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Fleur bleue. = Sentimental.
Pas du tout, mon lapin. = Not at all, my dear.
Mon lapin, mon chou, mon poussin, mon coco, mon chaton = Dear, sweetheart, or honey. These endearing terms are used among lovers or by parents for their children.
Non, mon coco. Non, mon lapin. = No, my dear.
Quiche = A savory tart made with eggs and bacon or vegetables. It originally comes from the Lorraine region in France.
Croque-monsieur = French grilled cheese (word for word, Munch-Sir) made with ham, cheese, and a bechamel sauce. The croque-madame is the same, but with an additional egg.
Un apéritif = French people take an apéritif before a meal at the restaurant, during big celebrations, or when they invite friends over. An apéritif usually consists of some strong alcohol, such as pastis (an anise drink), whiskey, etc... It also includes little snacks such as chips, tiny sausages, etc...
Excusez-moi. Je... = Sorry. I...
Certainement pas. = Absolutely not.
Souhaitez-vous un apéritif, messieurs? = Would you care for an apéritif, gentlemen?
Un ris de veau = Veal.
Mirabelle = A mirabelle is a yellow fruit about the size of a cherry coming from Lorraine. You are unlikely to find mirabelles in other parts of France unless they were imported from Lorraine. The alcohol made out of mirabelles is extremely strong. It is drunk as a digestive after a very large meal. It is also included in some desserts. If you see Mirabelle on a menu, be aware that it is really, really strong.
Quetsche = Damson in English. Basically a purple plum.
Non, seulement toi, mon poussin. = No, only you, my dear.
Bonne nuit. = Good night. Only used when going to bed. Different from "Bonne soirée," which is used when saying goodbye in the evening when the person is leaving.
Une raclette. = Cheese that French people melt on a grill to eat with bread, cold cuts, vegetables, and potatoes.
Frangine = Sis
Frangin = Brother.
Rue = Street
Vous attendez quelqu'un? = Are you waiting for someone?
Ma chérie / mon chéri = My sweetheart
Brasserie = An informal restaurant.
Une tartine = A slice of baguette bread covered with jam and butter. Typical French breakfast, though French people don't eat it every day.
Un kebab, s'il vous plaît. = A kabob, please.
Oh mon Dieu! = Oh my God!
T'es où? = Where are you?
Eh ben, mon coco, tu te refuses rien. = Well, well, well, my dear, you're indulging.
Un sirop menthe, s'il vous plaît. = A menthol syrup, please. In France, un sirop is an overly sugary drink. French people put a bit of it at the bottom of their glass and fill the rest of the glass with water.
Jean-Jacques Goldman = Famous French singer who also composes songs for other artists. He had written many songs for Celine Dion.
T'as eu ton permis dans une boîte Bonux? Connard! = Did you receive your driver's license in a detergent box? Asshole!
There used to be presents in the Bonux boxes. Asking someone if that's how they received their driver's license means they don't know how to drive.
Je comprends très bien le français. = I can understand French quite well.
Maman, pourquoi c'est en anglais? = Mom, why is it in English?
Je traduirai pour toi, ma chérie. = I'll translate for you, sweetheart.
Ça va? = How are you?
T'aimes celui-là? = Do you like this one?
Je peux avoir un soda? = May I have a soda?
Non, désolé, ma puce. = No, sorry, sweetheart.
Ça va? = Are you okay?
Salut, mon chou. Qu'est-ce que tu fais ici? = Hi, dear. What are you doing here?
C'est Brandon à l'appareil? = Is this Brandon on the phone?
Je t'aime plus encore. = I love you more.
Bien sûr, mon lapin. = Of course, sweetheart.
Chouchous, beignets... Qui veut un chouchou? = Caramelized peanutes, donuts...Who wants a caramelized peanut? When you go to the beach in France, it is very common to see those vendors walk along the beach with baskets and coolers selling snacks, ice creams, or beverages.
Les moule-bites ont toujours été en vogue ici, mon lapin. = Dick molds have already been fashionable here, sweetheart. Moule-bite is a vulgar way to refer to a Speedo.
Michel Drucker. = Famous French TV host.
Dalida = Famous singer from the 70s.
Equality marriage in France:
Equality marriage was only legalized in 2013 in France. The population's reaction was extremely negative and homophobic, but the law was passed.
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La bise:
When French people see each other, they rarely hug. They usually kiss each other's cheeks. It's called la bise. It's more of a cheek to cheek kind of thing with a kissing sound from your lips. It's casual among friends and in the family. It can be one kiss, two kisses, three, or four based on the region. It can get awkward when people don't come from the same region and don't know how many kisses to give.
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The Americanization of France:
While France still maintains its own culture and French people show extreme pride in their culture, France is more and more culturally Americanised.
For example, though burgers didn't use to be sold a lot in the 80s and 90s, it's becoming more common nowadays. In the 80s and 90s, McDonald's was the only place where you could get burgers, and McDonald's was very sparse in France. Now, France has a lot more fast food joints and burger places.
Also, though the French language is monitored by the French Academy, the French language is more and more influenced by English with a growing number of English words slipping into it, slowly erasing the authenticity of the French language.
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Teashops in France:
Though French people tend to go to the cafés, there are teashops in France as well. Those places usually also sell pastries.
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RER:
The Parisian subway has trains/lines that link the city to close areas around the metropolis. That's the RER. To go to Versailles, for example, you need to take the RER.
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Camping in France:
Camping in France is quite the experience. The campgrounds often have a pool and they offer various activities and games. It has a community feel to it. There are parties at night. To get an idea of what camping in France is like, you can watch the movie Camping.
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English inFrance:
In many areas of France, French people do not speak English at all. Though French kids have to learn two foreign languages in middle school, English isn't the language of France. When you go to France, don't assume they will be speaking English to you. That's the best way to irritate a French person. Learn a few French phrases to show you at least have an interest in their culture.
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Circumcision inFrance:
Most of my male characters are not circumcised. Male circumcision isn't practiced in France, except in the Jewish and in the Muslim communities.
Cheating inFrance:
A misconception about French culture is the belief that all French men cheat. Not only is this belief offensive, but it is false. Cheating is not acceptable in French society. French men who cheat have a reputation, and it is not a good one. Cheating is not viewed as casual or normal in any way.
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Vive la révolution!
French people are very proud of the French Revolution. Though they are aware that it was a horrifying and violent time in French history, French people carry the revolution in their blood. Enzo's views on the past French monarchy are very common among French people. The best way to irritate a French person is to diss the French Revolution.
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The air-conditioning in France:
French houses and apartments usually don't have an air-conditioning system. Even in hospitals and some hotels, it is rare to have an air conditioner.
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Le café:
It is very common for French people to go to the café to meet with friends, to chat with people, or simply to relax. They go there to have a coffee, some tea, or some fruit juice. Le café also serves alcohol. It is common to see people at the counter drinking beer or other alcoholic beverages at all hours of the day. Children are allowed in the cafés, but they're not allowed to consume alcohol. The cafés usually have terraces outside, where you can see French people chatting and drinking coffee while smoking.
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The gym in France:
French people don't go to the gym often. They usually lose weight by walking a lot or exercising at home. Going to the gym is an American trend that is becoming more popular in France, though.
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Food in France:
Most of my characters spend a lot of time eating or talking about food. French people live to eat. It is a real cultural thing. Eating takes a lot of time in every French person's daily schedule.
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To access pictures and videos of the city Patrick lives in and the places he visits with Brandon, click on
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