French reading practice with side-by-side translation
Reading comprehension: See the links at the bottom for lessons related to the phrases in italics.
| Le drapeau français | French Flag |
| Le drapeau français bleu, blanc, rouge fut créé lors de la Révolution, et devint officiel en 1794. Les couleurs symbolisent les trois idéaux de la République : Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. |
Translation
The blue, white, red French flag was invented during the French Revolution and became official in 1794. The colors symbolize the three ideals of the Republic: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. [collapse]
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| (Notez que les rayures sont verticales ; le drapeau aux mêmes couleurs en rayures horizontales est néerlandais.) |
Translation
(Note that the stripes are vertical; the same-color flag with horizontal stripes is Dutch.) [collapse]
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| En signe de deuil ou de détresse, le drapeau est mis en berne. Quand la mise en berne n’est pas possible, une cravate de crêpe noir est attachée à la hampe. |
Translation
As a sign of mourning or distress, the flag is lowered to half-mast. When this isn’t possible, a black crepe "tie" is attached to the poll. [collapse]
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D’autres noms pour le drapeau français :
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Translation
Other names for the French flag:
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| « Tricolore » est également un adjectif équivalent à « français » qui se trouve notamment en parlant du sport. |
Translation
"Tricolore" is also an adjective equivalent to "French" which is found notably when talking about sports. [collapse]
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Reading comprehension
Expression
Vocabulary
Grammar
- Le drapeau … fut créé – passive voice in the passé simple
- Le drapeau … devint – passé simple
- les trois idéaux de la République, en rayures – prepositions
- Notez – imperative
- le drapeau est mis, une cravate … est attachée – passive voice
- D’autres noms – indefinite adjective
- un adjectif … qui se trouve – pronominal verb
- en parlant – gerund
Listening comprehension
Related features
- 7 Names for France
- French symbols and motifs
- Synonyms for French
- Bastille Day (reading practice)
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Learn how to translate French infinitives, imperatives, and participles into English.
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