Learn the 20% of French vocabulary you need to know to understand 80% of everyday conversations and speak French with confidence!
When I was learning French in school, writing letters was one of the most intimidating things we covered. There were so many formules de politesse (polite phrases and salutations) and all of them seemed absolutely required to be included in any formal or professional correspondence. Then, I came to France and found that letter (and …
READ LESSONWhat You Really Need to Know About Writing French Letters and Emails
Au contraire means “On the contrary”. But if you’re an English-speaker, the phrase’s translation isn’t contrary at all; it turns out we use it the same way the French do. Still, it’s not quite so simple. Let’s take a closer look at au contraire. The meaning of au contraire Important: There is only one way …
Whether you’re a budding chef, enthusiastic foodie, or just trying to expand your knowledge of the French language and culture, there are two main kinds of French cooking vocabulary you need to know: cooking words commonly used in French recipes, and French cooking words that have been borrowed into English. Let’s look at the most common …
Many people consider French to be one of the most beautiful languages in the world. But what are some of the most beautiful French words? It turns out that while the French have a lot of opinions about many different topics, favorite words doesn’t seem to be among the most popular. Of course, this is …
READ LESSONThe 25 Most Beautiful French Words (And How to Pronounce Them)
Être (to be) is the most common verb in the French language. But that probably doesn’t surprise you. From the time you start learning French, you see, hear, and learn to use and conjugate it. Of course, like most frequently-used verbs, être comes with a lot of exceptional rules and even unexpected uses. Some of …
READ LESSONEverything You Need to Know About être, the Most Common French Verb
Cc c Alysa, sa va? Don’t worry if you didn’t understand this message. As you’ve probably guessed, it’s not in standard French, but a sub-language: French internet and text messaging slang. Love it or hate it, this particular slang is pretty common online or if you’re communicating with a French person by text message. That …
READ LESSONSlt Tlm!: The Essential Guide to French Internet and Texting Slang