Diplomatic jargon

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:

Easter egg hunt

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.

Learning French is so easy!

“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…

French time measurement

Understanding French time perception is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.

Consider this conversation:

Don’t forget that “8 jours” simply refers to a 7-day week and “15 jours” means 2 weeks.

In the same vein, one might say “lundi en 8” to refer to the Monday occurring a little over a week from now, not to be confused with “lundi prochain” (next Monday).

Good luck scheduling your next meetings and vacation days!