Improve your ear for French with this clip of French in real life. Fast and wordy, this is like hearing French in the wild. How much can you pick up? Set your level, press play, and fill in the blanks as you listen.
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
it makes us
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?
Alors que le polyester, le gros problème c’est que c’est un dérivé du pétrole. Donc c’est que ça consomme effectivement du pétrole, ça nous rend beaucoup dépendants de la pétrochimie et qu’ensuite c’est pas biodégradable. Donc ça laisse une pollution dans la nature. Mais donc c’est pas du tout les mêmes choses qu’on regarde quand on parle de l’impact euh environnemental.
The big problem with polyester is that it’s a petroleum derivative. It consumes petroleum, making us highly dependent on petrochemicals, and it’s not biodegradable. So it leaves pollution in nature. So it’s not at all the same things we look at when we talk about environmental impact.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “ça nous rend” mean?
“Ça nous rend” translates to “it makes us” in English. It’s used to describe the effect or impact that something has on us, indicating how it influences or changes our state, condition, or behavior.
Culturally, French speakers might use “ça nous rend” to articulate how something affects them personally or as a group, emphasizing collective or individual reactions or changes in state. For example:
- “Ça nous rend heureux.” (It makes us happy.)
- “Ça nous rend dépendants.” (It makes us dependent.)
The cultural nuance lies in the emphasis on collective experience or impact, highlighting a shared response or condition among the speakers. This reflects the value placed on communal experiences and the collective aspect of emotions or states, which is a significant part of French and broader European cultures.
Here are three examples of “ça nous rend” used in various contexts:
- Emotional Impact: “Le soutien de notre communauté pendant ces moments difficiles ça nous rend plus forts et unis.” (The support of our community during these difficult times makes us stronger and united.)
- Dependency on Technology: “L’usage constant des smartphones ça nous rend dépendants et parfois distraits du monde réel.” (Constant use of smartphones makes us dependent and sometimes distracted from the real world.)
- Influence on Health: “Manger équilibré et faire de l’exercice régulièrement ça nous rend plus sains et énergiques.” (Eating balanced meals and exercising regularly makes us healthier and more energetic.)
What does “pas du tout” mean?
“Pas du tout” is a French phrase meaning “not at all.” It’s used to strongly negate a statement or question, emphasizing a complete lack of agreement or the absence of something.
Here are some examples of using “pas du tout” to illustrate its versatility and the cultural nuances of expressing disagreement or negation in French:
- Clarifying Misunderstandings:
- “Tu es fâché contre moi ?” (Are you mad at me?)
- “Pas du tout, je suis juste un peu fatigué.” (Not at all, I’m just a bit tired.)
- Expressing Strong Disagreement in a Debate:
- “Penses-tu que la technologie remplace avantageusement l’interaction humaine ?” (Do you think technology advantageously replaces human interaction?)
- “Pas du tout, je crois que les relations directes sont irremplaçables.” (Not at all, I believe direct relationships are irreplaceable.)
- Correcting a False Assumption:
- “Vous devez aimer vivre à Paris, avec tous ces cafés et musées !” (You must love living in Paris, with all those cafes and museums!)
- “Pas du tout, je vis en fait dans un petit village en Provence.” (Not at all, I actually live in a small village in Provence.)
- Refuting an Accusation:
- “On m’a dit que tu as révélé mon secret.” (I was told you revealed my secret.)
- “Pas du tout, je respecte toujours la confidentialité.” (Not at all, I always respect confidentiality.)
- Denying Participation or Interest:
- “Tu vas participer au marathon ce weekend ?” (Are you participating in the marathon this weekend?)
- “Pas du tout, je ne suis pas vraiment sportif.” (Not at all, I’m not really into sports.)
This clip is from the “Vivons Heureux” podcast
“Vivons heureux avant la fin du monde” is an intriguing French podcast that delves into themes of happiness and existentialism in the face of life’s transience.
Produced with a blend of humor and depth, the podcast explores the idea of living joyfully and meaningfully, even with the awareness of life’s inevitable end. Each episode features discussions, interviews, and stories that examine different aspects of happiness and human experience, encouraging listeners to embrace the present moment. Its thoughtful and often lighthearted approach makes it an excellent listen for those interested in personal growth, philosophy, and living a fulfilled life.
For French learners, it offers a rich resource to improve comprehension skills while engaging with contemporary and thought-provoking topics.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
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Make the most of the site:
- Daily Podcast Listening: Start your day with a French podcast from our collection. Choose episodes that align with your interests to keep it engaging.
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- Note-taking: Jot down new words or phrases you encounter. Review these notes regularly to enhance vocabulary retention.
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Improve your ear for French with this clip of French in real life. Fast and wordy, this is like hearing French in the wild. How much can you pick up? Set your level, press play, and fill in the blanks as you listen.
