Language linguistics

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: tout est bon dans le cochon and other pig expressions

An informal rhyme for when something is saved from going to waste

Learning French: the origins and meaning of bon gré mal gré

A useful phrase to describe doing something against your will

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Learning French: when and why do we say sentir le sapin?

A morbid phrase to suggest the end is near

Learning French: what is a péché mignon?

All you need to know about discussing guilty pleasures like a French native

Learning French: what does à tes souhaits mean and when should it be used?

This polite phrase can change depending on the number of times a person consecutively sneezes

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

This patriotic proverb was also a presidential campaign slogan

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?

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