Everyday French phrases with the verb ‘passer’ Many of these expressions can be used in daily conversation, boosting 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
magazine 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’ Seven French expressions revolving around health Why do they speak French at every Olympic opening ceremony?
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 Eight phrases to help with everyday small talk in France Use French expressions to say what you mean in English 9 French expressions to use when there is hot weather 'C'est pas rien': Why nothing is a powerful word in French Seven everyday French expressions borrowed from the world of sport
How does living in France affect your English? Forgetting some English is more common than you might think - in fact there is even a word for this
'Important' is a key word to know how to use in French Some awkward situations can arise if you do not understand the nuance of its meaning
Six French phrases that describe defeat or losing Se prendre une taule, se faire laminer, manger une claque - find out how to express defeat in the French language
Who are France’s juilletistes and aoûtiens? We look at two words used to describe different French summer holiday habits
Why are Tour de France cyclists called ‘runners’ in French? The linguistic reason is long, arduous and surprising - much like the race itself
Man who speaks 50 languages gives his tips on learning French It should not be a difficult language to learn for English-speakers due to significant common ground, although a sympathetic ear may be necessary, says hyperpolyglot Alexander Argüelles
How to know when to use jour vs journée in French There is an easy rule to remember to avoid getting these similar words mixed up
Google translate adds Occitan, Breton and minor French languages The automatic system features hundreds of new dialects after a major update
Seven ways to complain like a French person The language has many ways to express displeasure - which locals have a reputation of using frequently
10 useful French expressions using the verb tenir It appears in all sorts of situations - just like its English equivalent
Which French accents are the hardest to understand? Geography and the speed at which people speak have an influence
Try these compliments in French to charm like a native Génial, un crack, raffiné - find out how to authentically show your approval
Learning French: what does profite bien mean and when should you use it People might say this to wish someone enjoyment
Laundry, fresh starts, mistakes: 8 phrases using tourner in French This word appears in a number of different contexts – many of which can be employed in daily French conversation
English-speakers share the funny mistakes they have made in French Here is a selection of embarrassing but amusing language anecdotes
Mistakes that English-speakers make in French that make natives laugh Unwitting sexual nuances, difficulty with pronunciation, translating expressions directly - there are many ways to accidentally raise a chuckle among French people
Quand même: understand how to use this helpful French expression This phrase can be employed in all sorts of situations - is it one you use often?
Watch: the UK and US celebrities that speak excellent French From Johnny Depp to Serena Williams, listen to these English-speaking celebrities who have impressive level of French
Tata, frangin, papounet: Cute French names for family members The French language has a variety of words for mother, father, brother or sister and you often hear these in everyday conversations
10 ‘English’ words in French that do not exist in English We also look at ‘borrowed’ English words that have a different meaning than in English
Unlocking the puzzle of French humour Understanding comedy is another step towards fitting in, says columnist Nick Inman
Ways to apologise in French and how to say ‘pardon, I didn’t hear you?’ Désolé, navré, pardon - knowing how to say sorry and which words to use in different contexts is a handy skill to have
How I coped during French hospital stay with imperfect language skills A one week stay at a hospital following an operation proved to be the perfect setting for columnist Nick Inman to improve his French vocabulary and conversational skills
Four quick language tips to help you in everyday French These handy reminders will make navigating conversations easier
6 ways to express your good mood in French Nager dans le bonheur, avoir la banane, être au septième ciel - find out how to convey your joie de vivre
Why you may be struggling with French - and what you can do about it Six problems and solutions to help you improve your language skills
Learning French: Understand the different words for ‘take’ and ‘bring’ These similar sounding words have opposite meanings, but a clue on using them correctly can be easy to spot
Different ways to say hello in French Enchanté, allô, coucou – learn French terms for greeting people
Learning French: the many flexible uses of the word 'coup' The flexible word can be used with many different expressions
7 French phrases that sound bizarre when translated Using these expressions with native speakers will make you sound like a master of French
The French you learn at school is often not what you hear: 5 examples Taff, truc, fric - the alternative words you hear in conversation
Platisme, masculinisme: The French words added to Larousse dictionary The 2025 edition includes some words that come straight from English, as well as many environment-related terms
Funny you should say that – the language of French laughter Humour can be a challenge to talk about in any language – how do you put into words that ephemeral feeling which makes you spontaneously laugh or smile?
Map of French accents: which do you prefer? From the major division between north and south to the departments split in two - everywhere has one
Why being told to go cook an egg in French is rarely a good thing We look at seven colourful expressions to brighten up your conversations
Seven useful informal French expressions you don’t learn at school These words will add colour to your spoken French
‘Je n’en reviens pas!’: How to use the verb venir in everyday French Columnist Annaliza Davis looks at the surprising versatility of venir and why it might confuse English-speakers
Learning French - what does bonne journée mean and when to use it? It works in many contexts but its direct equivalent has largely fallen out of use in modern English
Four types of words that English adopted from French Try looking up the etymology of English words and you will find that a lot originate from old French
René, Renée: Navigating subtle gender differences in French forenames Columnist Nick Inman explores why masculine and feminine versions of first names can trip up foreigners
‘I was surprised by what my French students think of Britons’ Baked beans, dyed hair, a love of fish skin… You can be the judge of whether some of these surprising stereotypes from university students are valid or not
Seven tips to help you integrate in France From grappling with paperwork to channelling the French joie de vivre, we look at the best ways to fit into life in France
8 false friends from my French students that we can learn from False friends in French can cause lots of confusion for language learners
Learning French - what does pas de souci mean and when to use it? People say this to reassure others but also to show confidence
Petit lapin, coup du lapin: 6 commonly used French rabbit expressions A potential new penalty for missing a doctor’s appointment has also been nicknamed la taxe lapin - we explain why
Could this method help if you lack confidence in learning French? 'I feel like it’s part therapy and part French'
Easter customs in France and ten related expressions Gigot d’agneau, cloches de Pâques - find out what is eaten on Easter Sunday and who brings the eggs for the Easter egg hunt
Six tongue twisters to test your French Stretch your tongue and your language skills with these difficult to pronounce virelangues
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 without even realising it. We look at some of the most common
Speak butter French: six expressions around the word beurre See if you can guess the meaning of these phrases just from their English translations
More French words and phrases with no real equivalent in English Do you know anyone who is insortable or un bon vivant ?
Tac, euh, bah: French language tics you hear every day Discover five words that French people use but that have no real meaning
How long should it take to learn French for everyday use? The US government says it should take 600-750 classroom hours to become proficient in French. Do teachers and learners agree? We find out.
Tricks to get the gender of nouns correct in French Working out the genders of nouns in French can be one of the most difficult parts of the language to navigate
Try swapping syllables in French words to sound like a native France has a rich history of wordplay, involving exchanging sounds in words and phrases, in literature, journalism and slang
Test your French with these nine expressions linked to insects Gober les mouches, fier comme un pou, avoir le bourdon - learn how to use these everyday French phrases
Remember these French language ‘false friends’ when you speak 'green' Being environmentally aware means you could come across some faux amis
Le? La? Why learning the gender of a noun makes life in France easier English-speakers can struggle with masculine and feminine words but gender in language can be useful, argues Nick Inman
What would you include if compiling a quiz about France? Columnist Nick Inman prepares a syllabus to help you become a French quiz whizz
Poll finds French no longer 'sexiest' language in the world But the study did find that Britons are most likely to vote French as the ‘most romantic’ language