Favorite French Words & next winetasting!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Last winetasting in September is on the 28th at 5pm. We would love to see you so don't be shy--nobody here bites! Email [email protected] to reserve your seat on the front patio.
mimi (me-me)
: cute, sweet, nice pretty
--from the word mignon. Mimi, in casual talk, means "kiss" (un mimi sur la joue = a kiss on the cheek). And in childspeak mimi means chat. (See a whole list of babytalk here)
trop mimi = too cute
c'est mimi = so sweet (or nice or pretty or adorable)
fais-moi un mimi = give me a kiss
FAVORITE FRENCH WORDS!
Today I need your help. I'd like to spend time with my Dad and Marsha, who've just arrived. So I need you to share the word of the day. Let's make that our favorite word of the day. What word or phrase comes to mind when you think of a delightful French term? What French word makes you smile? To share a favorite French word, click here.
Aw, c'est mimi! A sweet moment with my father. Going to enjoy every minute of his visit. Spending time with Dad and my lovely belle-mère, Marsha, will be a mini-vacation. See you sometime next week....
Love you More pillow. I bought that pillow for Jean-Marc. I like to put it out when we have wine tastings. It breaks the ice and lends to the cozy and inviting atmosphere. Get your own Love You More pillow here. Give it to a parent or your sweetheart or your child. Maybe you need one for yourself?
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Bebe beigneur = big chubby toy doll in form of baby
Posted by: Patricia Grayson | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 12:55 PM
Coquelicot - I love the sound of it and the flower too (poppy)!
Posted by: Jan Ratziu | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:13 PM
Bonjour Kristin!
Have fun with your Dad and Marsha!
I love the phrase "mon petit chou" and "Ah, la vache", "Zut alors"
Love the photo of you and your Dad!
Posted by: Eileen deCamp | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:21 PM
libellule(dragon fly) - it's like pouring a word.
Posted by: Angela Sargent | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:25 PM
I agree with Kristen mon petit Chou
Posted by: Lenora | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:29 PM
I like the 'mimi' word that I just learned.
Thanks, Kristen.
Posted by: Caroline McIntosh | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:40 PM
Coucou! Also love to say coqueicot, one of the first ever French words I learned from a dear French friend.
Marsha ( je suis aussi une belle-mère )
Posted by: Marsha Welsher | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:43 PM
My favourite? 'Vachement' as in 'vachement formidable'. Honestly, how can something be 'cowly fantastic' ??
Posted by: Lesley-Ann Hoare | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 01:51 PM
Cacahuete !!
Always made me giggle!
Posted by: Claudette | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:16 PM
OMG! I can't believe it's already on the list. I'm with Lesley-Ann. Vachement may be outdated but I still love it. C'est vachement bien!
Posted by: Joan Hayes | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:21 PM
Pamplemousse - just love the way it sounds.
Posted by: Pam | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:28 PM
hippopotame - It's just fun to say and my students always get a kick out of it.
Posted by: Meghan | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:31 PM
Kristen, we are arriving to the Dordogne next week & plan "gouter" the harvest in as many markets as we can find. Enjoy your visit with "votre pere"
Posted by: Kenn Joyce | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:46 PM
The first new French word I learned when we moved here (apart from real estate jargon) was the simple le tournesol, which abound in SW France. Saying: La vie est dure sans confiture.
Posted by: Catherine | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:49 PM
La pantoufle! You had it in one of your posts a few years ago. Have a wonderful week with your dad and belle-mère. Amitiés à tous, Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia Lewis | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 02:51 PM
"Plus ça change" is a phrase that I come back to over and over.
Posted by: Mike | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:04 PM
My favorite French word is…plouc! It fits so many people and situations. It means a rube, a bumpkin
Posted by: Barbara Kelley | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:07 PM
Gros bisous perhaps. A father cannot have too many of those! Right on the forehead!
