Language linguistics

Try these tips for learning French when you are in your fifties

Columnist Cynthia Spillman’s husband failed O-level French twice but then passed his GCSE and AS-level aged 52 - she shares the tips that helped him become more fluent

Learning French: Jouer à l’oreille: hit the right note with these musical phrases

Fine-tune your music-themed vocabulary for the fête de la musique on June 21

Learning French: vocabulary to use at the post office in France

Practise key post-office phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

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Learning French: Ça tape and nine other expressions for hot weather

From a 'lead sun' to 'swimming' in sweat, here are some phrases to use as the temperature soars across France

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

An adjective to describe something ordinary or insignificant

Learning French: This little word for work is actually an acronym

When to use the acronym for 'travail à faire', or 'work to do'

French translations can be delightful... when done wrong

Columnist Nick Inman looks at author Mark Twain's humorous take on French translation

Learning French: how to tell the time in France

O’clock, half past, noon… Practise key time phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

Learning French: Five fun ways to make a decision in France

From chifumi to chou-fleur... do you know the French equivalent to 'rock, paper, scissors'?

Learning French: can you guess the film behind these translated titles?

Paris' Nuit Blanche 2025 shines a spotlight on cinema – here we look at the some of the surprising choices for translations of film names

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

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

Learning French: understanding three words originating from Marseille

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

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

Curiosities of the French language: The jolly month of mai

The French word for the fifth month of the year shares its pronunciation with several common words

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: the meaning of ça va le faire

Plus, what other ways can ça be used?

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

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.’