French Blabla

Ep63 – The Secret French Pronunciation – Don’t Speak in Words

Speak Like a native — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:05:00 +0000

Find out why mastering rhythm is the key to perfect French pronunciation

Mastering French pronunciation isn’t just about repeating sounds or perfecting vowels. It’s also about learning how French people connect their words and how their speech moves in rhythm.

When you listen closely, you’ll notice that French flows in short, meaningful groups of words rather than isolated syllables.

These are called rhythm groups, and they’re one of the biggest secrets to speaking naturally.

In this episode, we’ll explore how to use rhythm and intonation to make your French sound smoother and more authentic.

You’ll learn why English speakers often sound choppy when they speak French and how to fix it by grouping words together the way native speakers do.

We’ll break down how these rhythm groups follow grammar, how your voice rises and falls with each phrase, and how breathing at the right moment changes the whole feeling of your speech.

You’ll also hear an example from the podcast DreamStation, available on Lingopie, where the narrator demonstrates the perfect flow of natural French pronunciation.

Listening to her will help you hear the difference between separate words and connected speech, between textbook pronunciation and the way people actually talk.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to make your sentences sound fluid, how to manage your breath like a native, and how to bring melody and rhythm into your French.

These are the real keys to improving your French pronunciation and sounding confident when you speak.

In this episode

Learn to speak with rhythm groups and natural flow
Understand the link between French pronunciation and intonation
Discover how to avoid common mistakes with English-style stress
Use Lingopie’s tools to practice with accurate subtitles

What I mentioned in this episode

Bonus challenge for you!

Answer in the comment section below (refresh the page if you don’t see it).

After a few contributions, I will give you the answer.

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!

The post Ep63 – The Secret French Pronunciation – Don’t Speak in Words appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep62 – French Slang 101 – Mastering Con

Speak Like a native — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Exploring the Understated Charm of Curse Words in French

Welcome back to another episode of the French Blabla podcast!

In the last episode, we tackled two iconic French swear words—or as I prefer, the P-word and M-word. I find them a bit too bold for my taste, and maybe you do too. So, let’s stick to the P-word and M-word to keep the air light.

If you missed that episode, it’s definitely worth a listen as it sets the stage perfectly for today’s topic. Click here to listen.

Today, we’re diving deeper into the realm of curse words in French, focusing on another essential word that, surprisingly, doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves.

This word is frequently used in daily conversations across France, yet it seems to fly under the radar in language learning materials. Let’s shine a spotlight on it and explore how it can be used in casual settings without any fuss.

And before we dive in, a quick shout out to our sponsor, Lingopie. I’ll give you more details about their services later in the episode, so stay tuned!

Alright, let’s get started with today’s exploration of curse words in French!

In this Episode

Exploring a Lesser-Known Swear Word: We’ll break down a lesser-known but widely used swear word in French, discussing its meanings and the appropriate contexts for its use.
Cultural Insights and Acceptability: Understand the cultural nuances that influence how these curse words in French are perceived and used.
Practical Examples and Phrases: I’ll provide examples and common phrases incorporating today’s featured curse words in French, helping you to understand their use in everyday conversation.

Join me as we decode the subtleties of these expressions, ensuring you can speak casually without crossing any lines.

Remember, understanding the context in which these words are used can greatly enhance your fluency and help you blend in with native speakers.

What I mentioned in this episode:

Episode 61 – Mastering Putain & Merde – Click to listen
“Plan Coeur – The Hookup Plan” – TV Show – Click to check the trailer on Youtube
Try Lingopie for free – Get 58% off on the Yearly Plan – Click 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.

The post Ep62 – French Slang 101 – Mastering Con appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep61 – French Slang 101 – Mastering Putain & Merde

Speak Like a native — Fri, 24 May 2024 19:03:00 +0000

Swear Words in French: Navigating Social Nuances with Putain and 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 58% off on the Yearly Plan – Click 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.

The post Ep61 – French Slang 101 – Mastering Putain & Merde appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep60 – Weird Sounds French people Make

Speak Like a native — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 20:06:00 +0000

Express feelings through sounds

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 funny phrases.

