Improve your French listening skills with French in real life. Do you know what “raide dingue” means? Hear it in this clip from Transfert. Set 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.
crazy about
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?
J’ai su, là, avec lui, que je tombais amoureuse. Je suis tombée raide dingue de Joe, et ça fait huit ans et je suis raide dingue de Joe.
I knew right there, with him, that I was falling in love. I fell head over heels for Joe, and it’s been eight years and I’m still head over heels for Joe.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “j’ai su” mean?
“J’ai su” translates to “I knew” or “I found out” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- This phrase is the past tense conjugation of the verb “savoir,” which means “to know.”
- “J’ai su” is in the passé composé tense, a common past tense in French used to express actions completed in the past.
- It refers to the act of coming to know something or becoming aware of information at a specific point in the past.
Examples
- “J’ai su la vérité hier.” (I found out the truth yesterday.)
- “Dès que j’ai su, je t’ai appelé.” (As soon as I knew, I called you.)
Context
- “J’ai su” can be used in a variety of contexts, such as finding out news, learning information, or realizing something important.
- It’s used in both spoken and written French and is suitable for casual conversations as well as more formal narratives or descriptions.
Summary
“J’ai su” means “I knew” or “I found out” in French. It’s used to express the action of coming to know something or becoming aware of certain information in the past. This phrase is applicable in many situations where the speaker refers to the moment they obtained knowledge or information.
What does “raide dingue” mean?
“Raide dingue” is a colloquial French expression that translates to “crazy about” or “madly in love with” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- “Raide” is a slang term that intensifies the following word. In this context, it means “completely” or “totally.”
- “Dingue” is a colloquial word for “crazy” or “nuts.”
- Together, “raide dingue” conveys a sense of being extremely or passionately enthusiastic about someone or something.
Examples
- “Il est raide dingue d’elle.” (He’s crazy about her.)
- “Je suis raide dingue de ce groupe de musique.” (I’m totally nuts about this band.)
Context
- “Raide dingue” is used in informal, conversational French. It’s a lively and expressive way to talk about strong admiration, attraction, or enthusiasm.
- The phrase is commonly used in personal contexts, especially when discussing romantic feelings, but can also apply to hobbies, interests, or even obsessions.
Literally, “raide dingue” combines the word “raide,” which means “stiff” or “rigid,” with “dingue,” which means “crazy” or “nuts.” The literal translation doesn’t convey the same meaning as its colloquial use. In its literal sense, “raide” doesn’t align naturally with “dingue,” as “stiff crazy” isn’t a coherent expression in English. However, in French slang, “raide” is often used to intensify the word that follows it, so “raide dingue” figuratively means being extremely or intensely crazy about something or someone.
Summary
“Raide dingue” is a colloquial French phrase meaning “crazy about” or “madly in love with.” It’s used to express a high degree of enthusiasm, attraction, or admiration for someone or something. The expression is informal and typically used in personal, conversational settings to describe intense feelings or passions.
What does “ça fait huit ans” mean?
“Ça fait huit ans” translates to “it’s been eight years” in English.
Usage and Interpretation
- This phrase is used to indicate the passage of eight years since a certain event occurred or a condition began.
- “Ça fait” means “it’s been” or “it makes,” and “huit ans” means “eight years.”
Examples
- “Ça fait huit ans que je travaille ici.” (It’s been eight years since I started working here.)
- “Ça fait huit ans qu’ils sont mariés.” (They have been married for eight years.)
Context
- “Ça fait huit ans” can be used in a variety of contexts where indicating the duration of time is important, such as in personal anecdotes, historical references, or discussing changes over time.
- It’s a common construction in both spoken and written French, suitable for casual as well as formal situations.
Summary
“Ça fait huit ans” means “it’s been eight years” in French. It’s used to express the duration of eight years since an event took place or a condition started. The phrase is versatile and commonly used to indicate the passage of time in relation to various events, experiences, or changes.
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.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
Welcome to Bitesize French, where fast spoken French is finally accessible! We break podcasts into short clips, like lively chats in French that fit into your day. They’re perfect for anyone, from advanced students to those just starting. Join us and enjoy French, one short clip at a time. Let’s learn together!
Make the most of the site:
- Daily Podcast Listening: Start your day with a French podcast from our collection. Choose episodes that align with your interests to keep it engaging.
- Active Listening Practice: As you listen, try to pick out key phrases and vocabulary. Use our daily quizzes to test your understanding and reinforce learning.
- Repeat and Shadow: Listen to the same podcast segment multiple times. Try to mimic the pronunciation and intonation to improve your spoken French.
- Note-taking: Jot down new words or phrases you encounter. Review these notes regularly to enhance vocabulary retention.
- Reflect and Respond: After each episode, summarize the main points in French, either in writing or aloud. This helps in consolidating your learning and improving your expressive skills.
I created the Bitesize French project because I wanted to understand more than just my teacher and youtubers who cater to learners. I wanted to understand the French I hear in France. I hope you can benefit as much as I am. Become a supporting member for access to all clips.
Improve your French listening skills with French in real life. Do you know what “raide dingue” means? Hear it in this clip from Transfert. Set your level and fill in the blanks as you listen!