Language

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

I’m a French tutor and these are six mistakes that block a beginner’s progress

Common mistakes include translating expressions word for word and not listening to everyday speech

The origins and meaning of barbe à papa

Find out the funny French translation for this fluffy fairground treat

magazine

What does avoir les jambes en coton mean and when should it be used?

We look at why people in France compare their legs to a variety of soft and squishy materials when tired out

France’s pastry attacks have a language of their own

From throwing flour bombs to getting pie-faced, France’s long tradition of attentats pâtissiers has a unique vocabulary to go alongside

How to express amazement this World Cup season

The French language really comes alive during sporting events

French football chants and songs you will hear this summer

Learn the meanings behind France’s most famous fan anthems

Indian man lying in bed, awake and looking distressed, with white pillows and bedding.

Nuit blanche and other French phrases featuring the colour white

How many white expressions are you familiar with?

French warning sign by a cobbled shore with a raised walkway over the bay at low tide

Understanding French cycle signs and property lingo

The literal meanings and historical roots of some commonly used terms

Films and TV series to improve your French in June

From understanding slang-filled comedies to identifying different regional pronunciations

La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers

'Mamie-gâteau', ‘mère courage’... we share some of our favourite mum-themed words and phrases

How do new language tests affect Americans moving to France?

Immigration bill changed requirements for several residency card types

When and why do we say être ravitaillé par les corbeaux?

Crow-bar this phrase into conversation when referring to a remote location

Avoid linguistic 'blind spots' with a reliable word

Add this new word to your vocabulary for use in conversations about reliability

From bouiner to banger: 150 ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

The latest 60th anniversary edition of Le Petit Robert features trending terms

Frustrating,Phone,Call,,Receptionist,Or,Business,Person

How to make polite requests in French

While English speakers start a request with ‘please’, French requests often begin with merci de

Five French films and TV shows for May

From thrillers to comedies, make learning easy by incorporating French media into your everyday life

Three French phrases inspired by other cultures

Explore the origins and meanings behind these French expressions related to foreign people and places

Cotton balls resting on a pile of folded clothes

Four French cotton-themed phrases

Explore French phrases inspired by a popular fabric

Confused,And,Surprised,Young,Professional,Woman,In,A,Tense,Discussion

From quoi to voilà… verbal tics can puzzle language learners

There are some habits you should not acquire, says columnist Nick Inman

Lesser-known French abbreviations to listen out for: just add 'O'

Insights into informal language trends, featuring shortened versions of restaurant, ordonnance and more

Tchin tchin, santé, eye contact: the words and rituals of French apéros

From a Mandarin phrase to mediaeval beliefs, we look back through the history of this evening tradition

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ne pas avoir un poil sur le caillou

Use this saying to describe someone who is bald

Books to help you practise your French skills

French books to improve your language skills, from easy-read romances to literary prize winners

Phrases used by young people in France in 2026

Have you heard any of these idioms?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

An Easter-themed phrase to describe someone who is hungry for money

How to describe cheapskates in French

A village meeting feast showcased the radin tendencies of one family

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

From miniseries to stand-up comedy, boost your language skills with our media recommendations

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Se taper la cloche and other phrases to use if celebrating Easter in France

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Notes from a lecturer on how noticing the natural beats of verbal expression is essential to getting it right

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Today (Friday, March 27) is la journée nationale du fromage

Learning French: when and why do we say vouloir le beurre et l’argent du beurre?

A handy phrase to say that someone wants the best of both worlds

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Plus, more expressions for extreme surprise

Marseille,,France,-,23-09-2023:,Journalists,Prepare,To,Broadcast,During,Pope

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Columnist Nick Inman provides an overview of common media terms

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

You may hear this formal word in everyday requests

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

How many green French phrases do you know?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

Discover linguistic nuances and cultural insights into France's respect for alcohol

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

It is useful to understand political vocabulary, even if you cannot vote

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

Use this expression to describe eating something quick and easy while on the move

Four,Friends,Making,A,Toast,During,A,Meal,At,A

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Do not try to translate these expressions word-for-word

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Romance or a secret? Learn five French expressions related to flowers

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

A chocolate-themed saying to describe someone who has a six-pack

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

We are taught that all adjectives have to agree with the gender of the noun in French – so why is there no 'e' at the end of grand?

