ad astra per aspera

Animals: chien, m (dog); chat, m (cat); poisson, m (fish); oiseau, m (bird); vache, f (cow); cochon, m (pig); souris, f (mouse); cheval, m (horse); aile, f (wing); animal, m (animal);

Transportation: train, m (train); avion, m (plane); voiture, f (car); camion, m (truck); vélo, m (bicycle); bus, m (bus); bateau, m (boat); navire, m (ship); pneu, m (tire); essence, f (gasoline); moteur, m (engine); billet, m (ticket); transports, m (transportation);

Location: ville, f (city/town); maison, f (house); appartement, m (flat); rue, f (street); route, f (road); aéroport, m (airport); gare, f (train station); pont, m (bridge); hôtel, m (hotel); restaurant, m (restaurant); ferme, f (farm); école, f (school); tribunal, m (court); bureau, m (office); salle, f (room); université, f (university); club, m (club); bar, m (bar); parc, m (park); camp, m (camp); magasin, m (store); cinéma, m (theater); bibliothèque, f (library); hôpital, m (hospital); église, f (church); marché, m (market); pays, m (country); bâtiment, m (building); sol, m (ground); espace, m (space); banque, f (bank); localisation, f (location);

Clothing: chapeau, m (hat); robe, f (dress); costume, m (suit); jupe, f (skirt); chemise, f (shirt); t-shirt, m (t-shirt); jean/pantalon, m (trousers); chaussures, f (shoes); poche, f (pocket); manteau, m (coat); tache, f (stain); vêtements, m (clothing);

Colours: rouge (red); vert-e (green), bleu-e (blue), clair-e (light); foncé-e (dark); jaune (yellow); marron (brown); rose (pink); orange (orange); noir-e (black); blanc-he (white); gris-e (grey); couleur, f (colour);

People: fils, m (son); fille, f (daughter); mère, f (mother); père, m (father); parent (parent); bébé (baby); homme, m (man); femme, f (woman); frère, m (brother); soeur, f (sister); famille, f (family); grand-père, m (grandfather); grand-mère, f (grandmother); mari, m (husband); femme/épouse, f (wife); roi, m (king); reine, f (queen); président-e (president); voisin-e (neighbour); garçon, m (boy); fille, f (girl); enfant (child); adulte (adult); humain-e (human); ami-e (friend); victime (victim); joueur/euse (player); fan/supporter (fan); foule, f (crowd); personne, f (person);

Job: professeur/enseignant-e (teacher); étudiant-e (student); avocat-e (lawyer), docteur (doctor); patient-e (patient); serveur/euse (waiter); secrétaire (secretary); prêtre, m (priest); police, f (police); armée, f (army); soldat-e (soldier); artiste (artist); auteur/trice (author); manager (manager); journaliste (reporter); acteur/trice (actor); métier/emploi, m (job);

Society: religion, f (religion); paradis, m (heaven); enfer, m (hell); mort, f (death); médecine, f (medicine); argent, m (money): dollar, m (dollar); billet, m (bill); mariage, m (marriage/wedding); équipe, f (team); race, f (race); sexe, m (sex); genre, m (gender); meurtre, m (murder); prison, f (prison); technologie, f (technology); énergie, f (energy); guerre, f (war); paix, f (peace); attaque, f (attack); élection, f (election); magazine, m (magazine); journaux, m pl (newspaper); poison, m (poison); pistolet, m/arme à feu, f (gun); sport, m (sports); course, f (sports race); exercice, m (exercise); balle, f/ballon, m (ball); jeu, m (game); prix, m (price); contrat, m (contract); médicament, m/drogue, f (drug); signe, m (sign); science, f (science); Dieu, m (God);

Art: groupe, m (band); chanson, f (song); instrument, m (instrument); musique, f (music); film, m (movie); art, m (art);

Beverages: café, m (coffee); thé, m (tea); vin, m (wine); bière, f (beer); jus, m (juice); eau, f (water); lait, m (milk); boisson, f (beverage);

