What do “on s’intéresse”, “aux rituels d’anniversaire”, “il y a toute une dimension” mean? Hear them all in this quiz from Passerelles. It’s a short one today, and perfect for any level. Choose how much of the transcript you see and fill in the blanks.
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
Take an interest in
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Quand on s’intéresse aux rituels d’anniversaire, on comprend qu’il y a toute une dimension historique.
When you look at birthday rituals, you realize that there’s a whole historical dimension to them.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “on s’intéresse” mean?
While the most direct translation is “we are interested” or “one is interested,” the phrase can also convey the idea of “paying attention to,” “taking an interest in,” or “concerning oneself with” something. The exact translation depends on the context in which the phrase is used.
For example:
- “Quand on s’intéresse à l’art, on découvre de nouvelles perspectives.” = “When we look into art, we discover new perspectives.”
- “On s’intéresse de plus en plus à l’écologie.” = “We are increasingly concerned with ecology.”
In these examples, “on s’intéresse” is used to indicate an active engagement or involvement with the subject, rather than simply having a passive interest in it. So, the translations “when we look” or “when we concern ourselves” capture the dynamic aspect of the phrase in those contexts.
What does “aux rituels d’anniversaire” mean?
Wait, is it “au rituel d’anniversaire” or “aux rituels d’anniversaire”? The two phrases in French sound quite similar and have a similar meaning, but there is a subtle difference between them.
- aux rituels d’anniversaire : This suggests a more general context, where the speaker is referring to “birthday rituals” in a broader sense, possibly encompassing various types or a wider range of rituals related to birthdays.
- au rituel d’anniversaire : This indicates a more specific context, where the speaker is referring to a particular, singular “birthday ritual” or a specific type of ritual related to birthdays.
In spoken language, the pronunciation of “aux” and “au” can be quite similar, as they are both short and common words in French. So, it might be a little challenging to distinguish them solely based on pronunciation. Context and the other words around these phrases are essential for understanding the intended meaning correctly. Additionally, the intonation and emphasis given to the words could potentially help convey the intended meaning. However, in written form, the distinction is clear with the presence or absence of “les” before “rituels d’anniversaire.”
Based on the context of previous clips from this podcast, I belive it should be plural. What do you think?
What does “il y a toute” mean?
While “il y a toute” is not a standard phrase, with “une dimension” it means “there is a whole dimension” in English.
The phrase is used to emphasize the presence or existence of a significant aspect or dimension in a situation, often suggesting that there is more to it than what meets the eye or that it has a profound impact. It highlights the idea that something is not just simple or straightforward but rather complex or multifaceted.
For example:
- Cette œuvre d’art est incroyable, il y a toute une dimension émotionnelle que l’on ressent en la regardant. (This artwork is incredible; there is a whole emotional dimension that one feels when looking at it.)
- La nouvelle technologie apporte avec elle toute une dimension de possibilités pour l’avenir. (The new technology brings with it a whole dimension of possibilities for the future.)
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What do “on s’intéresse”, “aux rituels d’anniversaire”, “il y a toute une dimension” mean? Hear them all in this quiz from Passerelles. It’s a short one today, and perfect for any level. Choose how much of the transcript you see and fill in the blanks.
