Learn French with the podcast Balades. This clip from is 14 seconds long with 38 words. Take our transcription quiz and test your French listening skills today
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is from Balades Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Find the full podcast here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Balades ep. 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
We didn’t mind
Let’s continue with lesson 32. The right and left cheek of the face, that is.
This clip moves at a fast pace, for me. I’m not sure on the verb constructions, but can am hearing the words as I listen through. I like that this clip has two negative expressions with “ne … pas”. When I speak French these always sound forced, it’s interesting to hear how naturally her ne … pas rolls off the tongue.
Also loved learning the word for rubber boots, galoshes, or wellies. I assume that’s what that word is. And the way it’s pronounced makes it a fan favorite of mine almost instantly. Caoutchouc.
It wasn’t just caoutchouc, I ended up looking up a number of words from this clip. Whil 38 words in 14 seconds does feel fast, it’s not the fastest on this site. And it is intersting, I wonder how much the amount of vocab affects how fast the clip “feels”.
How much of this snippet are you understanding?
Can you only hear the articles or are you catching keywords?
What’s your favorite part about this?
There’s absolutely no way that I could get through an entire podcast in French without melting my brain, that’s why I broke it up into snippets like this. Join me for the next snippet.
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Je me rappelle que les murs du bassin étaient recouverts de vase qui ne sentait vraiment pas bon. Mais cela ne nous dérangeait pas. Équipées de grosses bottes en caoutchouc, ma sœur et moi, nous brossions le bassin.
I remember that the walls of the pool were covered with silt that didn’t smell at all good. But we didn’t mind. Wearing big rubber boots, my sister and I would brush the pond.
The above text translated with Deepl. Source
What does “cela ne nous dérangeait pas” mean?
“Cela ne nous dérangeait pas” is a French phrase that can be translated to “That didn’t bother us” or “That didn’t inconvenience us” in English.
It expresses the idea that something did not cause any trouble or annoyance to a group of people, in this case “nous” which means “us”, and “cela” means “that” . The verb “déranger” means “to bother” or “to inconvenience” and the “ne” negates the verb and the phrase means that something didn’t cause any problem.
For example:
- “Il pleuvait, mais cela ne nous dérangeait pas, nous étions bien équipés” which means “It was raining, but that didn’t bother us, we were well equipped.”
- “Il y avait beaucoup de monde, mais cela ne nous dérangeait pas, nous étions contents de participer” which means “There were a lot of people, but that didn’t inconvenience us, we were happy to participate.”
It expresses the idea that something did not cause any trouble or annoyance to a group of people, it implies that the situation was not a problem for them.
What does “grosses bottes en caoutchouc” mean?
The French phrase “grosses bottes en caoutchouc” translates to “large rubber boots” in English. It describes a type of footwear made of rubber, typically large or heavy-duty, designed for practical use in wet or muddy conditions.
Usage and Context:
- Practical Footwear for Outdoor Activities:
- These boots are commonly worn for activities like gardening, farming, fishing, or walking in rainy weather.
- Example: “Il porte des grosses bottes en caoutchouc pour travailler dans le jardin.” (He wears large rubber boots to work in the garden.)
- Protection Against Wet Conditions:
- Rubber boots are known for their waterproof qualities and are used to protect the feet from water and mud.
Cultural Notes:
- In France, as in many other countries, rubber boots are a practical choice for rural work or outdoor activities, especially in wet conditions. They are a staple in regions with heavy rainfall or in professions involving outdoor labor.
In Summary:
“Grosses bottes en caoutchouc” means “large rubber boots” in French, referring to sturdy, waterproof footwear often used for outdoor activities or work in wet and muddy environments. They are practical and protective, suitable for various uses from gardening to fishing.
What does “recouverts de vase” mean?
The French phrase “recouverts de vase” translates to “covered in mud” in English. “Recouverts” comes from the verb “recouvrir,” meaning “to cover,” and “vase” means “mud” or “slime.”
Usage and Context:
- Describing a Mud-Covered State:
- Often used to depict objects, surfaces, or clothing that are heavily coated or smeared with mud.
- Example: “Ses chaussures étaient recouvertes de vase après la randonnée.” (His shoes were covered in mud after the hike.)
- Indicating a Messy or Unclean Condition:
- Can be used in contexts where something has become dirty or messy due to exposure to wet, muddy conditions.
Cultural Notes:
- In French, this phrase is commonly used to describe the aftermath of activities involving outdoor environments, like hiking, gardening, or during rainy weather. It vividly conveys the image of something heavily soiled or dirtied with mud.
In Summary:
“Recouverts de vase” means “covered in mud” in French, used to describe objects, clothing, or surfaces that are heavily coated with mud. It’s a descriptive phrase often used to depict the messy condition of things following outdoor activities or exposure to muddy environments.
What does “les murs” mean?
The French phrase “recouverts de vase” translates to “covered in mud” in English. “Recouverts” comes from the verb “recouvrir,” meaning “to cover,” and “vase” means “mud” or “slime.”
Usage and Context:
- Describing a Mud-Covered State:
- Often used to depict objects, surfaces, or clothing that are heavily coated or smeared with mud.
- Example: “Ses chaussures étaient recouvertes de vase après la randonnée.” (His shoes were covered in mud after the hike.)
- Indicating a Messy or Unclean Condition:
- Can be used in contexts where something has become dirty or messy due to exposure to wet, muddy conditions.
Cultural Notes:
- In French, this phrase is commonly used to describe the aftermath of activities involving outdoor environments, like hiking, gardening, or during rainy weather. It vividly conveys the image of something heavily soiled or dirtied with mud.
In Summary:
“Recouverts de vase” means “covered in mud” in French, used to describe objects, clothing, or surfaces that are heavily coated with mud. It’s a descriptive phrase often used to depict the messy condition of things following outdoor activities or exposure to muddy environments.
This clip is from the Balades podcast
“Balades” is a great podcast for those new to French. Its slow pace and clear speech make it easy to follow and understand. The episodes are fun and cover a variety of topics, ideal for beginners. While designed for learners, the podcast stays in French, offering a full-dive into the language. It’s part of a wider group of French podcasts aimed at all levels, focusing on real-life use rather than just vocab and grammar. Regular listening, along with tools like transcripts and quizzes, helps boost understanding and speaking skills. “Balades” is a top pick for anyone starting their French learning journey.
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