Improve your French listening skills with this clip of French in real life! While moderately paced, it still has its challenges. Can you follow along? I found these words and phrases interesting: “Au fil des années qui ont passé”, “tomber amoureuse”, and “j’ai eu envie de”. Set your level and fill in the blanks as…
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.
to fall in love
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Au fil des années qui ont passé après avoir avoir eu cette révélation, je me suis rendue compte que je restais longtemps sans homme dans ma vie. Et un jour, je me suis dit, je suis prête à avoir une histoire amoureuse. Et j’espère que je vais tomber amoureuse. Et c’est la première fois que j’ai eu envie d’être amoureuse.
As the years went by after I had this revelation, I realized that I’d been without a man in my life for a long time. And one day, I said to myself, I’m ready to have a love affair. And I hope I’ll fall in love. And that was the first time I felt like being in love.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “au fil des années qui ont passé” mean?
The phrase “au fil des années qui ont passé” translates to “over the years that have passed” or “as the years have gone by” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- “Au fil de” is a French expression meaning “over the course of” or “as time goes by.”
- “Des années” means “the years.”
- “Qui ont passé” is a relative clause meaning “that have passed.” It’s the past participle form of “passer,” which means “to pass.”
Context
- This phrase is often used to describe changes, developments, or continuities that have occurred over an extended period.
- It’s a poetic way to refer to the passage of time and its effects on people, places, situations, or relationships.
Examples
- “Au fil des années qui ont passé, la ville a beaucoup changé.” (Over the years that have passed, the city has changed a lot.)
- “Il a développé son expertise au fil des années qui ont passé.” (He developed his expertise as the years went by.)
Summary
“Au fil des années qui ont passé” means “over the years that have passed” or “as the years have gone by” in French. It’s a phrase used to refer to the progression of time and its impact on various aspects of life. This expression is commonly used in both spoken and written French to convey the sense of gradual change or development over an extended period.
What does “tomber amoureuse” mean?
“Tomber amoureuse” translates to “to fall in love” in English, with a feminine subject.
Usage and Interpretation
- “Tomber” means “to fall,” and “amoureuse” is the feminine form of “in love.”
- The phrase is used to describe the process or experience of starting to feel love for someone.
- It implies a gradual and often unexpected development of romantic feelings.
Examples
- “Elle est tombée amoureuse de lui dès leur première rencontre.” (She fell in love with him from their first meeting.)
- “Je ne m’attendais pas à tomber amoureuse si rapidement.” (I didn’t expect to fall in love so quickly.)
Context
- “Tomber amoureuse” is commonly used in romantic contexts, whether in personal conversations, literature, movies, or songs.
- The phrase captures the emotional aspect of falling in love and is a staple expression in discussions about romantic relationships.
Summary
“Tomber amoureuse” means “to fall in love” in French, with a focus on a female subject. The phrase describes the experience of developing romantic feelings for someone, often highlighting the unexpected and profound nature of these emotions. It’s a common expression used in various contexts to discuss the beginnings of romantic love.
What does “j’ai eu envie” mean?
“J’ai eu envie” translates to “I felt like” or “I had the desire” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- The phrase combines “j’ai eu,” the past tense form of “avoir” (to have), with “envie,” which means “desire” or “urge.”
- It’s used to express that the speaker experienced a certain desire or inclination at a particular moment in the past.
Examples
- “J’ai eu envie de voyager.” (I felt like traveling.)
- “Quand j’ai vu le gâteau, j’ai eu envie d’en manger.” (When I saw the cake, I had the desire to eat it.)
Context
- “J’ai eu envie” can be used in various contexts to describe a wide range of desires or urges, whether they are whimsical, like wanting to eat something specific, or more significant, like wanting to make a major life change.
- The phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written French, suitable for casual as well as more reflective narratives.
Summary
“J’ai eu envie” means “I felt like” or “I had the desire” in French. It’s used to express having experienced a particular desire or inclination in the past. This phrase is versatile and can be applied to describe a wide array of desires, whims, or urges in various contexts, from everyday wishes to more substantial aspirations.
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 this clip of French in real life! While moderately paced, it still has its challenges. Can you follow along? I found these words and phrases interesting: “Au fil des années qui ont passé”, “tomber amoureuse”, and “j’ai eu envie de”. Set your level and fill in the blanks as…
