Ep61 - French Slang 101 - Mastering Putain & Merde

Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the French Blabla podcast! I'm Caroline, your host. Today, we're about to unwrap two cheeky and somewhat controversial gems from the French linguistic treasure chest. These expressions are quintessential to everyday French banter, often sparking raised eyebrows and knowing smiles. We're going to explore "putain" and "merde," two swear words in French that are sure to ring a bell if you've spent any time on social media watching humorous language learning videos. As we delve into these popular swear words in French, remember the cultural depth and emotional weight they carry in the French language. With today's episode, you'll understand not just the translations but the appropriate contexts to use these colorful expressions without offending native speakers. Let’s embark on this vocabulary journey with a light heart and a mind open to the intriguing world of casual French. Later in the episode, I’ll also introduce you to our sponsor, but first, let's dive into the linguistic nuances.   In this episode Mastering Usage: Learn how and when to appropriately use "putain" and "merde" in daily conversation without crossing the line. Contextual Flexibility: Discover the versatility of these swear words from expressing frustration to amazement, and how their impact changes with tone and setting. Cultural Insights: Gain insights into the cultural acceptance of these phrases and why context matters so much in French discourse.   What I mentioned in this episode:   Episode 23 - Two MORE fillers you haven't learnt at school: Click to listen Episode 60 - Weird Sounds French people Make - Click to listen "Plan Coeur - The Hookup Plan" - TV Show - Click to check the trailer on Youtube Try Lingopie for free - Get 70% off on the Lifetime Plan - Click HERE   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!  

Bonjour à tous and welcome back to our podcast! In today's episode, we delve into a practical and engaging topic: how to sell used clothes on French websites. This episode is perfect for those looking to combine the eco-friendly act of selling used clothes with enhancing their French language skills. As we go through my story to sell used clothes online, I'll teach you the necessary French vocabulary and grammar to navigate these transactions effectively. This setup is an excellent opportunity for French learners to apply language lessons in real-life scenarios, which can be incredibly rewarding. Throughout the episode, I focus on the practical aspects of how to sell used clothes online in France, including how talk about the process of selling  and sending your items and how to describe them attractively in French.    In this Episode: Vocabulary Expansion: Learn specific terms related to clothing, sales, and e-commerce—all in French. Grammar Mastery: Dive deep into the use of articles in French, which are essential when you list and sell used clothes. Take on a challenge that will help solidify your understanding of the topic and language   This episode is not just about learning to sell used clothes; it's about enriching your French learning journey through practical application. Join us to improve your language skills and learn how to navigate the French online marketplace effectively!   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!     Music: Wonder Happens by Podington Bear – Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

Hey folks! So, here's the scoop: 2024 is my year of "transformation", and it's all centered around diving deep into 'cuisine French.' But here's the twist – after realizing that my love affair with pain au chocolat has been a little too indulgent, I've decided it's time to get savvy with macro counting. Yep, I'm on a mission to strike the perfect balance between savoring the richness of French cuisine and keeping my nutrition in check. In this episode, I'm taking you along on my adventure of marrying the art of macro counting with the indulgence of French food. It's not about giving up the good stuff; it's about making the good stuff work for me and my health goals. And let me tell you, it's been quite the enlightening journey so far!   In this Episode: From Pain au Chocolat to Portion Control: Sharing my personal story of how those irresistible French pastries led me to a path of healthier eating habits without sacrificing flavor. Grammar Corner: We explore useful French phrases to express opposition, perfect for those moments when you're debating between another bite or saying "non, merci." Nutrition in French: Expanding our French vocabulary with key nutrition terms, making it easier to navigate menus and food labels while indulging in 'cuisine French.'   So, are you ready to join me on this flavorful expedition through 'cuisine French'? Let's make 2024 the year we embrace the best of French dining, one macro at a time!   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!

Hey folks, welcome back to a new episode, where I dive into my laid-back morning stroll on the 'plage'—that's 'beach' in French for those diving into the language with me. This episode is all about the simple pleasures of the beach in French culture, from the seashells I found to the unique way I decided to cook them. Plus, I've got the scoop on beach etiquette in France. So there I was, walking on the beach in French territory, when I came across an array of seashells. It sparked a little culinary idea in me. Why not cook these seashells? Turned out to be a delicious decision. Along the way, I picked up on some do's and don'ts of French beach etiquette that I thought were pretty interesting to share.   In this Episode: Seashell Vocabulary: I'll share the French names for the cool seashells I found on the beach. Beach Etiquette: Picked up some tips on how to behave on the beach. There's a certain way to do things here. Grammar Nuggets: We'll tackle how to express obligations and prohibitions in French, super useful for beach-related and other scenarios.   Join me for a chill recount of my beach day in France. Whether you're here for the French lessons, curious about my seashell cooking experiment, or just in it for the beach tales, this episode's got a bit of everything.   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!  

