If you want to know about some frequently used French phrases and words, read this article.

France and its language, food and fashion has always given English a new way of expression. Be it new ways of speaking, or newer ways of clothing or delicacies of various kinds France has always been the leader. There has been a strong French influence on the Scandinavian language as history tells us and there are evidences as well. It is said that French provided the English their "bread" and "butter" which means that the French actually gave these words to the English language. Not only words of everyday and common use, English has been using formal words as well from French. There are French words and phrases, which are still used and will always be used by the English to make a clearly articulated statement. Here are some basic French phrases, which are and can be used in English.

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Basic French Words and Phrases

  • "Bon apptit" means may you have "good appetite" and enjoy your meal. It is usually said to wish people good appetite and is commonly used in the hotel industry.
  • "Enchant" means "it was a pleasure meeting you."
  • "Adieu" means goodbye and is frequently used in the plays of Shakespeare though its literal meaning is " to god". It is often confused with "Au revoir" which means the speaker and the person addressed would never meet again. The latter in a way implies death, which the former doesn’t.
  • "Bon jour" means Good morning or good day, which depends on the situation and the time of the day when you use it.
  • "Bon voyage" means "have a good and safe trip". It is often used in English as a wish before somebody leaves for a long trip.
  • "Avant-garde" means something, which is radical and very different form the convention. It is used to refer to something that is new and experimental. It has frequently been used in the field of music, art and literature. It means something that is on the edge, that is which has just undergone a kind of change.
  • "Coup de grace" means a fatal blow, which is inflicted by somebody very gracefully. It is also called the blow of mercy.
  • "Coup d’tat" means a change in the politics if a country. It often refers to the change in the government of a country, which is often after a violent phase of affairs.
  • "Belle" means a pretty girl or a woman, which is often used by people to address the most beautiful girl in a party or a social gathering.
  • "Concordat" refers to an agreement or a pact that is religious in nature and precisely refers to the accord between the French State and the Judaeo-Christian religious sect according to which the priest and the rabbis were given the status of government servants. Though this pact was nullified the term still remains in use.
  • "clat" means excellence in performance and it mainly refers to success that was not precedent and it also refers to one’s excellence in achievement and performance.

There are many such French phrases and words which can be used in the daily English usage.

By Poushali Ganguly
Published: 2/28/2008

 

 

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