Showing posts with label la classe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label la classe. 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).





Learn French 23: Le Week-end

Learning a new language is like going on a vacation when you look forward to a change. Gear up to change the way you think in a new language.

Le Weekend



The word Week-end has been borrowed from English.
It is used extensively in French. 
It means the Saturday and Sunday.
In some countries, Friday and Saturday is the Week-end.
However the general idea is the same.
Two day break after a five-day working week.



Je fais des courses ce week-end.
I buy my groceries this week-end.

Le week-end prochain, je vais voyager.
The next week-end, I am going to travel.

Le samedi, je fais le menage  et le dimanche, je me repose.
Saturday, I do the household chores and on Sunday, I relax.


Culture tip:

The term Week-end had been adopted by several countries, and it has a universal meaning. France having a diverse geography, gives the French many a place to explore during the week-end. The French usually take short trips over the week-end to catch up with family and friends. La Randonnée  (trekking or long walks) is one of the preferred activities of the French. Traditionally almost everything was closed on Sunday. But with changing lifestyles, many businesses are open.


Sunday, April 26, 2020

Learn French 17: Quarante

Learning a new language is like a quirky question, you can answer only if you understand the question. Let's be quirky.

Quarante


The word quarante means the nunber forty (40).

Il y a quarante élèves dans la classe.
There are 40 students in a class.

Il faut rester chez vous pour quarante jours.
It is necessar to stay home for 40 days.






Conversation:

Marc: Il y a combien d'élèves dans la classe?

Annie: Il y a quarante élèves dans la classe.


      The words il y a and dans have been discussed in the earlier sessions.


Culture tip:

Quarante has a connect with the word quarantine. 
The word quarantine is defined as a strict isolation, originally of 40 days of detention or isolation imposed upon ships, persons, animals, or plants on arrival at a port or place, when suspected of carrying some infectious or contagious disease.