These specific sounds and expressions are commonplace in everyday French conversation. They’re essential for anyone looking to sound like a local and express emotions in a more natural and authentic way. Learning to use them correctly is a surefire way to add flair to your spoken French and impress native speakers with your understanding of their language’s subtleties.

So, immerse yourself in the sounds of French, practice your French language pronunciation, and soon enough, those French funny phrases and sounds will roll off your tongue with ease.

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

What I mentioned in this episode:

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

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.

The post Ep60 – Weird Sounds French people Make appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep59 – Unlocking the Power of TV Shows to Improve Your French: My Tips and Tricks

Speak Like a native — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:45:00 +0000

Unlock the Power of TV Shows

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.

Keep in mind that TV shows are not a replacement for regular language study but rather a supplement to it. They can also be a great way for those who haven’t touched the language in years to get back into it.

When choosing a TV show to watch, make sure it’s at your level and somewhat understandable. The use of subtitles and transcripts is essential, and they should not be used passively as an immersion tool. Active use of these tools will allow you to better understand the language and improve your speaking skills.

So, if you’re feeling unmotivated or intimidated by traditional language learning methods, give Lingopie a try.

Consistency is key when it comes to language learning, and incorporating TV shows into your study routine can be a fun and effective way to improve your skills. Start with just a few minutes a day and gradually increase your time as you become more comfortable. With a bit of dedication, you’ll be speaking French like a pro in no time!

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

My free audio training

Click the image to get it

What I mentioned in this episode:

Episode 37 of the French Blabla podcast : Let’s remember grammar – Click to listen

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.

The post Ep59 – Unlocking the Power of TV Shows to Improve Your French: My Tips and Tricks appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep58 – Voilà ! It’s time to use this word like a native

Speak Like a native — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 16:05:00 +0000

Voilà le nouvel épisode !

Last week, my partner watched a rugby match on tv and he got really impressed by the incredible amount of voila one can fit in a few sentences.

He, then, asked me if it was common for French people to use this word so much.

I mean, the rugby player felt the need to put at least one voila per sentence. That is some dedication!

Of course, as you can imagine, I answered him that no, we’re not supposed to use voila as a punctuation mark.

Today you’re going to learn how to use voila properly.

Last year, thanks to the Eurovision, this little word got famous again all over the world. It was the title of the song France won her second place with so it was time for voila to have its own episode.

In this episode

New ways to use the word “voilà”
Alternatives to “voilà” to sound more natural
A challenge for you to shine

Bonus challenge for you!

Answer in the comment section below (refresh the page if you don’t see it).

After a few contributions, I will give you some possible examples.

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.

The post Ep58 – Voilà ! It’s time to use this word like a native appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep57 – The word “little” will never be the same again

Speak Like a native — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:05:00 +0000

Let your French become smaller

I’ll be honest this is something I say a lot…

I realized it when I quickly listened to one of the episode to see if everything was ok.

I guess it’s a bad French habit that pervaded my English. Tell me if you noticed it!

As a consequence, I strongly believe this is a bad habit you should integrate in your French language.

Like everybody in my country, I tend to overuse the word “little”.

It’s not really a filler since it conveys different meanings and emotions as well.

Today that’s what we’ll study so that your world becomes smaller and cuter…

In this episode

New ways to use the word “little”
Speak a more natural and native sounding French

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.

The post Ep57 – The word “little” will never be the same again appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep56 – Don’t always say no, say this instead

Speak Like a native — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 20:06:00 +0000

Colour your conversation with these phrases

Happy to be back after my holiday break. It went really too fast.

I guess it’s always like that when you have a break from work. It’s never long enough.

That being said, let’s not forget that it’s 2022 now, so bonne année à tous, je vous souhaite beaucoup de succès avec votre français et surtout la santé. C’est important en ce moment.

As you know, I’m not big on watching sports on tv but my partner is. It’s always a source of surprise and learning.

He’s been really into rugby these past months, mainly because the NHL matches are unwatchable with their commercial breaks every 5 minutes.

He noticed a big difference between the way north american commentators talk about matches and the way French commentators do.

If you’ve been following the podcast for some time, you may get where I’m heading with this.

In this episode

Alternatives phrases to “no”
Bonus phrases to say “no” in a shop

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.

The post Ep56 – Don’t always say no, say this instead appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep55 – Don’t always say “au revoir”, say this instead!

