Improve your French listening skills with a clip of French in real life. How much of this clip can you follow? Here are keyphrases thatstood out to me: “à une époque”, “vraiment pas le truc”, “hein”,”bien sûr”, and “on s’en fout”. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!
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.
the thing huh
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Et en fait, il a accepté dans sa vie une femme une mère célibataire à une époque où c’était vraiment pas vraiment pas le truc hein. Mais non, bien sûr, on s’en fout.
And in fact, he accepted a single mother into his life at a time when that wasn’t really the thing, eh? But no, of course, we don’t care.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “à une époque” mean?
“À une époque” translates to “at one time” or “at a certain time” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- This phrase is used to refer to a specific period in the past, though the exact time frame is often unspecified or general.
- It sets the scene for discussing events, trends, or personal experiences that occurred during that unspecified period.
Examples
- “À une époque, je voyageais beaucoup.” (At one time, I used to travel a lot.)
- “À une époque, cela était considéré comme normal.” (At a certain time, this was considered normal.)
Context
- “À une époque” can be used in various contexts, including historical discussions, personal narratives, and when reminiscing about past trends or behaviors.
- It’s a common phrase in both spoken and written French, fitting in informal conversations as well as formal writings.
Summary
“À une époque” means “at one time” or “at a certain time” in French. It’s used to reference a non-specific period in the past, setting the stage for discussing events, behaviors, or trends that took place during that time. The phrase is versatile and can be applied in a range of contexts, from personal recollections to historical discussions.
What does “vraiment pas le truc hein” mean?
The phrase “vraiment pas le truc hein” can be translated to “really not the thing, huh” or “really not my thing, huh” in English.
Components of the Phrase
- Vraiment: Means “really” or “truly,” and is used for emphasis.
- Pas le truc: Literally translates to “not the thing.” In this context, “le truc” is a colloquial way to refer to something one is talking about, often implying an activity, habit, or preference.
- Hein: A colloquial tag question similar to “huh” or “right” in English, often used for seeking agreement or confirmation.
Usage
- This phrase is a casual, conversational way of expressing that something is definitely not to one’s liking or interest. It’s akin to saying “that’s really not my thing, you know?” in English.
- It can be used to emphasize a strong dislike or disinterest in something.
Examples
- When discussing tastes in music: “Le jazz, c’est vraiment pas le truc hein.” (Jazz is really not my thing, huh.)
- In response to an activity suggestion: “Le ski? Vraiment pas le truc hein.” (Skiing? Really not my thing, huh.)
Context
- Typically used in informal, spoken French, it’s a colloquial way to express personal preferences or aversions.
- The phrase can be seen in friendly conversations where someone is discussing their likes and dislikes.
Summary
“Vraiment pas le truc hein” is a colloquial French phrase meaning “really not my thing, huh.” It’s used to express a strong disinterest or dislike for something in an informal conversational context. The phrase combines emphasis, personal preference, and a colloquial tag for seeking agreement or acknowledgment.
What does “bien sûr” mean?
“Bien sûr” translates to “of course” or “certainly” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- It is used to express strong affirmation, agreement, or certainty about something.
- The phrase can also convey a sense of obviousness or something taken for granted.
Examples
- “Bien sûr, je viendrai à ta fête.” (Of course, I will come to your party.)
- “Peux-tu m’aider ? Bien sûr !” (Can you help me? Of course!)
Context
- “Bien sûr” is versatile and used in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversations to more formal settings.
- It’s appropriate for confirming plans, agreeing with statements, or reassuring others.
Summary
“Bien sûr” means “of course” or “certainly” in French. It’s a common expression used to affirm, agree, or confirm something with certainty and confidence. The phrase is adaptable and widely employed in both informal and formal French communication.
What does “on s’en fout” mean?
“On s’en fout” translates to “we don’t care” or “it doesn’t matter to us” in English. It’s an informal and somewhat colloquial expression.
Usage and Interpretation
- This phrase is used to express indifference, lack of interest, or disregard.
- “On” is an indefinite pronoun often meaning “we” or “people in general.”
- “S’en foutre” is a casual and somewhat vulgar way to say “to not care” about something.
Origin
- The phrase comes from the verb “foutre,” which is a very informal, somewhat vulgar verb originally meaning “to do” but can have various meanings based on context. In “s’en foutre,” it takes the meaning of “to not care about.”
- This expression reflects the tendency in colloquial French to use casual or even vulgar language to express strong feelings or attitudes, especially in informal contexts.
Examples
- “Que pensent les autres ? On s’en fout.” (What do others think? We don’t care.)
- “Les règles compliquées ? On s’en fout, faisons-le à notre façon.” (The complicated rules? It doesn’t matter to us, let’s do it our way.)
Context
- “On s’en fout” is appropriate for informal and casual conversations, often among friends or in relaxed settings.
- Due to its casual and slightly vulgar nature, it’s not suitable for formal or professional environments.
Summary
“On s’en fout” means “we don’t care” or “it doesn’t matter to us” in French. Originating from the informal and versatile verb “foutre,” it’s a colloquial expression used to convey indifference or disregard. The phrase is common in informal settings but should be used cautiously due to its somewhat vulgar connotation.
This clip is from the “Transfert” podcast
Produced by slate.fr, “Transfert” is a unique French podcast that offers an immersive listening experience. Each episode features real-life stories narrated by the people who lived them. These personal narratives cover a wide range of human experiences and emotions, providing listeners with profound insights into the lives and minds of others. The storytelling is intimate and engaging, making it an excellent resource for French language learners to improve their listening skills while connecting with compelling, authentic content.
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Improve your French listening skills with a clip of French in real life. How much of this clip can you follow? Here are keyphrases thatstood out to me: “à une époque”, “vraiment pas le truc”, “hein”,”bien sûr”, and “on s’en fout”. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!
