8 French Phrases That Do Not Translate in English
These French words and phrases might not work well with flashcards, but learning them is so worth it.
Learning French is always filled with surprises, especially when some words and phrases do not exist in English. For us, this is one of the most exciting things about learning a foreign language - discovering completely new things we never knew existed. On that note, we wanted to provide a few French phrases and words you may have never heard before but might find inspiring. As you read, imagine incorporating one of these in your next conversations en français. Also, if you know a few that aren't listed, feel free to add it to the comment's section below. Bonne lecture!
"La douleur exquise"
Oh, the romance of the French language! This phrase is both eloquent and rather depressing as it roughly translates to "the exquisite pain." For French people this phrase would be used in reference to the longing for a love that cannot be achieved. Very similar to a Romeo and Juliet scenario. Next time you find your heart aching for something it cannot have, remember this phrase to sum up your expression.
Téléspectateur
It's almost shocking that a word like this does not exist in English as Americans are one of the largest consumers of media on the planet. However, the French came up with a term which describes viewers who are either audience members of a live TV broadcast or are simply watching/listening to TV from their home as a téléspectateur.
"Flâner"
If you've ever been to Europe, you know that long leisurely strolls through city plazas is a common activity for the locals. In French, you may think to describe this with the term 'une promenade' (which means a stroll in English). However, in the 19th century, a new word was created which defined a stroll, more specifically a stroll through Paris, without any particular destination or goal in mind as Flâner. Thus, aimless Parisian pedestrians strolling the city only to enjoy the view became known as Flâneurs.
"Bricolage"
If you are a crafty person, then this French word is for you. It translates to something very similar to do-it-yourself or DIY. Additionally, a bricoleur describes someone like a handyman.
"Ras-le-bol"
This one is perhaps the oddest French phrases of them all which describes an extreme sense of dissatisfaction and frustration. It would be something similar to the English "I've had enough," "I'm through," or "I've had it up to here with..." This is typically the last thing you might hear out of someone's mouth before storming out of a room after a heated discussion.
"Bouffer"
This term is a way to describe how animals eat. It can also be used to impolitely refer to humans, kind of like the saying that someone 'eats like a pig.'
"Retrouvailles"
This rather charming French word describes the ultimate sense of joy experienced when meeting someone you may not have seen for a very long time. If you could see it, it would look like someone jumping up and down and screaming with happiness.
"LoufoQuerie"
In short, this term means craziness. The word and how it came to be is crazy within itself. It's root, louchébem, is a slang term invented by French butchers in the 19th Century who made a sort-of-game out of the French language. For each word, they would move the first consonant to the end, add a standard suffix, then place the letter 'L' at the very beginning. This is something like 'pig latin' or 'gibberish.' To this day, this slang language is still used in France by butchers across the country. The root of this term is indeed just as crazy as its meaning.
Learning French is always surprising and these 8 French Phrases That Do Not Translate in English are just a few of the hidden secrets to becoming more fluent in French. Have other words or phrases you'd like added to this list? Don't forget to post them in the comment's section below & pass this forward to your francophone friends online using #jplingo @jplinguistics. Merci et à bientôt!
What Makes a Great Language Class: 5 Tips Before You Enroll
Learn how to suss out if that NYC French Class is worth the money.
We've all had that sudden urge to enroll in a language class that we've been wishing to take for years. Similar to that 'I gotta get to the gym' feeling, but less intimidating. After looking around for a bit we've found language classes that seem so obtainable, but at the same time felt the process of getting started a little daunting. Where is this fear of getting started stemming from? Is it those 4-years of foreign language classes in high school which didn't prepare us to speak a single sentence in college? Or was it from a language course we took from a tutor that didn't help us learn properly either? All we know is that, instead of jumping for joy at the many classes and opportunities available, we're thinking 'Ugh, will this one be worth my time?' 'How do I get started?' 'How will I know if this will really work?'
These thought patterns are very common and I hear them all the time from new students at JP Linguistics. So, we wanted to share with you a few tips to think about before enrolling for your next language class. This process should be exciting not daunting. We hope these helpful tips allow your language skills to become what you've always dreamed they would be!
1. Learn From Native Instructors
If you are going to learn a foreign language, the best way to learn is from a native instructor. Free language APPS and digital technology are a great start, as long as the person teaching you is native from a country that speaks the language you are learning. Think about it like how you buy groceries. If you want fresh, organic, REAL food, then go to the source of where the groceries come from (farms & gardens). If you want 'organic, REAL' education, go to the source of where the language comes from. In French, for example, this means France, Africa (countries like Morocco, Zimbabwe, Nigeria) the Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and many more. If you are taught a foreign language from a non-native speaker it is similar to eating the processed, chemically treated foods. The source is no longer the authentic source. It might sound harsh, but native speakers have a strong sense of the language that most of the time is needed to have a full and complete understanding. Many Americans study languages for years to teach to other Americans. Many get very close to mastering the language, but there is nothing more real than a native speaker. If you want the best, then learn from the best - a native speaker that has a strong understanding of the linguistic and cultural background.
