Improve your ear for French with this short clip from the Balades podcast. It’s 26 words in 9 seconds. How many can you hear and understand?
This clip is from Balades Episode 3. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Find the full podcast here.
Press play and take the transcription quiz to practice your French listening comprehension.
(You can use the ⋮ to adjust playback speed)
The above audio sample and transcription is from Balades ep. 3. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
Adds
Every day I’m working to add what I can to this site. And each post adds new vocab and new listening practice. How are you finding everything on your site? What do the fairies need to add to these lessons or the site overall to make it better for you?
If you’re just joining us as a beginner, I recommend you start with the first dfepisode of Balades. Follow along daily for new clips.
How did you find today’s clip compared to yesterday’s clip? I tend to be most comfortable when the clip is around 150wpm. I love Balades for my current level, around A1 (hopefully progressing to A2). Hopefully you’re enjoying these clips, too. This story is fantastic and Even when there’s a fast clip, it’s still manageable. The right amount of challenge. What do you think? Join us for the next quiz.
How are you finding these shorter snippets? I’m open to any and all feedback, as always. Let me know.
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
« Moi, je vais lui donner la beauté. » annonce la première fée. La deuxième fée ajoute : « De moi, elle reçoit la sagesse. »
“I will give her beauty,” the first fairy announced. The second fairy adds, “From me she receives wisdom.”
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “ajoute” mean in French
“Ajoute” is a French verb that means “to add” in English. It is the infinitive form of the verb “ajouter” and it’s a regular -ER verb. It is used to express the action of adding or including something to a group, a collection, or a set of things. For example:
- Ajoute deux cuillères de sucre à ta tasse de café (Add two spoonfuls of sugar to your cup of coffee)
- Il a ajouté quelques ingrédients à la recette (He added some ingredients to the recipe)
- Nous devons ajouter plus de fruits à notre alimentation (We must add more fruits to our diet)
It can also be used in a more figurative sense to express the idea of adding something to a situation or to a conversation.
- Il a ajouté sa touche personnelle à l’entreprise (He added his personal touch to the company)
- Elle a ajouté sa voix à la discussion (She added her voice to the conversation)
Overall, “ajoute” is a common French verb that can be used in many contexts to express the idea of adding or including something to a group, a collection, or a set of things.
Other words:
la sagesse
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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