Comments on: 10 Words and phrases you must know to move to France

By: Owen

Owen — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:20:50 +0000

because it is perfect for practicing the different U sounds for English speakers, and I was given that as practice without knowing what I was saying so I was walking around town saying it, you say tomAYto, I say tomAHto, you say shocking, I say amusing.

By: vettelfan

vettelfan — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:49:55 +0000

Je suis fracaise de FRANCE , et ses phrases sont grotesque ! Mais pourquoi donc avez-vous publier ceci ?! trou de cul veut dire ”asshole” en anglais ! je suis choquée!

By: Owen

Owen — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:18:45 +0000

That’s a practical one, but I think it is the French motto, Débrouillez-vous! Your response should add a question to it at the end, so they have to speak for a bit, so it can buy you some time until you think of your next sentence or escape route.

By: Sab

Sab — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:48:30 +0000

I learnt ‘Je me débrouille’ as soon as I got to France (I get by) in answer to ‘Parlez-vous français?’. They then both appreciate your modesty but actually think you’re fluent. Has worked many time for me just until they ask their follow-up question. Then you’re screwed.

By: Owen

Owen — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:06:55 +0000

I prefer to say something like “Oh, you don’t know how to do it? Would you like me to help you?”. I have done this many times, especially when they tell me my US credit card doesn’t work in their machines.

By: Miss Expatria

Miss Expatria — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:40:03 +0000

When they say that I always roll my eyes and go, “oh, vraiment” in a totally sarcastic voice. I prefer shaming the French whenever they get to feeling too bureaucratic.

By: Owen

Owen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:57:55 +0000

Well I know now that when I hear, “C’est pas possible”, que c’est possible, mais il faut argue harder and better and you have a chance of getting your way. Quand tu entends ce n’est pas possible, tout est possible!

By: Miss Expatria

Miss Expatria — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:09:09 +0000

Ugh, “C’est pas possible.” The most dreaded phrase in the entire language. They should use it as the national motto.

By: Owen

Owen — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:48:56 +0000

J’aime bien quand les gens ne savent pas que je suis americain, je ne les dit pas. Ici en France, les gens pensent que je suis arab, et quand ils savent que je ne mange pas du porc, ils pensent que je suis vraiment musulman.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:16:47 +0000

Then you say… “Mais je ne suis pas républicain, ne vous inquiétez pas !”