Language

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

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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

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

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

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

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

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne

It literally translates as: to pass from the rooster to the donkey

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

The origins and meaning of rire jaune

A colourful expression for forced laughter

Is the French language in decline?

Newspaper headlines often focus on a supposed ‘decline’ of the French language - we look at whether it is true

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

France is a hub of talent when it comes to film and TV, and watching in French can greatly improve your language skills

Duck Cold! Four French phrases to use when it is freezing outside

We remind you of French expressions to use to describe the drop in temperature

When and why do we say le moral dans les chaussettes?

We explore this useful expression that describes low spirits

Tips for improving your French in 2026

Whether you live in France or not, there are lots of (often free) ways to bosse ton francais cette année !

When and why do we say blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc?

A phrase to use when two things are very similar

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Podcasts are a great free way to improve both your language and knowledge of French culture

Chut! When French sounds become words

Learn when to use these common onomatopoeiac words in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

French words and sayings for celebrating New Year

A vocab guide for welcoming the new year in France

Mince: a handy French word with several meanings

Use it when expressing frustration and learn how it relates to health habits in January

The origins and meaning of tirer les marrons du feu

As Christmas approaches, we look at a phrase to describe someone who takes advantage of a situation

Stendhal syndrome: has art ever driven you to distraction?

Discover the condition where art induces intense emotions and even physical reactions

When and why do we say c’est Noël avant l'heure?

A joyous phrase to use in the countdown to Christmas

The origins and meaning of French expression être le ravi de la crèche

A nativity-themed phrase for those who find magic in everyday moments

When and why do we say French expression mettre la puce à l'oreille?

This phrase will plant an idea in your head

Do you know this term - and cliché - for a French brother-in-law?

Some French words do not have an obvious equivalent in English

What does à tes souhaits mean and when should it be used?

This polite phrase can change depending on the number of times a person consecutively sneezes

When and why do we say ne pas avoir la lumière à tous les étages?

We look at a light-related expression

Cela ne vaut pas un coup de cidre is a topical expression in France

A useful saying for the festive season when hot cider is served in markets

Handy vocabulary for Christmas markets in France

A French-learner’s guide to navigating des marchés de noël

Pièce: a popular French word with some English parallels

This handy word has multiple uses in everyday language

How many of these French swear words do you know?

Learning expletives can be useful for a variety of reasons

The origins and meaning of faire son beurre

Say this to describe benefiting from something... often financially

À tire-larigot and more tire phrases to use when in France

From every verb comes a plethora of words in French

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Understanding enantiosemes: words with two, opposite, meanings

Un hôte, un crépuscule, un écran and more

Regional languages in France: more teaching, less speaking

Breton, Corsican, Basque: A new report assesses the state of regional language teaching nationwide

The origins and meaning of mettre la charrue avant les bœufs

A phrase for when someone gets ahead of themselves

The meaning of auto-tamponneuses and more fairground vocabulary

Language differences reveal unique perspectives on bumper cars

When and why do we say à faire pleurer dans les chaumières?

Use this phrase to describe a moving or tragic tale

The meaning and origins of ‘staircase wit’

Explore the origin of the fascinating phrase 'L’esprit de l’escalier', and how this concept reflects a universal human experience

The spooky story behind on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge

There are two possible etymologies for this expression - and one involves an alleged mass murder and cannibalism

What does lire dans le marc de café mean and when should it be used?

This useful expression draws a connection between coffee grounds and crystal balls

Adding ing does not make a phrase English

Many terms have been created using this misinformed technique

What does carré mean and when should it be used?

Being a little square now has connotations of efficiency and competence

Télétravail and more words to do with remote working in France

Discover the best remote working options, from home offices to libraries

Learning French: when and why do we say être dur de la feuille?

A leaf-themed phrase for when a person is hard of hearing

Learning French: les carottes sont cuites and 10 other food idioms

Salads, carrots, apples, and onions are all used in common phrases. How many do you know?

