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Learning French: what does la galère mean and when should it be used?

A slang saying for when the going gets tough

Learning French: the origins and meaning of sur le plancher des vaches

Sailors invented this phrase when dreaming of walking on solid ground

Learning French: when and why do we say le jour J?

A military term to refer to a big day

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Learning French: c’est cadeau and other gift-themed expressions

An easy-peasy freebie phrase for the giving season

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Je m’appelle Gemma Pell.. confusing English names in French

Discover the challenges some English people face when translating or pronouncing their names

Learning French: what does avoir des doigts de fée mean and when should it be used?

A fairy phrase for when you are charmed by someone’s skilled handiwork

Learning French: the different meanings behind guirlande

A handy guide to distinguish fairy lights from tinsel

Learning French: when and why do we say s’emballer?

Say this to describe getting carried away or overly invested in a situation

Festive French phrases and words for the Christmas period

Joyeux Noël tout le monde - your vocabulary guide to get you through the festive season

Learning French: what does j’avoue mean and when should it be used?

A French language tic which can indicate you are actively listening to and agree with what is being said

Language: Beware ‘false friends’ but take heart - the French struggle with them too

A teacher recounts the struggles of his Francophone colleague with English

Why bon is always a good word to use in France

Columnist Nick Inman notes the many polite ways people wish you well for all activities

Watch out for the rules about French verb 'tomber'

'To fall' can be used to describe being in love, to drop a certain subject, or even to pass out (in apples)

Learning French: être dans le vent and other wind expressions

A cool phrase to describe someone who keeps up with with the latest trends

Learning French: the origins and meaning of casser du sucre sur le dos

This sugary phrase will leave you with a bitter aftertaste

Learning French: the origins and meaning of une auberge espagnole

This diverse, multi-use phrase is also the title of a popular French film

Learning French: what does zapper mean and when should it be used?

Find out the meaning behind this unforgettable informal multipurpose onomatopoeic anglicism

Learning French: the origins and meaning of barbe à papa

Find out the funny French translation for this fluffy fairground treat

Learning French: what is a gros mot?

This term is important to know for potty mouths

Learning French: when and why do we say faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur?

An optimistic proverb to make the best of a bad situation

Learning French: the origins and meaning of être Gros-Jean comme devant

The expression comes from France’s most studied and well-known fabulist

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir un œil de lynx

This phrase finds its origins in the legend of Jason and the Argonauts

What is the difference between being bilingual and fluent?

There is a cultural nuance implied in the two terms, whether with French or other languages

Learning French: when and why do we say contre vents et marées?

This is a useful handy phrase for when life is not all smooth sailing

Improve your language skills with these five French tongue twisters

As well as being a fun party trick, these can help you master pronunciation of difficult sounds

Learning French: when to use d'ailleurs versus par ailleurs?

Take a look at our tips to help pronounce these commonly confused terms

Learning French: the origins and meaning of impossible n’est pas français

This patriotic proverb was also a presidential campaign slogan

Learning French: When do we say bonjour, bonsoir and adieu?

Understanding their crucial role in French social interactions

Learning French: what does n’importe quoi mean and when should it be used?

This essential expression features in the catchphrase of a famous French prankster

Learning French: what does tiré par les cheveux mean and when should it be used?

Try saying this the next time you hear a story which is hard to believe

Learning French: when and why do we say pédaler dans la semoule?

A handy phrase to use when you are struggling to find your words

Learning French: when and why do we say enfoncer une porte ouverte?

The expression is a useful metaphor for useless actions

Learning French: avoir l’oreille fine and other ear-related expressions

Master the tricky pronunciation of this phrase

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la poisse?

This slang phrase describes someone who is stuck with bad luck

Learning French: the origins and meaning of c’est de la daube

Find out how to express dislike in the manner of a native French speaker

Learning French: when and why do we say être sage comme une image?

A rhyming phrase which often describes well-behaved children

Learning French: when and why do we say rendre la monnaie de sa pièce?

