French is deservedly considered the most sensual language in the world - in its everyday life there are several hundred verbs denoting emotions and feelings of various kinds. The lyrical melodiousness of the throat sound “r” and the exquisite precision of “le” give a special charm to the language.
Gallicisms
The French words used in Russian are called gallicisms, they have firmly entered the Russian conversation with a large number of words and their derivatives, similar in meaning or, conversely, only in sound.
The pronunciation of French words differs from the Slavic ones in the presence of throat and nasal sounds, for example, “an” and “on” are pronounced by passing the sound through the nasal cavity, and the sound “en” through the lower part of the front wall of the throat. Also, this language is characterized by an accent on the last syllable of the word and soft hissing sounds, as in the word "brochure" and "jelly". Another indicator of gallicism is the presence in the word of suffixes -azj, -ar, -izm (plume, massage, boudoir, monarchism). Already these subtleties make it clear how unique and diverse the state language of France is.
An abundance of French words in Slavic languages
Few peopleguesses that "metro", "baggage", "balance" and "politics" are originally French words borrowed by other languages, beautiful "veil" and "nuance" too. According to some data, about two thousand gallicisms are used every day in the territory of the post-Soviet space. Clothing items (knickers, cuffs, vest, pleated, overalls), military themes (dugout, patrol, trench), trade (advance payment, credit, kiosk and mode) and, of course. the words accompanying beauty (manicure, cologne, boa, pince-nez) are all gallicisms.
Moreover, some words sound consonant, but have a distant or different meaning. For example:
- A frock coat is an item of men's wardrobe, and literally means "above everything".
- Buffet - we have a festive table, the French have it's just a fork.
- A dude is a dapper young man, and a dude in France is a pigeon.
- Solitaire is a literal translation from the French "patience", but in our country it is a card game.
- Meringue (a type of fluffy cake) is a beautiful French word for kiss.
- Vinaigret (vegetable salad), vinaigrette is just French vinegar.
- Dessert - originally this word in France meant clearing the table, and much later - the last dish, after which they clean up.
Love language
Tet-a-tet (one-on-one meeting), rendezvous (date), vis-a-vis (opposite) - these are also words from France. Amor (love) is a beautiful French word, so many timesdisturbing the minds of the beloved. An amazing language of romance, tenderness and adoration, the melodic murmur of which will not leave any woman indifferent.
- mon amour (mon amour) - my love;
- (mon plaisir) - my pleasure;
- (mon cher) - my dear;
- с’ est mon petit ami (se mon petit ami) is my little friend;
- the same ador - I adore you.
The classic "zhe tam" is used to denote strong, all-consuming love, and if you add "byan" to these words, the meaning will already change: it will mean "I like you."
Peak of popularity
French words in Russian for the first time began to appear during the time of Peter the Great, and since the end of the eighteenth century they have significantly moved native speech aside. French became the leading language of high society. All correspondence (especially love) was conducted exclusively in French, beautiful long tirades filled the banquet halls and negotiation rooms. At the court of Emperor Alexander III, it was considered shameful (bauvais ton - bad manners) not to know the language of the Franks, a person was immediately branded ignorant, so French teachers were in great demand.
The situation changed thanks to the novel in verse "Eugene Onegin", in which the author Alexander Sergeevich acted very subtly by writing a monologue letter from Tatyana to Onegin, in Russian (although he thought in French, being Russian, as historians say.) By doing this, he returned the formerglory to the mother tongue.
French popular phrases right now
Comme il faut in French means "as it should", that is, something made comme il faut - made according to all the rules and wishes.
- Se la vie! is a very famous phrase meaning "such is life."
- Je tam – singer Lara Fabian brought worldwide fame to these words in the song of the same name “Je t’aime!” - I love you.
- Cherchet la femme - also the well-known "look for a woman"
- A la ger, com a la ger - "in war, as in war." Words from the song that Boyarsky sang in the popular film of all time, The Three Musketeers.
- Bon mo is a sharp word.
- Féson de parle - manner of speaking.
- Ki famm ve – que le ve – “What a woman wants, God wants.”
- Antre nu sau di - it's said between us.
History of several words
The well-known word "marmalade" is a distorted "Marie est malade" - Marie is sick.
In the Middle Ages, the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart suffered from seasickness during her trips and refused food. Her personal doctor prescribed slices of oranges with peel, thickly sprinkled with sugar, and the French chef prepared decoctions of quince to stimulate her appetite. If these two dishes were ordered in the kitchen, they immediately whispered between the courtiers: "Marie is sick!" (mari e malad).
Chantrapa - the word for idlers, homeless children, also came from France. Children who did not have an ear for music and good vocal abilities were not taken to the church choir as singers (“chantra pas” - does not sing),so they wandered about the streets idle, smoking and having fun. They were asked: "Why are you idle?" In response: "Shantrapa".
Podshofe - (chauffe - heating, heater) with the prefix under-, that is, warmed up, under the influence of heat, adopted for "warming". A beautiful French word, but the meaning is just the opposite.
By the way, the well-known old woman Shapoklyak why was she called that? But this is a French name, and she also has a handbag from there - a reticule. Chapeau - translates as "hat", and "gag" is a blow with the palm of your hand, akin to a slap. The slap folded hat is the foldable top hat worn by the mischievous old lady.
Silhouette is the surname of the controller of finance at the court of Louis XV, who was famous for his craving for luxury and various expenses. The treasury was empty too quickly and, in order to remedy the situation, the king appointed the young incorruptible Etienne Silhouette, who immediately banned all festivities, balls and feasts. Everything became gray and dull, and the fashion that arose at the same time for images of the outline of a dark-colored object on a white background is in honor of the miserly minister.
Beautiful French words will diversify your speech
Recently, word tattoos have ceased to be only English and Japanese (as the fashion dictated), more and more often they began to come across in French, and some of them with an interesting meaning.
- Toute la vie est la lutte - All life is a battle (or battle).
- A tout prix – At any cost.
- Forte et tendre –female version, sounds like "strong and tender."
- Une fleur rebelle - a daring, rebellious flower.
French is considered quite complex, with many nuances and details. To know it well, you need to study painstakingly for more than one year, but this is not necessary to use several catchy and beautiful phrases. Two or three words, inserted at the right time into a conversation, will diversify your vocabulary and make your speech in French emotional and lively.