As an aside, I noticed The Resistance Man by Martin Walker listed on your blog under books. I really like this series of books by Martin Walker and highly recommend them.
Posted by: Barry from Bama | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:08 PM
Enjoy precious time with your Dad and Msrsha.
Favorite word: Mamie
Favorite phrase: n'importe quoi
Bon weekend
Ronni
Posted by: Ronni Ebbers | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:22 PM
Ditto for "coquelicot"! I love the look and sound of it. And, that the poppy has such a special role in WW1 remembrance.
Posted by: Caroline B | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:29 PM
When our family lived in the south of France a local friend used to call my 2 year old daughter mon petit ecureuil.
Whenever I see a squirrel I still think of my daughter as a toddler. Mimi, n'est-ce pas?
Posted by: Janine Cortell | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:30 PM
Poubelle is a big favorite for me....meaning trash/garbage can. I love to use it to explain my love of French to friends. It has such a beautiful sound compared to "garbage can", unless of course you change garbage to gare baghe....
Posted by: Annette Heath | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:33 PM
tatillon - picky or fussy
Palpitant(e) - exciting
Posted by: Michele | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:41 PM
As a teacher, I notice how words look, and two of my favorites are oiseau and jouaient, because they have all five vowels! Here's a fun expression I learned someplace: "La culture est comme la confiture, le moins que l'on en a, le plus que l'on etend." I love pamplemousse for the sound of it, too.
Happy, mimi weekend everyone!
Posted by: Joan Linneman | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:43 PM
Truc is so useful when you don't know the real word!
Posted by: Neil Plakcy | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:46 PM
2 people have already said my word, which is coquelicot. My husband has some wonderful photos of the fields of poppies in France.
Posted by: Sue jean | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:47 PM
I second libellule, always my favourite. My others are French but not really French: le caravansérail ( caravansary: an inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa) and le farniente (as in le doux farniente - ne rien faire)
Posted by: Julia Frey | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 03:53 PM
Minou, minou, minou... Loved greeting the kitty cats in France.
Brolles-Bois-le-Roi...one of the places I lived as a teenager. Quite a challenge for Americans to properly roll the "r". Try saying it quickly three times in a row!
Happy week with your dad and Marsha, Kristin!
Posted by: Chris Allin | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 04:03 PM
Arc en ciel!= Rainbow
When I lived in France 10 years ago, I said : arc aux colours! And I remember everyone thought that was so funny. So, I've never forgotten "arc en ciel".
Posted by: Erica Simoneaux | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 04:17 PM
Bordelique! I worked with a French chef once who called me "bordelique." I was hoping it had something to do with the elegant city of Bordeaux (you know, like Bordelais) Alas, no. It means "messy," like a bordello.....I wrote about it here: http://chezbonnefemme.com/french-word-of-the-day-bordelique/
PS: Sorry--I used the title "French Word of the Day" before I ever saw your wonderful site!
Posted by: Wini Moranville -- Chez Bonne Femme | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 04:28 PM
C'est chouette! Probably one of those outdated words. Also my husband (who barely speaks a word of French) likes the phrase "Ce n'est pas grave" which was said to him with a smile by a tiny little grandmotherly woman at a market one day.
Posted by: Deborah Page | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 04:32 PM
entre chien and loup - twilight
Posted by: Judy Smith | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 04:33 PM
Paraplouie and pamplemousse just have a wonderful sound. I may have to add a few from your list to my favorites. Please publish them with the phonetics and meanings. I love this.
Posted by: Betty w | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 05:04 PM
Not a word but a phrase:
Mon Petit Chou.
Posted by: Elizabeth Lopez | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 05:19 PM
I am new so you may already have "faire dodo".
also like "boulot" for work.
Posted by: Jean Gudaitis | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 05:20 PM
I like the phrase C'est normal as a response to a thank you for something nice you have done.
Posted by: Paul Crowley | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 05:21 PM
La crépuscule- a favorite word and time of day!
