The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to.
The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above is for educational purposes only. Find the full text and audio here or on Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.
propre
Number 2. Find Number 1 here. Not really the lighter side from this week, but enough of a positive to merit mention in this series.
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Thème, très présent dans le débat public français, est porté essentiellement par la droite et l’extrême droite, qui dénoncent « une invasion migratoire ». La gauche, elle, selon le Nouvel Obs, « peine à exprimer sa propre vision et un contre-discours ».
This theme, which is very present in the French public debate, is mainly driven by the right and extreme right, who denounce “a migratory invasion”. The left, meanwhile, according to Nouvel Obs, is “struggling to express its own vision and counter-discourse”.
Translated with Deepl.
What does “est porté” mean?
Est porté is the passive voice of the verb porter, meaning is worn, is carried, or is supported, depending on context.
Ce vêtement est porté en hiver.
(This clothing is worn in winter.)
Le projet est porté par plusieurs associations.
(The project is supported by several organizations.)
Le bébé est porté par sa mère.
(The baby is carried by his mother.)
So est porté = is being [worn/carried/supported]. The meaning depends on what the subject is: a piece of clothing (worn), a cause or initiative (supported), or an object (carried). It’s a common structure in formal, descriptive, or explanatory language.
What does “peine” mean?
Peine means pain, sorrow, effort, or punishment, depending on context. It’s a flexible word with emotional, physical, and legal uses.
Il a beaucoup de peine depuis la rupture.
(He’s been very sad since the breakup.)
In the phrase peine à exprimer, peine means difficulty or struggle.
So, peine à exprimer translates as difficulty expressing [something] or struggles to express.
Example:
Il a de la peine à exprimer ses émotions.
(He has trouble expressing his emotions.)
This is a soft, emotionally loaded way to say someone is not finding it easy to put thoughts or feelings into words. It suggests a personal or internal barrier—more than just lacking vocabulary, it’s about effort, hesitation, or discomfort.
This construction (avoir de la peine à + infinitive) is slightly more formal or gentle than avoir du mal à, but both are common in describing emotional or cognitive effort.
What does “selon” mean?
Selon means according to, depending on, or based on, depending on context.
Selon le journal, il va démissionner.
(According to the newspaper, he’s going to resign.)
Selon moi, ce n’est pas une bonne idée.
(In my opinion, it’s not a good idea.)
Le résultat varie selon la méthode utilisée.
(The result varies depending on the method used.)
It’s widely used in speech and writing to express source, opinion, or conditions. It can introduce someone’s view, a source of information, or a factor that affects change. In all cases, selon helps clarify whose perspective or what criteria are being referenced.
What does “propre” mean?
Propre is a versatile word in French that changes meaning depending on position and context.
- After the noun → clean
Une chemise propre (A clean shirt)
Tes mains sont-elles propres ? (Are your hands clean?) - Before the noun → own
Ma propre voiture (My own car)
Il a ses propres idées (He has his own ideas) - In formal/abstract contexts → proper to / specific to
Un style propre à l’auteur (A style unique to the author)
Une tradition propre à cette région (A tradition specific to this region)
Culturally, this dual placement is typical in French and important to master: putting propre before or after the noun completely changes its meaning—from ownership to cleanliness.
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The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Revue de Presse Hebdomaires Français 20 Apr 2025 Episode. We do not own this content, nor do we…
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