Language linguistics

Which French words are resisting English anglicisms in everyday language?

Language campaigners may worry about rising anglicisms, but some French words are holding firm

Megabyte error can cause mega embarrassment in France

Beware of presuming that this word is the same in French

How mispronouncing French words can lead to awkward situations

Some slip-ups lead to confusion while others to pure embarrassment

magazine

Mais où est donc Ornicar? Inside France’s strange and memorable school mnemonics

French grammar is notoriously difficult, but children are given clever ways to help them conquer it

Why are Tour de France cyclists called ‘runners’ in French?

The linguistic reason is long, arduous and surprising - much like the race itself

What does une gamelle mean in French?

French food vocabulary from leftovers to lunch boxes

Senior woman sitting at a kitchen table using a laptop and writing in a notebook.

Can you really learn a language after 60?

How training the brain through repeated quizzes and self-testing can improve long-term recall

Rouler en chasse-patate and more Tour de France expressions

The 100-year-old annual bicycle race has long-standing traditions and even its own vocabulary

Connexion readers recommend more French novels for summer

Modern fiction joins classics in a fresh selection of novels to improve your French

The origins and meaning of lever le coude

We look at how and why French speakers talk about their elbows when inviting their friends for a drink

Learning French: when and why do we say j’peux pas, j’ai piscine?

We look at why people in France talk about swimming pools when saying they are unavailable to make plans

French voted 'most beautiful language' by American poets

Frequently cited words include amour, fleur, mélange and papillon

Why watching sports on TV is good for your French language skills

You may hear more and more anglicisms but there is plenty of opportunity to expand your French too

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

France’s pastry attacks have a language of their own

From throwing flour bombs to getting pie-faced, France’s long tradition of attentats pâtissiers has a unique vocabulary to go alongside

La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers

'Mamie-gâteau', ‘mère courage’... we share some of our favourite mum-themed words and phrases

How do new language tests affect Americans moving to France?

Immigration bill changed requirements for several residency card types

When and why do we say être ravitaillé par les corbeaux?

Crow-bar this phrase into conversation when referring to a remote location

Avoid linguistic 'blind spots' with a reliable word

Add this new word to your vocabulary for use in conversations about reliability

Au pif and seven more French estimation phrases

You may know the common phrase à peu près, meaning roughly, but how many of these other six similar phrases do you know?

Never underestimate the importance of ‘hello’ in France

Without it you risk being categorised as a visiting holidaymaker or city type

Person looking closely at trays of miniature figurines on a market table

Do you know your fabophile from your plangonophile?

Columnist Nick Inman finds the French language provides a plethora of words for collectors

From bouiner to banger: 150 ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

The latest 60th anniversary edition of Le Petit Robert features trending terms

Why many newcomers understand French but struggle to speak it

French conversation coach gives her top tips for developing 'progressive fluency'

The origins and meaning of tomber des nues

This idiomatic expression has nothing to do with nudity

The double meaning of brassage

Hop to it with a brewing phrase used in a sporting context

A clock on a businessman’s desk set to 2:00

When and why do we say on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures?

Find out what this amusing French expression means so you can start to use it in your conversations

The origins and meaning of être frais comme un gardon

Use this fishy French phrase when someone is looking fresh-faced

Frustrating,Phone,Call,,Receptionist,Or,Business,Person

How to make polite requests in French

While English speakers start a request with ‘please’, French requests often begin with merci de

Five French films and TV shows for May

From thrillers to comedies, make learning easy by incorporating French media into your everyday life

Three French phrases inspired by other cultures

Explore the origins and meanings behind these French expressions related to foreign people and places

Cotton balls resting on a pile of folded clothes

Four French cotton-themed phrases

Explore French phrases inspired by a popular fabric

Confused,And,Surprised,Young,Professional,Woman,In,A,Tense,Discussion

From quoi to voilà… verbal tics can puzzle language learners

There are some habits you should not acquire, says columnist Nick Inman

Lesser-known French abbreviations to listen out for: just add 'O'

Insights into informal language trends, featuring shortened versions of restaurant, ordonnance and more

Tchin tchin, santé, eye contact: the words and rituals of French apéros

From a Mandarin phrase to mediaeval beliefs, we look back through the history of this evening tradition

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ne pas avoir un poil sur le caillou

Use this saying to describe someone who is bald

Books to help you practise your French skills

French books to improve your language skills, from easy-read romances to literary prize winners

Phrases used by young people in France in 2026

Have you heard any of these idioms?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

An Easter-themed phrase to describe someone who is hungry for money

How to describe cheapskates in French

A village meeting feast showcased the radin tendencies of one family

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

From miniseries to stand-up comedy, boost your language skills with our media recommendations

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Se taper la cloche and other phrases to use if celebrating Easter in France

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Notes from a lecturer on how noticing the natural beats of verbal expression is essential to getting it right

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Today (Friday, March 27) is la journée nationale du fromage

Learning French: when and why do we say vouloir le beurre et l’argent du beurre?

