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Should You Ban the Word Mademoiselle from Your Vocabulary and Use Madame Instead?

by Alysa Salzberg 21 Comments June 30, 2020May 9, 2020

In France, Mademoiselle is a complicated word! Most of us learn three basic titles in French: Monsieur (abbreviated M.), Madame (abbreviated Mme.), and Mademoiselle (abbreviated Mlle.). The latter is used, we’re taught, for very young and/or unmarried women. Pretty straightforward, right? Well, due to the conflicting dynamics of social changes and a certain aspect of …

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7 Ways of Saying “by” in French

by Alysa Salzberg 2 Comments May 11, 2020May 7, 2020

It may have only two letters, but “by” is a big a word! We use it in so many situations, from giving directions, to talking about art and literature, to expressions – and so much more. But unlike many other words like this, “by” doesn’t have an exact, constant French equivalent. Luckily, if by chance …

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Nostalgia, Jokes, and Secret Snacks: The Surprising Way French Cookies Are Viewed in France

by Alysa Salzberg Leave a comment June 26, 2020May 7, 2020

Quick – name a French cookie! If you couldn’t, don’t be disappointed. The French are known for their pastries, but they’re not a cookie culture. No, “cookie culture” isn’t an actual term used to categorize civilizations. I made it up. But hopefully you get what I mean. There are some cultures, like the Anglo-Saxon one …

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The Ups and Downs of the French Verb Monter

by Alysa Salzberg Leave a comment May 19, 2020April 30, 2020

Monter is a verb that you run into a lot in French, and no wonder. While its overall sense is “to go up or put up”, it has several other meanings that make it very useful in everyday life. Intriguingly – and helpfully – nearly of these meanings translate directly into English and are used …

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What You Must Know About the French Verb Devoir

by Alysa Salzberg 1 Comment May 7, 2020April 29, 2020

There comes a point when you’re getting pretty good at French. You can express basic thoughts and ideas, likes and dislikes, even plans. And then, you find that you need to say something more abstract. No longer is it about what you like to do or what you’re going to do. Now, it’s about what …

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Everything You Need to Know to Talk About Love in French

by Alysa Salzberg 12 Comments June 26, 2020April 27, 2020

Love is one of those great universal things. It’s something that all of us experience in some way, no matter what country or culture we come from, or what language we speak. Interestingly, though, the way different cultures express their love can vary widely. So, how do the French talk and think about love? Let’s …

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