Improve your French listening skills with this clip of French in real life from the Vivons Heureux podcast. It’s a fast pace and filled with useful colloquial expressions. How much can you pick up? Take a listen, set your level and fill in the blanks.
Learn French with a podcast snippet! This clip is is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
The above audio sample and transcription is from Vivons Heureux avant le fin de le monde podcast Numéro 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
opinions
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Si je m’assois à côté d’une fille dans le métro, je repère en moins d’une seconde si son sac est un Vanessa Bruno. Au bureau, je passe mon temps à faire la police du style, j’ai des avis définitifs sur la coupe des jeans, et en gros, j’ai pas calculé, mais j’ai bien dû passer un quart de ma vie à me regarder dans la glace.
If I sit next to a girl on the subway, I can tell in less than a second if her bag is a Vanessa Bruno. At the office, I spend my time style policing, I have definitive opinions on the cut of jeans, and basically, I haven’t calculated, but I must have spent a quarter of my life looking in the mirror.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “des avis” mean?
“Des avis” in French translates to “opinions” or “views” in English. It is a plural form, with the singular being “un avis.” This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to people’s thoughts, beliefs, or judgments about a topic or issue. Here’s a detailed look at its usage and context:
Usage and Context:
- Expressing Opinions:
- Used to talk about what people think or believe.
- Example: “Les gens ont des avis différents sur ce sujet.” (People have different opinions on this topic.)
- Seeking Feedback:
- Often used when asking for feedback or advice.
- Example: “Je voudrais avoir des avis sur mon travail.” (I would like to get opinions on my work.)
- In Surveys or Reviews:
- Commonly found in contexts where opinions are collected, such as surveys, reviews, or public polls.
- Example: “Nous avons collecté des avis clients pour améliorer notre service.” (We collected customer feedback to improve our service.)
Cultural Aspect:
- Value of Opinion: In French culture, as in many others, there is a strong value placed on individual opinions, particularly in intellectual, artistic, and political contexts.
- Debate and Discussion: French society often encourages debate and the expression of diverse viewpoints, making “des avis” an important part of conversational and academic discourse.
Additional Notes:
- Formality Level: The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. The context and accompanying language determine the formality level.
- Synonyms: Depending on the context, synonyms like “opinions,” “points de vue” (points of view), or “impressions” (impressions) can be used interchangeably with “des avis.”
In summary, “des avis” is a commonly used term in French for referring to people’s opinions or feedback on various subjects. It is applicable in many contexts, from casual conversations to formal surveys and reviews, reflecting the importance of individual perspectives and the culture of discussion and debate in French-speaking societies.
What does “en gros” mean?
“En gros” is a commonly used French phrase that translates to “in short,” “basically,” or “roughly” in English. It’s employed to summarize or simplify a more complex idea or to indicate a general, approximate statement. Here’s a closer look at how to use it:
Usage and Context:
- Summarizing Information:
- Used to provide a condensed version of a more detailed explanation or story.
- Example: “En gros, le plan est de partir tôt le matin.” (In short, the plan is to leave early in the morning.)
- Conveying a General Idea:
- Indicates a generalization or an overview without going into specifics.
- Example: “En gros, il est d’accord avec nous.” (Basically, he agrees with us.)
- Indicating Approximation:
- Can be used to suggest that a statement is not exact but is close to the truth.
- Example: “Il y avait, en gros, une centaine de personnes.” (There were roughly a hundred people.)
How to Use “en gros”:
- Start of a Sentence: Often used at the beginning of a sentence to signal that what follows is a summary or a generalization.
- Transition: Can be used as a transitional phrase in conversation or writing to shift from detailed descriptions to a general summary.
- Colloquial Use: While it’s commonly used in spoken French, it’s also appropriate in informal writing. In formal or academic writing, it’s less common and might be replaced with more formal phrases for summarizing.
Cultural Aspect:
- Conversational Shortcut: In French culture, which values clear and efficient communication, “en gros” is a handy tool for getting to the point or for making a complex idea more accessible.
- Flexibility in Language: The use of “en gros” reflects the flexibility of the French language in adapting to different levels of precision in communication.
In summary, “en gros” is a versatile phrase in French used to summarize, generalize, or approximate information in a conversation. It helps in distilling complex ideas into their essential points or in providing a rough estimate, making it a useful phrase in both spoken and informal written French.
What does “dans la glace” mean?
The phrase “dans la glace,” when used in the context of a mirror, translates to “in the mirror” in English. This is a straightforward, literal translation and the phrase is used quite commonly in French. It refers to the act of looking at oneself or something else reflected in a mirror.
Usage and Context:
Self-Reflection:
- Example: “Je me regarde dans la glace.” (I look at myself in the mirror.)
- This is a typical way to describe someone observing their own reflection, whether for grooming purposes, examining their appearance, or introspection.
Observing Others or Objects:
- Example: “Elle voit son enfant dans la glace.” (She sees her child in the mirror.)
- The phrase can also be used to describe seeing something else reflected in the mirror.
Metaphorical Use:
- While generally used in a literal sense, “dans la glace” can sometimes have a metaphorical implication, suggesting self-examination or contemplation.
Cultural Notes:
- Mirrors are often associated with themes of vanity, self-awareness, and truth in French culture, as they are in many others. They feature in numerous literary and artistic works, symbolizing introspection and the search for truth.
Related Expressions:
- “Se regarder dans la glace” (to look at oneself in the mirror), implying self-scrutiny or vanity.
- “Miroir, mon beau miroir” (Mirror, mirror), a reference to the famous line from “Snow White,” known in French as “Blanche-Neige.”
“La glace” vs “miroir”
“Dans la glace” (In the Mirror):
- Contextual Use: This phrase is used to describe an action or reflection taking place within the mirror.
- Examples:
- Observing Reflection: “Je me vois dans la glace.” (I see myself in the mirror.)
- Describing Reflection: “Dans la glace, tout paraît différent.” (In the mirror, everything seems different.)
“Miroir” (Mirror):
- Noun: “Miroir” is the noun that simply refers to the object – the mirror.
- Examples:
- Describing the Object: “J’ai acheté un nouveau miroir pour ma chambre.” (I bought a new mirror for my bedroom.)
- Reference to Mirror: “Le miroir est accroché au mur.” (The mirror is hung on the wall.)
In summary, “dans la glace” is a common phrase in French used to describe the act of looking or seeing in the mirror. It carries both literal and, occasionally, metaphorical meanings, reflecting the cultural significance of mirrors as tools for physical and sometimes psychological reflection.
This clip is from the “Vivons Heureux” podcast
“Vivons heureux avant la fin du monde” is an intriguing French podcast that delves into themes of happiness and existentialism in the face of life’s transience.
Produced with a blend of humor and depth, the podcast explores the idea of living joyfully and meaningfully, even with the awareness of life’s inevitable end. Each episode features discussions, interviews, and stories that examine different aspects of happiness and human experience, encouraging listeners to embrace the present moment. Its thoughtful and often lighthearted approach makes it an excellent listen for those interested in personal growth, philosophy, and living a fulfilled life.
For French learners, it offers a rich resource to improve comprehension skills while engaging with contemporary and thought-provoking topics.
Improving your French Listening Comprehension with Podcasts
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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.
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- 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.
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Improve your French listening skills with this clip of French in real life from the Vivons Heureux podcast. It’s a fast pace and filled with useful colloquial expressions. How much can you pick up? Take a listen, set your level and fill in the blanks.