Food: oeuf, m (egg); fromage, m (cheese); pain, m (bread); soupe, f (soup); gâteau, m (cake); poulet, m (chicken); porc, m (pork); boeuf, m (beef); pomme, f (apple); banane, f (banana); orange, f (orange); citron, m (lemon); maïs, m (corn); riz, m (rice); huile, f (oil); graine, f (seed); couteau, m (knife); cuillère, f (spoon); fourchette, f (fork); tasse, f (cup); petit-déjeuner, m (breakfast); déjeuner, m (lunch); dîner, m (dinner); sucre, m (sugar); sel, m (salt); bouteille, f (bottle); nourriture, f (food).

Those links will bring you to different Kahoot challenges that will allow you to practice your French. You’ll get ten questions; four options and sixty seconds for each. You don’t need to register, only to give a name.

Subject pronouns

Direct object pronouns

Indirect object pronouns

Adverbial pronoun Y

Adverbial pronoun En

Tonic pronouns

See you next Monday for more of those!

Person 1: I can’t wait to know a few phrases so I can communicate in my target language!

(For the PDF version, click here.)

While the indicative mood is used when a statement is given or probable, the subjunctive mood is used for unlikely statements. It expresses conditions of subjectivity, uncertainty, and unreality. The subjunctive is typically found in subordinate and relative clauses.

When to use it:

1. imposition of will, of necessity on someone else

The subjunctive can be used when imposing one’s will on someone else. This is expressed through verbs of order, advice, desire, or preference.

e.g.:

Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs. – I want you to do your homework.

Le PDG a besoin que sa secrétaire soit à la réunion. – The CEO needs his secretary to be at the meeting.

2. emotions

The subjunctive is necessary to express emotions such as fear, surprise, happiness, sadness, and annoyance in French.

e.g.:

Ils ont peur qu’il fasse froid en Norvège. – They are afraid it might be cold in Norway.

Nous sommes heureux que tu sois arrivée. – We are happy you have arrived.

3. negation of facts and opinions

When verbs in the main clause negate those in the subordinate clause, the latter require the subjunctive mood. Such verbs include douter and nier.

e.g.:

L’inspecteur doute que le restaurant soit propre. – The inspector doubts the restaurant is clean.

Il nie qu’il ait parlé avec cette femme. – He denies having talked to this woman.

EXCEPTION: When douter and nier are negative, the indicative mood is used, because they are no longer negating the subordinate clause.

e.g.:

Je ne doute pas que tu dis la vérité. – I don’t doubt that you are telling the truth.

Elle ne nie pas qu’elle a commis le crime. – She doesn’t deny having committed the crime.

The verbs penser, espérer, and croire use the subjunctive only when in negative or interrogative sentences. Affirmative sentences require the indicative.

e.g.:

Nous ne croyons pas que ce soit une erreur. – We don’t think it was a mistake.

Elle pense que l’enseignante a raison. – She thinks the teacher is right.

N’espères-tu pas que ce soit une mauvaise blague? – Don’t you hope it’s a bad joke?

NOTE: It is possible to use the indicative in the negative and interrogative forms of penser to convey certainty.

e.g.:

Il ne pense pas qu’il a entendu un bruit. – He doesn’t think he heard a noise (and is fairly certain about it).

Il ne pense pas qu’il ait entendu un bruit. – He doesn’t think he heard a noise (but isn’t sure).

4. after superlatives

Sentences with superlatives that express an opinion or evaluation take the subjunctive in the dependent clause. It is also used after the words principal, seul, unique, premier, and dernier.

e.g.:

Elle est l’enfant la plus studieuse que j’aie connue. – She is the most studious child i have ever met.

Cette pièce de théâtre est la moins intéressante que ma mère ait vue. – This play is the least interesting one that my mother has seen.

Le français est la seule langue qu’il puisse parler. – French is the only language he can speak.

However, if the speaker is confident in what they’re saying, or there is no opinion being expressed, the indicative mood is used.

e.g.:

La salle de bain est la pièce la plus petite qu’a la maison. – The bathroom is the smallest room in the house.

