FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is from Balades Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Find the full podcast here. Three sentences about the logistics of la bise Let’s continue with lesson 18. I tagged this one as beginner as I…
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is from Balades Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Find the full podcast here.
Three sentences about the logistics of la bise
Let’s continue with lesson 18.
I tagged this one as beginner as I found I knew almost all the vocab. Not only that, the topic is talking about family, men, women, and friends. Those are words and topics that often come up in unit one, chapter one of just about every French textbook.
Again, like yesterday’s lesson, I was surprised by “-ent” dropping off words like peuvent. Overall, this is a great clip for starting in French with podcasts. I loved it for words I know and hearing them spoken in natural speech.
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There’s absolutely no way that I could get through an entire podcast in French without melting my brain, that’s why I broke it up into snippets like this. Join me for the next snippet.
The snippet in English
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En général, on se fait la bise en famille et entre amis. Les femmes entre elles se font la bise, ou bien une femme à un homme. Et mêmes deux hommes peuvent se faire la bise, si par exemple ils sont frères.
In general, we kiss with family and friends. The women kiss each other, or a woman to a man. And even two men can kiss each other, if for example they are brothers.
The above text courtesy of Google Translate. Source
The Ins and Outs of French Greetings: Mastering “La Bise“
“La bise” is a French word that refers to the act of giving a kiss on the cheek as a form of greeting or farewell. It’s a common practice in many French-speaking countries and is considered an essential part of French culture. However, understanding the ins and outs of la bise can be challenging for non-native speakers.
The first thing to understand about la bise is that it is not always appropriate in all situations. While it is a common greeting among friends and family, it is not typically used in formal settings such as business meetings or with strangers. It’s important to be aware of the context and to pay attention to the cues of the people you are interacting with.
Another important aspect of la bise is the number of kisses. The number of kisses given on the cheek varies depending on the region of France, but it typically ranges from one to four. In Paris and other regions in the north, two kisses on the cheeks are the norm, while in the south, three or even four kisses are common. It’s important to be aware of the local customs and to follow the lead of the person you are greeting.
The technique of la bise is also something to consider. It’s a light kiss on the cheek, accompanied by a “mwah” sound. It’s not meant to be a romantic kiss, but a friendly and casual greeting. It’s important to be aware of the distance and the angle when giving a kiss, it’s usually close to the cheek but not on the lips.
In conclusion, while la bise may seem like a simple act of giving a kiss, it’s a complex cultural practice with many nuances. Understanding the ins and outs of la bise is essential for non-native speakers to navigate French-speaking cultures and to avoid any cultural faux pas. It’s important to be aware of the context, the number of kisses, and the technique to give a kiss and to pay attention to the cues of the people you are interacting with.
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ou bien
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