Learning french

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

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

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

Learning French: être dans le vent and other wind expressions

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

What are the longest words in the French language?

Impress native speakers with your extensive vocabulary

Tips for getting a (French) word in edgeways

Want to practise your French in France? These are the places to avoid

Learning French: what does casse-croûte mean and when should it be used?

A colloquial term for when your tummy is rumbling

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: 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 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: 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 rendre la monnaie de sa pièce?

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

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

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

Five audiobooks to listen to improve your French

Classic works of French literature will deepen your understanding of the country’s culture and enhance your language skills

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

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

Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir du bol

There is a surprisingly crude meaning behind this lucky phrase

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

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

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'

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 - 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

Franglais: from Churchill to Paris Olympics - what examples do you have?

The mixture of French and English was aimed at international visitors

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

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

Why speaking French is good for your brain

Learning a new language can improve brain health and even delay the onset of dementia

Péter dans la soie: Fun French expression no. 3

This expression translates to ‘to fart in silk’ - we explain how to use it

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

Films, series, sports: What to watch in September to help improve your French

The new season of a Netflix 'love-to-hate' classic is available this month, alongside films at the cinema and the end of France's summer sporting extravaganza

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: be careful with the many words for a meeting

A 'réunion' and a 'rendez-vous' could translate to the same thing but do not have the meaning

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

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

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