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
magazine 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)
Six films and TV shows to improve your French this rentrée From cultural references to new vocabulary, watching films in French is essential for your progress
Learning French: when to capitalise 'Français' and other nationalities The rule is easier to understand than it may at first seem
Learning French: on ne va pas se mentir has become a linguistic tic Filler phrases have been likened to 'window dressing'
Learning French: 'Le Grand Large' and more grand expressions English-speaking visitors to France assume this intriguing coastal name translates as 'The Big Big'
Learning French: charbonner and more phrases to describe hard work Our columnist Justin Postlethwaite highlights the many ways of describing 'serious graft' when in France
Learning French: phrases overheard in France during la canicule From cooking in Marseille to air-con despair, we look at some of our favourite new expressions
Beaches: the different words for stone in French Beaches in holiday hotspots such as Nice are famous for their pebbles
Learning French: when and why do we say se fendre la poire? A fruity phrase for when you cannot stop laughing
Learning French: what does sursis mean and when is it used? The word was heard in the recent court case involving actor Gérard Depardieu Learning French: Ça crame and other phrases for when the weather is too hot Learning French: the origins and meaning of manger les pissenlits par la racine Five films and TV shows to improve your French during the August grandes vacances
Learning French: mes pensées t'accompagnent and other ways of expressing condolences Find inspiration for writing sympathy messages Learning French: what is the difference between la mer and l’océan? Learning French: when and why do we say jeter l'éponge? Learning French: the origins and meaning of 22 v’la les flics and other police terms Learning French: when and why do we say il y a anguille sous roche? Learning French: when and why do we say entre chien et loup?
Eight examples of French romanticising everyday language From death and black eyes to cooking and moving forward, French has a way of romanticising life
Learning French: avoir la pêche and other fruit expressions With France's summer fruit season upon us, we pick out some of our favourite fruit-based French phrases
Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez A mustard metaphor for rising anger
Learning French: 12 words and phrases that are untranslatable in English From faire du yaourt to l’esprit d’escalier, here are some words that have no direct English equivalents
Learning French: do acronyms confuse or simplify language learning? We look at common sigles that you might come across in France
Learning French: test your Bastille Day vocabulary From fireworks to military parades, do you know these words related to France’s fête nationale?
Learning French: the origins and meaning of ce n’est pas la mer à boire Say this when something is easy-peasy
Learning French: what does faire semblant mean and when should it be used? Say this when someone is putting on an act
Learning French: when and why do we say se faire des cheveux blancs? Discover the connection between this worrisome phrase and Marie Antoinette
5 podcasts to improve your French this summer Listening is one of the most important language skills to grasp and podcasts are a great tool
Learning French: vocabulary to use at a medical appointment in France Practise key health phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Learning French: 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
Learning French: what does fou rire mean and when should it be used? A funny phrase for when you cannot suppress your laughter
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
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
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
What are the best methods to sound more native when speaking French? Lessons focusing on pronunciation and phonetics are available
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'?
Five things they don’t tell you about... babies in France From maternal diets to confusing names, there are many cultural differences to keep an eye out for...
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: 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
Dinguerie, débunker, deepfake… 150 words added to French dictionary, Le Petit Robert Find out which of these trending terms you are familiar with
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
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
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: Have you ever dreamt in your target language? From passive listening to active speaking, dreaming in French can indicate you are regularly practicing it
From English teacher to TikTok star in France: 'The way to help students learn is to believe in them' Toulouse-based Monsieur Prof's educational videos on learning English are a social media sensation
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
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