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

Marseille, a ship, a very big sardine, and a stereotype

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

This metaphoric French expression featuring a cat has no resemblance to its English equivalent

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

These phrases help to talk about one of the most important subjects in France - food

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

Read about a real-life example illustrating when to use this fun French adjective

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

An expression to indicate that something has tipped you over the edge

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Podcasts are one of the best free tools for consistently developing your listening comprehension

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

From un tampon to une cathédrale, understand the meaning of key French rugby terms

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

A phrase to use when someone is down in the dumps

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

French phrases are full of unexpected words such as foot, head, nose and elbow

Bavarde, commérages: how to describe having a chat or gossip in French

One phrase has its origins in the 16th century and could easily be mistranslated

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

An embarrassing guitar shop incident leads to a tough language lesson

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

A handy phrase for when someone is standing their ground

Tati, toutou, toc-toc: French and its love of doubled-up words

We look at common phrases and words using repetition and Connexion readers share their examples

What does à la Saint-Glinglin mean and when should it be used?

This phrase is useful for people who tend to procrastinate or make empty promises

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

Know when to 'drop a vowel' or add an apostrophe to streamline your speech and improve pronunciation

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

Make sure you are ready to fill any 'créneau' that becomes available

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne

It literally translates as: to pass from the rooster to the donkey

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

The origins and meaning of rire jaune

A colourful expression for forced laughter

Is the French language in decline?

Newspaper headlines often focus on a supposed ‘decline’ of the French language - we look at whether it is true

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

France is a hub of talent when it comes to film and TV, and watching in French can greatly improve your language skills

Duck Cold! Four French phrases to use when it is freezing outside

We remind you of French expressions to use to describe the drop in temperature

When and why do we say le moral dans les chaussettes?

We explore this useful expression that describes low spirits

Tips for improving your French in 2026

Whether you live in France or not, there are lots of (often free) ways to bosse ton francais cette année !

When and why do we say blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc?

A phrase to use when two things are very similar

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Podcasts are a great free way to improve both your language and knowledge of French culture

Chut! When French sounds become words

Learn when to use these common onomatopoeiac words in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

French words and sayings for celebrating New Year

A vocab guide for welcoming the new year in France

Language

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

I’m a French tutor and these are six mistakes that block a beginner’s progress

The origins and meaning of barbe à papa

What does avoir les jambes en coton mean and when should it be used?

Trending

Passport not stamped upon leaving France and no biometrics taken: should I be worried?

Intense heat and storm alerts in France

Heatwave in France: 35 red alerts raised, Monday to be even hotter

How can I find local tradespeople in France?

Worst traffic days in France revealed for summer 2026

I’m a French tutor and these are six mistakes that block a beginner’s progress

How many people in France do not have a top-up mutuelle?

France’s pastry attacks have a language of their own

How to express amazement this World Cup season

French football chants and songs you will hear this summer

Nuit blanche and other French phrases featuring the colour white

Understanding French cycle signs and property lingo

Films and TV series to improve your French in June

La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers

How do new language tests affect Americans moving to France?

When and why do we say être ravitaillé par les corbeaux?

Avoid linguistic 'blind spots' with a reliable word

Au pif and seven more French estimation phrases

Never underestimate the importance of ‘hello’ in France

Do you know your fabophile from your plangonophile?

From bouiner to banger: 150 ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

Why many newcomers understand French but struggle to speak it

The origins and meaning of tomber des nues

The double meaning of brassage

When and why do we say on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures?

The origins and meaning of être frais comme un gardon

How to make polite requests in French

Five French films and TV shows for May

Three French phrases inspired by other cultures

Four French cotton-themed phrases

From quoi to voilà… verbal tics can puzzle language learners

Lesser-known French abbreviations to listen out for: just add 'O'

Tchin tchin, santé, eye contact: the words and rituals of French apéros

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ne pas avoir un poil sur le caillou

Books to help you practise your French skills

Phrases used by young people in France in 2026

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

How to describe cheapskates in French

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Learning French: when and why do we say vouloir le beurre et l’argent du beurre?

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

Bavarde, commérages: how to describe having a chat or gossip in French

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

Tati, toutou, toc-toc: French and its love of doubled-up words

What does à la Saint-Glinglin mean and when should it be used?

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne