Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 19
October 22, 2021
"Regretfully" in French + to spin out of control + One of us moves out...
Which family member moved to the historic grounds of La Bastide Marin? Read on, in today's chronique and learn a dozen more useful French terms.
Today's Word: à contrecoeur (or contre-coeur)
: regretfully, reluctantly, grudgingly
Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear today's word + a dozen more vocabulary words. Next, scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your comprehension.
Click here to listen to Jean-Marc pronounce a list of French words
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi...
October 15, 2021
Name your favorite drink + What does the French “bredouille” mean in English? (Hint: it doesn't mean 'tipsy')
If you were to visit Jean-Marc's wine shop, what would you buy? Tell us your favorite wine, drink, or boisson in the comments section. It could make for a lively thread!
Today's Word: bredouille
: empty-handed, unsuccessful
Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear today's word + a dozen more vocabulary words. Next, scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your comprehension.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
"A Surprise Visit"
Following Sunday’s ...
October 7, 2021
"Conciliabule" or how to say Pow Wow in French + Family dynamics: living with adult kids and Grandma
A new window, or "vitrine", at Jean-Marc's wine shop. It depicts the local coastline, including Cassis!Zut! There's a blooper, une gaffe, at the end of today's sound file. Listen for Jean-Marc, who tells me I've made two mistakes. Hear all the French vocabulary in today's story when you click on the link, below:
Conciliabule
(kohn-see-lya-bewl)
: conventicle
Conciliabule--what a cool word in French! A "conventicle" is a secret meeting of nonconformists, and it's perfe...
September 30, 2021
Une Escroquerie: our daughter got scammed and is returning to France
Un Escroc, Escroquer, Une Escroquerie
: a con (scammer), to cheat, a fraud
L'ECOUTE: Practice your French Listening Skills. To hear the French in today's story, click below. Next, check your comprehension by viewing the vocabulary list (farther down).
Listen to today's vocabulary in the following story. Click here
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Last Friday the 24th, after a day of celebration, I asked my husband if he'd talked to our daughter lately. "I tried calling earlier, but...
September 24, 2021
Celebrating today! + French for gentle, pleasant, sweet & Reader tips for a good relationship
Flying rice at our noces de mariageToday, Jean-Marc and I celebrate 27 years of marriage. Help us mark the occasion by sharing your best tip for relationships in the comments below.
DOUX
(doo)
soft, sweet, gentle, pleasant, mellow
Practice your French Listening Skills. Click to hear Jean-Marc read in French and English:
Le mariage est comme le vin : doux, amer, intense, moelleux, acide ou plat. Mais un couple comme le nôtre sait apprécier toutes ces saveurs. Bon anniversaire de mariage, C...
September 16, 2021
A Beautiful Escape via the French word échapper belle
Today's story takes place in La Ciotat, not far from the beach.
ECHAPPER BELLE
(ay-shap-ay bel)
: to have a close call, a lucky escape; to let off the hook
L'ECOUTE: Practice your French Listening Skills. To hear the French in today's story, click below. Next, check your comprehension by viewing the vocabulary list (farther down).
Listen to the vocabulary list, click here
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Is there a word in French or English for when you are avoiding your To-D...
September 8, 2021
How to say "shortcoming" or "vice" in French + recipe reminder: "La Tarte Tomate"
"Take a new road each day," Mom says. Like that, I discovered this quaint, unfamiliar rue on my way to our little Baptist church here in La Ciotat. The vine-flanked ruelle was as peaceful as the photo, with neighbors chatting at a window sill and laundry fluttering in the breeze.
TODAY'S WORD: un défaut (day-fo)
: fault, flaw, shortcoming, vice
la curiosité est un vilain défaut = curiosity killed the cat
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc read the French vocabulary in today's post:
How to say shortcoming or vice in French + recipe reminder: "La Tarte Tomate"
"Take a new road each day," Mom says. Like that, I discovered this quaint, unfamiliar rue on my way to our little Baptist church here in La Ciotat. The vine-flanked ruelle was as peaceful as the photo, with neighbors chatting at a window sill and laundry fluttering in the breeze.
TODAY'S WORD: un défaut
: fault, shortcoming, vice
la curiosité est un vilain défaut = curiosity killed the cat
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc read the French vocabulary in today's post:
June 29, 2021
A few recent photos, "the best days of our lives", and a strange French word for hoarding
A grotte (La Grotte Saint-Marcel) we visited in Ardeche, on a recent getaway in a rented camping car.Last month I didn't have the guts to tell you that I had planned on taking the entire summer off from faithfully updating this French word journal. Instead, I promised, "I'll check in with you in June..." Let that be a lesson that putting off the inevitable only takes the joy out of borrowed time!
This pause kind of feels like borrowed time, but now that I've confessed I'll own it: I will cher...
May 21, 2021
Update from Kristi + Rester dans les parages = to stick around
One of these tourterelles landed on Smokey's back. You notice so much when you slow down.
Today's phrase: rester dans les parages
: to stick around
Coucou, Dear Reader,
This journal has gone on break. I have many more French words and stories to share with you, so please stick around. I assure you I'm not going anywhere and, apparently, neither are my words which aren't flowing at the moment. I suppose I could get out my whip and make them fill this page but that is what I usually do. Mea...