Speak Like a native — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 20:15:00 +0000

Discover the secrets of the different goodbyes

Welcome to the fifty-fifth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Coucou à tous, je suis heureuse de vous retrouver pour un nouvel épisode.

Today’s topic is a request from one of my students, Leah. We’ve been working together for some time now in my Let’s Talk conversation class.

I was surprised when she asked me to cover this. I’m always very glad to receive suggestions because even though I try my best to cover everything you need to speak like a native, I cannot possibly come up with every idea in the world.

Leah’s French is good and as such, her request really took me by surprise. She asked me to cover the different ways to say goodbye.

You know, this is typical of certain topics we, as French teachers, take for granted, we don’t think twice about them. Something like goodbye, as simple as it seems, deserves an episode because there are numerous ways to express this idea.

And you might be surprised, so stay tuned because I have one goodbye you probably don’t know and a bonus hello I’m sure you don’t use at all even though you should.

In this Episode

The truth behind the word “adieu”
This special way to use “à bientôt”
A bonus hello that you probably don’t know

Bonus video

Do you have any puzzling grammatical use that you struggle with? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

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.

The post Ep55 – Don’t always say “au revoir”, say this instead! appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep54 – Parce que, parce que… time to shake up the way you speak!

Speak Like a native — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:23:00 +0000

Two alternatives to words you use all the time

Welcome to the fifty-fourth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Bonjour à tous et bienvenue pour un nouvel épisode de podcast. How is your French going? Now that summer is over and we get back in the daily groove of things with work and school, have you found a place in your busy schedule for your French studies? I hope so and if you haven’t, let’s take advantage of the few minutes we have together to improve your French. Thank you for sharing your precious time with me.

I was thinking about my students from my Let’s Talk conversation class. Check it out if you want to practice your French. I noticed that when they speak, a lot of them tend to rely on the same words, like “parce que”, the same structures, over and over again.

There’s nothing wrong about it, especially when we start learning, but there are other words and other structures that we use a lot in spoken French. However, it’s difficult to know which ones to choose, because when you open a grammar book and you look for certain types of words, you’re overwhelmed with a list of a dozen words… which one to choose? and especially which ones are actually common in daily French? There’s no way to know.

Today let me give you two alternatives to “parce que” and “bien que” that you’re not even going to find in books or in class.

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz. Do you have any puzzling grammatical use that you struggle with? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

The post Ep54 – Parce que, parce que… time to shake up the way you speak! appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep53 – Don’t say “de rien”, use these words instead!

Speak Like a native — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 18:46:00 +0000

Add some colour in your French

Welcome to the fifty-third episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Bonjour à tous, thanks for tuning in today, I hope you’re ready for a new episode.

Last year, yes, a long time ago, I started a small series called “Don’t say this, say that instead”. The goal here was to expand your vocabulary with natural words as well as explaining to you the subtleties of all the possibilities you had.

It was pretty popular, at least the statistics and the emails you sent me say so.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go check episode 36 to learn a weird French sound and episode 33 to stop saying yes all the time.

In the light of all this, I’ve decided to do a third instalment… there might be a fourth one too, but let’s not put the cart before the horse.

As the title suggests, we’re going to learn what to say when somebody says “merci” to you. Because yes, there are numerous ways you can answer.

Let’s start, shall we?

In this Episode

Master different ways to show politeness like a native
Add nuances through different “de rien”
How to use “je vous en prie” according to different situations

The post Ep53 – Don’t say “de rien”, use these words instead! appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep51 – How to compliment like a native

Speak Like a native — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 22:16:00 +0000

This episode is a request from a dear listener, her name is Samin. She contacted me on Instagram and told me about the difficulties she has when she wants to compliment in French. We’re going to study different phrases so that you’ll be able to say something more than “c’est beau”. You’ll know several phrases to compliment and to show admiration. Don’t forget to download the infographic that sums up all the things you’ll learn today.

In this episode

Compliment like a native
Several techniques to add emotions to your speech
Review the repetition

The post Ep51 – How to compliment like a native appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep50 – These phrases can fool you! Watch out for a misunderstanding

Speak Like a native — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 20:07:00 +0000

Don't be confused by these phrases

Welcome to the fiftieth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Today, our episode is inspired by my partner. I said it many times already but he’s not French.