Welcome to a special episode of the podcast, where I delve into the heartwarming French tradition for Christmas, focusing particularly on the enchanting world of advent calendars. As we count down the days to 'Noël,' I want to share with you my personal experiences with past advent calendars and the unique joy they bring during the festive season. In this episode, I'll take you through a journey of discovery, exploring the origins of the advent calendar. This tradition, deeply rooted in French culture, is not just a countdown to Christmas; it's a daily celebration of anticipation and joy. I'll recount my cherished memories associated with these calendars, from the excitement of revealing each day's surprise to the special moments shared with family. But that's not all – we'll also dive into some fascinating grammar points. We'll review the use of 'tout' and 'tous,' exploring their various contexts and applications in French. This grammar focus will enhance your understanding and usage of these versatile words, especially in the context of holiday traditions. As for vocabulary, we'll specifically talk about advent calendars. You'll learn the French terms associated with this tradition, enriching your festive lexicon and helping you to describe this delightful custom with ease.   In this Episode: Advent Calendar Traditions: Explore the French tradition for Christmas through the lens of advent calendars, understanding their cultural significance. Origins and Memories: Discover the origins of advent calendars and hear my personal stories associated with this charming tradition. Grammar Focus on 'Tout' and 'Tous': Learn the nuances of using 'tout' and 'tous' in various contexts, enhancing your grammatical fluency. Vocabulary Deep Dive: Expand your French vocabulary with terms related to advent calendars, perfect for holiday conversations.   Join me in this nostalgic episode as we embrace the French tradition for Christmas. Whether you're a language learner or a lover of cultural traditions, this episode is filled with linguistic insights, heartwarming stories, and the magic of the holiday season.   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here. Episode mentioned in this episode: All about "tout" - Click to listen       FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!

Today's podcast episode is an extraordinary journey into the heart of the French wilderness, as we explore the theme of deer in French or "le cerf" in an enchanting forest setting. This episode is not just about discovering the majestic deer in their natural habitat but also about enhancing your French skills, particularly if you're at the A2 level. Our focus is on prepositions of location, an essential aspect of French grammar that paints a picture of where events unfold. Whether you're just starting out or looking to solidify your A2 level skills, understanding these prepositions is crucial for describing settings and locations in French, especially when talking about nature and wildlife like deer. So, settle in and relax as we dive into the captivating world of deer in the French forests and unravel the simplicity and beauty of French grammar. Are you intrigued by all of this? Make sure to download the study guide linked below. It includes everything from the episode's transcription to a rich vocabulary list centered around our theme - deer in French - and a look at prepositions of location.   In this episode: Explore vocabulary related to nature, specifically focusing on deer in French Learn and practice prepositions of location, a key component in describing natural scenes in French Take on a challenge that will help solidify your understanding of the topic and language   Join me on this engaging journey to learn about deer in French and improve your French grammar skills. It's an adventure that blends the beauty of nature with the elegance of the French language!   Music: Wonder Happens by Podington Bear – Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!

Mastering the French language pronunciation is a crucial aspect of becoming fluent, and integrating French funny phrases and sounds can make the learning process even more enjoyable. Understanding and using authentic sounds like "pfff," "hein," "rohh," "blowing a raspberry," and "mmmm" can significantly enhance your grasp of the language. In this lesson, we'll delve deep into these unique elements of French language pronunciation, showing you how to use them just like a native speaker. Adding these sounds to your vocabulary will not only improve your pronunciation but also help you grasp the nuances of various French peculiar everyday phrases.   In this Episode: Show surprise, frustration and annoyance with sounds Bonus casual phrases to add to the sounds The number 1 French TV show to level up your French     Useful Episode Resources Episode 36 of the French Blabla podcast : Don't say ”je ne sais pas”, use these words instead - Click to listen "Plan Coeur - The Hookup Plan" - TV Show - Click to check the trailer on Youtube     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!

I've just had an incredible adventure in a French destination that's a great spa town. Picture this: it's early morning, the air is crisp, and I'm stepping into a thermal spa with a history that goes all the way back to the Romans. Can you believe it? This great spa town has been around for centuries, and I'm about to dive into its healing mineral waters. Our grammar focus today is on conjunctions of coordination and subordination, which help us connect and organize ideas in a sentence. Whether you're a beginner or more advanced learner, we'll explore some essential conjunctions.  The level is A2 so beginner + If you’re interested in all of this, you can download the study guide below where you’ll find the transcription, the vocabulary and the grammar focus.   To listen to my previous Bath episode : Click to listen   In this episode Words and phrases connected to spa and treatments Review conjunctions of coordination and subordination A challenge for you to shine   Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!   Music: Wonder Happens by Podington Bear – Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License

Do you like wine? In today's episode of our new series "Unlock the Story", we're playing a game where you'll need to fill in the blanks with the correct French vocabulary to complete the narrative. The stories follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and today the level is A2 or beginner +. You can submit your completed story in the comments section for feedback and guidance on frenchblabla.org. In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of wine and the hard work that goes into producing it. We follow the fictional story of a couple who bought a vineyard in the Aude region of France over fifty years ago and began making their own wine. Let me know in the comments if you enjoy this episode and would like more!   In this episode Words and phrases connected to wine Review the past tenses A challenge for you to shine       Useful Episode Resources Grab today's goodie here.     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!

Looking for a fun and effective way to improve your French language skills? While using TV shows and movies to learn a language has always been a popular method, it can be frustrating when subtitles are not designed for language learners. In this episode of the podcast, we explore some tips for using TV shows to improve your comprehension of fast-spoken French and your pronunciation.    In this episode The technique to improve your pronunciation What to do for an effective learning My tips to enrich your vocabulary and grammar My free audio training to improve your understanding of fast spoken French   Useful Episode Resources Episode 37 of the French Blabla podcast : Let's remember grammar - Click to listen     FREE audio training to help you understand spoken French Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.       Subscribe and review The French Blabla Podcast Thanks so much for tuning into the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and love the show, I'd really appreciate you subscribing and leaving me a review on your favourite podcast player.   Not only does it let me know you're out there listening, but your feedback helps me to keep creating the most useful episodes. And you know what? I also get to be discovered by more awesome people like you!