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Useful French Phrases

Useful French Phrases

Old Feb 4th 2009, 1:49 pm
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by treskillard
Don't be fooled.
Ask Rugbymatt.
If I wanted meat and two veg, I would eat a little chef
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Old Feb 19th 2009, 6:45 pm
  #92  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

how about "usine a gas"? I love that expression!
Chris > can you translate it in English, please?
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Old Feb 19th 2009, 6:49 pm
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by minouette
how about "usine a gas"? I love that expression!
Chris > can you translate it in English, please?
Gasbag? Literally 'Gas factory'.

Will that do?
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Old Feb 19th 2009, 6:52 pm
  #94  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

how should I know?! I haven't emigrated yet
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Old Feb 19th 2009, 6:54 pm
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by minouette
how should I know?! I haven't emigrated yet
Sorry - I thought you wanted it translating?
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Old Feb 19th 2009, 7:03 pm
  #96  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

sorry if I confused you, my fault entirely!
I find the expression wonderful in the right context and I suppose I was hoping for some examples of when to use it
I actually wonder if billions of pounds into rescuing banks could qualify as one

anyway, happy to find you all!
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Old Feb 19th 2009, 8:56 pm
  #97  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by minouette
how about "usine a gas"? I love that expression!
Chris > can you translate it in English, please?
It means something really difficult to follow or to understand, like a complicated file. If I translate word to word, " gaz factory". It means you have head plenty of gaz.....

French expression

Hope it helps
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Old Feb 21st 2009, 6:36 pm
  #98  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by CHRIS TERRIER
It means something really difficult to follow It means you have head plenty of gaz.....

French expression

Hope it helps
Thanks, Chris! Actually, my understanding of the phrase was somehow different (and obviously wrong): I thought it meant a futile endavour.
I worked for some time in France (project work, without having to change residence) and although I do speak some French, obviously I still have a lot to learn.
A +
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Old Feb 26th 2009, 10:06 am
  #99  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by CHRIS TERRIER
It means something really difficult to follow or to understand, like a complicated file. If I translate word to word, " gaz factory". It means you have head plenty of gaz.....

French expression

Hope it helps
My French OH says the same, something very complicated, the French expression being used in the sense that there are many pipes going in all directions. But "gasworks" doesn't work in English and I can't think of an equivalent expression.
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Old Feb 26th 2009, 11:26 am
  #100  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by dmu
My French OH says the same, something very complicated, the French expression being used in the sense that there are many pipes going in all directions. But "gasworks" doesn't work in English and I can't think of an equivalent expression.
If English plumbing was like French plumbing then maybe that expression would be of use in the English Language.................The french are good at cooking, making wine, their roads are good and so are their trains, but when it comes to plumbing.....well, they haven't got a xxxxxxx clue
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Old Mar 22nd 2009, 2:25 pm
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by Tweedpipe
My favorite: Bonnet de douche. (It's a great pity I've never been in a situation to use it though)
A few more of Delboy's favourites, to be used with great caution and moderation........

allemagne dix points - phrase similar to "such is life", possibly Del picked this up from European Song Contest.
apres moi la deluge - French meaning, "when I'm dead, all others may die too".
argent comptant - French from Cannes meaning, "brill".
au contraire – Del French for "hang on a minute"
au revoir – Del French for "hello".
au fait - Del likes using this but pronounces it "oh fate".
bain marie - no problem.
boeuf a la mode - phrase similar to "you win some and lose some"
bonjour - French for "goodbye!"
bonnet de douche - Classic french and impressive.
bon appetit - French for "I hope you choke on the potatoes"
catalogue raisonne - Hold on, as they say in Beritz.
Chateauneuf du Pape! - Reserved for an explosive situation.
chasse de forme - meaning, "the diamonds are good" in French.
conseil d'etat - He helps me, I help him as they say in Grenobles.
creme de la menthe - French for the "very best"
fabrique belgique - I agree or approve in Belgium.
fromage frais! - Like Eureka! (when the penny has dropped)
je suis je reste - superb according to Del.
joie de vivre! - an exclamation that impresses or French for putting a bit of life back into your own life.
mais oui - no problem, my pleasure.
mange tout- my pleasure, variation like above.
menage a trois - an exclamation of surprise.


