Hello friends! Today, I would like to share why I study French. Also, I would like to encourage you to share your reasons in French too!
In the recordings, I speak in broken French and sometimes in English when I do not know how to express something in French. I was inspired by the beginner podcast below :
They use French for the expressions that they already know, but if they do not know something, they say it in English. A complete beginner will benefit so much from this podcast as I did. Comme h’habitude, c’est parti!
Demander à vs Demander de
Demander à + [person] + de + [infinitive]: Used when you are asking a person to do something.
Example: "Je demande à Paul de venir." (I ask Paul to come.)
Demander de + [infinitive]: Used when requesting or asking for permission to do something.
Example: "Je demande de partir." (I ask to leave.)
Mon meilleur ami et Ma meilleure amie
For a male best friend: mon meilleur ami
For a female best friend: ma meilleure amie
Quitter qn/lieu/qch (leave from sth)
Je sais que tu/vous (I know you)
Different words for “Anyways”
De toute façon: This is the most general way to say "anyway."
Example: "De toute façon, il est trop tard." (Anyway, it’s too late.)
En tout cas: This is often used to mean "in any case."
Example: "En tout cas, je serai là." (In any case, I will be there.)
Bref: This is more colloquial and means "anyway" in the sense of summarizing or moving on.
Example: "Bref, nous avons décidé de partir." (Anyway, we decided to leave.)
Different words for “Apply”
Demander: To request something or apply for something.
Example: "Demander un visa." (To apply for a visa.)
Appliquer: To put into practice, apply a substance, or enforce a rule.
Example: "Appliquer une méthode." (To apply a method.)
S'inscrire: To register or enrol in something.
Example: "S'inscrire à un cours." (To enrol in a course.)
Different expressions for “Take advantage of”
Profiter de quelque chose: This is the most general way to say "take advantage of something."
Example: "Profitez du beau temps." (Take advantage of the nice weather.)
Tirer parti de quelque chose: This means to make the most out of a situation or resource.
Example: "Il a su tirer parti de ses compétences." (He knew how to take advantage of his skills.)
Exploiter quelque chose: This can mean to utilize or exploit something, often with a slightly more negative connotation.
Example: "Ils exploitent les ressources naturelles." (They take advantage of the natural resources.)
Bénéficier de quelque chose: This means to benefit from something.
Example: "Nous avons bénéficié d'une réduction." (We took advantage of a discount.)
Saisir l'occasion de: This means to seize the opportunity.
Example: "Il a saisi l'occasion de partir en voyage." (He took advantage of the opportunity to travel.)
Être inspriré(e)(s) (be inspired)
Je veux vivre (I want to experience)
Commencer à + inf (start + verb)
« J’ai commencé à faire de l’art. » (I started making/doing art.)
« J’ai commencé à apprendre le français. » (I started learning French.)
« Avant, je détestais l’art, mais quand j’ai eu du temps pendant le COVID-19, J’ai commencé à faire de l’art et me voilà. » (I hated art before but when I had time during the COVID-19 I started art and here I am.) *For my art journey this is a whole another story so I will keep it short here.
What is your reason for learning French? Also, do you know the difference between using “an” vs “année”? If you know, share with me in the comments!