Comment utiliser un mot en situation. / How to use a word in a particular situation.
10
votes
6answers
952 views
Difference between the verbs “amener” and “emmener”, and also “emporter” and “apporter”?
I was under the impression that both amener and emmener mean "to take" someone somewhere. I'm not sure how they differ in usage.
I started wondering after hearing the song L'Homme Que J'Adore, where ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Peut-on dire « une auteure »?
Manifestement, ni le TLF ni l'Académie n'acceptent le terme, et Google n'est pas particulièrement enthousiaste non plus.
Cependant, il semblerait que l'usage d'une auteure soit commun au Québec et ...
7
votes
3answers
285 views
Nuancier des grossièretés
N'étant pas de langue maternelle française, une des choses qui m'est très difficile est de 'sentir' la force de certains mots, même si j'en connais la signification et l'utilisation.
De plus, c'est ...
9
votes
5answers
112 views
What's the correct verb to use to describe the phenomenon of going from calling someone 'vous' to calling someone 'tu'?
The kind of verb that can only exist in language such as French with different ways of referring to people in the second person, what is the verb (or verbs) that describe the phenomenon of switching ...
14
votes
1answer
156 views
L'usage de « ne » sans un mot associé ?
Généralement, quand on voit ne dans une phrase, ce mot est associé avec un autre mot, pour modifier une verbe ; par exemple :
il ne parle pas…
il ne parle plus…
il ne parle que…
Mais ...
16
votes
4answers
358 views
Latin phrases - used in French too?
There are lots of latin phrases in common use in English. Is it suitable/appropriate/common to directly use them in French, exactly like I would for English?
For the purposes of discussion lets look ...
9
votes
3answers
450 views
Origin of the word trombone, paperclip
With school around the corner, I got a package of paperclips and I notice the french translation for paperclip is the word trombone. What does this have to do with the instrument? They look quite ...
11
votes
5answers
183 views
What are some tricks for avoiding the tu/vous dilemma?
Following on from this question about using vous/tu, and specifically a throwaway remark by subtenante, what are some tricks that you can use to avoid having to use either, if you're uncertain?
21
votes
8answers
1k views
How do you decide whether to use “vous” or “tu”? / Comment choisir entre « vous » et « tu » ?
When talking to someone, how do you decide when to use "vous" or "tu"?
Example:
Comment allez-vous ? or
Comment vas-tu ?
Comment choisir entre vous et tu quand on s'adresse à quelqu'un ...
8
votes
4answers
530 views
“quoique” vs. “bien que”
Is there any difference between “quoique“ and “bien que”?
I have found two random examples, but my knowledge of French is not good enough to understand if they express the same meaning or not.
Il ...
21
votes
3answers
491 views
Quelles parties du monde francophone continuent à utiliser les nombres réformés pour dénombrer au-delà de 69?
Il existe en français des mots pour exprimer les multiples de dix, pour les valeurs au-delà de 60 : septante (70), huitante/octante (80), et nonante (90). Ils ne sont pas utilisés en France. Quelles ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the correct way to pronounce 'poutine'?
In Canada, there's a dish spelt 'poutine', which consists of fries, gravy, and cheese curds. However, I have come across two conflicting accounts of how to pronounce the word online, and I would like ...
9
votes
4answers
179 views
How universal is the guillemet in written French?
There's a discussion going on about the use of Guillemet in written French. The official view of l'Académie is pretty clear I think, but how widely is this reflected around the world?
Is it normal to ...
12
votes
3answers
682 views
Is it necessary to use guillemets when quoting in French, or may one use English-style doublequotes?
Many French writers and publications will use guillemets when quoting in French, e.g.
Il a dit qu'il « était le meilleur joueur du monde » hier soir.
But there are also major publications such ...
12
votes
4answers
251 views
Est-il correct de laisser tomber le « il » dans « il y a » ?
On voit souvent l'abandon du il dans la phrase il y a…, tant dans l'écriture formelle que dans l'écriture informelle, et aussi dans le discours.
Exemple:
Y a des chiens…
Est-ce que c'est ...
34
votes
8answers
6k views
If “Je t'aime” means “I love you”, how do you say “I like you” in French while still addressing the other person as “tu”?
There doesn't seem to be a way to indicate that one only likes a person with whom one is friends, rather than loves them. Is there a way to indicate this while still referring to the friend as 'tu'?
