Improve your French listening skills with this clip of fash French in real life. How much can you pick up? I love that it’s got the right amount of colloquial/slang and real grammar. Words that stood out to me: “cool quoi”, “de longues années”, “eux aussi”, “c’est rigolo”, “des vie parallèles”. Set your level and…
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.
it’s amusing
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?
Et je me disais, ça pourrait être cool quoi, on va être voisins de cuisine pendant peut-être de longues années. Moi, je me voyais vivre dans cet appartement pendant longtemps, eux aussi. Et euh et je me disais, tiens, c’est rigolo, on va pouvoir un peu vivre des vies parallèles, comme dans la chanson de Vincent Delerm.
And I thought, this could be cool, we’re going to be kitchen neighbors for maybe years to come. I could see myself living in this apartment for a long time, and them too. And I was thinking, well, this is fun, we’ll be able to live parallel lives, like in Vincent Delerm’s song.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “cool quoi” mean?
“Cool quoi” is a colloquial French phrase combining “cool,” borrowed from English and meaning the same (cool, trendy, good), and the filler word “quoi,” which translates to “you know” or “like” in conversational English.
Usage and Context:
- Casual Affirmation or Emphasis:
- Used at the end of a sentence to casually affirm or emphasize a statement.
- Example: “C’était une soirée vraiment cool quoi.” (It was a really cool party, you know.)
- Filler in Conversation:
- “Quoi” acts as a conversational filler, similar to “you know” or “like” in English, adding a casual, colloquial tone to the statement.
Cultural Notes:
- The use of “cool” reflects the influence of English in contemporary French, especially among younger speakers.
- “Quoi” as a filler word is common in informal French speech, often used to make statements more conversational or to soften assertions.
In Summary:
“Cool quoi” in French is a casual, colloquial phrase used to affirm or emphasize the coolness or appeal of something, with “quoi” acting as a conversational filler to add a relaxed tone to the statement. It’s a common expression in informal, everyday French, particularly among younger speakers.
What does “de longues années” mean?
“De longues années” translates to “many years” or “long years” in English. It’s used to refer to a substantial, often extended period of time.
Usage and Context:
- Emphasizing Duration:
- Used to emphasize the length or duration of time something has taken or lasted.
- Example: “Il a travaillé ici pendant de longues années.” (He worked here for many years.)
- Reflecting on Extended Periods:
- Often used in contexts of reflection, history, or describing long-term experiences.
- “Après de longues années de recherche, ils ont trouvé une solution.” (After many years of research, they found a solution.)
Cultural Notes:
- In French, expressions like “de longues années” are often used to convey a sense of history, endurance, or significant passage of time, emphasizing both the length and the impact of the time period in question.
In Summary:
“De longues années” (many years/long years) in French is used to describe an extended period of time, emphasizing its length or duration. It’s often used in reflective or historical contexts to underline the significance of the time span.
What does “eux aussi” mean?
“Eux aussi” in French translates to “they too” or “them too” in English. It’s used to indicate that the people referred to by “eux” (them/they) are also included in or subject to whatever is being discussed.
Usage and Context:
- Inclusion in an Action or Trait:
- Used to include a group of people in an action, characteristic, or situation that applies to others as well.
- Example: “Ils ont réussi, et eux aussi.” (They succeeded, and they did too.)
- Emphasizing Inclusion:
- Often used to emphasize that the group referred to is part of something that may not have been initially obvious.
- “Elle aime le cinéma, et eux aussi.” (She likes the cinema, and they do too.)
In Summary:
“Eux aussi” (they/them too) in French is used to indicate that a particular group is also included in an action, situation, or characteristic. It’s a straightforward way to emphasize inclusion or participation of those referred to by “eux” in whatever is being discussed.
What does “c’est rigolo” mean?
“C’est rigolo” translates to “it’s funny” or “it’s amusing” in English. This phrase is used to describe something that is lighthearted, entertaining, or humorous.
Usage and Context:
- Describing Amusing Situations or Things:
- Used when finding something amusing or entertaining.
- Example: “C’est rigolo de voir les chiens jouer.” (It’s funny to watch the dogs play.)
- Light, Casual Contexts:
- More appropriate for casual, lighthearted situations rather than serious humor.
Cultural Notes:
- In French, “rigolo” conveys a sense of innocent or gentle humor. It’s often used in contexts that are not laugh-out-loud funny but are charmingly amusing.
- The term is also commonly used in reference to children’s entertainment or behavior, due to its gentle connotation.
In Summary:
“C’est rigolo” (it’s funny/amusing) is a French phrase used to describe things or situations that are lighthearted and entertaining. It’s often used in casual contexts and is associated with a gentle, charming sense of humor.
What does “des vies parallèles” mean?
“Des vies parallèles” in French translates to “parallel lives” in English. It refers to situations where two or more people’s lives are simultaneously occurring in a similar manner or under similar circumstances but do not intersect or significantly influence each other.
Possible Meanings and Contexts:
- Separate but Similar Lives:
- Often used to describe situations where individuals lead lives that are similar in nature or experience but are independent and separate from each other.
- Example: “Ils ne se connaissent pas, mais ils mènent des vies parallèles.” (They don’t know each other, but they lead parallel lives.)
- Lives Unconnected Yet Comparable:
- Can indicate that despite the lack of direct interaction, the paths or experiences of these individuals are notably alike.
- Example: “Bien qu’éloignés, ils expérimentent des vies parallèles à travers leurs carrières.” (Though distant, they experience parallel lives through their careers.)
What “chanson”?
And yes, this song has already been set to quizzes. Take the first quiz here.
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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Improve your French listening skills with this clip of fash French in real life. How much can you pick up? I love that it’s got the right amount of colloquial/slang and real grammar. Words that stood out to me: “cool quoi”, “de longues années”, “eux aussi”, “c’est rigolo”, “des vie parallèles”. Set your level and…