[2023-11-26] Spice up your French with funky proverbs & new vocabulary!

eux-mêmes

The French word 'eux-mêmes' is used similarly to 'themselves' in English. It is a reflexive pronoun, meaning it refers back to the subject of the sentence. It can be used in several contexts, such as emphasizing the people or things that perform an action (e.g., Ils ont fait le travail eux-mêmes or They did the work themselves), or indicating that an action affects the people or things performing it (e.g., Ils se sont blessés eux-mêmes or They hurt themselves).

Here's how to use it:

• Ils doivent résoudre le problème eux-mêmes.
• Ils ont construit la maison eux-mêmes.
• Ils ont tué le temps eux-mêmes.

enlever

The French word 'enlever' is used similarly to the English 'remove'. We can use it to talk about taking something away or off from where it is or from its original position. For example, we can say 'Je vais enlever ma veste,' which translates to 'I will remove my jacket.' It can also be used in the context of kidnapping or abduction.

Here's how to use it:

• Peux-tu enlever ton manteau ?
• J'ai oublié d'enlever le dîner du four.
• Les policiers ont enlevé les barrières après la manifestation.

ressource

The French word for 'resource' is 'ressource'. Just like in English, it can refer to a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization to function effectively. It can also refer to a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life.

Here's how to use it:

• La ville a de nombreuses ressources culturelles à offrir.
• La famille est une ressource importante de soutien et de confort.
• Les enseignants sont une ressource précieuse pour les étudiants.

autre

The French word for 'other' is 'autre'. It is used to refer to an alternate or remaining person or thing in French. 'Autre' can also often used in contexts to imply 'different'. For example, 'l'autre jour' means 'the other day', and 'une autre personne' means 'another person'. The use of 'autre' also changes according to the gender and number; 'autre' for singular and 'autres' for plural.

Here's how to use it:

• J'ai une autre idée pour le projet.
• Il est dans une autre ville.
• C'est pour une autre fois.

mille

The French translation for 'mile' is 'mille'. In French, 'mille' is used much like 'mile' in English. It refers to a measure of distance. Note that unlike in English, 'mille' does not take the plural form when referring to multiple miles. For example, 'five miles' would be 'cinq mille' in French.

Here's how to use it:

• Nous avons marché mille miles.
• Cela vaut mille fois plus.
• J'ai mille choses à faire avant de partir.

Petit a petit, l'oiseau fait son nid