Sens

Two constructions I've often seen used in French are *histoire de* and *histoire que*, for example:> Je me promène dans la rue, **histoire de** passer le temps. > Tu n'as qu'à amener du vin,... more

Many times per day I hear the phrase “quand même”. I have looked it up and I know there are several possible translations, such as “even so”, “all the same”, “anyway”. What are other possible... more

I was under the impression that both *amener* and *emmener* mean "to take" someone somewhere. I'm not sure how they differ in usage.I started wondering after hearing the song *L'Homme Que... more

I was writing a paragraph, then I stopped when I tried to write this word first I wrote "gentiment" then I felt that it can be wrong because the word is "gentil" so it must be "gentillement" I was... more

D’usage, on dit «bonjour» en rencontrant quelqu’un, et « bonne journée» en le quittant. Y a-t-il une différence de sens entre les deux?

Il apparaît que les mots «futur» et «avenir» portent le même sens, mais ils existent tous les deux. Quand doit-on utiliser le premier, et quand le deuxième?

What is the difference in connotation between “*plaisant*” and “*agréable*” (in referring to a conversation, event, etc.)? I had always assumed that the former was mildly derogatory or... more

I often come across the phrase *du coup* in the course of discussion with my French friends. What does it signify and when to use it? Some of them tend to add it in every other sentence, most often... more

On peut traduire «à plus tard», «à la prochaine», «à bientôt» littéralement, en anglais, par «*see you later*», «*see you next time*», «*see you soon*». Cependant, on peut dire «*see you soon*» à... more

I have a small doubt regarding the usage of *Bon soir* and *Bonne soirée*. As far as my understanding goes or you can blindly say what I have been doing till now is: *Bon soir*, when you meet... more

Can someone explain the meaning and common usages of this phrase? I hear it often and am not entirely sure I always understand it. Does it mean something like English's “whatever” or “bullshit”? Is... more

Somehow *bon marché* and *économique* sound positive to me, as some kind of praise. In English *cheap* has a connotation of *not good*. It can be used for an expensive thing but not well made. Am I... more

I always hear my French teachers say “entre guillemets” followed by some phrases.I asked my friends what does it mean? They told me that they use it when talking about something not true. However,... more

The expression "*bon courage*" has been said to me a lot by my professors.**What does it mean?**I would appreciate example situations in French where this would be appropriate to be used.

I was just given this line from a Canadian government French translation department, but I don't think that it makes sense, does it? > Joyeuses Fêtes à tous à toutesTranslates to “Happy Holidays... more