Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 14
December 7, 2022
Bois, Kindling, or Tinder in French + A Fun and Free Activity while walking
Wooden boats all dressed up for the holidays. More about le bois in today's story. Enjoy French delicacies? Don't miss the sweet column at the end of the edition. If today's word is too easy for you, find some more advanced terms in the story below.
TODAY'S WORD: le bois
: wood
AUDIO: Listen to all the French words in today's story by clicking on the sound file below. Then scroll to the vocabulary section and check your comprehension.
Sound file for the French words
A DAY IN A FRENCH L...
November 30, 2022
Le Prénom + French Dog and Cat Names for your pet
In winter dogs are allowed on this sandy beach. Out strolling with Mom at sunset last night, we enjoyed seeing 5 cavorting canines--including Ruby the pit bull. She wanted to hop on that surfboard and glide up the coast with the help of a couple of giggling girls pulling the rope. Meet another local pooch in today’s story...
TODAY’S WORD: “le prénom”
: first name
SOUND FILE: Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the example sentence and all French words in this post. Then scroll to the vocabulary sect...
November 23, 2022
Glou-glou! How to get out of cooking for Thanksgiving (hint: be a turkey)
Turkeys or dindes at Château Miraval, in 2005. "Glou-glou! Gobble-gobble!" turkeys say, in French and in English. More turkey talk, and some mischief, in today’s story.
TODAY'S WORD: glouglou or glou-glou
: gobble-gobble
: glug-glug* (the sound of wine pouring out of a bottle)
FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension.
A DAY IN A ...
November 17, 2022
The Vas-y Effect. You know this secret to happiness and success...
A random photo from Paris. You can never see enough hearts! Keep looking for them, and enjoy the following pick-me-up message.
TODAY'S WORD: "Vas-y!"
: go for it!
FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce all 12 French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension.
Click here to listen to the French vocabulary
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
"The Vas-y Effect"
Coucou and a warm bonjour to anyone reading. I a...
November 10, 2022
Hommage: Adieu Mr. Farjon "The Plant Whisperer"
Robert Farjon leaving Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where my family once lived. The hollyhocks seem to be hugging his vintage Peugeot bicycle. Find out why plants love this dearly departed Frenchman in the following tribute.
TODAY'S WORD: amour-en-cage
: love in a cage
Amour-en-cage is a synonym for Chinese lantern, or physalis. I loved the term the moment Robert Farjon shared it, and today it is especially meaningful.
ADIEU, ROBERT
France has lost a national treasure. Plant & Provence histori...
November 4, 2022
Désinvolte: Mom's new pet (and a message from Smokey?)
The sign on this quirky façade in Alsace reads Le Chat qui Pêche ("The Cat that Fishes"). Read on for a story about another smart cat...and don't miss the photo at the end of this post.
TODAY'S COOL WORD: "désinvolte"
: casual, nonchalant, detached, glib
A FEW BLOOPERS...Today's sound file, recorded by Jean-Marc, has a funny mistake. The good news is you will hear both the term and the translation (in English). Click the link below for the audio, then scroll to the vocabulary section to che...
October 28, 2022
Today is The Day! Something mammoth to celebrate!
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Today's Expression: "dans la panade"
: in a jam (in a difficult situation)
Other ways to say "in a jam": dans le pétrin, dans la mouise...but if you really want to speak like a native it's dans la merde!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Today is the day! Twenty years ago, on Sunday, October 28th, this French word journal began. Jean-Marc (or a seven-year-old Max?) took this picture in the hallway of our home in a medieval French village. When I look at the image above, I see a ...
October 21, 2022
Every Francophiles Favorite F Word + 2 Days in Paris!
Evening in Paris is a magical time to flâner. Rounding a corner in Montmartre the Sacré Coeur Basilica came into view unexpectedly and took my breath away. Don't miss today's story, below.
TODAY'S WORD: flâner
: stroll, wander, roam, saunter, meander
: to laze about, to be idle
La flânerie = loafing, idleness
La flânerie, n’est pas seulement délicieuse ; elle est utile. C’est un bain de santé qui rend la vigueur et la souplesse à tout l’être ; à l’esprit comme au corps ; c’est le signe ...
October 10, 2022
What to serve our Guests? (and "Bob's Your Uncle" in French)
Coucou from La Ciotat. If you are visiting our city, why not stop into Jean-Marc's wineshop? Call ahead and he will be happy to see you at Le Vin Sobre Bar à Vin.
TODAY'S PHRASE: "Le tour est joué"
: that's all there is to it, and Bob's your uncle
FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
On Wednesday ...
September 30, 2022
“La Douloureuse”: A funny way to say “the check” + A Tourist Trap, Beware!
Handwoven fishing baskets on La Maddalena Island, off Sardinia. Read about how we got trapped in a tourist net in today’s missive, and learn another meaning for la douloureuse. Speaking of pain, my eye surgery went well. Thank you for your kind notes.
Today’s (Slang) Word: la douloureuse
: the check, the bill, “the painful”
AUDIO: Click the link below to hear the example sentence + all the French vocabulary. Then scroll down to check your French comprehension.
L’ar...
