Improve your French listening skills with French in real life! Take on this short clip of French and fill in the blanks with what you hear. Set your level and follow along as a dictation. Can you spot all the key phrases we found?
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
it must be
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Et donc je lui dis, euh, mais à part papa, il y a eu qui ? Et elle me dit, il n’y a jamais eu personne d’autre, papa a été le seul homme de ma vie. Et je souffre pour elle et je me dis, la pauvre, ça doit être horrible.
And so I say to her, um, but apart from Dad, who else has there been? And she says, there’s never been anyone else, Dad’s been the only man in my life. And I suffer for her and think, poor thing, it must be horrible.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “à part” mean?
“À part” is a French phrase that translates to “apart” or “aside” in English. It can convey several related meanings, including the idea of being separate, distinct, or exclusive from others.
Usage and Context:
- Indicating Separation or Exclusion: “À part” is often used to suggest that something is separate from the rest or not included in the main group.
- Setting Aside: It can also mean to set something aside, either literally or figuratively.
Examples:
- Exclusion or Distinctiveness: “Cet artiste est vraiment à part.” (This artist is really apart/distinct.)
- Separation in Space: “Mettez ces livres à part.” (Put these books aside/separately.)
- In Conversations: “Et toi, qu’en penses-tu, à part?” (And you, what do you think, separately/apart from others?)
Nuance:
- Distinction: “À part” often implies a sense of uniqueness or difference.
- Privacy or Confidentiality: In conversation, it can suggest discussing something privately or away from the main group.
Cultural Notes:
- Valuing Individuality: In French culture, as in many others, there’s an appreciation for things or people that are “à part,” or unique. This phrase aligns with the value placed on individuality and distinctiveness.
Summary:
“À part” means “apart” or “aside” in French and is used to indicate separation, exclusion, or distinctiveness. It’s a versatile phrase applicable in various contexts, from describing uniqueness to setting something aside physically or conceptually. The phrase reflects nuances of distinction, individuality, and sometimes privacy or confidentiality.
What does “il y a eu qui ?” mean?
The phrase “il y a eu qui ?” translates to “who was there?” or “who was it?” in English. It’s an informal way of asking about the presence or identity of people in a past event or situation.
Usage and Context:
- Inquiring About Past Events: This phrase is typically used in conversational French to inquire about the people who were present or involved in a past occurrence.
- Informal and Conversational Tone: The structure is informal and commonly used in spoken language.
Examples:
- After a party or meeting: “Il y a eu qui à la soirée hier ?” (Who was at the party last night?)
- Referring to an incident or occurrence: “Il y a eu qui quand ça s’est passé ?” (Who was there when it happened?)
Nuance:
- Casual Inquiry: “Il y a eu qui ?” is a casual and direct way of asking about who was present in a past situation. It’s less formal than other possible constructions.
- Context-Dependent: The question assumes that the listener knows about the event or situation being referred to.
Cultural Notes:
- Informal Communication in French: In French, informal and direct questions like this are common in everyday speech, particularly among younger speakers or in casual settings.
Summary:
“Il y a eu qui ?” is a casual, conversational French phrase meaning “who was there?” or “who was it?”. It’s used to inquire about the people present in a past event or situation, reflecting the informal and direct nature of spoken French in everyday situations. This type of question is typical in casual conversations, especially when the speaker assumes the listener has knowledge of the event being discussed.
What does “je me dis” mean?
“Je me dis” translates to “I say to myself” or “I tell myself” in English. It’s a reflexive form used to describe self-directed thought or internal monologue.
Usage and Context:
- Self-Reflection and Internal Dialogue: This phrase is often used to introduce or describe one’s own thoughts, reflections, or conclusions.
- Narrating Personal Thoughts: It’s commonly employed in both spoken and written French to convey what the speaker is thinking internally.
Examples:
- Introducing Thoughts: “Je me dis que tout ira bien.” (I tell myself that everything will be fine.)
