Language linguistics

Learning French: tips for speaking to a mechanic in France

Practise key phrases and vocabulary for taking your car to the garage, in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

Learning French: why do we say le vent d’autan rend fou?

Plus, more ways to describe madness when in France

Learning French: How to introduce yourself to a stranger in France

Practise key phrases and vocabulary for meeting new people, in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

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Learning French: the origins and meaning of c’est le serpent qui se mord la queue

Use this phrase when you find yourself in a catch-22

La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers

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

Learning French: Chapeau if you know these 10 clothing-themed phrases

Porter le chapeau, prendre une veste, lâcher les baskets, and more...

Learning French: How to write a cheque in France

Practise spelling-out numbers in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

Learning French: understanding three words originating from Marseille

Have you ever heard someone say tarpin, gâté or tanquer?

Learning French: nouns that even native speakers commonly misgender

‘The struggle is real’, says our French writer Théophile Larcher - see if you can score higher than him in our mini quiz

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le compas dans l'œil?

Say this to describe someone with good visual judgement of size or distance

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

Learning French: what does à fond mean and when should it be used?

An enthusiastic and thorough adverb

Spelling and pronunciation make odd bedfellows in English as in French

Here are some tips to navigate common quirks

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

We speak to an official language assessment centre about why candidates may prefer the more modern and flexible TEF exam

Learning French: what does pile-poil mean and when should it be used?

Plus, find out how to pronounce this precise phrase

Learning French: four expressions featuring fil

The word is used in a springtime saying that comes with a weather warning

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

Understand the etymological roots of this beloved dish with a crispy, cheesy topping

Learning French: what does comme par hasard mean and when should it be used?

A sarcastic saying to describe something unsurprising or coincidental

Can you master these 10 French tongue twisters?

As well as being a fun party trick, these can help you master pronunciation of difficult sounds

Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus?

How to avoid costly ‘all-inclusive’ surprises

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

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

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: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus

A juicy saying for when you want to be kept in the loop

Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille?

An expression to reflect a gradual progression

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: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Chop-chop, hurry up, get a move on…

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 origins and meaning of boire la tasse

A phrase for admitting defeat

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

Learning French: what does être costaud mean and when should it be used?

This article features strong language

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

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: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char

Say this when someone starts talking nonsense

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: what does dommage mean and when should it be used?

An essential term for unfortunate situations

Learning French: the origins and meaning of madeleine de Proust

This nostalgic expression mixes references to baking and literature

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: the origins and meaning of avoir un cœur d'artichaut

A peculiar yet poetic phrase to describe hopeless romantics

Learning French: when and why do we say fais gaffe?

Understand the difference between 'fais gaffe,' 'faire une gaffe,' and 'gaffer'

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: what does grosso modo mean and when should it be used?

Say this when summarising

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

Language linguistics

Learning French: tips for speaking to a mechanic in France

Learning French: why do we say le vent d’autan rend fou?

Learning French: How to introduce yourself to a stranger in France

Learning French: the origins and meaning of c’est le serpent qui se mord la queue

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Act fast on French residency card renewals, says lawyer

Comment: French passengers applaud the pilot for more than just relief

Driving in France: do you need to wait for three seconds at stop signs?

Scope of French language tests widens ahead of new residency card requirements

Digital carte Vitale: we try it out as a French residency card holder

Learning French: why do we say le vent d’autan rend fou?

Know your cheeses and their seasons: which to eat in France in June

La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers

Learning French: Chapeau if you know these 10 clothing-themed phrases

Learning French: How to write a cheque in France

Learning French: understanding three words originating from Marseille

Learning French: nouns that even native speakers commonly misgender

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le compas dans l'œil?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire le mariole

Tested for you: Google’s free AI personalised French lessons

Citizenship: Are spouses of French people affected by tougher language test rule?

Learning French: what does à fond mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of être dans la force de l’âge

Learning French: what does recevoir une note salée mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: when and why do we say qui se ressemble s’assemble?

Spelling and pronunciation make odd bedfellows in English as in French

Curiosities of the French language: The jolly month of mai

Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French

Learning French: what does sacquer mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: the meaning of ça va le faire

Learning French: Have you ever dreamt in your target language?

Learning French: what does fastoche mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: when and why do we say montrer patte blanche?

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

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

Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus

Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille?

Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets?

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre?

Learning French: what does que dalle mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of boire la tasse

Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit

Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger

Learning French: what does être costaud mean and when should it be used?

Perpète-les-Oies and Petaouchnouk: origins of these bizarre French expressions

Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French

Learning French: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char

Learning French: when and why do we say arriver à bon port?

Learning French: the meaning of râler and more moaning synonyms

Learning French: what does dommage mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of madeleine de Proust

Learning French: what does ça te dit mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: beware of bilingual instructions

Learning French: unravelling popular shortcuts and contractions

Learning French: decoding alphabet expressions

Learning French: what does paumé mean and when should it be used?

Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests

Learning French: what does c'est pas la peine mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: what is the difference between voir and voire?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of apporter de l'eau au moulin

Learning French: which affectionate nicknames do French couples love?

Learning French: when and why do we say chaque chose en son temps

Nine idiomatic French expressions about your health

Learning French: the origins and meaning of déclarer sa flamme

Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir le cœur qui bat la chamade