Passerelles ep. 1, Quiz 42: d’une année sur l’autre

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Year after year

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What does “d’une année sur l’autre” mean?

“D’une année sur l’autre” is a French expression that translates to “From one year to the next” or “Year after year” in English. It’s a common phrase used to describe actions, changes, or trends that occur consistently or repeatedly over the course of multiple years. Here are some key points about “D’une année sur l’autre”:

Meaning and Usage: “D’une année sur l’autre” is used to talk about events, developments, or situations that occur from one year to the following year, implying a recurring pattern or continuity. It’s often used to discuss changes or comparisons over time, emphasizing the consistency or evolution of a particular situation or phenomenon.

Examples:

• “Les températures augmentent d’une année sur l’autre à cause du changement climatique.” (Temperatures are increasing from one year to the next due to climate change.)
• “D’une année sur l’autre, il y a de moins en moins de participants à cet événement.” (Year after year, there are fewer and fewer participants in this event.)
• “La popularité de cette série télévisée continue de croître d’une année sur l’autre.” (The popularity of this TV series keeps growing year after year.)

Common Usage: “D’une année sur l’autre” is a commonly used phrase in both spoken and written French, especially when discussing trends, statistics, or developments that span multiple years.

It’s frequently used in news reports, articles, discussions about economics, climate change, social issues, and more.

In summary, “D’une année sur l’autre” is a common and practical French expression that is used to discuss recurring changes or trends from one year to the next. It’s an essential phrase for expressing the concept of continuity and evolution over time in various contexts.

What does “la prise de conscience” mean?

“La prise” on its own means “the taking” or “the grasp” in English. It refers to the act of taking hold of something physically or metaphorically. In the context of “la prise de conscience,” “prise” refers to the act of “taking” or “grasping” awareness or understanding.

“La prise de conscience” – Awareness and Realization: “La prise de conscience” is not an idiomatic expression per se, but it’s a commonly used term in French to describe the concept of becoming aware or realizing something. This expression underscores the idea of “taking hold of awareness” or “grasping understanding,” emphasizing the active nature of becoming conscious of something previously unclear or unnoticed.

Usage and Cultural Significance: “La prise de conscience” is often used in discussions about personal growth, societal issues, and transformative moments. It reflects the importance of understanding, introspection, and progress in both individual and collective contexts.

Related Expressions with “Prise”:

• “Prise de décision” – Decision-making: This expression refers to the process of making a decision, often implying that a choice has been “taken” after careful consideration.
• “Prise de position” – Taking a stance: This expression refers to expressing a clear position or opinion on a matter, implying the act of “taking” a particular stance.
• “Prise en compte” – Taking into account: This expression is used when something is considered or factored into a decision or analysis, highlighting the idea of “taking” it into consideration.

In summary, “la prise de conscience” is a meaningful expression that embodies the act of becoming aware or realizing something, capturing the concept of “taking hold” of understanding. While “la prise” on its own can refer to physically or metaphorically “taking” something, the phrase “la prise de conscience” focuses specifically on the acquisition of awareness and understanding.

What does “beaucoup” mean?

It just hit me that beaucoup can modify the verb or the noun after it, making this phrase in context interesting…

1. Adverb: As an adverb, “beaucoup” means “a lot” or “much,” and it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Example:

• “Il parle beaucoup.” (He talks a lot.)
• “C’est vraiment beaucoup trop cher.” (It’s really much too expensive.)

2. Determiner (Quantifier): “Beaucoup de” is used as a determiner before nouns to express “a lot of,” “many,” or “much.”

Example:

• “J’ai beaucoup de livres.” (I have a lot of books.)
• “Il y a beaucoup de monde ici.” (There are many people here.)

What does “beacoup des personnes” mean?

“Ça dépend beaucoup des personnes” is a common and idiomatic expression in French. It translates to “It depends a lot on the individuals” in English. This phrase is often used to convey that different people have different preferences, opinions, or reactions to a given situation or topic. It highlights the variability and subjectivity of individual perspectives.

Breakdown of the Phrase:

• “Ça” is a colloquial abbreviation of “cela” which means “it” or “that.”
• “Dépend” comes from the verb “dépendre,” which means “to depend.” In this context, it’s used in the third person singular form.
• “Beaucoup” means “a lot.”
• “Des personnes” translates to “of the individuals” or “of the people.”

Idiomatic Use: While each word’s meaning can be understood individually, the entire phrase has a collective meaning that conveys a sense of relativity, individual differences, and the fact that various factors influence people’s perspectives or decisions. It’s often used in discussions to acknowledge that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer and that individual preferences play a significant role in the outcome.

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