Despite that I tend to forget that he’s a foreigner and I make zero effort to adapt my French to his level. Sorry.

I want to point out though that his level is really good so I’m not being cruel here. He understands pretty much everything that I say but there are occasional conversational phrases that he doesn’t get.

I thought it would be good to talk about this so that you don’t end up completely confused like my partner if you happen to hear such a phrase.

There are several phrases that we use regularly that actually mean the opposite of what they’re supposed to mean at first glance.

In this Episode

Three conversational phrases untangled
A personal story
An infographic to download

The post Ep50 – These phrases can fool you! Watch out for a misunderstanding appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep49 – Stop pulling your hair with how to translate “I miss you”

Speak Like a native — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 22:06:00 +0000

With the pandemic still going strong, I’m sure that most of us are longing for better days and we may feel a bit nostalgic. I’ve been thinking all week about the things I’d like to do. I, then, asked you on Instagram what you were nostalgic about and today’s topic hit me. Today is going to be short and sweet as we will talk about how to express “I miss you” in French. I know that the way we build this phrase is very confusing as everything is inverted so we’re going to untangle all of this in the episode. Obviously, you know me, we won’t just cover the “I miss you” part, we will do an overview of this verb as well as some natural keyphrases you need to add in your speaking repertoire.

In this Episode

Simple rules to understand how to use the verb “manquer”
Express nostalgia for people and for activities
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

The post Ep49 – Stop pulling your hair with how to translate “I miss you” appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep48 – This is actually how we ask questions

Speak Like a native — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 22:21:00 +0000

The game-changer

Welcome to the forty-eighth episode of the French Blabla podcast, where we’re dedicated to enhancing your French fluency with advanced learning techniques.

Today, we’re diving into a very crucial aspect of language mastery: understanding and using the question words who what where when why in French.

This episode is in fact specially tailored for our intermediate-level listeners who are ready to take their French grammar skills to the next level.

In This Episode, You Will Discover:

The key differences between the basic questions you’ve learnt and the more complex ways of asking questions in French.
Practical strategies for creating questions naturally
An engaging challenge to test your skills and help you shine in real-life French conversations.

As we explore here the nuances of asking questions in French, prepare for some syntax twisting and structural challenges.

A solid grasp of French grammar is essential as we will delve into these more sophisticated forms of inquiry.

This episode is not just about learning; it’s about transforming the way you communicate in French.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to formulate questions using who what where when why in French.

This knowledge will not only enhance your conversational skills but also provide you with the tools to engage more naturally and effectively in French dialogue.

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz.

Do you have any puzzling grammatical use that you struggle with?

Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try?

Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

The post Ep48 – This is actually how we ask questions appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep47 – How to litter your French like a native #3 – Slang edition

Speak Like a native — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:09:00 +0000

There’s a topic that I haven’t really delved into and that is completely overlooked in this podcast. People may think that for a podcast whose claim is to teach you real spoken French, it’s a bit strange that I haven’t talked about that sooner. Frankly, I don’t think today’s topic is a requisite for sounding like a true French person. This episode comes from one dear listener, Oliver, he asked me to cover slang in French. And that’s what we’re going to do today. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Why slang isn’t a requisite when you want to sound like a native
Useful and common slang you often hear
One rule that creates a lot of our usual slang

Get the mug that plays a twist on today’s phrase “Boulot métro dodo”. You can’t be French if you don’t take l’apéro! Click the picture to know more.

The post Ep47 – How to litter your French like a native #3 – Slang edition appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep44 – How to choose between Tu and Vous

Speak Like a native — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 20:03:00 +0000

Welcome to the forty-fourth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In this episode, we’re going to talk about the intricacies of the pronouns “tu” and “vous”. Today’s title is a bit misleading and I’m sorry about that. My intent isn’t really to have a definite guide of the different uses of these pronouns, instead I would like to go deeper into the complexity of French social interactions. These two words really reflect that. Obviously, as always, I’ll give you some etiquette tips to behave like a French person, but today is more of a cultural episode.

