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…
Take the quiz, join the conversation.
Did you find this one challenging or easy? Did you hear something diffferent? What surprised you? What levels did you complete? Comment below and share what’s opening up for you with this quiz.
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.
old
What’s opening up for you with this clip? Comment below with what was surprising, easy, challenging and/or interesting.
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Mais ce cortex cérébral c’est pas lui finalement qui nous donne nos envies, euh, nos désirs. Le plaisir qu’on a aussi à faire certaines choses. Le plaisir, le désir, l’envie, l’émotion, c’est ça devient d’une autre partie de notre cerveau qui est plus ancienne.
But isn’t the cerebral cortex what gives us our desires? The pleasure we get from doing certain things. The pleasure, the desire, the longing, the emotion, that’s what comes from another, older part of our brain.
The above translation from Deepl
What does “devient” mean?
“Devient” is the third person singular form of the verb devenir, meaning “to become.” It describes a change of state—physical, emotional, social, or abstract.
Le ciel devient orange au coucher du soleil. (The sky becomes orange at sunset.)
Used for natural or visible transformation.
Il devient de plus en plus difficile de respirer ici. (It’s becoming harder and harder to breathe here.)
Describes a gradual shift or worsening condition.
Elle devient médecin cette année. (She’s becoming a doctor this year.)
Marks a change in status, identity, or role.
Culturally, devenir is common in everything from casual speech to philosophy—used to talk about personal growth, transformation, or the evolution of a situation. It captures the process of change, not just the result.
What does “ancienne” mean?
Un ancien président (A former president)
Une maison ancienne (An old (historic) house)
When placed before the noun, ancien usually means “former”.
When placed after the noun, it usually means “old” in a historical or traditional sense.
Great for talking about things with heritage, past roles, or former status.
English Speaker Tips:
- Vieux = general “old” → think: old friend, old shoes
- Ancien = “former” or “historically old” → like “ex-” or “vintage”
- D’occasion = secondhand → “used but not necessarily old”
- Âgé = polite for people → “elderly”
- Vétuste = “too old to be useful” → think: beyond repair
- antique = antique (valuable) objects, often collected
- préhistorique = prehistoric before written history
- de l’Antiquité = from antiquity classical world (Rome, Greece)
- millénaire = thousand years old poetic, awe-inspiring, rare use
French distinguishes between age, ownership history, respect, and condition, while English often lumps that into just “old.” Choosing the right word depends on what aspect of “oldness” you’re highlighting.
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
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.
What’s opening up for you?
Comment below with what’s opening up for you with this clip. What do you love about this? What was challenging? What was easy? Share your learning progress below!
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…
Take the quiz, join the conversation.
Did you find this one challenging or easy? Did you hear something diffferent? What surprised you? What levels did you complete? Comment below and share what’s opening up for you with this quiz.
