Do you know the phrases “je pense à celui” and “fêter sa majorité”? Hear them both in this clip of French in real life. Choose your level and the quiz adjusts to match, fill in the blanks of the transcript while you listen and improve your listening skills with us! Free quizzes added daily, discover…
This clip is from Passerelles Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Listen to the full episode here.
This audio sample and transcription is from Passerelles ep. 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode
celebrate coming of age
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The snippet in English
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Je pense à celui des dix-huit ans, par exemple. Dix-huit ans, c’est l’âge où on fête sa majorité en France. Quarante ans, cinquante ans, soixante ans… Certaines décennies sont plus marquantes que d’autres.
I’m thinking of the eighteenth birthday, for example. Eighteen is the age of majority in France. Forty, fifty, sixty… Some decades are more significant than others.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “je pense à celui” mean?
“Je pense à celui” is a common phrase in French. It translates to “I’m thinking about the one” or “I’m thinking of that one” in English. The phrase is often used when referring to a specific person or object, emphasizing the singular and specific nature of what the speaker is thinking about.
For example:
- Je pense à celui qui m’a aidé hier. (I’m thinking about the one who helped me yesterday.)
- Je pense à celui que j’ai vu au supermarché. (I’m thinking of the one I saw at the supermarket.)
The use of “celui” indicates that the speaker is thinking about a particular individual or item, distinguishing it from others in a given context. It allows for a more precise and focused expression of thought.
What does “fêter sa majorité” mean?
“Fêter sa majorité” is an idiomatic phrase in French. It translates to “celebrate one’s majority” in English. While “celebrate one’s majority” is a literal translation, a more accurate and idiomatic translation of “fêter sa majorité” would be “celebrate coming of age” or “celebrate turning 18” in English. It refers to the celebration of reaching the legal age of adulthood, which is typically 18 years old in France.
In French culture, turning 18 and reaching the age of majority is seen as an important milestone in a person’s life. It marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood and comes with certain rights and responsibilities. To commemorate this significant event, individuals often celebrate by having a party or gathering with family and friends.
During the celebration, the person who has reached their majority is typically the center of attention. It is a festive occasion where they are congratulated and wished well for their future as an adult.
So, “fêter sa majorité” is a commonly used phrase to describe the celebration of someone reaching the legal age of adulthood in France.
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Do you know the phrases “je pense à celui” and “fêter sa majorité”? Hear them both in this clip of French in real life. Choose your level and the quiz adjusts to match, fill in the blanks of the transcript while you listen and improve your listening skills with us! Free quizzes added daily, discover…