In this Episode

Learn when you can say “tu”
The situation where “vous” is the ultimate insult
A small etiquette guide to the internet

Share your questions in the comment section

Was there a time when you made a faux-pas with “tu” or “vous”? Is there a situation that you struggle with where you don’t really know which pronoun to use? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

The post Ep44 – How to choose between Tu and Vous appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep41 – Are you guilty of saying “comme ci comme ça ” ? Time to use “bof” instead

Speak Like a native — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the forty-first episode of the French Blabla podcast, where we not only enhance your French fluency but also delve into the fascinating meaning of “comme ci comme ca.”

This episode is dedicated to unraveling the layers behind this commonly used yet often misunderstood phrase in the French language.

Have you ever casually replied “comme ci comme ca” when asked about your well-being?

While this phrase has found its way into many conversations, its true essence often remains a mystery.

In today’s episode, we’re going beyond the surface to explore the real meaning of “comme ci comme ca” and how it’s perceived in everyday French dialogue.

Interestingly, despite its popularity in language classes and media, “comme ci comme ca” is not as commonly used among native French speakers as one might think.

Building on our previous discussions, such as in episode 22 where we decoded “I’m excited,” this episode takes a deeper dive into the meaning of “comme ci comme ca.”

We’ll explore how this phrase encapsulates a sense of indifference or moderate satisfaction, and how it’s contextually used in French conversations.

In This Episode, You Will Discover:

An in-depth exploration of the phrase “comme ci comme ça” in the French language.
Key body language expressions that complement the verbal nuances of French.
Authentic responses to the question “How are you?” in French, moving beyond the cliché “comme ci comme ca.”
Cultural insights into the subtleties of French social interactions and conversational etiquette.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we dissect the meaning of “comme ci comme ca,” offering you a richer understanding of French conversational nuances.

Tune in to French Blabla Podcast Episode 41 for an engaging and informative session that will elevate your grasp of the French language and culture.

A precious contribution by a fellow listener! A real gem

Share your questions in the comment section

Do you have any situation where you struggle in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep41 – Are you guilty of saying “comme ci comme ça ” ? Time to use “bof” instead appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep40 – “Let’s” or the subtle art of suggesting

Speak Like a native — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the fortieth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

I noticed that a lot of learners struggle with the translation of “let’s”, especially since it’s very different from the translation of the verb “to let”. This can be confusing. Today we’re going to talk about it. Before listening, I suggest you refresh your mind with the episode 26 , where we covered when to use “nous” and when to use “on”. You will need it to fully grasp this new episode. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Three phrases to properly translate “let’s”
The number one sentence you need to know to leave a place
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz. Do you have any other words that you struggle to use in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep40 – “Let’s” or the subtle art of suggesting appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep38 – Using “alors” doesn’t have to be hard. Discover these 5 meanings

Speak Like a native — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the thirty-eighth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In episode 36, we talked about different ways to express the phrase “je ne sais pas”. One of these ways was “alors là”, my personal favourite. I thought about this phrase and realized that this word “alors” is really multifaceted. So today, we will dive into some meanings that the word “alors” has. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Five new ways to use this little word
How to show emotion like a native
The absolute no-no when cooking carbonara

The “Bah alors…” line starts at 0.18

Share your questions in the comment section

Do you have any other words that you struggle to use in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep38 – Using “alors” doesn’t have to be hard. Discover these 5 meanings appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep36 – Don’t say “je ne sais pas”, use these words instead

Speak Like a native — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the thirty-sixth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In episode 33, we talked about different alternatives to the word “oui” you could use to enrich your conversation and to become a more active participant. In this episode, we continue to expand our vocabulary and we’re going to tackle the phrase “je ne sais pas”. It’s totally ok to use this in your conversations but let’s study some other ways to express this idea in a bit more colourful way. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Master different ways to show your ignorance like a native
Add nuances through different “je ne sais pas”
A funny anecdote about cultural differences

Music by bensound.com / Audio Sponsor by Timbre – Freesound

The post Ep36 – Don’t say “je ne sais pas”, use these words instead appeared first on French Blabla.

Episode 33 – Don’t say yes, use these words instead!

