Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here. The above audio sample and transcription is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do…
Take the quiz, join the conversation.
Did you find this one challenging or easy? Did you hear something diffferent? What surprised you? What levels did you complete? Comment below and share what’s opening up for you with this quiz.
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
et bien
What’s opening up for you with this clip? Comment below with what was surprising, easy, challenging and/or interesting.
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Et bien, il faut penser à l’échelle de nos ancêtres, du paléolithique, des hommes préhistoriques, il y a il y a un million d’années, quand vous aviez du statut, du prestige, euh et bien vous avez accès plus facilement à de la nourriture ou à des partenaires sexuels.
Well, you have to think on the scale of our ancestors, the Paleolithic, prehistoric men, a million years ago, when you had status, prestige, uh well you had easier access to food or sexual partners.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “l’échelle” mean?
“L’échelle” means “the scale”, “the ladder”, or “the level”, depending on context. And in this context it means “scale” It’s a highly flexible word in French, used both literally and metaphorically.
Ils ont grimpé sur le toit avec une échelle.
(They climbed onto the roof with a ladder.)
→ Literal: a physical ladder.
À l’échelle mondiale, le problème devient critique.
(On a global scale, the problem is becoming critical.)
→ Abstract: scale or scope—often used with time, geography, or policy.
L’échelle des salaires est très large dans cette entreprise.
(The pay scale is very wide in this company.)
→ Structured ranking or range—a scale of values, wages, measurements.
Culturally, échelle is commonly used in scientific, economic, and organizational contexts. It can imply proportionality (how big, how much) or hierarchy (what rank, what level). Its versatility makes it essential in both technical and everyday French.
What does “et bien” mean?
In everyday speech, “eh bien” is almost always pronounced “ben”:
Ben oui. (Well, yes.)
Ben non. (Well, no.)
→ More relaxed, informal, and extremely common in conversation.
Some uses:
1. To introduce or react to a situation (surprise, transition, emotion):
Eh bien, il n’est pas venu. (Well, he didn’t come.) → Expresses disappointment or surprise, like “So… he didn’t show up.”
Eh bien, bravo ! (Well, bravo!) → Sarcastic or enthusiastic, depending on tone.
2. To fill a pause or hesitation (spoken filler):
Eh bien… je ne sais pas trop quoi dire. (Well… I’m not really sure what to say.) → Similar to English “well…”—a soft lead-in to a thought.
3. In storytelling, to mark progression or dramatic build-up:
Eh bien, figure-toi qu’il avait menti. (Well, guess what—he had lied.) → Builds suspense or shifts tone mid-story.
What does “la nourriture” mean?
La nourriture means food and refers to what is eaten or consumed. It can describe food in general, the concept of nourishment, or what’s served at a meal.
La nourriture est excellente ici. (The food is excellent here.)
Il faut faire attention à la qualité de la nourriture. (You have to pay attention to the quality of the food.)
It’s more formal or general than slang alternatives.
An informal word for food is la bouffe, which is widely used in casual speech.
On va chercher de la bouffe ? (Wanna go get some food?)
Another related term is un aliment, which refers to a specific food item, especially in health or nutrition contexts.
Les aliments transformés sont à éviter. (Processed foods should be avoided.)
Culturally: la nourriture goes beyond just physical sustenance in French—it often implies care, pleasure, or cultural identity, especially in contexts like home cooking, tradition, or quality of life.
This clip is from the “Vivons Heureux” podcast
“Vivons heureux avant la fin du monde” is an intriguing French podcast that delves into themes of happiness and existentialism in the face of life’s transience. Find all clips from this podcast here.
Produced with a blend of humor and depth, the podcast explores the idea of living joyfully and meaningfully, even with the awareness of life’s inevitable end. Each episode features discussions, interviews, and stories that examine different aspects of happiness and human experience, encouraging listeners to embrace the present moment. Its thoughtful and often lighthearted approach makes it an excellent listen for those interested in personal growth, philosophy, and living a fulfilled life.
For French learners, it offers a rich resource to improve comprehension skills while engaging with contemporary and thought-provoking topics.
Looking for more? Discover other challenging podcasts here.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
On this site, fast spoken French is finally accessible to all levels. The tool break podcasts into short clips each set to transcription fill-in-the-blank practice. My favorite practice in class is always dictées. While they can seem overwhelming at first, the confidence boost and skills payoff for doing the work pays off. They’re perfect for anyone at any level, from advanced students to those just starting.
We use podcasts and our practice exercises to make it possible for anyone, anywhere to immerse in French with fun and ease. Join us and enjoy French, one short clip at a time. Let’s learn together!
Make the most of the site:
- Daily Podcast Listening: Start your day with a French podcast from our collection. Choose episodes that align with your interests to keep it engaging.
- Active Listening Practice: As you listen, try to pick out key phrases and vocabulary. Use our daily quizzes to test your understanding and reinforce learning.
- Repeat and Shadow: Listen to the same podcast segment multiple times. Try to mimic the pronunciation and intonation to improve your spoken French.
- Note-taking: Jot down new words or phrases you encounter. Review these notes regularly to enhance vocabulary retention.
- Reflect and Respond: After each episode, summarize the main points in French, either in writing or aloud. This helps in consolidating your learning and improving your expressive skills.
- Read More:
- True Beginner or A1 Learners: discover tips learning with podcasts at an introductory level.
- Discover all the podcast clips on FrenchIRL organized by level.
- Top Tips: Here’s how I make the most of my own site.
I created the French In Real Life project because I wanted to understand more than just my teacher and youtubers who cater to learners. I wanted to understand the French I hear in France. I hope you can benefit as much as I have. Become a supporting member for access to all clips.
What’s opening up for you?
Comment below with what’s opening up for you with this clip. What do you love about this? What was challenging? What was easy? Share your learning progress below!
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here. The above audio sample and transcription is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do…
Take the quiz, join the conversation.
Did you find this one challenging or easy? Did you hear something diffferent? What surprised you? What levels did you complete? Comment below and share what’s opening up for you with this quiz.