Learning French: what does être à l'ouest mean and when should it be used?

Say this when someone zones out of a conversation

Learning French: enhance your language and cooking skills with TV shows

How watching French cookery shows can improve your vocabulary and culinary techniques at the same time

Learning French: what does clou du spectacle mean and when should it be used?

A show-stopping nail-themed phrase

Learning French: Connexion readers share 12 more tricky words - can you pronounce them?

From locksmiths to combine harvesters… plus, try saying our tongue-twisting short story

Learning French: beware of red herrings when using English idioms

Explore how expressions reveal cultural nuances between English and French

What are the rules for correct French email etiquette?

Written and electronic communication can sometimes differ

Learning French: when and why do we say noyer le poisson?

A fishy phrase for someone who creates confusion

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

This casual word is used to talk about money, with roots dating back to the 17th Century

Learning French: pain bénit and six more expressions to do with bread

Bread is an important part of French culture - no wonder so many phrases are bread-related

Learning French: the origins and meaning of être sur un petit nuage and other cloud phrases

Use this expression when you are feeling on cloud nine

Learning French: when and why do we say découvrir le pot aux roses?

A flowery phrase for when you come to a realisation

Learning French: how native speakers really talk to each other

Nick Inman explores the intriguing divide between formal and informal French, and how mastering both can enhance your cultural fluency

Learning French: can you pronounce these 12 challenging words?

From squirrel to kettle, these are words you might use on a daily basis

Learning French: tohu-bohu and more ways of expressing chaos

You might hear these terms being used to describe France’s ongoing political turmoil

Learning French: when and why do we say copains comme cochons?

The story behind this phrase actually has nothing to do with pigs

Learning French: the origins and meaning of il n'y a pas le feu au lac

Say this to someone who needs to slow down and relax (maybe by a lake)

Language

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?

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Cold set to return to France - and snow at low altitudes across Isère and Haute-Savoie

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

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

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

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

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

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

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

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

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

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

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

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

The origins and meaning of rire jaune

Is the French language in decline?

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

Duck Cold! Four French phrases to use when it is freezing outside

When and why do we say le moral dans les chaussettes?

Tips for improving your French in 2026

When and why do we say blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc?

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Chut! When French sounds become words

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

French words and sayings for celebrating New Year

Mince: a handy French word with several meanings

The origins and meaning of tirer les marrons du feu

Stendhal syndrome: has art ever driven you to distraction?

When and why do we say c’est Noël avant l'heure?

The origins and meaning of French expression être le ravi de la crèche

When and why do we say French expression mettre la puce à l'oreille?

Do you know this term - and cliché - for a French brother-in-law?

What does à tes souhaits mean and when should it be used?

When and why do we say ne pas avoir la lumière à tous les étages?

Cela ne vaut pas un coup de cidre is a topical expression in France

Handy vocabulary for Christmas markets in France

Pièce: a popular French word with some English parallels

How many of these French swear words do you know?

The origins and meaning of faire son beurre

À tire-larigot and more tire phrases to use when in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Understanding enantiosemes: words with two, opposite, meanings

Regional languages in France: more teaching, less speaking

The origins and meaning of mettre la charrue avant les bœufs

The meaning of auto-tamponneuses and more fairground vocabulary

When and why do we say à faire pleurer dans les chaumières?

The meaning and origins of ‘staircase wit’

The spooky story behind on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge

What does lire dans le marc de café mean and when should it be used?

Adding ing does not make a phrase English

What does carré mean and when should it be used?

Télétravail and more words to do with remote working in France

Learning French: when and why do we say être dur de la feuille?

Learning French: les carottes sont cuites and 10 other food idioms

Learning French: what does être à l'ouest mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: enhance your language and cooking skills with TV shows

Learning French: what does clou du spectacle mean and when should it be used?

Learning French: Connexion readers share 12 more tricky words - can you pronounce them?