"Excellent" in French is excellent (masculine) or excellente (feminine), pronounced with a silent 't' and a nasal sound, meaning very good or perfect. It is frequently used for high-quality, top-tier results. Common alternatives to describe high quality include génial (awesome), formidable (great), and merveilleux (wonderful).
The literal translation of the French phrase "je ne sais quoi" is "I don't know what," but it's used in English to describe an indescribable, special quality or charm that makes someone or something unique and appealing, like "a certain je ne sais quoi". It refers to an elusive, almost magical characteristic that's hard to define but clearly noticeable.
The word 'enchanté' in French means delighted or enchanted, often used when meeting someone new. Both 'enchanté' and 'enchant' share roots, but their pronunciations and slight meanings differ. Enchanté is often used in French literature, adding a charming, magical feel to written work.
Yes, French people say "c'est bon" constantly, but its meaning changes dramatically with context, translating literally to "it's good" but also meaning "okay," "understood," "that's enough," or "ready" (like "all set"). It's used for delicious food, to signal comprehension, to check if something is satisfactory, or even as a gentle "stop" command, so context and tone are key to understanding its usage, say French teachers.
n. A nearly vertical cavity in a glacier through which meltwater from the surface drops into tunnels that are within or beneath the ice. [French, mill, moulin, from Old French molin, mill, from Late Latin molīnum; see MILL1.]
In informal spoken French, we often skip pronouncing 'ne' with negated verbs. So if I was speaking in a casual context, I'd say, “Je sais pas.” To go even further, many French speakers blend the je and sais into something that might sound like “jsais pas” of even “shay pas.” This is how I say it!
Now, the word “top” is usually the best. This is why, French people have the fun word of “top” meaning great, awesome, fantastic… Here's one way to say it: Il est bien dressé !
It is neutral language, however this word should mainly be used with friends and family in more casual contexts. It can be used by all ages and is usually heard in spoken French, however you may also see it written in texts or informal messages.
Yes, the French absolutely say "je voudrais" (I would like), especially in polite situations like ordering food or making requests, but natives often use more casual, common alternatives like "je prends" (I'll have/take) or "je vais prendre" (I'm going to have/take) for everyday ordering. While "je veux" (I want) is grammatically correct, it's considered too direct and impolite for most social interactions, making je voudrais a staple for polite requests.
A favourite is choubidou, pronounced shoo-bee-doo, which basically means “cutie pie” or “sweet cheeks”. A few bonus words are poussin meaning “a little chick” and coquin which means rascal or cheeky.
The most romantic French phrases often express deep commitment and adoration, with "Tu es l'amour de ma vie" (You are the love of my life) being a top choice, alongside passionate declarations like "Je t'aime à la folie" (I love you madly) or poetic lines like "Tu es la lumière de ma vie" (You are the light of my life), conveying eternal devotion or finding one's purpose in them, according to Learn French With Clémence and EF.
It is just as frequently used between strangers to end an interaction, as it is in family situations. When saying it to someone in formal situations (public places, talking to strangers and professionals) you should add their title: Bonne journée, monsieur.
