There are many words and phrases that the English language has borrowed from the French. What follows will be explanations of these terms and examples of their usage. Don't be puzzled the next time somebody uses a French expression in their conversation!
Voila
Meanings: "Behold!" "Look there!"
Voila is a pretty common French word that is becoming more popular to use in English. It literally means "behold" or "look there". This word is mainly used to grab someone's attention. Often times chefs will use it to indicate that a task is finished.Example: "Just add the spices into the mixture, and voila!"
Caution: Do not spell it vwala or wala (waalaa!?) Also, do not confuse it with viola, which is a musical instrument.
Tout de suite
Meanings: "At once" "Right away"
Tout de suite means "right away". Often used to indicate urgency.Example: Meet me on the 2nd floor tout de suite.
Caution: Do not spell it "toot sweet", which is what some people hear and thus write it that way.
Je ne sais quoi
Meanings: "That certain something" "Indescribable quality"
Je ne sais quoi is an expression that isn't used that frequently, but it can still pop up sometimes. In French, it literally means "I don't know what" which relates to the English meaning "indescribable quality" or "certain something". Use this expression to indicate that an object/idea has a certain quality to it that you can't quite put in words.Example: That film has a je ne sais quoi about it that I like.
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- lexie lexie Jul 13, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
- i was born in paris,france but i didn't start learnin till 8 years ago. its fun.hahahahah
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- MORE MORE May 28, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
- gimme more more baby sweet heart suttfff WOOT LOVE! hahah anyway i need more of these!
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- MORE MORE May 28, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
- gimme more more baby sweet heart suttfff WOOT LOVE! hahah anyway i need more of these!
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- Einselgaenger Einselgaenger Jun 4, 2007 @ 4:48 am
- This lens is a great start. (-: Keep those examples coming!
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- funcolors funcolors Jun 2, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
- More please! Very useful.
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