Do you know the phrases “du coup”, “je retombe”, and “selon moi”? Hear them in this clip from the Manger podcast. Start at any level and fill in the blanks of our transcription quiz. Improve your listening comprehension while hearing French in the wild!
This clip is from Manger Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Listen to the full episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Manger ep. 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
So
I wanted this phrase to be “to boot”. But I’m not sure how common that is in English, and maybe du coup isn’t quite so colloquial? Deepl is not even sure how to translate it here and seems to have left it out. How do you use that phrase?
It’s also interesting that with this clip under 200wpm, it feels almost slow compared to the previous 30+ clips!
What’s opening up for you in this clip?
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Mais ça ? le goût de chocolat chaud du coup, je retombe un peu en enfance, mais le problème, c’est qu’on a pas les cuillères qui changent de couleur, qui selon moi étaient le meilleur cadeau de toutes les céréales et c’est les Chocapics qui l’avait.
But this? the taste of hot chocolate, I fall a little in childhood, but the problem is that we do not have the spoons that change color, which according to me was the best gift of all the cereals and it is the Chocapics that had it.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “du coup” mean?
“Du coup” is a French expression that can be translated as “so,” “therefore,” or “as a result.” It is a colloquial phrase that is widely used in both spoken and written French.
The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it is believed to have evolved from the expression “coup sur coup,” which means “one after the other.” Over time, the phrase was shortened to “du coup,” which took on the meaning of “as a result.”
Examples of “du coup” in use include:
- J’ai raté mon train, du coup je vais arriver en retard. (I missed my train, so I’ll be late as a result.)
- Je n’ai pas pu trouver ce que je cherchais, du coup j’ai acheté quelque chose d’autre. (I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I bought something else instead.)
- Il pleut, du coup on va rester à la maison. (It’s raining, so we’re going to stay at home.)
“Du coup” is often used in informal situations, and it can convey a sense of causal relationship between two things. It can also be used to indicate a change in plans or to summarize a situation. While it is not considered overly formal, it is not considered impolite or vulgar either.
Interestingly, “du coup” has become so common in French that it has been adopted by other languages, including English, where it is sometimes used by French speakers as a direct translation of the expression.
What does “je retombe” mean?
The phrase “je retombe un peu en enfance” can be translated to “I am reverting back to my childhood a little bit”.
The word “retomber” means to “fall back” or “revert” in this context, while “en enfance” means “into childhood”. The phrase is often used to describe a feeling of nostalgia or a longing for simpler times, as if the speaker is temporarily regressing to their childhood.
Here are a few examples of how the phrase might be used:
- “En buvant ce chocolat chaud, je retombe en enfance.” (By drinking this hot chocolate, I am reliving my childhood.)
- “En revoyant cette photo, je retombe dans mes souvenirs de vacances.” (By looking at this photo, I am returning to my memories of vacation.)
- “En écoutant cette chanson, je retombe amoureux de toi.” (By listening to this song, I am falling in love with you again.)
As for interesting notes or fun facts, “je retombe” is a common phrase used in French literature and music to evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing for the past. It can also be used ironically or humorously to describe a situation where someone is acting immature or childish.
What does “selon moi” mean?
“Selon moi” is a French phrase that translates to “in my opinion” in English. It is used to indicate that the following statement is the speaker’s personal opinion. The phrase can be used in various situations, such as in a debate, discussion, or when expressing a personal preference.
The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the French language itself, with “selon” meaning “according to” and “moi” meaning “me” or “myself.” When combined, the phrase literally means “according to me” or “in my opinion.”
Some examples of the phrase being used in context include:
- Selon moi, ce film est vraiment génial. (In my opinion, this movie is really great.)
- Selon moi, la meilleure façon de préparer les pâtes est de les cuire al dente. (In my opinion, the best way to prepare pasta is to cook it al dente.)
- Selon moi, nous devrions investir davantage dans l’énergie solaire. (In my opinion, we should invest more in solar energy.)
One interesting note about the phrase is that it can be shortened to just “selon” in certain contexts, with the meaning remaining the same. Additionally, it is considered a polite way to express one’s opinion in French conversation and is often used to avoid sounding too assertive or confrontational.
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Do you know the phrases “du coup”, “je retombe”, and “selon moi”? Hear them in this clip from the Manger podcast. Start at any level and fill in the blanks of our transcription quiz. Improve your listening comprehension while hearing French in the wild!
