Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire le mariole Acting the goat or fooling around, we explore the French phrase to describe the class clown
Tested for you: Google’s free AI personalised French lessons The ‘experimental’ Little Language Lessons platform generates exercises and vocab guides - but failed to woo our writer
Citizenship: Are spouses of French people affected by tougher language test rule? Minister cleared up confusion in circular sent to prefectures
magazine Learning French: what does à fond mean and when should it be used? An enthusiastic and thorough adverb
Learning French: the origins and meaning of être dans la force de l’âge A saying to describe being in the prime of life
Learning French: what does recevoir une note salée mean and when should it be used? A salty saying for inflated expenses
Learning French: when and why do we say qui se ressemble s’assemble? This rhyming expression is all about highlighting similarities between people
Spelling and pronunciation make odd bedfellows in English as in French Here are some tips to navigate common quirks
Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French Columnist Nick Inman notes that some French people are harsh judges of foreign speakers
Learning French: what does sacquer mean and when should it be used? You may be able to guess one of the meanings behind this informal term that sounds just like an English equivalent
Learning French: Have you ever dreamt in your target language? From passive listening to active speaking, dreaming in French can indicate you are regularly practicing it
Learning French: what does fastoche mean and when should it be used? Plus, can you guess the meaning behind more simple slang terms ending in -oche
Learning French: when and why do we say montrer patte blanche? A French fairytale phrase for trustworthiness Obligatory language tests for French residency: Differences between TEF and TCF Learning French: what does pile-poil mean and when should it be used? Learning French: four expressions featuring fil
Learning French: understanding 'backwards' abbreviations The penchant for shortening long terms makes the language even harder for foreigners to understand Learning French: the origins and meaning of gratin Learning French: what does comme par hasard mean and when should it be used? Can you master these 10 French tongue twisters? Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus? Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day
Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe A sarcastic saying to suggest something is unimportant or irrelevant
Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir? An expression for when funds are running desperately low
Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille? An expression to reflect a gradual progression
Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus A juicy saying for when you want to be kept in the loop
Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France Hiring artisans can be costly... use these essential terms to navigate the process effectively
Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte? This French phrase has little to do with pâte or dough and is useful when you need to ‘get stuck into' a task
Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used? A handy phrase to indicate that an event is underway
Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills Improve your French comprehension with these quick, insightful broadcasts that can also be listened to as podcasts
Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets? Watch out for false friends in this saying about self-confidence
Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre? A phrase for when you are feeling stressed or nervous
Learning French: what does que dalle mean and when should it be used? Level-up your casual French by using this term instead of rien
Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit Plus, how to tell someone your email address in French
Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger A slang word for measuring comprehension… that has nothing to do with pigs
Perpète-les-Oies and Petaouchnouk: origins of these bizarre French expressions Being familiar with such idioms can help to elevate your French to the next level
Learning French: what does être costaud mean and when should it be used? This article features strong language
Learning French: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char Say this when someone starts talking nonsense
Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French Some key grammar rules can help with this sometimes-tricky French phrase
Learning French: when and why do we say arriver à bon port? A phrase to use upon reaching your destination, safe and sound
Learning French: the meaning of râler and more moaning synonyms Which city in France is home to the biggest whiners?
Learning French: the origins and meaning of madeleine de Proust This nostalgic expression mixes references to baking and literature
Learning French: what does dommage mean and when should it be used? An essential term for unfortunate situations
Learning French: what does ça te dit mean and when should it be used? This quick, informal question cannot be translated literally
Learning French: beware of bilingual instructions Language notes from a lecturer on the pitfalls of translation
Learning French: unravelling popular shortcuts and contractions From ado to télé, which words are commonly shortened in everyday French?
Learning French: decoding alphabet expressions We explore the nuances of letter usage in acronyms and idioms
Learning French: what does paumé mean and when should it be used? An informal way of saying you are literally or figuratively lost
Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests ‘There will always be some who say the new level is too high, but the current A1 requirement is insufficient to integrate successfully, for example for work. It’s extremely basic.’
Learning French: what does c'est pas la peine mean and when should it be used? A useful phrase to describe useless actions
Learning French: what is the difference between voir and voire? These words both sound exactly the same but have different meanings
Learning French: the origins and meaning of apporter de l'eau au moulin This saying does not have a true English equivalent
Learning French: which affectionate nicknames do French couples love? Pet names such as bébé or chaton might be heard if spending Valentine’s Day in France
Learning French: when and why do we say chaque chose en son temps A reminder to slow down and be present
Nine idiomatic French expressions about your health There are plenty of French phrases to describe your illness whatever it is
Learning French: the origins and meaning of déclarer sa flamme A fiery statement for declarations of love
Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir le cœur qui bat la chamade An expression to send your heart racing
Learning French: when and why do we say vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche? A handy phrase used to admire or criticise
Learning French: what does franchement mean and when should it be used? A multi-functional filler word for honest conversations
Learning French: when and why do we say fais gaffe? Understand the difference between 'fais gaffe,' 'faire une gaffe,' and 'gaffer'
Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir un cœur d'artichaut A peculiar yet poetic phrase to describe hopeless romantics
Learning French: helpful vocabulary around cheese Key cheese words for navigating the fromagerie - and how many types exist in France?
Learning French: when and why do we say avoir un coup de cœur? You will be obsessed with this heart-themed phrase
Learning French: when and why do we say c'est la cour des miracles Few people today know the origins behind this expression that describes somewhere unwelcoming or chaotic
Learning French: the origins and meaning of se faire mener en bateau A sailing metaphor for when you have been lied to or taken advantage of
Learning French: why chouette does not always refer to owls This cool word with a double meaning will make your head spin
Learning French: what does tant pis mean and when should it be used? We also look at how to pronounce this everyday reaction to something gone wrong
Films and series to watch in February to improve your French Every month we outline good film and TV series to improve your language
Learning French: when and why do we say entendre le même son de cloche? A handy saying for when two or more people have harmonising opinions
Learning French: the origins and meaning of c'est le pompon (sur la Garonne) An amusing expression for when you have reached your limit
Learning French: when and why would we describe someone as un Bisounours? This cute cultural reference is actually used to criticise
Learning French: when and why do we say être habillé comme l'as de pique? An expression to insult someone’s fashion choices
Learning French: what does ça va aller mean and when should it be used? A popular multipurpose phrase to use when offering reassurance and encouragement
Learning French: the origins and meaning of vendre la mèche An explosive idiom for when someone exposes a secret
Learning French: ça m'est égal and other phrases for expressing indifference and indecision ‘Peu importe’, ‘je m’en fiche’, ‘tout me va’… how to get out of making a decision in French
Learning French: se gaver and other terms to describe overeating It is also an informal way to describe being obsessed with or irritated by something
Learning French: the origins and meaning of se lever du pied gauche A useful saying to describe someone who is in a bad mood
Learning French: when and why do we say être un rat? Use this word to describe someone who is unwilling to spend money
Learning French: when and why do we say être dans de beaux draps? A misleading phrase to describe being in a tricky situation