Speak Like a native — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:23:00 +0000

Be more active in your conversation

Welcome to the thirty-third episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

I thought it would be interesting to continue on the topic of words to say when interacting with French people. This time, we will study how to express agreement and we will go beyond our traditional “yes”. You’ll be able to create a more active conversation and to add feelings and nuances. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Master different ways to show agreement like a native
Add nuances and feelings through agreement
Bonus – how to call the doctor’s office

Episode 33 - Dialogue

Dialogue transcription

Share your questions in the comment section

Do you have any other phrases that you struggle to use in French?

Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try?

Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com – Audio Sponsor by Timbre – Freesound

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Ep32 – Don’t say this to sound like a native

Speak Like a native — Fri, 22 May 2020 16:03:00 +0000

Welcome to the thirty-second episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

We already talked about the important use of “on” vs “nous” in episode 26. If you haven’t listened to it yet, I strongly encourage you to do it because it will completely change your French. Today my catchphrase holds even more true with this episode. We are going to learn together another foundation of fluency, because what you have learnt at school is a sure way to show that you’re a foreigner. Let’s learn how to use question tags the native way. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Master question tags like a native
Add nuances and feelings through question tags
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz. Do you have any other phrases that you struggle to use in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

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Ep31 – Using the verb être this way will make your teacher scream

Speak Like a native — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 19:15:00 +0000

Welcome to the thirty-first episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Today we’re going to talk about the very first verb you learnt, the verb être, to be. We will learn how to use it in a totally incorrect way but so frequently used in France. We will also learn how to talk about our localization and our whereabouts in a more natural way. This new way to use the verb “être” will make your French teacher scream. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

A new way to use the verb “être”
Variations to talk about your localization
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my holiday exercise using the verb être and the other verbs studied in the episode. Do you have any other verbs that you struggle to use in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

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Ep 30 – Do you know how to apologize like a native

Speak Like a native — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:41:00 +0000

Welcome to the thirtieth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

I thought it would be interesting to continue on the topic of formal phrases or words to say when interacting with French people. This episode is kind of a follow-up of episode 28, where we covered how to wish but this time we will learn how to apologize. It will be a good opportunity also to explain how to translate “I’m confused” in French. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Every way to apologize
Stop the confusion of “I’m confused”
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

Music by Bensound.com / Audio sponsor by Timbre – Freesound

The post Ep 30 – Do you know how to apologize like a native appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep 28 – How 16 wishes will change the way you show empathy in French

Speak Like a native — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the twenty-eighth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Happy new year to everybody! Let’s begin 2020 on a slow note with a vocabulary lesson. We’ll keep the grammar for another episode. Today, we’ll cover formal phrases that we use to wish in French and to show empathy. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Formal phrases for various situations to wish in French and to show empathy
Sound like a native
Nuggets of French culture
A cheat sheet to download with the tips from today’s episode

What do you want to see next? Share in the comment section

Do you have any other situations in which you struggle to find the proper words? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com / Audio sponsor by Timbre – Freesound

The post Ep 28 – How 16 wishes will change the way you show empathy in French appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep27 – Let’s talk about it anyway…part2

Speak Like a native — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 11:13:00 +0000

Welcome to the twenty-seventh episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

This episode is the second part of our journey through the many nuances of the word “anyway”. The first part can be found here (click to go to the episode). Stay tuned!

In this Episode

An important English filler “anyway” in French to give more life to your conversations
Sound like a native
A cheat sheet to download with the tips from today’s episode

What do you want to see next? Share in the comment section

Do you have any other multi-meaning word that you struggle to use in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep27 – Let’s talk about it anyway…part2 appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep26 – On vs Nous – Let the battle begin

Speak Like a native — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:30:00 +0000

Let's change the way you talk

Welcome to the twenty-sixth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

This episode will clear the mystery around the use of “on” vs “nous” and hopefully will change the way you talk forever.

We will unveil the many secrets of “on”. After this episode, you’ll be a master.

If you want to sound even more like a native, listen again to episode 15 if you’re a beginner and episode 16 if you’re intermediate or advanced.

Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Tips to talk about yourself more naturally
No more confusion with “on” vs “nous”
Instantly sound like a native
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge.

After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz.

Do you have any other grammatical mystery that you want to understand in French?

Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try?

Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep26 – On vs Nous – Let the battle begin appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep25 – The case of the mysterious L

Speak Like a native — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the twenty-fifth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

This episode is for advanced learners. Many students asked me about it so it’s time to get clear about this mysterious L. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Take more control of the French language and finetune it.
Sound like a native
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz. Do you have any other strange use that you struggle with? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep25 – The case of the mysterious L appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep24 – Let’s talk about it anyway!

Speak Like a native — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 16:44:00 +0000

Welcome to the twenty-fourth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

This episode is inspired by Vivienne, a fellow listener and we will tackle the very useful “anyway” and its many translations. So many that another episode will be needed to cover them all. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

An important English filler translated to French to give more life to your conversations
Sound like a native
A cheat sheet to download with the tips from today’s episode

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz. Do you have any other multi-meaning word that you struggle to use in French? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep24 – Let’s talk about it anyway! appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep23 – Two MORE fillers you haven’t learnt at school

Speak Like a native — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 15:17:00 +0000

Colour your French with these fillers

Welcome to the twenty-third episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In episode 20, we studied together two filler words commonly used by French people.

There are many of them, so today, I’ll introduce you to two more fillers.

You will learn how to be a more active participant in conversations and how to show surprise and empathy.

Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Two more fillers to give more life to your conversations
Sound like a native
A cheat sheet to download with the tips from today’s episode

Share your thoughts in the comment section

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep23 – Two MORE fillers you haven’t learnt at school appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep22 – How to say “I’m excited” like a native

Speak Like a native — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 09:58:00 +0000

"Je suis excité" ???

Welcome to the twenty-second episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In episode 4, we talked about risque pronunciation and English words that translated poorly in French. If you haven’t listened to this episode or if you don’t remember, I suggest you go listen.

Today, we’re going to focus on one of these phrases “I’m excited”.

It’s commonly translated word for word and it’s something you should stay away from. Listen to today’s episode to discover how to translate “I’m excited” like a native. Stay tuned!

Share what you're excited about in the comment section

Do you have any other phrases or puzzling words that you struggle with? What are you excited about in your life? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep22 – How to say “I’m excited” like a native appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep20 – Two filler words you haven’t learnt at school

Speak Like a native — Wed, 03 May 2017 12:29:00 +0000

Do you struggle to understand spoken French?

Welcome to the twentieth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In episode 9, we discovered why French was difficult to understand.

If you haven’t listened to this episode or if you don’t remember, I suggest you go listen.

Today, we will learn about the second reason why French is difficult to understand and it’s because of filler words that are used extensively when we speak. In this episode, I’ll share with you two filler words and how to use them like a native.

Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Two filler words to give more life to your conversations
Sound like a native
A cheat sheet to download with the tips from today’s episode

Share your comments in the comment section

Do you have any other fillers or puzzling words that you struggle with? Is there something that you can’t seem to master no matter how hard you try? Don’t hesitate to share with me in the comment section.

Music by bensound.com

The post Ep20 – Two filler words you haven’t learnt at school appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep16 – How to litter your French like a native #2

Speak Like a native — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 15:46:00 +0000

Bonjour à tous, Welcome to the sixteenth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning. This episode is the second part of how to litter your French like a native and is geared towards intermediate and advanced learners. Click here if you miss the first part aimed at beginners and learn some instant actionable tips for a more natural French. Today we’ll learn the bad grammar that French people use. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

Bad grammar French people use
One of the most important notion for a natural French
Some listening practice

In this episode, I challenged you with a new listening exercise. Can you spot the repetitions? Watch the video until 0’52” and share in the comment section all the repetitions that you could hear and what they refer to. Don’t forget to click on the cog to enable the French subtitles.

If you remember what we saw in the last episode, you will notice that when Ernest says “ils aiment” he actually pronounces “il” as “i”. The same happens in the part “pour pas qu’il se foire” where he will pronounce “il” also as “i”.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep16 – How to litter your French like a native #2 appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep15 – How to litter your French like a native #1

Speak Like a native — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:36:00 +0000

Bonjour à tous, Welcome to the fifteenth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning. This episode is the first part of a two parts series in which we will study how to speak a more natural French through common transformations. This episode is aimed at beginners with easy and instantly actionable tips that will improve your French in under 8 minutes. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

The smooshing comes back
Three tips to sound more natural
Improve your listening skills
A dictation challenge

Here’s a very good example of the disappearance of the “il” in the phrase “il y a”. It’s a very common phenomenon and I encourage you to do it too. As a bonus, in the first sentence, you will notice that the “ils” in front of the verb “étaient” also got a little transformation and turned into a simple “i”. Watch until 0’22.

