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1500 questions
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votes
3 answers
What does -là at the end of the words mean?
For example:
Cette année-là
Ce type-là
What does -là at the end of the words mean?
DrStrangeLove
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10
votes
1 answer
When to use "afin de"/"afin que"?
I can't seem to distinguish afin que from pour que, or from afin de. When are these different conjunctions and preposition used?
temporary_user_name
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votes
5 answers
During self introduction, how do I say "I am an Indian" or "I am from India"?
I am a French language beginner from India. When I introduce myself, how do I say "I am an Indian" or "I am from India"? The books I learn from are giving for other nationalities but not mine. I need some help.
coral jasmine
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4 answers
Doit-on dire « accro à » ou « accro de » ?
En français, dit-on « accro à » ou « accro de » ?
Je viens d'entendre aux informations
Les Français sont accros de leurs animaux.
Ugo
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10
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4 answers
Etymology of the different uses of "temps?" / L'étymologie des homonymes de "temps"
In French, the word "temps" can refer to time (temps surcomposés) but it can can also refer to "temperature" or weather. For example, "Quel temps fait-il?"
I have been wondering, are they actually two different words with two different origins…
Tom Au
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10
votes
1 answer
Comment traduire « walk on eggshells » ?
En anglais, nous avons l'expression « walk on eggshells », qui veut dire « être diplomatique, prudent, essayer de ne pas offenser quelqu'un ». Quelle en serait une bonne traduction ?
Jez
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10
votes
3 answers
Are "passive" verbs in English as easily created in French?
I realized recently that some verbs in English sound very "passive":
This house sells for a lot of money.
This apple tastes delicious!
This car drives smoothly.
It is not the house that is doing the selling. Instead, some human is selling the…
silph
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10
votes
3 answers
Are commas used less in French?
From what I've been reading lately, it seems like it is far less often appropriate in French to use commas than in English, where we sprinkle them over nearly every sentence.
Of course I'm not saying that this is a good or preferable way to write in…
temporary_user_name
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10
votes
2 answers
Avoir un bol de cocu
J'aimerais connaître l'origine du sens de cette phrase.
De quel bol s'agit-il ?
Et pourquoi les cocus en auraient-ils plus que les
autres?
Rabskatran
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10
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1 answer
Translating the Dutch expression "Ere wie ere toekomt" to French?
How can you translate Dutch expression Ere wie ere toekomt (meaning roughly “credit where due”) in French?
I found this in Concise dictionary of European proverbs:
à chacun selon ses œuvres
à chacun selon son dû
à tout seigneur, tout honneur
rendez…
Joubarc
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3 answers
Les années qu'il a vécu, pas vécus
Bonjour à tous!
I have come across this example in Le Petit Robert that I did not understand. Why don't we accord the participe passé of the verb vivre with les années? If there is a rule, could you as well refer me to it?
(avec un compl. de durée)…
Logan Xav
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10
votes
4 answers
Translation of “caught in the act”?
What is the proper translation of "caught in the act" in French?
Quelle est la traduction correcte de « caught in the act » en français?
CPMM
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10
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2 answers
Where does the idea that French people say "oh la la" all the time come from ?
As a French man living abroad, I often hear non-French people saying "Oh la la !" (along with an imitation of a kind of posh attitude) after someone talked about something that is typical of France or French people. I have been told that this…
Bruno Pérel
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10
votes
3 answers
French equivalents of "cost an arm and a leg"
Are there French equivalents to this phrase? I.e. a phrase which means something is very expensive. I've only found "coûter les yeux de la tête". Are there more?
dimid
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10
votes
2 answers
Difference between “pardon”, “excusez-moi” and “désolé”
I recently came back from Paris and while there if someone happened to bump me they would say 'pardon' instead of 'désolé' or 'excusez-moi' as I was taught to say in French classes.
My understanding is that 'excusez-moi' is used in preparation for a…
Master Yoda
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