Voilà: What’s the meaning of the popular French word?

Voilà is a word you’ve probably heard at least a few times before, even in languages other than English. But maybe you’re wondering what exactly voilà means, and how to use it in French. Looking for an explanation of all things voilà?  Here it is! What does voilà mean? Voilà essentially means “here or there something/someone is”. By extension, …

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The delicious guide to le goûter and snacking à la française

In a country famous for its pastries and viennoiseries, not to mention cheese, bread, and other goodies, French people have quite the selection of things to snack on! But there’s a twist: In France, it’s usually a no-no for adults to eat between meals. On the other hand, French kids have their own special snack …

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Getting to the bottom of the French words “dessous” and “dessus”

In French, you’ll often come across two similar words that are actually each other’s opposite: dessous and dessus. What is the difference between dessous and dessus? What do they mean? And how are they used? Let’s learn about these two sometimes tricky words that can turn the world upside-down! What do dessous and dessus mean? Dessous essentially means “under(it)” or …

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The essential guide to the seasons in French

Like many cultures, the French divide up the year into four seasons, each with its own cultural ramifications. Let’s learn how to say the seasons in French and what the seasons mean to the French – including which one is France’s favorite! What are the seasons called in French? The four seasons in French are: …

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What does je ne sais quoi mean exactly?

Je ne sais quoi (often misspelled jenesequa) is a French phrase that’s crossed over into English. But if you’re wondering what it means, you’re not alone. According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, it ranks in the 1% of the site’s most looked-up words.   What does je ne sais quoi  mean? Is it used differently in French …

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How to talk about family (la famille) in French

How do you say “family” in French? It’s a question that seems pretty simple, but as is the case with families in general, sometimes things can get a little complicated! Let’s look at some common French family vocabulary and clear up some confusion about things like talking about family members in French and how to …

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