2. Set Goals While Learning
With most things in life, setting goals helps you to realize your vision into an actual thing. Without setting goals, success can still be achieved but you might find that, without focus, the initial vision might turn into something you didn't intend it to become. There are many programs, language APPS, colleges, companies, and free language groups available. You should consider how many of them are helping you to set your language goals. If you don't have any goals yet, have you ever considered making some? One way we, at JP Linguistics, help set goals for our students is to utilize a system called the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages. This program, established by the European Union, helps students who are learning a foreign language to stay on a goal-oriented track. It helps you and us to keep realistic and attainable goals. Simply put, each language level and class has a language goal. If you enrolled in a French 101 class, for example, the instructor should be able to tell you exactly what you will be able to accomplish after the class is completed. That is what is called "Objectifs Communicatifs" such as greetings, how to introduce yourself (your age, profession, and where you live, and "Objectifs Linguistiques" such as how to conjugate basic verbs like 'To be' (Être), ' To Have' (Avoid), 'To do' (Faire), 'ER' verbs. Furthermore, your instructor should be able to tell you more specifically what will be taught in each week of the course, including the book/online resources and activities. This allows you to know what's necessary for each step in reaching that goal and to create realistic goals to map out the length of your studies. The instructor with work along side the student to facilitate the learning and to help achieve the end goal. Notice the phrase 'work along side.' The instructor's job is to facilitate the course, not to robotically spoon-feed information. It is essential that a student comes prepared and willing to learn with each class. The work the student puts in to the learning, weighs heavily as to how much the get out of each class.
3. Learn Through Immersive Environments
Learning a foreign language can be a challenge for many reasons. Students must be able to learn a new language structure and memorize loads of new vocabulary. In addition, students must also be able to grasp a brand new cultural way of thinking. If you close your eyes for a moment and try to describe the French culture, what comes to mind? For some, this might create thoughts like 'Delicious foods,' 'Skinny people having witty conversations at a cafe with croissants,' 'Artists on the street corners in Paris,' 'Beautiful vineyards in the South of France,' etc. Getting a true grasp on a new culture isn't only about the language, it's about understanding how foreign nations think, act, cook, what they believe in and why they believe it. This means taking the language deeper into the core of our senses. When describing a culture we can often describe how it tastes, what it looks like, how it feels, what it smells like, and what it sounds like. For example, when you experience the language at a dinner you get to use the language but also the culture around "eating". If you pay close attention, you will learn how to cut your food a certain way, how to interrupt someone to comment on something or to ask something. For example, pay attention to where their hands are (on the table, under the table?), where and when to drink and how they say to 'Cheers!'
When we immerse ourselves in to language learning, we learn more about cultural habits, environments, and ways of thinking. This relates to learning how to speak a foreign language because we better understanding of why certain cultures act the way that they do, thus speak the way they speak. At JP Linguistics, we focus on immersive learning environments because it allows people to learn in a hands-on way, while learning a new skill with the language. This includes activities like 'Macaron & Croissant Making En Français' in which students can learn to speak French while learning to cook authentic recipes taught by native instructors.
4. SELECT A CLASS THAT MatchES Your Learning Style
We all have busy lives. We all have different goals and aspirations. We all have different ways of interpreting information. An instructor with a training in Pedagogy (the discipline within Education that houses theories and practices to train someone to teach a course properly), understands this. A well-trained instructor is able to tailor a classroom to different learning styles depending on who is in the class. We believe very strongly in this at JP Linguistics, which is why our instructors are constantly trained in Pedagogy to provide experiences that match our student's needs. Below are a few interesting learning styles (among others). Which one are you?
Accommodator = Concrete Experience + Active Experiment: strong in "hands-on" practical doing (e.g., physical therapists)
Converger = Abstract Conceptualization + Active Experiment: strong in practical "hands-on" application of theories (e.g., engineers)
Diverger = Concrete Experience + Reflective Observation: strong in imaginative ability and discussion (e.g., social workers)
Assimilator = Abstract Conceptualization + Reflective Observation: strong in inductive reasoning and creation of theories (e.g., philosophers)
(sample of the David Kolbs model, as seen on http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm)
5. Be Entertained and Have Fun
The whole point of learning a foreign language is getting out into the world, traveling, and putting it into practice. That's why taking the time out of your busy schedule each week to sit in a classroom and learn should be fun! Lessons should be engaging and utilize numerous sources of material (including the games and activities created by your instructor). Many of our classes utilize videos, music, games, online resources, food, field trips to art galleries and more. The book is an essential part of teaching because if maintains the goal-oriented track for students, but there is no reason a class should not be entertain and fun. Check out the video below geared at French 101 students, just as an example:
There are many things to consider when enrolling for your next language course and fear should not be one of them. Before you sign up for your next class, keep in mind the tips mentioned above 1. Learn From Native Instructors, 2. Set Goals While Learning, 3. Learn Through Immersive Environments, 4. Select a Class That Matches Your Learning Style 5. Be Entertained and Have Fun. If you are looking to enroll in a French class and want all of these incorporated in to your lessons, then look no further than JP Linguistics' Group Classes, Private Lessons, Tutoring, and Special Programs. Click HERE for more information, our feel free to reach out with any questions HERE.
Bonne Journee!