Improve your ear for French with this clip from the Balades podcast. It’s 59 words in 20 seconds. How many can you hear and understand?
This clip is from Balades Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Listen to the full podcast here.
Hello everyone
In my research for which podcasts I should be listening to, just about every list and every article about learning French from podcasts included Balades.
And while it’s no longer produced, the full resources are readily availble across multiple language learning sites, and this dropbox full of all the episodes from a helpful francophile on Reddit.
While this may not be a perfect general / Parisian accent, her speech has a friendly pace that makes it perfect for practicing your listening skills as a beginner. Again, like all the podcasts on site, I’ve broken it up into smaller snippets of 1 to 3 sentences for rapid fire listening practice in French.
There’s a lot to hear in this snippet with 59 words in 20 seconds.
How much of this podcast are you picking up?
There’s absolutely no way that I could get through an entire podcast in French without melting my brain, that’s why I break it up into snippets like this. I’m excited to listen to this podcast in pieces. Are you joining me for the next segment?
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Bonjour à tous et bienvenue à la toute première émission de mon podcast « Balades ». Nous sommes le 15 janvier et je vous présente mes meilleurs vœux de bonheur et de santé pour cette nouvelle année. Je dois dire que cette année commence très bien pour moi puisque j’ai la chance d’être devant ce micro et avec vous.
Hello everyone and welcome to the very first show of my “Balades” podcast. It is January 15th and I offer you my best wishes for happiness and health for this new year. I must say that this year has started very well for me since I am fortunate to be in front of this microphone and with you.
The above text courtesy of Google Translate.
What does “Bonjour à tous” mean in French?
“Bonjour à tous” means “Hello everyone” in English. It’s a common way of greeting a group of people, whether it’s in a formal or informal setting. “Bonjour” is a French way of saying “hello” and “à tous” means “to all” or “to everyone”.
It’s a polite way of addressing a group of people, it’s often used as a way of starting a meeting, a class, a presentation, or any kind of gathering. It’s a way of showing respect and courtesy towards the people you are addressing.
Some other common ways of addressing a group colloquially or online in French are:
- “Salut tout le monde” (Hi everyone) it’s a casual way of greeting a group of people, it’s often used among friends or family.
- “Coucou tout le monde” (Hi everyone) it’s also a casual way of greeting a group of people, it’s often used online or in informal settings.
- “Yo ! ” (Hey!) it’s a casual way of greeting a group of people, it’s often used online or among youth.
- “Bonsoir à tous” (Good evening everyone) it’s a polite way of greeting a group of people in the evening or at night.
- “Bonne journée à tous” (Good day everyone) it’s a polite way of greeting a group of people in the morning or during the day.
- “Bon après-midi à tous” (Good afternoon everyone) it’s a polite way of greeting a group of people in the afternoon.
It’s worth noting that these expressions are not set in stone and can vary by region and context.
What does “Nous sommes le 15 janvier” mean?
“Nous sommes le [date]” is a standard way of expressing the date in French. It translates to “It is [date]” or “Today is [date]” in English. For instance, “Nous sommes le 15 janvier” means “It is January 15th” or “Today is January 15th.”
Usage and Context:
- Stating the Date: Used to inform or remind someone of the current date.
- Common in Conversations and Formal Settings: Often used in both casual conversations and formal contexts like meetings or official documents.
Grammatical Structure:
- “Nous sommes”: Literally translates to “we are,” but in this context, it’s the conventional way to express “it is” when referring to the date.
- “Le [date]”: Specifies the particular date.
Cultural Notes:
- In French, stating the date with “Nous sommes le [date]” is a straightforward, widely used expression. It reflects the formal and structured way in which dates are typically communicated in French.
In Summary:
“Nous sommes le [date]” is a common French expression for indicating the current date, equivalent to “It is [date]” or “Today is [date]” in English. It’s a conventional and formal way of stating the date, used in various contexts from everyday conversation to official settings.
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.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
Welcome to Bitesize French, where fast spoken French is finally accessible! We break podcasts into short clips, like lively chats in French that fit into your day. They’re perfect for anyone, from advanced students to those just starting. Join us and enjoy French, one short clip at a time. Let’s learn together!
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.
- Active Listening Practice: As you listen, try to pick out key phrases and vocabulary. Use our daily quizzes to test your understanding and reinforce learning.
- Repeat and Shadow: Listen to the same podcast segment multiple times. Try to mimic the pronunciation and intonation to improve your spoken French.
- Note-taking: Jot down new words or phrases you encounter. Review these notes regularly to enhance vocabulary retention.
- Reflect and Respond: After each episode, summarize the main points in French, either in writing or aloud. This helps in consolidating your learning and improving your expressive skills.
I created the Bitesize French project because I wanted to understand more than just my teacher and youtubers who cater to learners. I wanted to understand the French I hear in France. I hope you can benefit as much as I am. Become a supporting member for access to all clips.
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