The names of the French institutions often reflect their physical locations or historical contexts. This naming convention provides a unique and often symbolic connection between the institution and its place of operation, adding depth and significance to its identity. A few examples:
The names of meals vary across Belgium, Switzerland, and France. Please refer to the table below for comparison.
Therefore, it’s important to exercise caution if you’re invited to dine…
The traditional ‘Easter egg hunt’ will take place next Sunday. Children will come with their baskets to search for chocolate eggs in the gardens. But where do these chocolates come from? There are two versions: from the clocks returning from Rome or from a rabbit? Check on the map.
The richness and variety of the French language stem from the influences of neighboring languages. Which are the French words borrowed from German? Here are a few examples.
Let’s welcome spring with Blaise Cendrars, the Franco-Swiss writer I adore.
There are several rules in French spelling that you should be aware of to read accurately. You can check here if you are able to pronounce the word ‘oiseaux’ correctly (meaning ‘birds’).
The French language often refers to animals to express the weather. The phrase ‘cold as a duck’ is used to describe intense cold, while ‘dog weather’ is used to describe very bad weather (wind, rain, etc.). Finally, the expression translated literally as ‘it’s raining like a cow peeing’ is used to express pouring rain.
France, steeped in tradition, has chosen to retain the base-20 numbering system from the number 70 onwards. See below:
Please note that in Belgium and Switzerland, the numbers 70 and 90 are logically expressed as “septante” and “nonante”, respectively. In Switzerland, this logical progression extends to 80, which is referred to as “huitante”. However, Belgium has opted to retain the term “quatre-vingts” for 80.
The terminology within the realm of French legal language is highly precise. Specifically, do not confuse the terms “légal,” “juridique,” and “judiciaire,” which may appear to be similar.
“Ça va” is a commonly used French expression that will enable you to quickly engage in your first conversations.
In Belgium, the expression “ça va” is even more widely used for various purposes, including ‘yes,’ ‘okay,’ ‘it’s all right,’ and more…