French Expressions


A la prochaine fois: Until the next time [we meet]
Arrière-grand-père: Great-grandfather
Au contraire: On the contrary

Bien mieux: Much better
"Bonsoir, Votre Grâce. Je m’apelle Jean-Michel du Pont-de-la-Vierge. Permettez-moi de vous présenter Madame Kuromizu Osada": Good evening, Your Grace.  My name is Jean-Michel du Pont-de-la-Vierge.  Allow me to introduce Lady Kuromizu Osada.

C’est la vie: That's life!
C’est magnifique: It’s magnificent
C’est vrai: It’s true
Cher: Dear; beloved (masc.)
Chère: Dear; beloved (fem.)

Deuxièmement: Secondly

Ecrevisse: Crawfish
Enchanté: Charmed, pleased (to meet you) (masc.), used as a greeting
Excusez-moi: Excuse me

Faux pas: False step (literally); mistake
Filer à l'anglaise: To leave English style (while the English say “take French leave”, this is how the French say it)

Gendarme: Policeman

Il est très grand: He is very tall

Je m’appelle: My name is, I am called
Je suis navré: I’m terribly sorry
Joie de vivre: Joy of living; zest for life

Madame: Mrs., My Lady, Lady
Mademoiselle: Miss (when addressing one lady)
Mais oui: But yes, but of course
Merci: Thank you
Mesdames: Madams, My Ladies
Mesdemoiselles: Misses (when addressing more than one lady)
Messieurs: Sirs (when addressing more than one gentleman)
Mon capitaine: My captain
Monsieur: Mister, Sir (when addressing one gentleman)

Nom de nom: Name of a name (mild oath); euphemism for 'nom de Dieu' (name of God, God's name)
Nuage d'Or’:Golden Cloud’ (literally, 'Cloud of Gold)

Orléanais: Inhabitant of the Free State of Orléans

Parfait: Perfect
Pirogue: Canoe-like watercraft
Premièrement: Firstly

Quelle surprise!: What a surprise!
Qui s'excuse s'accuse: Who excuses himself accuses himself

Sacrebleu!: Moderate oath; euphemism for "Sacredieu" ("Holy God!").
Sacredieu!: Strong oath, not uttered in front of ladies and clergymen (="Holy God!").

Troisièmement: Thirdly

Zut, alors: Oh, shoot; oh, nuts (mild oath)


Sources and Copyright information: Why, Grenmeth and I!

Return to The Salon
Return to Castle Falkenstein Main Page
Questions or comments?  Write the Host.