting time to money, people, or things. As it is, they’re a vital part of our communication skills, especially in our modern societies where digital worlds and capitalism are prominent.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: French numbers aren’t the easiest to learn and, once again, the proverb “There is an exception to every rule” applies perfectly. However, stick with me for a while and you’ll quickly learn how to count to with French numbers from 1 to 100. From there, I’ll show you how easy it gets to keep going higher and higher, as far as our minds can fathom…and more!
Table of Contents
Counting from 0 to 9
How to Count with Your Fingers in France
Counting from 10 to... Show more
October 9, 2019
How To Post In Perfect French on Social Media
You're learning to speak French, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in French.
At Learn French, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your French in the process.
1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in French
Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in French. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants!
François eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:
POST
Let's break down François's... Show more
September 12, 2019
Apologize in French: How to Say Sorry in French
“An apology is the super glue of life. It can repair just about anything.” (Lynn Johnston)
Whatever our reasons are, it’s never easy nor pleasant to apologize. Even in our native language where we can express all the subtleties needed to tone things down and smooth off the rough edges, “Sorry” still seems to be the hardest word.
Now, imagine you have to offer your apologies in another language, like French. Would you know how to say “sorry” in French? Of course, you won’t want to risk any further mishap or an unfortunate choice of words that could put you in a tougher spot.
Learning how to say “sorry” in French will not only help you go through delicate situations when you’ve made a mistake or behaved poorly. It will also provide you... Show more
August 16, 2019
Celebrating French Food & Cuisine: French Gastronomy Day
Have you ever savored traditional French cuisine, paired with some of the best French wine available? You haven’t really lived until you have.
Truly, French cuisine dishes have taken the world by storm, along with the country’s fascinating food culture. It should be no surprise, then, that the French honor this each year on French Gastronomy Day.
In this article, you’ll learn a little bit about French gastronomy history, what food means to the French, and how people like to celebrate! At FrenchPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your learning journey both fun and informative—and we think you’ll agree that food is a good place to start!
1. What is French Gastronomy Day?
First of all, what is French gastronomy?
... Show more
August 16, 2019
French Body Talk: 20 Fun Gestures for Fluency without Words
Have you ever traveled to a foreign country without speaking a word of its language? How can anybody survive in such a predicament? If you’ve ever been in that situation, you already know the answer: body talk and gestures!
Far too often, body gestures are neglected by language teachers and hardly mentioned at all. Nonetheless, learning the specifics of French body language and gestures will help you understand people better and allow you to convey meaning without words.
Once you start learning the gestures and using them in daily interactions with your French friends, you’ll become more comfortable with them and you’ll appear much more fluent than you are! If you already know everything about spoken French, there’s a whole new... Show more
July 30, 2019
Celebrating Assumption Day in France
On Assumption Day, France celebrates the rising of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into Heaven. For this reason, it’s often called Assumption of Mary Day.
The Assumption Holy Day reflects the strong Catholic nature of France, being one of the most popular and heavily celebrated holidays in the country. Even non-Catholics like to participate in the fun, often as a final party before the end of summer.
Learn all about The Assumption of Mary Feast Day with FrenchPod101.com, and become more familiar with French culture as a whole. We hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!
1. What is Assumption Day?
Assumption celebrates Jesus's mother, Mary, rising up to Heaven.
As such, the French also recognize... Show more
July 23, 2019
Your Guide to French Texting Slang: MDR, DSL and More
https://youtu.be/4q52JqapC10?si=Dt3eTx3Se5Ir7SL2
What do kids say these days? The digital culture keeps French learners just as confused as our grandparents when it comes to the newest expressions à la mode.
The good thing is that once you master a few texting codes, you’ll be able to communicate in written French on a daily basis. Sometimes, texting can be so much easier than talking face-to-face!
Table of Contents
French Texting Slang 101: Consonants, Abbreviations, and Sounds
Texting Slang to Agree on a Meeting
Conveying Emotions with French Texting Slang
Slang Etiquette: Being Polite While Texting in French
Debating in Abbreviations
The Daily Texting Slang: Holding Conversations in Abbreviated French
Bonus—The Mystery Emojis
How... Show more
July 11, 2019
End of the French Revolution: Bastille Day in France
Each year, the French commemorate the end of the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille fortress. Called Bastille Day everywhere but France itself, this holiday is France’s national day and possibly the most significant public holiday in the country.
By learning about Bastille Day, France’s history and culture will become more clear to you. And as any successful language-learner can tell you, studying culture is a step you can’t miss if you hope to master the beautiful French language.
At FrenchPod101.com, we hope to make this learning experience both fun and effective!
1. What is Bastille Day?
The nation remembers the storming of the Bastille (otherwise known as the Bastille Day attack) on this holiday, which... Show more
June 28, 2019
The 10 Most Useful Untranslatable French Words
Have you ever had a strange déjà-vu on a rendez-vous with your fiancé? Was it a souvenir or a mirage? Am I using too many French-English words right now? Touché!
While some of these words only made it to the English language because they sound so chic, some words such as Déjà-vu or Mirage have a very specific meaning and can’t be replaced with just one word.
The French language contains many words and expressions that simply cannot be translated without using a complicated sentence. These are French words with no English equivalent. Exploring these words is a fantastic dive into the French culture and learning them will make you sound much more fluent, as only locals usually dare using them! They also may make conversations and... Show more