What about the two phrases: “comme vous pouvez le deviner” and “ça m’a donné envie” – can you hear them both? I think they’re great little bits of French in real life. “Envie” always seems to pop up and from the beginning it has always surprised me. Ready for today’s quiz? Dive in, listen and…
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
made me want to
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?
Comme vous pouvez le deviner, ça veut dire fêter son anniversaire. Toute cette discussion, ça m’a donné envie d’en savoir plus sur pourquoi on souffle des bougies aux anniversaires.
As you can guess, it means to celebrate your birthday. All this talk has made me want to know more about why we blow out candles on birthdays.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “comme vous pouvez le deviner” mean?
The phrase “Comme vous pouvez le deviner” translates to “As you can guess” or “As you can imagine” in English. It’s used to introduce a statement or fact that the speaker believes is evident or easily inferred from the previous context.
Usage & Nuances:
This phrase is often used to set up a reveal or clarification about something that may have been implied or hinted at. It can also convey a slight emphasis on the obviousness or predictability of what’s about to be shared.
Examples:
- After describing a series of unfortunate events, one might say, “Comme vous pouvez le deviner, ce n’était pas la meilleure journée de ma vie.” (“As you can guess, it wasn’t the best day of my life.”)
- In a scenario where someone is talking about a well-known public figure’s latest action, they might begin with “Comme vous pouvez le deviner, tout le monde en parle.” (“As you can imagine, everyone is talking about it.”)
Related Phrases:
- “Comme vous l’avez probablement remarqué” – “As you probably noticed”
- “Comme vous le savez déjà” – “As you already know”
In Summary: “Comme vous pouvez le deviner” is a phrase that helps highlight the obviousness or self-evidence of a subsequent statement. It guides listeners to connect dots or anticipate what’s coming next in a narrative or explanation.
What does “ça m’a donné envie” mean?
“Envie” translates to “desire” or “wish” in English. In the context of “ça m’a donné envie,” it means “it made me want to” or “it gave me the desire to.”
Usage & Nuances:
- “Avoir envie de” is a common expression in French used to indicate a desire or craving for something, whether it’s a physical object, an activity, or an abstract concept. For example, “J’ai envie d’un chocolat” means “I feel like having a chocolate.”
- The structure “ça m’a donné envie de + verb” is used to express that something has triggered a particular wish or desire to perform an action.
Examples:
- After watching a film about traveling, one might say, “Ça m’a donné envie de voyager” (“It made me want to travel”).
- “À chaque fois que je vois ce gâteau, j’en ai envie.” (“Every time I see that cake, I want some.”)
- “Elle a toujours envie d’apprendre.” (“She always wants to learn.”)
Related Phrases:
- “J’ai hâte” – “I can’t wait”
- “Ça me plaît” – “I like it”
In Summary: The word “envie” in French refers to a desire or craving. In phrases like “ça m’a donné envie,” it indicates that something has inspired or triggered a specific wish or desire to do something. It’s a common way to express personal reactions or feelings in response to experiences or observations.
What is opening up for you?
Comment below with the words you thought you heard, where you struggled, where you surprised yourself, or what you thought about this clip. Every little bit inspires other learners, thank you for being that inspiration to others on their French fluency journey!
What about the two phrases: “comme vous pouvez le deviner” and “ça m’a donné envie” – can you hear them both? I think they’re great little bits of French in real life. “Envie” always seems to pop up and from the beginning it has always surprised me. Ready for today’s quiz? Dive in, listen and…