A handy phrase to say that someone wants the best of both worlds

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Plus, more expressions for extreme surprise

Marseille,,France,-,23-09-2023:,Journalists,Prepare,To,Broadcast,During,Pope

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Columnist Nick Inman provides an overview of common media terms

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

You may hear this formal word in everyday requests

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

How many green French phrases do you know?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

Discover linguistic nuances and cultural insights into France's respect for alcohol

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

It is useful to understand political vocabulary, even if you cannot vote

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

Use this expression to describe eating something quick and easy while on the move

Four,Friends,Making,A,Toast,During,A,Meal,At,A

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Do not try to translate these expressions word-for-word

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Romance or a secret? Learn five French expressions related to flowers

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

A chocolate-themed saying to describe someone who has a six-pack

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

We are taught that all adjectives have to agree with the gender of the noun in French – so why is there no 'e' at the end of grand?

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

Marseille, a ship, a very big sardine, and a stereotype

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

This metaphoric French expression featuring a cat has no resemblance to its English equivalent

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

These phrases help to talk about one of the most important subjects in France - food

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

Read about a real-life example illustrating when to use this fun French adjective

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

An expression to indicate that something has tipped you over the edge

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Podcasts are one of the best free tools for consistently developing your listening comprehension

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

From un tampon to une cathédrale, understand the meaning of key French rugby terms

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

A phrase to use when someone is down in the dumps

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

French phrases are full of unexpected words such as foot, head, nose and elbow

Bavarde, commérages: how to describe having a chat or gossip in French

One phrase has its origins in the 16th century and could easily be mistranslated

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

An embarrassing guitar shop incident leads to a tough language lesson

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

A handy phrase for when someone is standing their ground

Tati, toutou, toc-toc: French and its love of doubled-up words

We look at common phrases and words using repetition and Connexion readers share their examples

What does à la Saint-Glinglin mean and when should it be used?

This phrase is useful for people who tend to procrastinate or make empty promises

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

Know when to 'drop a vowel' or add an apostrophe to streamline your speech and improve pronunciation

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

Make sure you are ready to fill any 'créneau' that becomes available

Language linguistics

Which French words are resisting English anglicisms in everyday language?

Megabyte error can cause mega embarrassment in France

How mispronouncing French words can lead to awkward situations

Mais où est donc Ornicar? Inside France’s strange and memorable school mnemonics

Trending

Is the EU set to relax September’s strict EES implementation?

Solar eclipse on August 12: the latest visibility predictions and where to watch it

Where are the healthiest places to live in France?

Where to watch England’s World Cup game in France this Saturday?

French property law: who pays for and maintains boundary fences?

France activates new extreme heat emergency plan for weekend

Live map: Where are wildfires in France today?

Why are Tour de France cyclists called ‘runners’ in French?

What does une gamelle mean in French?

Can you really learn a language after 60?

Rouler en chasse-patate and more Tour de France expressions

Connexion readers recommend more French novels for summer

The origins and meaning of lever le coude

Learning French: when and why do we say j’peux pas, j’ai piscine?

French voted 'most beautiful language' by American poets

Why watching sports on TV is good for your French language skills

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

I’m a French tutor and these are six mistakes that block a beginner’s progress

The origins and meaning of barbe à papa

What does avoir les jambes en coton mean and when should it be used?

France’s pastry attacks have a language of their own

How to express amazement this World Cup season

French football chants and songs you will hear this summer

Nuit blanche and other French phrases featuring the colour white

Understanding French cycle signs and property lingo

Films and TV series to improve your French in June

La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers

How do new language tests affect Americans moving to France?

When and why do we say être ravitaillé par les corbeaux?

Avoid linguistic 'blind spots' with a reliable word

Au pif and seven more French estimation phrases

Never underestimate the importance of ‘hello’ in France

Do you know your fabophile from your plangonophile?

From bouiner to banger: 150 ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

Why many newcomers understand French but struggle to speak it

The origins and meaning of tomber des nues

The double meaning of brassage

When and why do we say on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures?

The origins and meaning of être frais comme un gardon

How to make polite requests in French

Five French films and TV shows for May

Three French phrases inspired by other cultures

Four French cotton-themed phrases

From quoi to voilà… verbal tics can puzzle language learners

Lesser-known French abbreviations to listen out for: just add 'O'

Tchin tchin, santé, eye contact: the words and rituals of French apéros

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ne pas avoir un poil sur le caillou

Books to help you practise your French skills

Phrases used by young people in France in 2026

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

How to describe cheapskates in French

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Learning French: when and why do we say vouloir le beurre et l’argent du beurre?

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?