Author Archives: Tournesol

A budding singer

Posted on 24 August 2011 by Tournesol

‘Un chanteur/une chanteuse en herbe‘ translates literally as: ‘A male singer/a female singer in grass.’ But we would say, more aptly, of course: ‘a budding singer.’

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Pas mal (de)

Posted on 23 August 2011 by Tournesol

Although ‘pas mal’ translates as ‘not bad’, ‘pas mal de…’ translates as ‘a lot of…’: Pas mal de chats  : a lot of cats/Pas mal de gens confus, personnes confuses  : many confused people. Yes, quite…

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Le chien et l’homme

Posted on 23 August 2011 by Tournesol

Bien entraîné, un homme peut devenir le meilleur ami du chien: Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend. Corey Ford

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Les yeux vv. 4 and 5

Posted on 22 August 2011 by Tournesol

Back by popular demand: “Les Yeux” par Sully-Prudhomme. verses 4 and 5 (end): Et comme les astres penchants/Nous quittent, mais au ciel demeurent,/Les prunelles ont leurs couchants,/Mais il n’est pas vrai qu’elles meurent: And as the shooting stars/Leave us, but … Continue reading →

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Potable

Posted on 22 August 2011 by Tournesol

A half-way decent hotel is described as ‘potable’ (drinkable). But beware of l’Hôtel de Ville: this is the Town Hall. Do not try to book in or stay there.

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Flippant

Posted on 21 August 2011 by Tournesol

I’ve just discovered a ‘false friend’ new to me: flippant. Looking in my Robert-Collins dictionary I find that the French version of the word means ‘grim/depressing’ in English. Having a weird sense of humour, I often aim to be flippant but I … Continue reading →

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Fitness training

Posted on 20 August 2011 by Tournesol

Good to know Henry de Montherlant is appreciated…!

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L’aigle – the eagle

Posted on 19 August 2011 by Tournesol

‘Le temps actuel a tendance à se glisser au futur.’  : ‘Time keeps on slipping into the future.’ – Steve Miller ‘La solution à cette énigme chronologique pour Steve Miller était de ‘voler comme un aigle.’: ‘Steve Miller’s solution to … Continue reading →

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Actuelle(ment)

Posted on 19 August 2011 by Tournesol

‘Actuellement’, instead of ‘actually’,  usually translates as ‘at this moment, now’. It can also mean ‘topical’. In a philosophical sense it can mean ‘actual’. Examples of ‘actuel/actuelle/actuellement’: À l’heure actuelle  : at the present time; à l’époque actuelle  : nowadays, in this day … Continue reading →

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Ennui(s)

Posted on 18 August 2011 by Tournesol

Although ‘l’ennui (nm)’ means ‘boredom’, ‘les ennuis’ are difficulties, a nuisance, trouble. What a difference one letter can make…

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