This money-based expression can refer to a bid for revenge or a reminder that actions have consequences

French residency cards: Key terms to know (and understand)

The application process is much easier if you understand the vocabulary

Learning French: the origins and meaning of fada

This regional slang word is connected to fairies and a major French football club

Learning French: arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe and other soup expressions

You might say this when an unexpected guest is out of earshot

Learning French: when and why do we say se jeter dans la gueule du loup ?

This wolf-based phrase could warn someone against making a dangerous decision

Nine French false friends that appear in everyday conversation

From sans doute to déception, here are some terms to familiarise yourself with to avoid confusion

‘Chauffer son char’: Québécois French phrases added to Google Translate

The new update includes idiosyncratic phrases and words unique to Québec

Learning French: the many uses of the word tomber

Tomber amoureux, tomber d'accord - there are lots of expressions that involve falling

Learning French: why the handy phrase rien à voir is often not linked to vision

Varied use of the verb voir can cause confusion for French learners

Learning French: the origins and meaning of l’habit ne fait pas le moine

One of the stories behind this phrase is represented on Monaco’s coat of arms

En: How this small French word completely changes meaning of a sentence

‘En’ is often used in idiomatic expressions to add extra emphasis on an event

Learning French: The origins and meaning of ne pas être dans son assiette

A useful phrase for when someone seems under the weather

Comment: The French language does not match the country's values

Columnist Peter Wyeth ponders why they say ‘I’ when the English say ‘we’ – is this a historical anomaly?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of être au taquet

This handy phrase is often used in relation to a hard worker but it has other uses too

What does the French word ‘wesh’ mean and why is it being used in UK

Discover the origins of this informal interjection that is now part of London slang

Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir du bol

There is a surprisingly crude meaning behind this lucky phrase

Five anglophone actors who speak French well

These five actors have showcased their French skills in onscreen roles or by dubbing their own parts

Beware of ‘false friends’ when speaking French

Never assume French-sounding words from English mean exactly the same in France

Learning French: Cerise sur le gâteau and other baking expressions

This expression will be the cherry to top off your French idiom toolkit

Francophonie: countries with the most French speakers apart from France

France is one of the top five most-spoken languages worldwide

Learning French: What is the meaning of lancer une bouteille à la mer?

A poetic French phrase which reflects the image of sending a message in a bottle

Learning French: the origins and meaning of les doigts dans le nez

This widely used phrase was first heard at a hippodrome

Learning French: when to use au fait versus en fait

Settle the difference between these commonly confused phrases once and for all

5 films and series to improve your French in October

As autumn starts to roll in, watching a film becomes more inviting

Learning French: when and why do we say un de ces quatre?

We also look at whether this handy French phrase has a grammar mistake in it

Letters: Quirky French expressions with donkeys, silk and breaking wind

Readers share their favorite silly phrases in the language

Learning French: what does c’est parti mean and when should it be used?

We explain why you might also hear young people say 'tipar'

Faire la grasse matinée and more French sleep phrases

Both the Sandman and Morpheus have a role to play in how well you rest in France

Learning French: what are the origins of au fur et à mesure and what does it mean?

Plus discover the link between this everyday French phrase and the word aujourd’hui

Learning French: what does j'en ai marre mean and when to say it

This expression is common in France and even more so when voices are raised

Learning French: what does pas de souci mean and when to use it?

People say this to reassure others but also to show confidence

Learning French - when to use belle journée vs bonne journée

This bonne journée alternative has gained popularity in recent years

Learning French: what does dis donc mean and when should it be used?

This all-purpose French filler phrase can help you sound like a native.

Learning French: what is the meaning of ça y est and when should it be used?

If you have been searching for the perfect phrase to celebrate an achievement… ça y est, this is it

Learning French: the origins and meaning of dingue

Did you know about the alleged connection between mosquito bites and this 'crazy' word?

Learning French: what does bonne continuation mean and when should it be used?

This is a handy everyday phrase to know and can be used in many situations, including at mealtimes

En faire tout un fromage: Fun French expression no. 9

This phrase unusually paints cheese in a non-flattering light - find out why

Lost in translation: Learning numbers in France

Mastering them takes special effort – and numbers above 60 catch out many people learning French

Il y a du monde au balcon: Fun French expression no. 8

Some link this to theatre imagery - can you guess what it might signify?