Language linguistics

C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise: Fun French expression no. 6

This expression comes from chilly Quebec

Can you pronounce this French word that means ‘fear of Friday the 13th’?

The day has long been associated with bad luck with a small group of people even have a phobia of it

Why speaking French is good for your brain

Learning a new language can improve brain health and even delay the onset of dementia

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Mettre les pieds dans le plat: Fun French expression no. 5

A similar expression exists in English, can you work out what it is?

Online translation tools: Funny results between French and English

Some expressions can give amusing results when put through an online service, such as Google Translate or DeepL

Ca ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard: Fun French expression no. 4

Can you guess what this expression means in English?

Péter dans la soie: Fun French expression no. 3

This expression translates to ‘to fart in silk’ - we explain how to use it

Avoir le temps de tuer un âne à coup de figues molles: Fun French expression no. 2

This expression is often used in the south

Everyday French phrases with the verb ‘passer’

Many of these expressions can be used in daily conversation, boosting your fluency

On va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures : Fun French expression no. 1

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

‘Soaked like soup’: 7 French expressions to use for wet weather

From cows and dogs to soup, ropes and buckets - use these phrases when it is raining to sound like a native

Seven English words that you may not realise are French

As well as déjà vu and hors d’oeuvre, you may be surprised to learn how many words crossed the Channel

Nine reasons to learn French

Studying the language makes French culture more accessible and could improve your brain function

Learning French: 8 handy French phrases using the word pouce

From gardening to less-than-gourmand meals, pouce appears more often than you may expect in French conversation

Five podcasts to help your French listening skills: films, news, Olympics

Podcasts can be a great free resource to help you train your listening skills

Seven French expressions revolving around health

Un torticolis, un bleu, sa ligne - can you work out what these terms mean?

Why do they speak French at every Olympic opening ceremony?

The French language plays an important role in every Olympic Games, not just those held in France

Letters: I'm American but my English is more British since move to France

Connexion reader says being around so many Britons while trying to speak more clearly to French people is having an effect

Eight phrases to help with everyday small talk in France

Comme d’hab, ça te dit, quoi de neuf - do you know these handy expressions?

Use French expressions to say what you mean in English

Many words cross the linguistic divide and enhance expression and sophistication

9 French expressions to use when there is hot weather

From 'the sun is like lead' to 'cooking like a pancake', here are some phrases to use as the temperature soars across France

'C'est pas rien': Why nothing is a powerful word in French

We unpack why this word is everywhere and what it tells us about France

Seven everyday French expressions borrowed from the world of sport

Jeter l’éponge, coiffé au poteau, garder le cap - find out where these come from and how to use them

How does living in France affect your English?

Forgetting some English is more common than you might think - in fact there is even a word for this

'Important' is a key word to know how to use in French

Some awkward situations can arise if you do not understand the nuance of its meaning

Six French phrases that describe defeat or losing

Se prendre une taule, se faire laminer, manger une claque - find out how to express defeat in the French language

Who are France’s juilletistes and aoûtiens?

We look at two words used to describe different French summer holiday habits

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

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

Man who speaks 50 languages gives his tips on learning French

It should not be a difficult language to learn for English-speakers due to significant common ground, although a sympathetic ear may be necessary, says hyperpolyglot Alexander Argüelles

How to know when to use jour vs journée in French

There is an easy rule to remember to avoid getting these similar words mixed up

Google translate adds Occitan, Breton and minor French languages

The automatic system features hundreds of new dialects after a major update

Seven ways to complain like a French person

The language has many ways to express displeasure - which locals have a reputation of using frequently

10 useful French expressions using the verb tenir

It appears in all sorts of situations - just like its English equivalent

Which French accents are the hardest to understand?

Geography and the speed at which people speak have an influence

Try these compliments in French to charm like a native

Génial, un crack, raffiné - find out how to authentically show your approval

Learning French: what does profite bien mean and when should you use it

People might say this to wish someone enjoyment

Laundry, fresh starts, mistakes: 8 phrases using tourner in French

This word appears in a number of different contexts – many of which can be employed in daily French conversation

English-speakers share the funny mistakes they have made in French

Here is a selection of embarrassing but amusing language anecdotes

Mistakes that English-speakers make in French that make natives laugh

Unwitting sexual nuances, difficulty with pronunciation, translating expressions directly - there are many ways to accidentally raise a chuckle among French people

Quand même: understand how to use this helpful French expression

This phrase can be employed in all sorts of situations - is it one you use often?

Watch: the UK and US celebrities that speak excellent French

From Johnny Depp to Serena Williams, listen to these English-speaking celebrities who have impressive level of French

Tata, frangin, papounet: Cute French names for family members

The French language has a variety of words for mother, father, brother or sister and you often hear these in everyday conversations

10 ‘English’ words in French that do not exist in English

We also look at ‘borrowed’ English words that have a different meaning than in English

Unlocking the puzzle of French humour

Understanding comedy is another step towards fitting in, says columnist Nick Inman

Ways to apologise in French and how to say ‘pardon, I didn’t hear you?’

Désolé, navré, pardon - knowing how to say sorry and which words to use in different contexts is a handy skill to have

How I coped during French hospital stay with imperfect language skills

A one week stay at a hospital following an operation proved to be the perfect setting for columnist Nick Inman to improve his French vocabulary and conversational skills

Four quick language tips to help you in everyday French

These handy reminders will make navigating conversations easier

6 ways to express your good mood in French

Nager dans le bonheur, avoir la banane, être au septième ciel - find out how to convey your joie de vivre

Why you may be struggling with French - and what you can do about it

Six problems and solutions to help you improve your language skills

Learning French: Understand the different words for ‘take’ and ‘bring’

These similar sounding words have opposite meanings, but a clue on using them correctly can be easy to spot

Different ways to say hello in French

Enchanté, allô, coucou – learn French terms for greeting people

Learning French: the many flexible uses of the word 'coup'

The flexible word can be used with many different expressions

7 French phrases that sound bizarre when translated

Using these expressions with native speakers will make you sound like a master of French

The French you learn at school is often not what you hear: 5 examples

Taff, truc, fric - the alternative words you hear in conversation

Platisme, masculinisme: The French words added to Larousse dictionary

The 2025 edition includes some words that come straight from English, as well as many environment-related terms

Funny you should say that – the language of French laughter

Humour can be a challenge to talk about in any language – how do you put into words that ephemeral feeling which makes you spontaneously laugh or smile?

Map of French accents: which do you prefer?

From the major division between north and south to the departments split in two - everywhere has one

Why being told to go cook an egg in French is rarely a good thing

We look at seven colourful expressions to brighten up your conversations

Seven useful informal French expressions you don’t learn at school

These words will add colour to your spoken French

‘Je n’en reviens pas!’: How to use the verb venir in everyday French

Columnist Annaliza Davis looks at the surprising versatility of venir and why it might confuse English-speakers

Learning French - what does bonne journée mean and when to use it?

It works in many contexts but its direct equivalent has largely fallen out of use in modern English

Four types of words that English adopted from French

Try looking up the etymology of English words and you will find that a lot originate from old French

René, Renée: Navigating subtle gender differences in French forenames

Columnist Nick Inman explores why masculine and feminine versions of first names can trip up foreigners

‘I was surprised by what my French students think of Britons’

Baked beans, dyed hair, a love of fish skin… You can be the judge of whether some of these surprising stereotypes from university students are valid or not