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What does le mouton à cinq pattes mean and when should it be used?
A phrase to describe something unique or out of the ordinary
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What does en flagrant délit mean in French?
Learn how this common phrase is used when someone is caught in the act
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My French is good — so why do I not understand when the French speak to one another?
There are a lot of differences between how the French talk to a non-native speaker compared to among themselves
14 French words which look English - but are not
We asked readers for suggestions of French words which look like they come from English but which are not actually used by English speakers. Here is a list of 14 of them - and we give their true meaning. Do you have any to add?
1/Une basket = a sports shoe /trainer. It is often used in the plural, ‘des baskets’ to say a pair of trainers. There is also the expression ‘être bien dans ses baskets’ (literally to be good in your shoes) which means to be at ease.
2/ Un footing = a run/jog .
3/ Un relooking = a makeover.
4/ Un dressing = a wardrobe.
5/ Un after-work = French people like saying that they are going to an ‘after-work’, meaning they are going to have some drinks with their colleagues after work.
6/ Un planning = a schedule.
7/ Les people = In French this means celebrities. We often talk about ‘la presse people’ to say tabloids…
8/ Un brushing = a blow-dry at the hairdresser’s.
9/Un parking = a car park.
10/ Un smoking = a dinner jacket.
11/ Un baby-foot = table football.
12/ Un sweat = a jumper. To say sweat (as in transpire) you use the verb transpirer in French.
13/ Des chips = crisps, whereas chips are frites in English.
14/ Le zapping = the act of hopping between TV channels.
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