Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2020

Learn French 24: ManteauX

Learning a new language is like wearing a coat. It makes you feel different.You bring out a new person from the inside.



I picked the word des manteaux here as it is one of the words that stayed with me from my school days. I liked the way the word sounded. 
Also it is an important concept that is considered as basic French.
The real word in un manteau, the plural is des manteaux. It means a coat. 
The speciality of this word is that the plural form takes an x instead of the regular x.





Similar words are:
  1. gâteau                cake
  2. bateau                boat
  3. chapeau             hat
  4. oiseau                bird
  5. couteau              knife
  6. rideau                curtain
  7. château              castle
  8. tableau               board
  9. drapeau              flag
  10. portemanteau     travelling case/pouch

All these words take an x in the plural form.


Culture tip:

The Flag of France is a tricolour flag featuring three vertical bands coloured blue (hoist side), white and red. Blue and red are the traditional colours of Paris, used on the city's coats of arms. The three colours have different symbolisms. The French government websites states that the white field was the colour of the King, while blue and red were the colours of Paris. The three colours are ocassionally taken to represnt the three elements of the revolutionary motto, Liberté (Freedom: Blue), égalité  (equality: white) Fraternité  (brotherhood: red).





Monday, April 27, 2020

Learn French 19: Sortir

Learning a new language is like setting out for a ride. It could be bumpy, it could be smooth sailing. Enjoy the ride and focus on the destination.


Sortir
To go out/ to leave

This is a verb and it is used very often.
It is commonly seen as SORTIE which means EXIT.



Je sors avec mes amis.
I go out with my friends.

Le professeur dit "Sortez"    
The teacher says "Get out"/"Leave"

Culture Tip:

A fresh baked baguette, a chilled glass of wine, an elegant beret and a delicate slice of cheese, that is how you fill the perfect French stereotype. Cheese is truly a part of the French identity and you can’t leave Paris without trying a few different varieties! 
Cheese is actually so popular in France that it is a part of the meal. The French usually have some cheese in between the main course and the dessert. Along with salad or grape, it should be served at room temperature with a glass of wine or brandy. The “plateau de fromage“, the cheese board, should propose at least three variety with among them a cooked cheese, a veined cheese and a soft cheese with a rind.




Thursday, April 9, 2020

French Class 8: Hôtel

Bonjour! Learning a new language is watching a film. You want to know what happens next. Without waiting any further, here is the next word.

Hôtel


Pendant les vacances, j'habite dans un hotel.
During the vacation, I stay at he hotel.

L'hotel se trouve pres d'ici.
The hotel is nearby here.

L'hotel est grand.
The hotel is big.




The word hotel is similar to the word in English. 
In fact the word Hotel in English has its origin from French.

Culture tip:
The oldest hotel in France is the Hotel Westminster, which claims to be the longest continuously open hotel in Paris. Named in the honour of the Duke of Westminster and his patronage to the hotel during the 19th century, the Westminster is decorated with his coat of arms ever so discretely. The hotel opened in the early 19th century has remained open at 13, Rue de la Paix, ever since. 

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