Better Than Translation
Direct translation gets you understood, but not natural. This series takes common English phrases that sound off in French and replaces them with the expressions native speakers actually use.
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1Part 1Mar 94 min readWhat Does "Je Suis Excité" Mean in English?
"Je suis excité" in English usually means sexually aroused, not just excited. Learn safer French alternatives like "j'ai hâte" and "je suis ravi(e)."
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2Part 2Mar 95 min readBetter Than Translation: "That Makes Sense"
"Ça fait sens" is a calque that makes French speakers wince. Here's what they actually say when something makes sense, and why the real phrases work better.
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3Part 3Mar 95 min readBetter Than Translation: "No Worries"
"Pas de soucis" works but it's only one option. French has a whole toolkit for reassurance, and here's what native speakers actually reach for.
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4Part 4Mar 95 min readBetter Than Translation: "I'm Just Kidding"
"Je plaisante" works, but French speakers have a whole range of ways to signal they're joking. Here's how humor actually sounds in spoken French.
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