“Alors ? Combien ils étaient ?”
– Bah, y en avait plusieurs… Y en avait là… Y en avait environ là… Y en avait derrière…
– Et… et là aussi ?
– Et là aussi oui. Et y en avait là.
– Ok. Donc “Y en avait là.””

Join the dictation challenge in the comment section

In the episode, I challenged you with three smooshed sentences where I applied all the tips that we learnt today. Will you be able to recognize the transformations and write what I said in the comment section?

Music by bensound.com

The post Ep15 – How to litter your French like a native #1 appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep11 – The Real French Etiquette in Shops

Speak Like a native — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 13:30:00 +0000

Bonjour à tous, Welcome to the eleventh episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning. This episode is once again inspired by one of my advanced student who told me a story of an embarrassing situation she experienced in a shop in Paris. She was shocked that nobody told her about that. Today we’re going to study together the real French manners when you go to shops so that you don’t have to experience what my student did. Stay tuned!

In this Episode

A common French attitude
Learn the real French etiquette
Stop saying “je voudrais”

Share your anecdotes in the comment section

Have something like that ever happened to you? Have you ever found yourself in a situation you didn’t understand? How did you react? If you have some embarrassing or funny stories to share, I’ll be delighted to read them. I’ll be waiting for you in the comment section.

Reference:

http://theses.univ-lyon2.fr/documents/lyon2/2002/trinh_dt/pdfAmont/trinh_dt_chapitre6.pdf

Music by bensound.com

The post Ep11 – The Real French Etiquette in Shops appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep09 – 3 Tips to boost your listening skills

Speak Like a native — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:42:00 +0000

Discover the true pronunciation

Welcome to the ninth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

Today we tackle the biggest challenge French learners face, that is understanding when people talk.

Pronunciation in all our study books doesn’t come close to what we hear in the streets.

There are a few reasons for that and today we will study 3 tips to boost your listening skills.

Stay tuned !

In this Episode

Tips to sound more natural
3 listening skills boosters
The reason why you struggle to understand French people
A challenge for you to shine

Share your answers in the comment section

Share your answers in the comment section

I’m really looking forward to your answers to my little challenge. After a few contributions, I will post the answer to the quizz.

The number 2 is particularly tough as there are a lot of “e” in the sentence. It will help you to count the pronounced syllables.

Music by bensound.com

The post Ep09 – 3 Tips to boost your listening skills appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep04 – Risqué pronunciation – The mistakes you must avoid

Speak Like a native — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:50:00 +0000

Welcome to the fourth episode of the French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning. In today’s episode, I will share with you a shameful moment of my English journey and you will discover some words that you should pronounce correctly if you don’t want to get offended looks, or if you don’t want to put yourself in an awkward situation.

In this Episode

Why I was so embarrassed on that fateful night
The words you really shouldn’t mispronounce
Expressions that are definitely not transparent

Share you story in the comments

What words or expressions have you used that got you some weird looks? Do you have an embarrassing moment that happened in your learning journey? I would love to hear about it.

Music by bensound.com

The post Ep04 – Risqué pronunciation – The mistakes you must avoid appeared first on French Blabla.

Ep02 – Sound like a native – The R sound

Speak Like a native — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:16:00 +0000

Welcome to the second episode of French Blabla podcast where we will cover tips to increase your fluency while boosting your way of learning.

In today’s episode, we will talk about the most difficult sound of the French language, that is to say our R sound. Feared by many of you, after this episode, you will know all there is to know about it and you will have the tools to face this sound!

In this Episode

Reasons you can’t pronounce R in every word
A step by step guide to pronounce the R sound
How to create your personalized drills

Share your story in comments below

We’ve all been struggling with pronunciation and it can be so frustrating not to be able to sound the way we want. Try to do the exercises and tell me if it helped. Which position of the R is the most difficult to you? I would love to hear about it.

Music by Bensound.com

The post Ep02 – Sound like a native – The R sound appeared first on French Blabla.