[2023-11-16] Spicing up your French with Fun Facts and New Vocab - Voilà!

montrer

The French word 'montrer' translates to 'show' in English. It can be used in various ways much like in English. For instance, it can be used to indicate or visually express something, to prove or demonstrate a fact, or an invitation for displaying a skill or talent. Remember that context is important as the usage might adjust slightly.

Here's how to use it:

• Il ne veut rien montrer.
• Vous pouvez montrer votre billet?
• Je dois te montrer quelque chose.

sombre

The French word 'sombre' translates to 'dark' in English. It is often used in reference to lack of light or color, similar to its English counterpart. It can also be used symbolically to represent sadness or seriousness. Like English, the context determines whether 'sombre' is referring to literal darkness or a metaphorical state.

Here's how to use it:

• Il portait un costume sombre à l'enterrement.
• Le ciel est sombre, il va pleuvoir.
• La mer était sombre en pleine nuit.

espoir

The word 'hope' is translated into French as 'espoir'. In French, 'espoir' is generally used the same way as in English, indicating a feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen. 'Espoir' agrees in number, which means it can be 'espoirs' ('hopes') in plural.

Here's how to use it:

• J'ai de l'espoir pour l'avenir.
• L'espoir est la chose la plus importante dans la vie.
• J'ai espoir que les choses vont s'améliorer.

réalité

The French word for reality is 'réalité'. It is used in much the same way as in English. It can denote the state of things as they actually are, rather than as they are imagined or desired to be. It can also refer to a thing that is actually experienced or seen. Note that in French, all nouns have a gender, and 'réalité' is feminine.

Here's how to use it:

• La réalité de la vie dans une grande ville peut être accablante pour certains.
• La réalité virtuelle est une nouvelle technologie fascinante.
• La réalité de la crise climatique est effrayante.

manquer

The French verb for 'miss' is 'manquer.' In French, you would use this word in a slightly different way than in English. For example, 'you are missed by me' would translate in French to 'tu me manques.' Similarly, 'I miss my mom' translates to 'ma maman me manque.' Besides missing a person, 'manquer' can also be used to express missing out on an event or thing.

Here's how to use it:

• Tu me manques beaucoup.
• J'ai presque manqué mon vol.
• Ce livre te manque?

Une maman citron dit à ses enfants: Pour vivre longtemps, il ne faut jamais être pressé!