Mistakes you're making in French

Published: May 28, 2018, 12:27 p.m.

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This week\\u2019s podcast episode is with YouTube superstar Geraldine from Comme Une Francaise.

We discuss over 30 minutes the following five points, not to mention a little about where she lives in Grenoble, why she calls her channel Comme Une Francaise, and I retell the story about how I accidentally called all the French guys \\u201cMy darling\\u201d when I moved to France.

Here are the mistakes you\\u2019re probably making.

\\xa0Falling for false friends

If you want to talk about preservatives, don\\u2019t just say the same word in a French accent. That means \\u201ccondoms\\u201d (preservatifs).

Translating literally from English

Don\\u2019t translate literally. If you want to say \\u201cWell done\\u201d, don\\u2019t say \\u201cbien fait\\u201d, that means something completely different.

Pronouncing the French words incorrectly (sometimes to hilarious effect)

Be careful of your pronunciation. For example: The French word canard means duck, but the worryingly similar word connard means bastard. You\\u2019ll surely make your waiter laugh.

Falling for the cultural faux pas

Never hug a French person, they might have a heart attack, says Geraldine. You\\u2019ve gotta know when to kiss cheeks (always), and it\\u2019s good to know

Making subtle mistakes that will embarrass you later

You\'ve gotta master tu and vous, for example, and you need to know when to avoid swearing. And if you\'re at a more advanced level, you need understand textbook French, otherwise it might harm your chances of getting a job.

Now, these are the five tips in brief. There are much more in-depth explanations in the chat, which you can also listen to below.\\xa0

As for Geraldine, she has featured in a few Patreon-only Walk Shows.\\xa0

Sign up as a flaneur on Patreon to watch the 30-minute versions of these walks (and to see the upcoming ones live!)

And buy my new guide book here.

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