Literature

Chéri

Read the opening dialog of the 1920 romance novel Chéri, by Colette.

  B1 - Intermediate French 

Expressions

An / année Expressions

Learn some French expressions and phrases with the somewhat synonymous words an and année.

Pronunciation Guides

UI

If you can pronounce the French u, you can pronounce the letter combination ui.

Grammar Lessons

Regular -re Verbs

There are several dozen regular French verbs that end in -re. To conjugate them, remove the infinitive ending and then add the appropriate verb ending.

  A1 - Beginning French • conjugation lessons 

Holidays and Celebrations

Tradition du marché de Noël

Learn a bit of the history behind France's traditional Christmas markets in this cute animated video. Click any French phrase for related grammar lessons as well as the English translation.

  C1 - Advanced French 

Expressions

Tenir Expressions

The French verb tenir, "to hold" or "to keep," is found in many idiomatic expressions, including to cherish, to stand firm, and to have a crush on.

Expressions

Noël sous la neige

Unless your computer is covered with snow, you should learn about the French expression Noël sous la neige.

Reading Practice

Strasbourg

Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) est une des plus belles villes françaises. Célèbre pour son marché de Noël, ça mérite également une visite en été.

  A2 - Low-Intermediate French 

Grammar Lessons

Past Perfect Conjugations

The past perfect, aka pluperfect, is a compound verb form, which means its conjugation has two components: an auxiliary verb (avoir or être in the imperfect) and the past participle of the main verb.

  conjugation lessons 

Expressions

Fais gaffe

Watch out for the informal French expression fais gaffe.

  informalities 

Grammar Lessons

Ne littéraire

In formal, usually written French, there are certain verbs and constructions that can be made negative with just ne - the inclusion of pas or some other negative word is not required.

  C1 - Advanced French • formalities • negation 

Holidays and Celebrations

Profiter des marchés de Noël

Practice your French listening comprehension while learning how to make the most of traditional Christmas markets in France. Click any French phrase for related grammar lessons as well as the English translation.

  B1 - Intermediate French 

Pronunciation Guides

TH

The letter combination th is pronounced like the French t.

Expressions

Au contraire

Think it's difficult to use this French expression? Au contraire !

  conjunctions • exclamations • French in English 

Grammar Lessons

Tout – toute – tous – toutes

Tout is one of the most common words in the French language. It has five different forms and a number of possible meanings, which vary depending on which of four different parts of speech it's used as.