Start at any level and practice your French listening comprehension! This clip is from Manger ep. 1, it’s 40 words in 11 seconds. Use our transcription quiz and practice listening skills in French from A1 debutant to advance DELF prepper!
This clip is from Manger Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Listen to the full episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Manger ep. 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
Overwhelming
I think it’s interesting that deepl translates “une passion dévorante” as a “passion”. Maybe a passion is overwhelming – it’s passion? But shouldn’t it be something like “an all ecompassing passion”? What do you think?
For me, a passion needs to be refeuled. I fall in and out of love with my passions all the time. I’m committed to making things happen, that’s what keeps me sticking with the passion.
What about for you? Does a passion draw you in? Or do you have to add fuel to the fire from time to time?
And speaking of overwhelming, at least in the English sense of the word. That line “Et il y a fort longtemps, moi-même…” is really fast! I love how those words just squished together.
I also find this sentence interesting: “J’en avais toujours au moins un paquet d’avance”, which translates to “I always had at least one package in advance.” I’m not sure how I would say it in English if talking about the same subject, but I feel like I would use a metaphor. Maybe that’s just me. I always had reserves at the ready if an extra bowl should deplete my rations… Is that a metaphor? Referencing military-like lingo. Who knows, really…
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?
Et il y a fort longtemps moi-même, j’avais une passion dévorante pour les Chocapic, ainsi que les Cheerios au miel et les Apple-Minis, j’adore les Apple-Minis. J’en avais toujours au moins un paquet d’avance, en mode drogué, un petit peu.
And a long time ago, I had a devouring passion for Chocapic, as well as Honey Cheerios and Apple Minis, I love Apple Minis. I always had at least a pack of them ahead of time, in a little bit of an addictive mode.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “et il y a fort longtemps” mean?
“Et il y a fort longtemps” is a French phrase that translates to “And a long time ago” or “And a very long time ago” in English.
This phrase is often used to introduce a story or a legend that took place a long time ago, often in a mythical or legendary setting. It creates a sense of nostalgia and distance from the present, and adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the story being told.
For example, a story about a brave knight who rescued a princess from a dragon might begin with the phrase “Et il y a fort longtemps, dans un royaume lointain…” (And a long time ago, in a faraway kingdom…).
Overall, “Et il y a fort longtemps” is a useful phrase for setting the scene and creating a sense of historical context when telling stories or discussing events from the past.
What does “dévorante” mean?
“Dévorante” is the feminine form of the adjective “dévorant” in French. It is derived from the verb “dévorer”, which means “to devour” or “to eat voraciously”.
When used as an adjective, “dévorante” describes something that is consuming or overwhelming. It can refer to a strong emotion or passion that is all-consuming, such as a “dévorante passion” (an overwhelming passion), or a desire that is so intense it feels like it is consuming you, such as a “dévorante envie” (an insatiable craving).
For example, “une passion dévorante pour la musique” would mean “an all-consuming passion for music,” while “une envie dévorante de chocolat” would mean “an insatiable craving for chocolate.”
Overall, the adjective “dévorante” is used to emphasize the intensity or power of something that is consuming or overwhelming.
What does “ainsi que” mean?
“Ainsi que” is a conjunction in French that is used to link two ideas or elements, indicating that they are related or connected in some way. It can be translated to English as “as well as,” “as much as,” “along with,” or “together with.”
Here are some examples:
- Je suis allé au cinéma avec mes amis, ainsi que ma famille. (I went to the cinema with my friends, as well as my family.)
- Le chanteur est célèbre pour ses chansons ainsi que pour ses performances scéniques. (The singer is famous for his songs as well as for his stage performances.)
- La ville est connue pour sa cuisine raffinée, ainsi que pour son patrimoine culturel. (The city is known for its refined cuisine, as well as for its cultural heritage.)
In general, “ainsi que” is used to add more information or to emphasize a connection between two elements. It can be used to link nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or clauses.
What does “en mode drogué” mean?
The phrase “en mode drogué” is a French expression that can be translated to “in drug mode” in English. It is often used to describe a person who is acting as if they were under the influence of drugs, even if they are not actually using any drugs.
The expression “en mode” is a colloquial way to describe a particular state or behavior. For example, “en mode stressé” means “in a stressed-out state” and “en mode flemme” means “in a lazy mood.”
“En mode drogué” can be used to describe someone who is exhibiting erratic behavior, acting out of character, or displaying symptoms that resemble drug use, such as dilated pupils, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.
It’s worth noting that this phrase is generally used informally and is not considered appropriate in formal settings. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the potential negative connotations and stereotypes associated with drug use, and to use the expression with sensitivity and care.
What does “un petit peu” mean?
“Un petit peu” is a French phrase that translates to “a little bit” or “a little” in English. It is used to indicate a small quantity or amount of something.
For example, you might say “Je parle un petit peu français” to mean “I speak a little bit of French,” or “Je vais manger un petit peu de pain” to mean “I’m going to eat a little bit of bread.”
The phrase can be used in a wide range of contexts, from describing the amount of food or drink you want to consume, to indicating your level of proficiency in a language or skill.
In French, it is common to use “un petit peu” to soften a statement or request. For example, instead of saying “Donne-moi l’argent” (Give me the money), one might say “Donne-moi un petit peu d’argent” (Give me a little bit of money).
The phrase is often shortened to just “un peu” in casual conversation.
The word “peu” means “little” or “few,” so “un petit peu” literally translates to “a little little” or “a little bit.”
The phrase is often used in the context of learning or speaking a new language, as in “Je parle français, mais juste un petit peu” (I speak French, but just a little bit).
“Un petit peu” is sometimes used sarcastically to imply that someone is not doing something to the fullest extent, as in “Tu travailles un petit peu, là” (You’re working just a little bit there).
It’s worth noting that “un petit peu” is a slightly more informal way of saying “un peu,” which is also commonly used to indicate a small quantity or amount.
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