Dive into some common and useful expressions and look at nuance with “vite” in today’s quiz. It’s moderately paced and 32 words long. Dive in and fill-in-the-blanks with what you hear.
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
to pass quickly
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?
D’autre part, plus on avance en âge, plus le temps semble passer vite. Toutes et tous, je pense qu’on a connu ce sentiment, cette impression qu’on ne voit pas le temps passer.
On the other hand, the older we get, the faster time seems to fly. I think we’ve all experienced this feeling, this impression that time never seems to go by.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “d’autre part” mean?
The French phrase “d’autre part” translates to “on the other hand” or “furthermore” in English. It is often used as a counterpart to “d’une part,” which means “on one hand,” to introduce a contrasting point or an additional element in an argument or discussion.
Examples:
- “D’une part, il est très intelligent; d’autre part, il est assez paresseux.” (On one hand, he is very smart; on the other hand, he is quite lazy.)
- “D’une part, cette politique peut générer des emplois; d’autre part, elle pourrait avoir un impact environnemental négatif.” (On the one hand, this policy could generate jobs; on the other hand, it might have a negative environmental impact.)
Understand Deeper
“D’autre part” is used to introduce a second or additional point, especially when you want to show contrast or provide additional information following “d’une part.”
Avoid using “d’autre part” without first using “d’une part,” as it may confuse your listener or reader. The phrases are usually used in tandem to present contrasting or complementary points.
Alternatively, if you want to agree or add a point that aligns with the first one, you might say “de plus” (in addition) or “également” (also) instead of “d’autre part.”
This expression is commonly used in both written and spoken French, particularly in academic or formal settings where nuanced arguments are being made. But it’s useful in everyday conversations as well, especially when you are weighing the pros and cons of something.
In summary, “d’autre part” is a phrase that can be quite handy when you’re discussing complex issues, contrasting different viewpoints, or presenting multifaceted arguments.
What does “plus… plus…” mean?
The French construction “plus… plus…” translates to “the more… the more…” in English. This correlative conjunction is used to indicate that an increase in one quality, condition, or circumstance leads to an increase in another. It’s a way to show a proportional or parallel relationship between two things.
Examples
- “Plus on étudie, plus on apprend.” (The more you study, the more you learn.)
- “Plus il fait chaud, plus les gens vont à la plage.” (The hotter it is, the more people go to the beach.)
Understand Deeper
Use “plus… plus…” when you want to indicate that a change in one variable corresponds to a change in another variable, either positively or negatively.
The opposite of “plus… plus…” could be “moins… moins…” (“the less… the less…”) or “plus… moins…” (“the more… the less…”), used to indicate that an increase in one variable corresponds to a decrease in another.
This construction is quite common in both formal and informal French to express cause and effect or correlation. It’s often used to make general observations about life, habits, or natural phenomena.
In summary, “plus… plus…” is a French structure for showing cause-and-effect relationships, effectively capturing how an increase in one variable affects another.
What does “passer vite” mean?
The word “vite” is an adverb in French that means “quickly” or “fast.” When used in the phrase “passer vite,” it translates to “to go by quickly” or “to pass quickly,” often referring to the passage of time, events, or even objects.
Examples
- “Le temps passe vite quand on s’amuse.” (Time goes by quickly when you’re having fun.)
- “Elle est passée vite devant moi sans dire bonjour.” (She quickly walked past me without saying hello.)
Understand Deeper
Use “vite” when you want to describe the speed of an action or the pace at which something occurs. In the context of “passer vite,” it can be used to highlight how quickly time is moving or how fast an event or moment seems to go by.
Don’t use “vite” when you are trying to describe something happening slowly or at a moderate pace. In such cases, you might use “lentement” (slowly) or “modérément” (moderately) instead.
The antonym for “vite” would be “lentement,” meaning “slowly.” In contrast to “passer vite,” you might say “passer lentement” to describe something that is going by slowly.
Fun Facts
The word “vite” is sometimes used in other expressions like “au plus vite” (as quickly as possible) or “vite fait” (quickly done) to emphasize speed or urgency.
Common Idioms with “vite”
- Filer à toute vitesse – To speed away; used to describe someone or something moving very quickly.
- Vite fait, bien fait – Quickly done, well done; used to describe something that is done quickly but still done well.
- Au plus vite – As fast as possible; urging quick action or haste.
- Vite, vite ! – Hurry up!; used to encourage someone to move faster.
In summary, “vite” in “passer vite” captures the quick passage of time or events. It’s the go-to word for describing speed, whether you’re discussing fleeting moments or urgent tasks in French.
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Dive into some common and useful expressions and look at nuance with “vite” in today’s quiz. It’s moderately paced and 32 words long. Dive in and fill-in-the-blanks with what you hear.
