French: Difference between revisions
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== Jobs == | |||
When saying what you do for a living in French, omit the indefinite article. For example, ''je suis professeur'' is ''I am a teacher'', even though it literally translates as ''I am teacher''. ''Je suis un professeur'' is incorrect. | |||
== Faux pas == | == Faux pas == | ||
Revision as of 14:10, 5 May 2020
Jobs
When saying what you do for a living in French, omit the indefinite article. For example, je suis professeur is I am a teacher, even though it literally translates as I am teacher. Je suis un professeur is incorrect.
Faux pas
Avoid the following, lest you commit a faux pas:
- Using the informal tu/toi with someone you don't know well. Always use vous, or say on peut se tutoyer (we can use the informal 'you').
- Using jouir (to enjoy). Depending on context it does not mean 'enjoy' but 'enjoy amorous activities' (is the polite way of putting it).
- Using putain. It is generally used to express frustration but depending on context it can be translated as swearing.
- Watch out for translating to be literally from English. For example, je suis chaud does not mean I am hot but I am horny. J'ai chaud is more appropriate (literally I have heat).