The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Mondoblog. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to.
The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Mondoblog. The above is for educational purposes only. Find the full audio here.
prendre au sérieux
The content on this site has been predominantly “Hexagonal“, or from France. I want to expand to Francophones globally. Today’s content comes from RFI’s Mondoblog, from a speaker in Togo, West Africa.
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Cette petite chose qu’on fait sans y penser,
c’est souvent là que nos vraies compétences se cachent.
Il est peut-être temps de les prendre au sérieux avec le sourire.
That little thing we do without thinking about it,
that’s often where our real skills are hidden.
Maybe it’s time to take them seriously with a smile.
Translated with Deepl.
What does “sans y penser” mean?
Sans y penser means without thinking about it—used to describe doing something automatically, instinctively, or without reflection.
Il a répondu sans y penser (He answered without thinking about it).
It’s neutral and common, often appearing in speech to explain unconscious habits or quick reactions.
What does “souvent” mean?
Souvent means often—used to describe something that happens frequently or regularly.
Il pleut souvent en avril (It often rains in April).
It’s neutral and very common, suitable for both casual and formal contexts.
What does “compétences” mean?
Compétences means skills or competencies—abilities or expertise in a specific area, whether practical, technical, or interpersonal.
Elle a de solides compétences en gestion de projet (She has strong skills in project management).
It’s neutral to formal, commonly used in resumes, education, and job contexts.
What does “prendre au sérieux” mean?
Prendre au sérieux means to take seriously—used when someone or something is treated with importance, respect, or careful attention.
Il faut prendre cette menace au sérieux (This threat must be taken seriously).
It’s neutral and widely used, common in both personal and professional contexts.
In France, it appears in media, education, and everyday speech, sometimes with a tone of criticism (on ne m’a pas pris au sérieux – they didn’t take me seriously); in Quebec, usage is the same, though it may appear in personal narratives with added emotional nuance; in Francophone Africa, prendre au sérieux is frequently used in formal and civic discussions—whether referring to laws, responsibilities, or someone’s voice being acknowledged.
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The audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Mondoblog. We do not own this content, nor do we pretend to. The above audio sample and transcription is from RFI’s Mondoblog. The above is for educational purposes only. Find the full audio here. prendre au sérieux The content on this site has been predominantly “Hexagonal“, or…
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