Moet Champagne- The only champagne Del knows, and prounces like poet champers.
moi - French and classy way of saying "me".
Mon dieu!- exclamation implying, "you idiot".
oeuf sur la plat - French for "it's clear cut".
oh mai oui, mon pleasure - French, sophisticated Del.
Pas de Calais - approving or divine.
Pate foie gras - French for liver sausage, goes well with Moet Champers.
Pot Pourri! - French for "I don't believe it!"
plume de ma tante - expression of exasperation like "Gordon Bennett".
rien a dire, rien a faire - Perplexing French Del picked up from Lordes.
raisse de chassie - more French Del picked up from Dieppe.
servir frais mois non glace - French for "it could of been on the top floor".
tete de veau- Del reckons the French use this for "every ones a winner".
tete-a-tete - A head to head meeting with drug barons.
tres bien ensemble - French for possessing a sense of occasion.
Vive la France- it's what you say with respect to the American national anthem.
tres bien ensemble - French for possessing a sense of occasion.
Mais oui bien sûr!!!! et moi j'suis la reine d'Angleterre! Si ça c'est français mon pote alors je suis plus française!L'humour britannique je suppose
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Old Mar 23rd 2009, 5:57 pm
  #102  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by fripouille
Ohh I don't mind what you guys are talking about..

Oh la vache! - Good God!
Il as le guele de bois - He's hungover
Buvons comme les trous - Let's get smashed!
Il est un bon coup - He's great in bed
Allez-vous faire foutre! - F**k Off! (Politely..bit strange)
Vas-tu faire foutre! - F**k Off!


ones to remember..

Je rectifie ...pour un meilleur usage...( i'm correcting so you can use it properly)

Il a la gueule de bois (right spelling)
Buvons comme des trous :but "buvons" won't be used very often. Instead use: on va boire comme des trous
C'est un bon coup!
Vas te faire foutre.... (hope you prepared after that to protect your own delicious little "MOI"

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Old Mar 23rd 2009, 6:01 pm
  #103  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by fripouille
Thought I'd add some more

Il s’est envoyé dix bières - He knocked back 10 beers
Tu nous remets deux bières sans faux-col? - Could we get another two beers without the froth?
Comment ça, je bois trop? - What do you mean I drink too much?
Je vais toujours au bar avec mon chein pour être sûr de pouvoir retrouver mon chemin - I always go to the bar with my dog to be sure that I can find my way home.

A drop (alcohol) - Un larmichette

Oh vas-y, j'aurais un larmichette - Ohh go ahead then, I'll just have a drop.
Oh vas-y , j'prendrai qu'une larmichette! (that's more precise)
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Old Mar 23rd 2009, 6:23 pm
  #104  
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by fripouille
Ce n'est pas la peine de faire - There's hardly any point in doing it
Quel con! - What a tw*t
Il (ne) reste plus du bière/vin - There's no more beer/wine left

J'ai de la peine - I'm upset
J'ai fait de la peine à quelq'un - I've upset someone
Elle m'a fait de la peine - She's upset me

Il faudra bien nous en se débrouiller - We'll have to sort it out
Je peux vous débrouiller en francais - I can teach you the basics in French
Pourriez-vous me débrouiller en francais - Could you teach me the basics in french?
If i may... here again i will correct a few things:

Il faudra bien nous en débrouiller ( "se" in front of a verb means reciprocity)
Je peux vous dégrossir en français but after you've been "dégrossi" then you can say , je me débrouille en français( i can do it with the basics in french)
Pourriez vous me dégrossir en français?

Hope it helps ...
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Old Mar 23rd 2009, 6:28 pm
  #105  
 
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Default Re: Useful French Phrases

Originally Posted by sssplendid
If i may... here again i will correct a few things:

Il faudra bien nous en débrouiller ( "se" in front of a verb means reciprocity)
Je peux vous dégrossir en français but after you've been "dégrossi" then you can say , je me débrouille en français( i can do it with the basics in french)
Pourriez vous me dégrossir en français?

Hope it helps ...
Enormously! Keep 'em coming, and thanks!
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