- Reflecting on Situations: “Je me dis souvent que j’aurais dû faire différemment.” (I often say to myself that I should have done it differently.)
Nuance:
- Personal Insight: “Je me dis” offers a glimpse into the speaker’s mind, revealing their thoughts or internal reasoning.
- Contemplative Tone: The phrase often carries a contemplative or introspective tone, as it involves talking to oneself or reasoning within one’s own mind.
Cultural Notes:
- Importance of Self-Expression: In French culture, as in many others, expressing personal thoughts and feelings is valued. “Je me dis” is a phrase that encapsulates this aspect of introspective thinking and self-expression.
Summary:
“Je me dis” means “I say to myself” or “I tell myself” in French, used to express self-reflection or internal monologue. It’s a common way to introduce or narrate one’s own thoughts, offering insight into personal contemplations and internal reasoning. The phrase is indicative of the introspective and self-expressive aspects of the French language.
What does “la pauvre” mean?
“La pauvre” translates to “the poor [female]” or more contextually, “poor thing” or “poor her” in English. It’s an expression of sympathy or pity towards a female person.
Usage and Context:
- Sympathy or Pity: This phrase is commonly used to express empathy or pity towards a woman or girl who is experiencing misfortune, difficulty, or sadness.
- Gender-Specific: The feminine form “la pauvre” specifically refers to a female individual. The masculine equivalent is “le pauvre.”
Examples:
- Reacting to Misfortune: “Elle a perdu son emploi, la pauvre.” (She lost her job, poor thing.)
- In Response to a Story: “La pauvre, elle a eu tant de difficultés récemment.” (Poor her, she has had so many difficulties recently.)
Nuance:
- Emotional Resonance: The phrase is often used to show emotional support or understanding, and it can convey a sense of solidarity or compassion.
- Colloquial Use: While it’s a simple expression, “la pauvre” is deeply ingrained in everyday language as a heartfelt response to someone’s troubles.
Cultural Notes:
- Expression of Empathy: In French culture, as in many others, expressing empathy towards others is an important part of social interaction. Phrases like “la pauvre” are commonly used in daily conversations to convey concern and sympathy.
Summary:
“La pauvre” means “poor thing” or “poor her” in French, used to express sympathy or pity towards a female person. It reflects empathy towards someone who is facing difficulties or misfortunes. This expression is commonly used in everyday French to show emotional support and understanding.
What does “ça doit être” mean?
“Ça doit être” translates to “it must be” or “it has to be” in English. This phrase is used to express an assumption, a strong probability, or a necessity about something.
Usage and Context:
- Expressing Assumptions or Probabilities: It’s commonly used when the speaker is making an educated guess or a supposition about a situation.
- Indicating Necessity or Obligation: It can also imply that something is necessary or required in a given context.
Examples:
- Assumption: “Ça doit être difficile de vivre dans un pays étranger.” (It must be difficult to live in a foreign country.)
- Obligation or Requirement: “Pour réussir, ça doit être parfait.” (To succeed, it has to be perfect.)
Nuance:
- Not Definitive: “Ça doit être” suggests a high likelihood or requirement, but it’s not as definitive as stating a fact. It leaves room for other possibilities.
- Context-Dependent Interpretation: The exact meaning (whether it’s about probability or necessity) depends on the context in which it’s used.
Cultural Notes:
- Common in Conversational French: “Ça doit être” is a frequently used phrase in French conversation. It reflects the language’s nuances in expressing degrees of certainty and obligation.
Summary:
“Ça doit être” means “it must be” or “it has to be” in French, often used to express an educated guess, a strong probability, or a sense of necessity regarding a situation. The phrase indicates a high likelihood or a requirement but is not as absolute as a statement of fact, reflecting the nuances of French in conveying uncertainty or obligation.
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Improve your French listening skills with French in real life! Take on this short clip of French and fill in the blanks with what you hear. Set your level and follow along as a dictation. Can you spot all the key phrases we found?
