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
magazine 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? Learning French: the origins and meaning of c’est de la daube Learning French: when and why do we say être sage comme une image?
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) Learning French: the origins and meaning of fada Learning French: arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe and other soup expressions Learning French: when and why do we say se jeter dans la gueule du loup ? Nine French false friends that appear in everyday conversation
‘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?
Faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties: Fun French expression no.7 If you actually did what this expression suggests, you would not be popular…
C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise: Fun French expression no. 6 This expression comes from chilly Quebec
Can you pronounce this French word that means ‘fear of Friday the 13th’? The day has long been associated with bad luck with a small group of people even have a phobia of it
Why speaking French is good for your brain Learning a new language can improve brain health and even delay the onset of dementia
Mettre les pieds dans le plat: Fun French expression no. 5 A similar expression exists in English, can you work out what it is?
Online translation tools: Funny results between French and English Some expressions can give amusing results when put through an online service, such as Google Translate or DeepL
Ca ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard: Fun French expression no. 4 Can you guess what this expression means in English?
Péter dans la soie: Fun French expression no. 3 This expression translates to ‘to fart in silk’ - we explain how to use it
Avoir le temps de tuer un âne à coup de figues molles: Fun French expression no. 2 This expression is often used in the south
Everyday French phrases with the verb ‘passer’ Many of these expressions can be used in daily conversation to boost your fluency
On va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures : Fun French expression no. 1 Find out what this amusing French expression means so you can start to use it in your conversations
‘Soaked like soup’: 7 French expressions to use for wet weather From cows and dogs to soup, ropes and buckets - use these phrases when it is raining to sound like a native
Seven English words that you may not realise are French As well as déjà vu and hors d’oeuvre, you may be surprised to learn how many words crossed the Channel
Nine reasons to learn French Studying the language makes French culture more accessible and could improve your brain function
Learning French: 8 handy French phrases using the word pouce From gardening to less-than-gourmand meals, pouce appears more often than you may expect in French conversation
Six French expressions around cats to use in everyday conversations A bon chat bon rat, avoir un chat dans la gorge - how many of these do you know?
Learn how to say goodbye in French in different situations Salut, au revoir, à plus - find out which to use and when
When French starts to sound like English native speakers feel confused Words like footing, snacking and lifting grow ever more common but do not always mean what you would expect
Five podcasts to help your French listening skills: films, news, Olympics Podcasts can be a great free resource to help you train your listening skills
Is French still a popular language to learn? The number of students studying languages is down and schools are finding it hard to recruit teachers
Voilà ! Six French ‘filler’ words that are good to know You can use these words to enhance your everyday conversations
Five films and series to improve your French in August Avoid the summer heat by watching some TV in the shade, and improve your French in the process. Improve your Olympics vocabulary by tuning into events on French TV
Five common French words that are in fact company names Just like in English, many trademarks slip into common usage
Other-worldly origin of the French word ‘canicule’ Even the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans knew of these blistering summer heatwaves
Seven French expressions revolving around health Un torticolis, un bleu, sa ligne - can you work out what these terms mean?
Why do they speak French at every Olympic opening ceremony? The French language plays an important role in every Olympic Games, not just those held in France
Letters: I'm American but my English is more British since move to France Connexion reader says being around so many Britons while trying to speak more clearly to French people is having an effect