🎵 Learn with music: Vincent Delerm “Les amants parallèles”, Quiz 3: le fou rire

The above audio sample and transcription is from the song “Les amants parallèles” by Vincent Delerm; songwriters: Clement Ducol / Vincent Delerm; Les amants parallèles lyrics © Lili Louise Musique Sarl. We do not own the content. Find the full song here.

uncontrollable laughter

How are you getting on?

The snippet in English

Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?

English translation by Deepl. Check it.

What does “discussion en parallèle” mean?

The phrase “discussion en parallèle” translates literally to “parallel discussion” in English. While not a fixed idiom, it conveys the idea of two or more conversations or discussions happening simultaneously, often independent of each other.

Usage and Context:

• Concurrent Conversations:
  • Can refer to situations where different conversations are happening at the same time, but not necessarily intersecting or related.
  • Example: “Pendant la réunion, il y avait plusieurs discussions en parallèle.” (During the meeting, there were several parallel discussions.)
• Separate but Related Topics:
  • Might also imply discussions that are related but occur independently, such as in a conference with multiple breakout sessions.

Cultural Notes:

• In a broader cultural or organizational context, “discussion en parallèle” can illustrate the complexity of communication in group settings, where multiple dialogues or topics coexist but don’t always intersect.

In Summary:

“Discussion en parallèle” (parallel discussion) typically refers to simultaneous yet independent conversations. While not a fixed expression or idiom, it’s used to describe situations where multiple discussions occur concurrently, often in group or formal settings. The phrase captures the essence of complex communication dynamics.

What does “le fou rire” mean?

“Le fou rire” in French translates to “the uncontrollable laughter” or “the giggles” in English. It refers to a fit of laughter that one cannot easily stop, often occurring spontaneously and being infectious or overwhelming.

Usage and Context:

• Sudden and Uncontrollable Reaction:
  • Used to describe a situation where someone starts laughing uncontrollably, often in a contagious manner.
  • Example: “À chaque fois qu’ils se rencontrent, ils ont un fou rire.” (Every time they meet, they have an uncontrollable laughter.)
• Social and Joyful Contexts:
  • Typically occurs in social settings and is associated with joy, amusement, or sometimes nervousness.

Cultural Notes:

• “Le fou rire” is often seen positively in French culture, associated with fun, light-heartedness, and camaraderie. It’s a common phenomenon in group interactions, reflecting the joy and spontaneity of shared experiences.
• In some contexts, “le fou rire” can also occur at inappropriate times, leading to embarrassment or awkwardness, but it’s generally viewed as a natural, human reaction to amusement or absurdity.

In Summary:

“Le fou rire” (the uncontrollable laughter) describes a spontaneous, often infectious fit of laughter in French. It’s a term used to convey the joy and amusement in social interactions, embodying the spirit of shared laughter and fun in group settings.

What does “lacrymal” mean?

“Lacrymal” in French relates to “tears” or “tearful.” The word is derived from “larme,” which means “tear” in French. It refers to anything related to tears or the act of crying.

Usage and Context:

• Describing Tear Production:
  • Often used in a literal sense to describe something pertaining to tears or the glands that produce tears.
  • Example: “Les glandes lacrymales produisent des larmes.” (The lacrimal glands produce tears.)
• Emotional Connotation:
  • In a broader, non-medical context, it can describe situations or emotions that cause tears, whether due to sadness, joy, or overwhelming feelings.
  • “Il a eu une réaction lacrymale pendant le film.” (He had a tearful reaction during the movie.)

Emotional Neutrality:

• “Lacrymal” itself is emotionally neutral. It simply refers to the presence of tears, not the reason behind them. Tears can be due to various emotions, including sadness, joy, laughter, or irritation.

In Summary:

“Lacrymal” (tearful) in French refers to anything related to tears, whether from a physiological or emotional standpoint. The term itself is neutral regarding the cause of the tears, which can range from sadness to joy or laughter.

What does “vers” mean?

In French, “vers” primarily means “towards” or “in the direction of.” When used in the context of “rentrons vers” (as in the song), it implies moving or heading in the direction of a particular place.

Usage and Context:

• Indicating Direction:
  • “Vers” is often used to specify the direction in which someone or something is moving.
  • In the phrase “rentrons vers notre hôtel,” it means “heading towards our hotel.”
• Time Connotations:
  • “Vers” can also refer to an approximate time, as in “vers midi” (around noon), but in this context, it’s about direction.

Different from “About/Around”:

• While “vers” can mean “about” or “around” when referring to time or estimates, in the context of movement or location, it clearly means “towards.”

In Summary:

In the phrase “rentrons vers,” “vers” means “towards,” indicating movement in the direction of a specific place. In different contexts, it can also refer to approximate time, but here it’s about spatial direction.

What did you love about this?

Comment below with your feedback! Tells us what you think. Send a note or leave a comment below. We appreciate the feedback. Also, we’re always looking for partners to build this site and grow the content available.