Improve your French listening skills with this clip of French in real life from the podcast Transfert. Dive into all the starts, stops, and phrases common in every day speech. What do you hear? Choose your level and fill in the blanks as you listen.
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Transfert s01ep22. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
somehow
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?
Ce n’était pas Ce n’était pas excitant d’être avec eux. Mais quelque part, moi, ça je les adorais. Et je savais qu’ils m’adoraient, donc on avait une relation très très très proche.
It wasn’t exciting to be with them. But somehow I adored them. And I knew they adored me, so we had a very, very, very close relationship.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “mais quelque part” mean?
“Maiss quelque part” translates to “but somewhere” in English. In French, this phrase often extends beyond its literal meaning to express a figurative or metaphorical idea.
Usage and Context:
- Introducing a Contrasting or Additional Thought: It’s frequently used to introduce a thought that adds to, contrasts with, or provides a different perspective on the previous statement.
- Figurative Meaning: More often than not, “mais quelque part” is used metaphorically to mean “but in a way” or “but somehow.”
Examples:
- Contrasting Opinion or Feeling: “Je suis déçu, mais quelque part, je suis soulagé.” (I am disappointed, but somewhere/in a way, I am relieved.)
- Acknowledging a Different Aspect: “C’est difficile, mais quelque part, c’est une bonne expérience.” (It’s hard, but somewhere/somehow, it’s a good experience.)
Nuance:
- Reflection and Consideration: The phrase is typically used in reflective speech, where the speaker is considering different aspects of a situation.
- Balancing Viewpoints: “Mais quelque part” often serves to balance or moderate a statement, acknowledging complexity or multiple sides of an issue.
Cultural Notes:
- Nuanced Conversations in French: This phrase exemplifies the French language’s capacity for nuanced conversation. It reflects a tendency to explore and acknowledge multiple facets of a situation, which is a valued aspect of French discourse.
Summary:
“Mais quelque part” means “but somewhere” in French, commonly used in a figurative sense to introduce a contrasting or additional perspective, akin to saying “but in a way” or “but somehow.” It’s often employed in reflective and nuanced discussions to acknowledge different aspects or complexities of a situation.
What is opening up for you?
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Improve your French listening skills with this clip of French in real life from the podcast Transfert. Dive into all the starts, stops, and phrases common in every day speech. What do you hear? Choose your level and fill in the blanks as you listen.