Improve your French listening skills with this clip from Transfert. Take it on, set your level, and fill in what you hear. How many words can you hear? The keyphrases I heard were: “pendant”, “en France”, and “je les adorais”. Listen today and improve your listening comprehension for fast spoken French!
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.
during
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The snippet in English
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Pendant mon séjour aux Etats-Unis, hum je revenais régulièrement en France et j’allais chez mes grands-parents. Je les adorais.
During my stay in the United States, um, I came back to France regularly and stayed with my grandparents. I adored them.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “pendant” mean?
“Pendant” is a French preposition that translates to “during” in English. It’s used to indicate the duration over which an event or action takes place or to signify throughout a specific period of time.
Usage and Context:
- Indicating Time Duration: “Pendant” is commonly used to describe the time period during which something happens or is effective.
- Both Specific and General Time Frames: It can refer to both specific time frames (“pendant une heure” – for an hour) and more general periods (“pendant l’été” – during the summer).
Examples:
- Specific Duration: “J’ai étudié le français pendant deux ans.” (I studied French for two years.)
- Throughout a Period: “Il a plu pendant tout le voyage.” (It rained throughout the trip.)
Nuance:
- Emphasis on Time Period: “Pendant” focuses on the timeframe rather than the specifics of the event or action taking place.
- Temporal Context: It’s essential for providing temporal context to actions and events, indicating when they occur or for how long.
Cultural Notes:
- Importance in Narration: In French storytelling and conversation, “pendant” is crucial for setting the scene and providing temporal context, reflecting the language’s precision in describing events.
Summary:
“Pendant” in French means “during,” and it’s used to indicate the duration or time period of an event or action. It’s essential for providing temporal context in both specific and general terms, commonly used in conversation and storytelling to define when something takes place or how long it lasts.
What does “en France” mean?
The usage of “je revenais en France” in French, which translates to “I was returning to France” in English, involves a subtle aspect of French language usage regarding movement and geography.
The Verb “Revenir”
- “Revenir”: This verb means “to come back” or “to return.”
- Usage with Locations: When used with geographic locations, “revenir” describes the action of returning to a place.
The Preposition “En”
- “En” with Countries: In French, the preposition “en” is used before feminine or non-gender-specific countries or regions when expressing movement to that place. France, being feminine (la France), takes “en.”
- “En” for “To” or “In”: While “en” can often mean “in” when talking about being located somewhere, it can also mean “to” in the context of movement toward a location.
Why “En France” and Not “À France”
- In English, we use “to” for directional movement to any country (“to France,” “to Germany,” etc.). In French, however, the preposition changes based on the gender and number of the country’s name and the verb used. For “France,” “en” is appropriate for indicating movement toward it.
Examples in Different Contexts
- Returning to France: “Je revenais en France.” (I was returning to France.)
- Going to Germany (a masculine country): “Je vais en Allemagne.” (I am going to Germany.)
- Being in France: “Je suis en France.” (I am in France.)
Cultural and Linguistic Notes
- Geographic Nuances: French language has specific rules about prepositions used with geographic names, reflecting the language’s attention to detail and grammatical gender.
Summary
In French, “je revenais en France” correctly uses “en” to express returning “to France,” aligning with French grammatical rules where “en” is used with feminine or non-gendered countries for movement to that location. This distinction is part of the nuanced way that French handles prepositions with geographical names, differing from the more uniform use of “to” in English for similar expressions of movement.
What does “je les adorais” mean?
Basic Meaning: “Je les adorais” translates to “I adored them” in English. It indicates a strong feeling of affection or deep liking towards the people or things referred to by “les” (them).
Intensity: The verb “adorer” (to adore) is stronger than simply liking (aimer). It implies a high degree of fondness or attachment.
Nuances in “Liking Phrases”
- “J’aime” (I like): This is the most common and versatile phrase for expressing liking. It can range from mild preference to deep affection, depending on context.
- “J’adore” (I adore): A step above “j’aime” in intensity. It suggests a stronger, more passionate level of liking or enjoyment.
- “Je suis fan de” (I am a fan of): This phrase indicates enthusiasm or being a fan of someone or something. It’s less intense than “adore” but more specific than “aime.”
- “Je kiffe” (slang): In informal, particularly young, contexts, “je kiffe” is a slang term for really liking or enjoying something. It’s casual and enthusiastic.
- “Je suis fou/folle de” (I am crazy about): This phrase indicates a very high level of enthusiasm or passion for someone or something.
Cultural Context
- Expressive Language: French is a language rich in expressions of sentiment. The nuances in “liking phrases” reflect the language’s capacity to articulate degrees of affection or preference.
- Context-Dependent: The intensity and appropriateness of these phrases can depend greatly on the context and the nature of the relationship or subject.
Summary
“Je les adorais” means “I adored them” in French, conveying strong affection or deep liking. French offers a range of phrases to express liking, from “j’aime” for general liking to “j’adore” for stronger feelings, and others like “je suis fan de” or “je kiffe” for varying levels of enthusiasm. These nuanced phrases allow for precise expression of feelings towards people, activities, or objects, reflecting the expressive nature of the French language.
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Improve your French listening skills with this clip from Transfert. Take it on, set your level, and fill in what you hear. How many words can you hear? The keyphrases I heard were: “pendant”, “en France”, and “je les adorais”. Listen today and improve your listening comprehension for fast spoken French!
