1 year, 6 months ago
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What are some well known French words, phrases or expressions that have found their way into English?
I'm thinking of RSVP which is often written on invitations. What does it mean, how is it written? Are there any more phrases that I could use to sound posh?
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M$1 Answer
Hi there! There are probably more words and phrases that you even realize that we have borrowed from our French friends!
RSVP stands for Repondez, s’il vous plait simply means to please respond. We, in our invitations typically write ‘please RSVP’ or ‘RSVP please’ which would be redundant as the word ‘please’ is in the literal translation.
Some other words and phrases (and their literal translations) that we commonly use are:
rouge – red
risqué-risked (overly provocative)
sans-without
savoir-faire-knowing how to do
souvenir-memory, keepsake
tete-a-tete-head to head
touché-touched
tout de suite (‘de’ is silent)-right away
Voila!-there it is
a la carte-on the menu
a la mode-In fashion, style
a propos (de)-on the subject of
au gratin-with gratings
au naturel-in reality, unseasoned
au pair-at par
avant-garde-before guard
blond (blonde)-fair-haired
bon voyage-good trip
brunette-small, dark-haired female
carte blanche-blank card
chaise longue-long chair
faux-false, fake
faux pas-false step, trip
femme fatale-deadly woman
fiancé, finacee-engaged person, betrothed
film noir-black movie
genre-type
grand mal-great illness
je ne sais quoi-I don’t know what
mardi gras-fat Tuesday
ménage a trios-household of three
nouveau riche-new rich
…and that is naming just a few!
Source: About.com
RSVP stands for Repondez, s’il vous plait simply means to please respond. We, in our invitations typically write ‘please RSVP’ or ‘RSVP please’ which would be redundant as the word ‘please’ is in the literal translation.
Some other words and phrases (and their literal translations) that we commonly use are:
rouge – red
risqué-risked (overly provocative)
sans-without
savoir-faire-knowing how to do
souvenir-memory, keepsake
tete-a-tete-head to head
touché-touched
tout de suite (‘de’ is silent)-right away
Voila!-there it is
a la carte-on the menu
a la mode-In fashion, style
a propos (de)-on the subject of
au gratin-with gratings
au naturel-in reality, unseasoned
au pair-at par
avant-garde-before guard
blond (blonde)-fair-haired
bon voyage-good trip
brunette-small, dark-haired female
carte blanche-blank card
chaise longue-long chair
faux-false, fake
faux pas-false step, trip
femme fatale-deadly woman
fiancé, finacee-engaged person, betrothed
film noir-black movie
genre-type
grand mal-great illness
je ne sais quoi-I don’t know what
mardi gras-fat Tuesday
ménage a trios-household of three
nouveau riche-new rich
…and that is naming just a few!
Source: About.com
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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