Improve your ear for French with this clip from the podcast Balades! It’s 42 words in 18 seconds. How many can you hear and understand? Improve your listening comprehension with us!
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is from Balades Episode 2. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Find the full podcast here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Balades ep. 2. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
(They) were inspired
It’s easy for me to forget the things that inspire me. I get bogged down in the day to day. In the complaints and frustrations of life. And I forget that I’m learning a new language, learning how to say things from a new cultural point of view.
That alongside watching my own children grow and learn more every day. But then I forget that and complain and moan. Just need to stop and remember.
Even this site was built out of inspiration from seeing someone’s tool for learning English. I loved it and wondered what it would be like with French. So I built it. In this snippet, the Brother’s Grimm (who English language remembers as the compiler of fairytales) is not the originator. However a quick Google also reminds us that while these tales were French, Charles Perrault was not the originator.
How many original thoughts are there really? We’re all seeing something great, recognizing that greatness and carrying it forward. And maybe that’s been the same for centuries. Or millenia? Perhaps.
At any rate, this passage has a lot of past perfect tense verbs. So listen up and get inspired.
How did you find this snippet?
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Tous ces contes ont en commun l’auteur Charles Perrault. Il n’a pas inventé toutes ces histoires.
Mais il les a rassemblées dans un grand livre. Les frères Grimm, par exemple, se sont inspirés de ces histoires et les ont traduites en allemand.
All these tales have in common the author Charles Perrault. He did not invent all these stories.
But he collected them in a big book. The Grimm brothers, for example, were inspired by these stories and translated them into German.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “se sont inspirés de” mean?
The phrase “se sont inspirés de” translates to “were inspired by” in English. It’s used to indicate that someone has drawn inspiration from a particular source, whether it be a person, idea, event, or work of art.
Usage and Context:
- Indicating Source of Inspiration:
- Commonly used to describe how artists, writers, musicians, and other creators have drawn influence or ideas from specific sources.
- Example: “Les peintres se sont inspirés de la nature.” (The painters were inspired by nature.)
- Expressing Influence:
- Can also be applied in broader contexts, such as in business, science, or everyday life, where someone might be influenced or motivated by certain factors or examples.
- “Ils se sont inspirés de grands leaders pour développer leur style de management.” (They were inspired by great leaders to develop their management style.)
Fixed Expression:
- While “se sont inspirés de” is not a fixed expression in the sense of an idiom with a non-literal meaning, it is a commonly used phrase with a clear and specific meaning. It follows a standard grammatical structure in French: a reflexive form of the verb “s’inspirer” (to inspire oneself) in the past tense, combined with “de” (from/by).
In Summary:
“Se sont inspirés de” means “were inspired by” and is used to indicate that someone has drawn inspiration from a particular source. It’s a phrase commonly used across various fields to express how ideas, styles, or approaches have been influenced or shaped by specific factors or examples.
This clip is from the Balades podcast
“Balades” is a great podcast for those new to French. Its slow pace and clear speech make it easy to follow and understand. The episodes are fun and cover a variety of topics, ideal for beginners. While designed for learners, the podcast stays in French, offering a full-dive into the language. It’s part of a wider group of French podcasts aimed at all levels, focusing on real-life use rather than just vocab and grammar. Regular listening, along with tools like transcripts and quizzes, helps boost understanding and speaking skills. “Balades” is a top pick for anyone starting their French learning journey.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
Welcome to Bitesize French, where fast spoken French is finally accessible! We break podcasts into short clips, like lively chats in French that fit into your day. They’re perfect for anyone, from advanced students to those just starting. 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.
I created the Bitesize French 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 am. Become a supporting member for access to all clips.
What did you love about this?
Comment below with your feedback! Tells us what you think. Send a note or leave a comment below. We appreciate the feedback. Also, we’re always looking for partners to build this site and grow the content available.
