Passerelles ep. 1, Quiz 3: assez

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Do you know what “assez” means? How about in its idiomatic uses? Hear it in this clip of French from the podcast Passerelles. Start at any level and improve your French listening. Choose how much of the transcript you can see and fill in the blanks as you listen!

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.

18 seconds, 39 words

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quite

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The snippet in English

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Aujourd’hui, on va parler d’anniversaire. À première vue, fêter son anniversaire, c’est quelque chose de banal. Mais c’est une mode assez récente en fait. C’est un rituel qui se répète chaque année et pourtant, il raconte beaucoup de choses.

Today, we’re going to talk about birthdays. On the face of it, celebrating one’s birthday is a commonplace thing. But it’s actually a fairly recent trend. It’s a ritual that’s repeated every year, and yet it tells us a lot.

The above translation from Deepl. Source

What does “À première vue” mean?

“À première vue” is a French expression that translates to “at first sight” or “at first glance” in English. It is used to express an initial impression or assessment of something based on first impressions or superficial observation. Here’s some more information about its usage and meaning:

Meaning: “À première vue” literally means “at first sight” and is used to describe a quick judgment or opinion formed based on initial appearances or limited information.
Usage: This phrase is often used to indicate that one’s perception or understanding of something is based on superficial observation or a cursory evaluation. It implies that a more thorough examination or deeper analysis may be necessary to form a definitive conclusion.

Examples:

“À première vue, ce projet semble prometteur, mais il faut encore l’étudier en détail.” (At first sight, this project seems promising, but it still needs to be studied in detail.)
“Le livre paraît intéressant à première vue, mais il faut lire les critiques pour se faire une opinion plus précise.” (The book seems interesting at first glance, but reading the reviews will help form a more accurate opinion.)
“À première vue, il semblait timide, mais en réalité, il est très sociable.” (At first sight, he seemed shy, but in reality, he is very sociable.)

In summary, “À première vue” is a phrase used to express initial impressions or judgments based on first impressions or superficial observation. It suggests that further examination or deeper analysis may be needed to form a more definitive opinion or understanding.

What does “banal” mean?

“Chose de banal” is a French phrase that translates to “something banal” or “ordinary thing” in English. It is composed of the noun “chose” (thing) and the adjective “banal” (banal, ordinary).

When used in a sentence, “chose de banal” refers to an everyday or common occurrence, object, or situation. It implies that the thing being referred to is unremarkable, mundane, or lacking in uniqueness. It can be used to describe something that is typical, ordinary, or predictable.

Here are a few examples of how “chose de banal” can be used in sentences:

C’est juste une chose de banal qui arrive à tout le monde. (It’s just a banal thing that happens to everyone.)
Ce n’est qu’une chose de banal que l’on voit tous les jours. (It’s just an ordinary thing that we see every day.)
Ne t’en fais pas, c’est juste une chose de banal, rien de spécial. (Don’t worry, it’s just an ordinary thing, nothing special.)

The phrase “chose de banal” is often used to downplay the significance or importance of something, emphasizing its commonness or lack of exceptional qualities. It implies that the thing being referred to is not noteworthy or out of the ordinary.

What does “assez” mean?

The adverb “assez” in French generally means “enough” or “quite.” It is a versatile word that can be used in various positions within a sentence, but its placement depends on the intended meaning and the structure of the sentence.

Here are some common positions where “assez” can be used:

Before an adjective: “assez grand” (quite tall), “assez difficile” (difficult enough).
Before an adverb: “assez lentement” (quite slowly), “assez bien” (well enough).
Before a verb: “il travaille assez” (he works enough), “je mange assez” (I eat enough).
At the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis: “Assez, j’en ai marre!” (Enough, I’ve had enough!), “J’en ai marre, assez!” (I’ve had enough, enough!).

It’s important to note that the position of “assez” can affect the emphasis or meaning of the sentence. Placing it before an adjective or adverb emphasizes the degree or intensity, while placing it before a verb indicates sufficiency or adequacy.

However, keep in mind that there may be specific grammatical rules or idiomatic expressions that dictate the placement of “assez” in certain contexts. It’s always helpful to refer to grammar resources or consult with native speakers to ensure correct usage.

Here are a few common idiomatic expressions with the adverb “assez”:

“Assez de”: This expression means “enough of” or “plenty of” and is used to indicate that there is a sufficient quantity or amount of something. For example: “Assez de temps” (enough time), “Assez d’argent” (plenty of money).
“Assez bien”: This expression means “fairly well” or “quite good.” It is used to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable but may not be outstanding. For example: “Il parle assez bien français” (He speaks French fairly well), “Le film était assez bien” (The movie was quite good).
“Assez pour”: This expression means “enough to” or “sufficient for.” It is used to indicate that a particular amount or quantity is adequate for a specific purpose. For example: “J’ai assez d’argent pour acheter une nouvelle voiture” (I have enough money to buy a new car), “Assez pour survivre” (Enough to survive).
“Assez parler !”: This expression means “Enough talking!” or “Let’s stop talking!” It is used to abruptly end a conversation or discussion. For example, when someone wants to move on from talking and start taking action, they might say, “Assez parler ! Passons à l’action !” (Enough talking! Let’s take action!).

And it’s true that “enough” and “fairly” can have contrasting meanings. However, in the context of idiomatic expressions, the combination of these words may convey a specific nuance or degree of satisfaction.

When we say “assez bien” (fairly well) in an idiomatic sense, it implies that something meets a satisfactory level or is acceptable, but it may not be outstanding or exceptional. It suggests a moderate or reasonable level of quality or performance. So, while it may not be the absolute best, it is still considered adequate or satisfactory.

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