Valentina Terechkova est la première femme qui est allée dans l’espace. – Valentina Tereshkova is the first woman to go to space.

5. personal and impersonal expressions

Many impersonal expressions (expressions that start with il est or c’est) require the subjunctive in French. These can be divided into expressions of doubt, necessity, desirability and insistence, and fear.

e.g.:

Il est possible que nous soyons en retard. – It’s possible we might be late.

Il est nécessaire que tout le monde aille voter. – It is necessary that everyone go vote.

Concessive statements that begin with où que, quoi que, quel que, or si…que also require the subjunctive.

e.g.:

Je te promets que, où que tu sois, je te retrouverai. – I promise that, wherever you are, I will find you.

Si triste que la situation puisse paraître, tout n’est pas perdu. – As sad as the situation may seem, all is not lost.

Specific expressions always take the subjunctive:

Que je sache

Ainsi soit-il

Vive le roi

Advienne que pourra

Command sentences that begin with que require the subjunctive.

e.g.:

Qu’il vienne à mon bureau immediatement! – Let him come to my office immediately!

Qu’on m’apporte un café! – Let someone bring me a coffee!

6. relative clauses

If the noun tied the relative clause is indefinite, not yet found, or does not exist, the relative clause will require the subjunctive mood.

e.g.:

Nous avons besoin d’une personne qui soit très forte. – We need a person who is very strong.

Je veux une voiture qui puisse voler. – I want a car that can fly.

7. negative and indefinite pronouns

If a subordinate clause is preceded by ne…personne or ne…rien, or if it’s preceded by quelqu’un or quelque chose, it requires the subjunctive mood.

e.g.:

Je ne connais personne qui sache parler allemand. – I don’t know anyone that speaks German.

Il n’y a rien que tu puisses faire. – There is nothing you can do.

Il doit avoir quelque chose qui puisse servir! – There must be something that works!

8. after conjunctions

Certain conjunctions that express a type of dependence (constrait, expectation, etc.) require the use of the subjunctive, provided the subjects of the main and dependent clauses are different. It is worth noting that some conjunctions can use the ne explétif with the subjunctive.

The conjunctions can be divided into several categories:

a. to express intention and purpose

Pour que

Afin que

De sorte que

De façon que

b. to express fear and threat

De crainte que

De peur que

c. to express wait and time constraint

Jusqu’à ce que

En attendant que

Avant que

EXCEPTION: Après que is followed by the indicative mood, but the use of the subjunctive has seen a rise in popularity recently.

d. to express obstacle and restriction

Bien que

À moins que

Quoique

Encore que

Sans que

e. to express condition

À condition que

Pourvu que

Subjective verbs vs objective verbs

Verbs can be divided into “objective” and “subjective” categories. Objective verbs (constater, affirmer, penser) require the indicative mood, while subjective verbs (désirer, redouter, vouloir) take the subjunctive.

e.g.:

Je constate que personne ne m’a écouté. – I see no one has listened to me.

Je veux que vous m’aimiez. – I want you to love me.

EXCEPTION: Objective verbs can take the subjunctive in certain cases, such as:

1. in negative sentences

e.g.:  Il ne croit pas que le livre soit réellement perdu. – He doesn’t think the book is really lost.

2. in interrogative sentences with an inversion

e.g.: Pensez-vous que Marie ait trompé Nicholas? – Do you think Marie cheated on Nicholas?

3. when an adjective expresses judgement

e.g.:  Nous ne trouvons pas normal que les femmes soient considérées inférieures. – We do not find it normal that women are considered inferior.

