Enhance your French listening skills with a clip of French in real life. This clip comes straight from the Transfert podcast. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen. These words stood out to me: “donc”, “qui date de”, “dans lequel”, and “en couple à l’époque”. Can you catch them all? Take…
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Transfert s01ep01. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Transfert s01ep01. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
that goes back 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?
C’est donc une histoire qui date de quand j’ai emménagé dans l’appartement dans lequel nous sommes donc j’emménageais en couple à l’époque j’avais 21 ans
So this is a story that goes back to when I moved into the apartment we’re in now, so I was moving in as a couple at the time, when I was 21.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “donc” mean?
“Donc” is a French conjunction that primarily translates to “therefore” or “so” in English. It’s used to indicate a logical conclusion or to connect a cause with its effect.
Usage and Context:
- Showing Cause and Effect: Used to link two clauses where the second clause is a result or conclusion of the first.
- Example: “Il pleuvait, donc j’ai pris un parapluie.” (It was raining, so I took an umbrella.)
- Introducing Conclusions: Often used to introduce a logical conclusion or summation of what has been said.
- Example: “Nous sommes tous fatigués, donc il est temps de se reposer.” (We are all tired, therefore it’s time to rest.)
“Donc” as a Filler Word:
- While “donc” is primarily a logical connector, it can sometimes be used as a filler word in conversational French, especially in informal settings. In this use, it serves to give the speaker a moment to think or to emphasize a point, but it does not always have a significant logical function.
- Example as Filler: “Donc, euh, je vais te raconter ce qui s’est passé.” (So, uh, I’m going to tell you what happened.)
In Summary
“Donc” in French means “therefore” or “so,” used for linking cause and effect or drawing conclusions. It can also act as a filler word in casual speech, adding emphasis or giving the speaker time to think.
What does “qui date de” mean?
“Qui date de” (which dates from) in French is used to specify the time period from which a story or certain elements within it originate.
Usage and Context:
- Used in historical contexts to indicate when a story was written or set.
- Example: “C’est une légende qui date du Moyen Âge.” (It’s a legend that dates from the Middle Ages.)
Synonyms:
- “Originaire de” (Originating from): Focuses on the place of origin.
- “Issu de” (Stemming from): Indicates the source or cultural context.
- “Provient de” (Comes from): Refers to the source or origin.
Antonym:
- “Moderne” (Modern): Indicates recent or contemporary times, contrasting with the historical implication of “qui date de.”
- “Contemporain à” (Contemporary to): Suggests contemporaneity or modern context.
In Summary:
“Qui date de” (which dates from) in French indicates the historical period of a story or its elements. Synonyms like “originaire de” (originating from) and “issu de” (stemming from) convey similar meanings, while “moderne” (modern) and “contemporain à” (contemporary to) suggest modern or contemporary contexts.
What does “dans lequel” mean?
“Dans lequel” is a French relative pronoun phrase that translates to “in which” in English. It’s used to refer to a preceding masculine noun and introduce a clause that describes or specifies something about that noun, particularly when indicating a location or context.
Usage and Context:
- Referring to Locations or Contexts:
- Example: “Le bâtiment dans lequel nous avons rencontré est ancien.” (The building in which we met is old.)
- Describing a Circumstance or Situation:
- Example: “Le scénario dans lequel il se trouve est compliqué.” (The scenario in which he finds himself is complicated.)
Grammatical Structure:
- “Dans”: A preposition meaning “in.”
- “Lequel”: A relative pronoun meaning “which.” It agrees in gender (masculine) and number with the noun it refers to.
Synonyms:
Synonyms for “dans lequel” are generally other relative pronoun constructions that can similarly describe a relationship with a masculine noun:
- “Auquel” (To which): Used for situations involving directions or indirect objects.
- “Duquel” (From which): Indicates a point of origin or source.
In summary:
“Dans lequel” (in which) is used in French to link descriptions to masculine nouns, often for locations or situations. It exemplifies precise clause linking in French. Related terms like “auquel” and “duquel” vary slightly based on context.
What does “en couple à l’époque” mean?
“En couple à l’époque” translates to “in a relationship at the time” in English. It’s a phrase used to indicate that someone was involved in a romantic relationship during a specific past period.
Usage and Context:
- Referring to Past Relationships: Used when discussing or reflecting on one’s past romantic status during a certain time.
- Example: “J’étais en couple à l’époque du lycée.” (I was in a relationship at the time of high school.)
Grammatical Structure:
- “En couple”: A phrase meaning “in a relationship.”
- “À l’époque”: Literally “at the time,” specifying the period being referred to.
In Summary:
“En couple à l’époque” means “in a relationship at the time” in French, and is used to describe someone’s past romantic status during a specific period. It’s often utilized in conversations or narratives to provide historical context about personal relationships.
This clip is from the “Transfert” podcast
Produced by slate.fr, “Transfert” is a unique French podcast that offers an immersive listening experience. Each episode features real-life stories narrated by the people who lived them. These personal narratives cover a wide range of human experiences and emotions, providing listeners with profound insights into the lives and minds of others. The storytelling is intimate and engaging, making it an excellent resource for French language learners to improve their listening skills while connecting with compelling, authentic content.
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Enhance your French listening skills with a clip of French in real life. This clip comes straight from the Transfert podcast. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen. These words stood out to me: “donc”, “qui date de”, “dans lequel”, and “en couple à l’époque”. Can you catch them all? Take…