Boost your French listening skills with daily practice! Tune into today’s clip – a short one and fast, this is French in real life. These words stood out to me: “dans laquelle”, “vraiment beaucoup”, and “dépassé les bornes”. Can you catch it all? Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Transfert s01ep01. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Transfert s01ep01. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
really a lot
What’s opening up for you with this clip?
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Elle est embarrassante parce que je sens que c’est une histoire dans laquelle j’ai vraiment beaucoup dépassé les bornes.
It’s embarrassing because I feel that this is a story in which I’ve really overstepped the mark.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “dans laquelle” mean?
“Dans laquelle” is a French relative pronoun phrase that translates to “in which” in English. It is used to refer to a preceding noun (usually feminine) and introduce a clause that describes or specifies something about that noun.
Usage and Context:
- Describing a Situation or Place: Often used to provide more details about a particular situation, location, or context.
- Example: “La maison dans laquelle j’ai grandi est très grande.” (The house in which I grew up is very big.)
- Feminine Noun Reference: “Dans laquelle” is specifically used for feminine nouns. For masculine nouns, “dans lequel” is used.
Grammatical Structure:
- “Dans”: A preposition meaning “in.”
- “Laquelle”: A relative pronoun meaning “which.” It agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to.
In Summary:
“Dans laquelle” means “in which” in French and is used to introduce a clause that gives more information about a feminine noun. It’s a part of a relative pronoun phrase that provides details about situations, locations, or contexts related to the noun, showcasing French’s precise and descriptive nature in grammar.
What does “vraiment beaucoup” mean?
“Vraiment beaucoup” in French translates to “really a lot” or “truly a lot” in English. It’s a combination of two adverbs: “vraiment” (really/truly) and “beaucoup” (a lot/much).
Usage and Context:
- Emphasizing Quantity or Degree: Used to intensify or emphasize the extent, amount, or degree of something.
- Example: “J’ai vraiment beaucoup apprécié le spectacle.” (I really enjoyed the show a lot.)
- Expressing Strong Feelings or Opinions: Often used to convey strong emotions, preferences, or opinions.
- Example: “Il me manque vraiment beaucoup.” (I really miss him a lot.)
Grammatical Correctness and Frequency:
- Grammatically Correct: The phrase “vraiment beaucoup” is grammatically correct and is a common way of emphasizing the degree or quantity of something in French.
- Common Expression: It is frequently used in everyday language for added emphasis, especially when expressing feelings, opinions, or experiences.
In Summary:
“Vraiment beaucoup” in French means “really a lot” and is commonly used to emphasize intensity or quantity, often in expressing strong emotions or experiences.
What does “dépassé les bornes” mean?
The French expression “dépassé les bornes” translates to “crossed the line” or “overstepped the bounds” in English. It’s used to indicate that someone has gone too far in their actions or words, violating acceptable standards or behavior.
Usage and Context:
- Indicating Excessive Behavior: Typically used when someone’s actions or words are considered too extreme, inappropriate, or unacceptable.
- Example: “Il a vraiment dépassé les bornes avec ses commentaires.” (He really crossed the line with his comments.)
- Expressing Disapproval: Conveys a strong disapproval of someone’s behavior or actions.
Synonyms:
- “Aller trop loin”: To go too far.
- “Exagérer”: To exaggerate or overdo.
- “Outrepasser les limites”: To overstep the limits.
Cultural and Historical Context:
- The phrase “dépasser les bornes” likely originates from the idea of physical boundaries or limits, such as property lines. In this context, “bornes” refers to boundary stones or markers. To “dépasser les bornes” then is to metaphorically cross these physical limits, which has evolved into a figurative expression for unacceptable behavior.
TL;DR:
“Dépassé les bornes” means “crossed the line” in French, used for actions that are excessively inappropriate or extreme. It’s a phrase rooted in the idea of crossing physical boundaries, reflecting the cultural importance of respecting limits and norms.
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.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
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Boost your French listening skills with daily practice! Tune into today’s clip – a short one and fast, this is French in real life. These words stood out to me: “dans laquelle”, “vraiment beaucoup”, and “dépassé les bornes”. Can you catch it all? Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!