Anxious - Anxieux / Anxieuse

Calm - Calme

Confused - Confus / Confuse

Happy (in a good mood, just a bit happier than the normal) - Content / Contente

Curious - Curieux / Curieuse

Disappointed - déçu / déçue

Sorry - Désolé / Désolée

Scared - Effrayé / Effrayée

Boring - Ennuyé / Ennuyée

Surprised - Étonné / Étonnée

Excited - Excité / Excitée

Angry - Fâché / Fâchée

Tired - Fatiqué / Fatiquée

Worried - Inquiet / Inquiète

Nervous - Nerveux / Nerveuse

Embarrased -  Gêné / Gênée

Sad - Triste

Intrigued - Intéressé /  Intéressée

Shocked - Choqué / Choquée

Surprised - Surpris / Surprise

Confident - Sûr(e) de soi

In Love - Amoureux / Amoureuse

Happy - Heureux / Heueuse

Shy/Timid - Timide

Nice - Sympathique

Sensitive - Affecté / Affectée

Depressed - Déprimé / Déprimée

Sick - Malade

Very Confused - Perplexe

Disgusted - Dégoûté / Dégoûté

Jealous - Jaloux / Jalouse

Frustrated - Frustré / Frustrée

Proud - Fier / Fière

Cautious - Méfiant / Méfiante

Dawn/Daybreak - Alba Morning - Mattina Midday/noon - Mezzogiorno Afternoon - Pomeriggio Evening - Sera Sunset - Tramonto Night - Notte Midnight - Mezzanotte

Le matin

Se réveiller : To wake up Se lever : To get up Se doucher/prendre une douche : To shower Se baigner/prendre un bain : To bathe Se raser : To shave Se brosser les dents : To brush your teeth Se brosser les cheveux : To brush your hair Se peigner : To comb your hair Se coiffer : To do your hair S’habiller : To get dressed Se maquiller : To put on makeup Manger/prendre le petit déjeuner : To eat breakfast Aller/se rendre à/au :To go to l’école (f) : school le travail : work en voiture : by car en bus : by bus en métro : by subway en train : by train en vélo : by bike à pied : on foot

L’après-midi

Travailler/bosser (l’argot) : To work  Étudier : To study Une machine à café : The coffee machine Une réunion : A meeting Un bureau : An office/desk Rechauffer : To heat up Le bavardage : Gossip/informal talk La bibliothèque : The library L’université (f) : University La fac (La faculté) : University Une leçon : A lesson Un cours : A class Suivre un cours : Take a class Une boîte à lunch (Qc) : Sack lunch/lunch box Déjeuner/prendre le déjeuner : To each lunch Dîner (Qc) : To eat lunch La cantine : The cafeteria

Le soir

Okay, this topic is mostly for WRITING, not speaking.  Still, if you are getting ready for TOEFL or TOEIC or any other English language assessment exam, you need to know about split infinitives.

What are “split infinitives”?

First, let’s define what an “infinitive” is. “Infinitive” is “to+verb.” So, the way you can tell that a verb is an infinitive is if it has a “to” in front of it. For example, She wants to see her mother. It is difficult to build trust. To be friends means to sacrifice for each other.

As you can see, every infinitive has a “to” at its beginning. In fact, you cannot separate this “to” from the verb itself. If you separate “to” and the verb, you have a split infinitive. This is a fairly serious grammatical mistake.

For example, Employees must try to really work as a team. WRONG—to fix the split infinitive, move “really” somewhere else. Employees must really try to work as a team. CORRECT

I want to significantly contribute to this project. WRONG I want to contribute significantly to this project. CORRECT #1 I want to contribute to this project significantly. CORRECT #2 I want significantly to contribute to this project. CORRECT #3 (but a little awkward)

As you can see, this is actually fairly easy. However, the problem with split infinitives is that they are used all the time in colloquial (or casual) speech, and when people begin to write, they simply write the way they speak. While it’s okay to use split infinitives in your speech, it is not okay to use them in writing (especially for exams, school, or workplace).

Some people confuse infinitives with the preposition “to,” but that problem is easily solved: if you see a verb after the “to,” it’s definitely an infinitive. For example, I want to go to the store. <– “to go” is an infinitive; “to the store” is not an infinitive (because there is no verb after “to”) You can’t tell me what to do!  She really tried to come to class, but she was too sick.

