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The above audio sample and transcription is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
on good terms
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The snippet in English
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Il y a des hommes pour qui ça s’est euh passé normalement, avec qui je suis restée en bons termes, et il y en a, notamment le dernier, ça a été un petit peu plus difficile.
There are men for whom things have gone well, with whom I’ve remained on good terms, and there are some, particularly the last one, with whom things have been a little more difficult.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “je suis restée en bons termes” mean?
“Je suis restée en bons termes” is a French phrase that translates to “I remained on good terms” in English. This phrase is used to express that, despite a potential disagreement, separation, or end of a relationship, the individuals involved still maintain a friendly or amicable relationship.
Examples:
- “Après notre rupture, je suis restée en bons termes avec mon ex.” (After our breakup, I remained on good terms with my ex.)
- “Bien que nous ne travaillions plus ensemble, je suis restée en bons termes avec mes anciens collègues.” (Even though we no longer work together, I remained on good terms with my former colleagues.)
Usage & Nuances:
This phrase is used in contexts where relationships (professional, romantic, or otherwise) have undergone a significant change, but the parties involved have managed to maintain a positive relationship. The nuance here is that, despite potential difficulties, individuals have made an effort to preserve a sense of mutual respect and friendliness.
When to Use:
Use “je suis restée en bons termes” when you want to express that you have successfully maintained a positive relationship with someone after a period of change or potential conflict.
Variations:
- “Nous sommes restés en bons termes” (We remained on good terms)
Antonyms:
- “Je suis restée en mauvais termes” (I remained on bad terms)
Cultural Notes:
Maintaining amicable relationships, even after a separation or change, is often valued in French culture. This phrase reflects a desire for social harmony and the ability to navigate relationships with grace and maturity.
In Summary: “Je suis restée en bons termes” is a phrase that conveys the maintenance of a positive relationship after a period of change. It reflects a value placed on social harmony and the ability to preserve amicable connections, which is a significant aspect of French culture and interpersonal relationships.
What does “je suis restée” mean?
“Je suis restée” is a French phrase that translates to “I stayed” or “I remained” in English. It is a combination of the verb “rester” (to stay/remain) in the first person singular past tense, and the auxiliary verb “être” (to be).
Examples:
- “Je suis restée à la maison hier.” (I stayed at home yesterday.)
- “Après le cours, je suis restée pour poser des questions.” (After the class, I remained to ask questions.)
Usage & Nuances:
The phrase “je suis restée” can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate that the speaker, who is female (as indicated by the “e” at the end of “restée”), has remained in a place or state for a duration of time. The usage of “rester” with “être” as the auxiliary verb follows the rules of French grammar for reflexive verbs and certain verbs of motion and change of state.
What does “en bons termes” mean?
“En bons termes” is a French phrase that translates to “on good terms” in English. It describes a positive and amicable relationship between people, even after a disagreement, separation, or other potentially divisive event.
Examples:
- “Malgré la séparation, ils sont restés en bons termes.” (Despite the breakup, they remained on good terms.)
- “Après la discussion houleuse, ils ont réussi à se mettre en bons termes.” (After the heated argument, they managed to get back on good terms.)
Usage & Nuances:
The phrase “en bons termes” is used to describe a state of amicable relations between people. It carries a connotation of maturity, diplomacy, and the ability to maintain a positive relationship despite potential challenges.
When to Use:
Use “en bons termes” when you want to describe a positive, friendly relationship between individuals, even if they have experienced disagreements or separations.
Synonyms:
- “En bons rapports” (On good terms)
- “En bonne entente” (In good understanding)
What about “il y en a” vs “il y a” mean?
- Il y a: This phrase translates to “there is” or “there are” in English. It is used to indicate the existence or presence of something.
- Example: “Il y a un livre sur la table.” (There is a book on the table.)
- Context: “Il y a” can be used in both formal and informal contexts, and it is a fundamental construction in French for expressing existence or presence.
- Il y en a: This phrase can be translated to “there are some” or “there is some” in English, and it incorporates the pronoun “en” to replace a previously mentioned or known quantity or specific item.
- Example: “Tu as des bonbons ? Oui, il y en a.” (Do you have any candies? Yes, there are some.)
- Context: “Il y en a” is commonly used in both spoken and written French in various contexts, and it helps to avoid repetition by replacing the noun with “en.”
Usage & Nuances:
- Il y a: This is a straightforward expression used to state the existence of something. It remains constant regardless of the number and gender of the nouns that follow.
- Il y en a: The addition of “en” makes the phrase more complex, as “en” replaces a partitive article (some of), a specific quantity, or an indefinite article (a, an). The meaning of “il y en a” can vary depending on the context and what “en” is referring to.
When to Use:
- Use “il y a” when you are simply stating that something exists or is present.
- Use “il y en a” when you are referring back to something already mentioned or known, and you want to confirm its presence or existence without repeating the noun.
Variations:
- “Il y avait” (there was/there were) can be used for both phrases in the past tense.
Cultural Notes:
Both “il y a” and “il y en a” are fundamental constructions in French language, reflecting the importance of being able to express existence and presence in a concise manner. The use of “en” to avoid repetition also showcases the efficiency and subtlety in French communication.
In Summary: While “il y a” and “il y en a” can seem similar, they serve different purposes in French. “Il y a” is used to state the existence or presence of something, while “il y en a” is used to refer back to a known item or quantity, confirming its presence or existence without repetition. Understanding the nuances between these two phrases is key to mastering French expression of existence and reference.
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Dive into a whirlwind of past romances with this fun French podcast snippet from Transfert s01ep22! 🎢💔 From breezy goodbyes to tricky farewells, uncover what “je suis restée en bons termes” really means and boost your French flair! 🇫🇷✨ Catch the clip here and fill in what you hear in our transcription quiz!
