Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 85
July 23, 2013
How to say chopped in French? + gift giveaway
Ann Mah is giving away three advance copies of her new book Mastering the Art of French Eating.Enter to win here.
France and Monaco Rentals:short-term holiday rental properties throughout France and Monaco.Click here.
haché (ha-shay)
: minced, ground; chopped
un steak haché = hamburger (the French say hamburger when the burger is served on a bun; sansbun and it's called un steak haché)
Yabla French Video Immersion.The fun way to learn French
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
My frie...
July 18, 2013
How to say "a thought" in French and rewiring the brain (neuroplasticity!)
Where is the mind located and do our thoughts really have substance--as scientists have observed? (A thought is a protein!) They say our thoughts can control our pain levels and more. I believe this, having used mind over matter while receiving several shots in the face while having skin cancer removed. Now if I could only train other parts of my brain--especially the emotional parts... More in today's edition. (After a late night out I'm running late on this edition. Please forgive any omiss...
July 16, 2013
Pastèque
Back when things weren't so complicated and you spoke your heart out.
Mas la Monaque-Rent this beautifully restored 17-century farm.Click here for photos
la pastèque (pah-stek)
: watermelon
Yabla French Video Immersion.The fun way to learn French
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
La Salade d'Amour
I was talking to my table-mate to the right when my left ear perked up and my husband's words came as a shock.
I can't believe he just said that! But that was private--just between us!
I sat ba...
July 12, 2013
How to say wasp in French... and the fascinating life inside a figue!
"Ignorance is Bliss." Remember this photo from last September? Back then, while eating my way from one end of this fig tree to the other, I had no idea there was more to a fig than meets the eye....
Provence Villa RentalLuberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool.Views of Roussillon.Click here.
guêpe (gep)
: wasp
Terms, Expressions, and an example sentence:
la taille de guêpe = slender-waisted, hourglass figure
le nid de guêpe = hornet's nest
Pour éviter les...
July 8, 2013
noce + photo of our wedding anniversary!
"The Kiss". Jean-Marc and I celebrated our 19th anniversary with a hike along the sea and a swim at this calanque, in St. Cyr-sur-Mer.
Villa Royale apartment in Monaco. Large studio with beautiful sea viewsin the residential district of Beausoleil. See photos.
la noce (nohce)
: wedding, nuptials
faire la noce = to live it up
la nuit de noce = wedding night
le voyage de noces = honeymoon
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
Stopping Traffic
Memories are like bubbles. Full and rounded, the r...
July 3, 2013
How to say tenant in French?
Wish I'd gotten a picture of the hero in today's story. Meantime, here's a lovable stand-in. Photo taken somewhere in the Vaucluse...
Provence Villa RentalLuberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool.Views of Roussillon.Click here.
le locataire (lo h-ka-tair)
: tenant
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc:Download MP3or Wav file
Le locataire ouvre grand ses bras. "Entrez, je vous en prie!" il dit.
The tenant opens his arms. "Come in. Please!" he says.
July 1, 2013
Fudging in French... + dessert recipe
Forward this post to a French friend. Today's edition, on fudge, is a reverse-dictionary entry: instead of translating a French word, we'll begin with English. This is dedicated to all of our French readers--so happy to know you're reading. You keep me on my toes! (photo of a sweets shop taken in Paris)
France and Monaco Rentals:short-term holiday rental properties throughout France and Monaco. Click here.
fudge (n) (fuhzh)
: espèce de caramel mou (a kind of soft caramel)
fudge (v)
: tricher (...
June 27, 2013
What is a "nappe" in French?
The family hat. John bought it for Mom, in Mexico. Mom left it to me, in France. Marsha borrowed itin St Remo, and yesterday, while sitting out in the morning sun enjoying our coffee together, Dad asked: may I use your hat?
Provence Villa RentalLuberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool.Views of Roussillon.Click here.
une nappe (nap)
: tablecloth, sheet (layer)
la nappe phréatique = ground water, water table
la nappe de mazout = oil slick
la nappe de brouil...
June 24, 2013
sejour + how to say "a nice change of scenery" in French
My family and I stole away for a two-day séjour in Italy. C'était dépaysant, as the French say--or a nice "change of scenery".
Mas la Monaque-Rent this beautifully restored 17-century farm.Click here for photos
un séjour (say-joor)
1. stay
2. living room, family room
bon séjour = have a nice stay
une carte de séjour = a residence permit
le titre de séjour = green card
le séjour linguistic = language study vacation
la salle de séjour = the living room
Yabla French Video Immersion.The fun way to le...
June 20, 2013
To spring for the bill (or how to say "it's on me" in French)
An old hardware store in Les Arcs-sur-Argens... and another one in today's vignette.
Provence Villa RentalLuberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool.Views of Roussillon.Click here.
c'est moi qui paye (say-mwah-kee-pay)
: it's on me
Example Sentence:
Non, mais tu rigoles? C'est moi qui paye!
Don't be silly. I'm paying for it!
Yabla French Video Immersion.The fun way to learn French
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
"I think the translation is 'ha...