Oh non = Oh no

Meeeerde = Shitttt

Putain de sa mère (very rude lol) = Holy fuck

Oh putain = Oh fuck

C’est pas possible = It’s not possible

Je suis dans la merde =I’m in deep shit

Bordel de merde = sort of like “holy shit”

Zut = A cute way to say “darn”

Mince = Another way to say “darn”

Oh mon dieu = Oh my god

C’est pas vrai = I can’t believe it

Qu’est-ce que j’ai fait = What have I done

Tout est foutu = Everything’s over

Les émotions - feelimgs

à l'aise - at ease

amoureux/amoureuse - in love

content(e) - happy

détendu(e) - relaxed

déçu(e) - disappointed

énervé(e) - upset

enthousiaste - eager/enthusiastic

fâché(e) - angry

heureux/heureuse - happy

inquièt(e) - worried

malade - sick

malheureux/malheureuse - unhappy

préoccupé(e) - worried

pressé(e) - in a rush

satisfait(e) - satisfied

triste - sad

tranquille - calm

Phrases

Est-ce que tu te sents à l'aise ? - Do you feel at ease?

Es-tu content(e) ? - Are you happy (informal)

Êtes-vous content(e) ? - Are you content/happy? (formal)

Ils ne sont pas heureux ensemble - They are not happy together.

Ils ont l'air d’être amoureux - They appear to be in love.

Ils sont très heureux ensemble - They are very happy together.

Je ne suis jamais satisfait(e) - I’m never satisfied.

Je ne suis pas heureux/heureuse - I am not happy.

Je ne suis pas pressé(e) - I am not in a rush.

Je suis heureux/heureuse - I am happy.

Je suis tousjours satisfait(e) - I am always satisfied.

Je suis un peu pressé(e) - I’m a bit rushed.

La femme n'est pas inquiète - The woman is not worried.

La fille/garçon est triste - The girl/boy is sad.

La fille est tombée amoureuse - The girl fell in love.

Les enfants ne sont pas malheureux - The kids aren’t unhappy.

Les enfants sont malheureux - The kids are unhappy.

L'homme est un peu inquièt - The man is a bit worried.

Nous ne sommes pas heureux - We are not happy.

Nous sommes très heureux - We are very happy.

Oui, je me sents à l'aise - Yes, I feel at ease.

Pourquoi est-ce que tu es triste/déçu ? - Why are you sad/disappointed?

Sa femme est satisfaite - His wife is satisfied.

Here are some French YouTube channels I enjoy that you could check in order to practice and improve your understanding of French ! I will describe them a bit if needed, and I hope this post will be useful !

History

Les Revues du Monde - A channel about history and archaeology, more precisely about mysterious events

Horror Humanum Est - Animated videos about horrifying and bloody events in the world’s history

C’est une autre histoire -  Deals with mythology and arts, I would say

Nota Bene - Very interesting if you want to know about French history (but it is not the only thing the channel deals with !)

Sciences

Balade Mentale - The channel deals with many many things related to sciences but the thing I prefer about it is the fact that it deals with things related to the universe (among others)

Dirty Biology - It’s in the name

Dans Ton Corps - About health, health issues, human body !

Tu mourras moins bête - Animated channel about biology, physics, and much more

Languages 

Linguisticae - About linguistics

Le monde des langues - About language learning (you might find some tips to help you !)

Society (my absolute favorite category !)

Antastesia - Feminism, veganism, literature, travels… I also remember her talking about the LGBTQ+ community (my favorite channel e v e r !)

Data Gueule - Animated channel that teaches/proves you things about ecology, politics and so much more using A LOT of data

Antitésie - Education, feminism, books…

La Carologie - Feminism, spirituality, some videos deal with the LGBTQ+ community if I remember well

Esther - Weight, veganism, self love and just… Life I guess ?

Marinette - Femmes et féminisme - Feminism

Et tout le monde s’en fout - Humans, and their world

ASMR

PARIS ASMR

Elya ASMR