If you're reading this, chances are you already know a thing or two about French. And you might have noticed that the French word for thing - 'machin' - keeps cropping up. So how is it used and what does it mean exactly?
This French expression might sound strange when you first hear it because it comes straight from Latin. Here we take a look at what à priori really means.
This expression is extremely common in France and like so many others, it can be tricky to guess what it means. Here's a look at 'tant pis' and how you can use it.
Today’s French Word of the Day is another one of those pesky false friends that has absolutely nothing to do with beef. Here's a look at what it does mean.
Do you want to give your French conversation the native touch? Then it's time to start using "du coup". Here we take a look at what it means and how it is used.
If you live in France, you may have heard someone saying dismissively that a person "n'arrive pas à la cheville de quelqu'un". Here's a look at what it means and how it's used.
The French curse word of choice is more often than not an English one. Listen to this week's edition of The Local podcast as Editor Ben McPartland discusses why the French love to say 'f**k'.
A row over whether the French language is too macho has been raging in France in recent weeks. The Local France spoke to a professor leading the charge to make French more female-friendly about how and why things need to change.
It's often said the best way to learn French is by speaking it, and that's all well and good - but where do you start if you don't have the words to express yourself?
The move to force labourers in France to speak French has proven divisive. So is it a good move for safety or is it just the latest form of thinly disguised xenophobia?
Struggling to learn French? Not everyone can go back to college or afford private tutors. So with the help of our readers and an author who's written a book on the subject, here are some free and easy ways to help you conquer French.
The French have unwittingly re-invented a whole set of English words by adding "ing" to the ends of things. Here translator Jane Proctor shares her favourites.
France’s Minister of Culture, Fleur Pellerin, the chief guardian of the French language, told The Local on Wednesday that she saw no point in protecting French from outside influence like English - a sign that the famous blockade against English words has been lifted.
Ever heard someone say "Tiggy-doo?" in France? It's French (actually spelled Tiguidou) and it's just one example of a long list of Gallic words that you'll never come across in France.
