Carrefour Radio Spot: ailleurs

The above audio sample and transcription is from an E.Leclerc ad spot. We do not own the content. We are not paid for this content, it is for educational purposes.

elsewhere

I was in the car the other day and an E.Leclerc ad came on, followed shortly by a Carrefour. It was a lot of numbers and a lot of speech. All in a short amount of time. Try it today.

What’s opening up for you with this clip?

The snippet in English

Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?

The above translation from Deepl. Source

What does “Carrefour” mean?

Carrefour is one of France’s biggest supermarket chains, found all over the country. It pioneered the hypermarché—a huge store selling food, clothes, electronics, and more. Most French people shop at Carrefour for everyday needs, from groceries to back-to-school supplies. It’s known for low prices, loyalty cards, and store-brand products. In French culture, it represents convenience, routine, and the modern consumer lifestyle.

What does “permettre de” mean?

Permettre de means to allow to or to make it possible to, followed by an infinitive verb—used to express that something enables or gives permission for an action.

Cette application permet de suivre ses dépenses facilement (This app makes it possible to track your spending easily).

It’s neutral and standard, frequent in both formal writing and everyday speech. In France, it’s often used in professional, academic, or technical contexts; in Quebec, the construction is the same, though aider à (to help to) might sometimes be preferred for a softer tone.

What does “tous les jours” mean?

Tous les jours means every day, referring to something that happens daily, regularly, or without exception.

Elle fait du yoga tous les jours (She does yoga every day).

Note: something that happens daily but can stop or change, while toujours means always—something constant or ongoing without interruption. Example: Je bois du café tous les jours (I drink coffee every day) suggests habit; Je bois toujours du café le matin (I always drink coffee in the morning) suggests an unchanging routine. Tous les jours is about frequency, toujours is about consistency.

What does “imbattables” mean?

Imbattables means unbeatable or unmatched, describing people, prices, or things that can’t be defeated, surpassed, or equaled.

Ces prix sont imbattables (These prices are unbeatable).

It’s positive and emphatic, often used in advertising, sports, or praise. In France, it’s common in marketing language (offres imbattables) and sports commentary; in Quebec, usage is the same, though sometimes replaced with imbattable or sans égal in formal writing.

What does “on s’engage” mean?

On s’engage means we commit (ourselves) or we take a stand—referring to actively choosing to support, promise, or get involved in something.

On s’engage à respecter les délais (We commit to respecting the deadlines).

It’s neutral to formal depending on context—used in pledges, activism, or public statements. In France, it appears in institutional or political language (On s’engage pour l’environnement – We’re taking a stand for the environment); in Quebec, the usage is the same, often tied to civic duty or community support; in Francophone Africa, it’s commonly used in NGO or governmental contexts, where s’engager carries weight around responsibility and collective action.

What does “ailleurs” mean?

Ailleurs means elsewhere or somewhere else, referring to a different place than the one currently mentioned or implied.

Je ne veux pas rester ici, allons ailleurs (I don’t want to stay here, let’s go somewhere else).

It’s neutral and flexible, used in both literal and figurative contexts (regarder ailleurs – to look away, penser à aller ailleurs – to consider other options).

What does “moules de bouchot” mean?

Moules de bouchot refers to a specific type of mussel farmed on vertical wooden poles called bouchots, traditionally grown along the French Atlantic coast.

Les moules de bouchot sont petites, charnues et très savoureuses (Bouchot mussels are small, plump, and very tasty).

It’s a culinary and regional term, strongly tied to French food culture, especially in Brittany and Normandy. Unlike standard mussels, moules de bouchot have a protected designation (Label Rouge, AOP), prized for their quality, sweetness, and lack of grit. In France, they’re often served à la marinière or with fries (moules-frites).

What does “élevées” mean?

Élevées means raised or farmed when referring to animals or seafood used for food.

Des truites élevées en eau douce (Trout raised in fresh water).

It’s the past participle of élever (to raise), and when used in food contexts, it highlights how the animals were bred, often with implications for quality, ethics, or origin.

In France, labels like élevées en plein air (raised outdoors) or élevées en Bretagne (raised in Brittany) are common and signal transparency.

What does “soit” mean?

Soit has several meanings depending on context, but most commonly it means either let it be, either/or, or even if—used in formal, logical, or resigned expressions.

Soit, j’accepte ta décision (So be it, I accept your decision) shows acceptance;

Il faut choisir : soit tu viens, soit tu restes (You have to choose: either you come or you stay) introduces alternatives.

It’s formal or rhetorical, more often written than spoken except in stylized or emphatic speech.

In this context, soit means that is or in other words—used to rephrase or clarify a total price by giving the unit price.

Prix imbattable de sept euros trente-neuf, soit trois euros soixante-dix le kilo (Unbeatable price of seven euros thirty-nine, that is three euros seventy per kilo).

What does “deux fois la différence” mean?

Deux fois la différence means twice the difference—usually used in retail or advertising to emphasize a refund or price-match policy.

Si vous trouvez moins cher ailleurs, on vous rembourse deux fois la différence (If you find it cheaper elsewhere, we’ll refund you twice the difference).

It’s neutral and commercial, often found in promotional guarantees or competitive pricing. In France, this phrase became popular through major retail chains and is familiar to most consumers.

What does “modalités” mean?

Modalités means terms, conditions, or procedures—referring to the specific ways in which something is done, applied, or agreed upon.

Veuillez lire attentivement les modalités du concours (Please read the contest terms carefully).

It’s formal and administrative, common in contracts, rules, and official communication. In France, modalités is often paired with words like inscription, paiement, or utilisation.

What is opening up for you?

Comment below with the words you thought you heard, where you struggled, where you surprised yourself, or what you thought about this clip. Every little bit inspires other learners, thank you for being that inspiration to others on their French fluency journey!