French

(**Please be patient with this page—-there seems to be a gremlin at work. I keep editing it to be a proper list and it keeps reverting to this format! I’ve changed it in HTML code even, but no go. Anyway, I’ll keep on trying, when I get a chance)

FRENCH WORDS/PHRASES.

Some fun words that I might use in my articles, or you might see in our photos. Or that we’ve found very useful to know.For any visitor to Paris, or France, knowing how to use even just a few words will make the visit much richer and more rewarding—besides getting what you need/want, the people around you will smile more, and the feeling of achievement when you’re understood will have you wishing to learn more words and phrases.

• 13. ‘pie’ = a magpie. A pie is ‘ une tourte’ or ‘une tarte’ (like the English ‘tart’). So, ‘une tarte aux pommes’ is apple pie/tart.
• 12. ‘relay’ or sometimes ‘relais’ = a news-stand, small book shop, usually found in train stations. ‘Relay’ can also have the same meaning as in English, that is as ‘a handing over’, or ‘something in stages’.
• 11. ‘la librairie’ = a bookstore. A library is ‘la bibliothèque’
• 10. ‘aire de (a name)’ = service area on the highways/autoroutes. Many of the ‘aires’ have a gas station, restaurants, shops, as well as toilets.
• 9. ‘péage’ = toll road (useful if you are driving)
• 8. ‘une séance’ = a performance (as in theatre), not an attempt to reach spirits. Some confusing pairs, where the French word looks familiar but has another meaning.
• 7. ‘la cave’ = the cellar (not a cave). ‘La grotte’ = the cave
• 6. ‘achever’ = to finish, conclude. To achieve = ‘accomplir’
• 5. ‘le car’ = coach, bus. A car = ‘la voiture’
• 4. ‘le retrait’ = the withdrawal, as in getting money from an ATM. Some of the machines are just called ‘Retrait’. ATMs are everywhere in the city, and most have language options other than French. English is usually signaled by the GB flag (not the USA flag).‘Retirer’ is to withdraw, remove, take off
• 3. ‘un aérodrome’ = a small airfield, a rather British word that we remember from our childhoods in Rhodesia. There’s a military aerodrome beyond the hill and woods behind the village of Jouy en Josas, and we often hear planes and helicopters.
• 2.‘la boisson’ = a drink (pronounced ‘bwasonn’)
• 1. ‘(la) formule à €15’ (or whatever number) = set menu for €15. Most cafes, bistros, restaurants have either a board outside or a large posted menu, advertising their various set menu options.This is very helpful, as it makes it easy to choose what you want. Some are 2-course menus (entrée + main, called ‘plat’; or main+ dessert), some are 3-course (entrée, plat and dessert); some include a drink (often a small ‘pichet’ of house wine, or a soda, or coffee). ‘Pichet’ = pitcher. ‘Plat’ = main plate, and ‘plat de jour’ = plate of the day. These ‘formules’ are generally much cheaper than the a la carte menu. Note that in France, an ‘entrée’ is an appetizer (entry food), not the main dish, as in USA. ‘La formule’ also means an expression, an option, a method.