Posted by: Laurie Eager | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 05:45 PM
coquelicot has always been my favorite!
Posted by: Kayla Vodnoy | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 06:01 PM
Joie de vivre.
Posted by: Gordon Lyman | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 06:03 PM
This was indeed a popular post..all of my favorites long spoken,..lovely picture of you and your father...have a lovely visit.
Posted by: Catharine Ewart-Touzot | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 06:16 PM
le papillon-love picturing a colourful butterfly flying around!
Posted by: Jill Ferrie | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 07:05 PM
pamplemousse...love saying that!
Posted by: linda | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 07:39 PM
Did anyone say merde? So useful.
Posted by: Carol Abrioux | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 08:03 PM
I can't pick only one, so here are my favorite three! Grenouille, truffe, and the phrase "mon petit chou"
Posted by: Hannah | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 08:04 PM
Great post Kristen. Enjoy your time with your Dad !
I feed blue jays every am (and pm) and I always say "cou-cou & ca va" and practice my French.
They look at me, peck with their beaks --- then I throw the peanuts. I have a feeling they don't care about the French words: just give us the peanuts lady!
Posted by: Faye Stampe, Gleneden Beach, OR | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 08:45 PM
Ouistiti always makes me smile. Have a great time with our dad and Marsha!
Posted by: Angela Fowler | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 09:33 PM
Oops - meant your dad,
Posted by: Angela Fowler | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 09:34 PM
The kids always love pamplemousse. "How is that even close to 'grapefruit'?" they say. :)
Posted by: Janou | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 09:44 PM
Oh, I forgot a fun one from les BD. Saperlipopette! Watching le DVD... Les aventures de TinTin, you'll hear it.
Posted by: Janou | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 09:48 PM
Une mystere et boule de gomme
A real mystery to figure out.
Posted by: Suzanne Dunaway | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10:03 PM
C'est a moi - it's me or mine
Mimi is interesting for me My Aunt was known by this name ever since my brother as a toddler said after a visit from her, "Where's Mimi gone ?" My parents had no idea from where he got this at the age of about 3!!
Posted by: Audrey Wilson | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10:16 PM
I'm wondering where Suzanne got "mystere et boule de gomme." I hear it throughout the "French in Action" Series, but never knew what Marie-Laure was talking about. Does it come from an ad or a TV show or is it a real expression? Joan L.
Posted by: Joan Linneman | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Raison d'etre and bonne vie- I use them all the time, probably in all the wrong places, but I love 'em. Enjoy your visit with your dad & belle-mere!
Posted by: Sally | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Je suis flagada ra pla pla. Colloquial for 'I feel knackered' - and I do, so good night. Emma Brady
Posted by: Emma Brady | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 11:10 PM
Ouistiti.......i use it here when taking photos too just like in France. It does make everyone sourire!!!!
Posted by: Joanne | Friday, September 19, 2014 at 11:40 PM
Hope you had a great day with your family! Petit bijou! What was it au pif? Mon petit - which i say to my little dog. I am not a very good student. Cafe au l'ait, croissant, Provence, Aix Paris, Normandy, Monet, Fauves, Chèvre etc.
Posted by: Nancy | Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 04:42 AM
J'en ai 3. J'en ai marre
Je donne ma langue au chat
mi coton mi laine (half way) usually in the negative pas mi coton mi laine;
in British " not just half "way).
Posted by: gnrosenstein-rodan | Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 05:14 AM
So many of my favorites are already on the list. French sounds so wonderful that one of my former students said "English is like printing. French is like writing in cursive!" I know it's in English, but I still decided to post it on my classroom wall. In our digital world, it seems to sum it up for me.
Posted by: Dianne de Poitiers | Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 05:52 AM
I agree with Annette - I like poubelle.
Also like fait accompli and ruse de guerre. Just like the way they sound!
As always, enjoyed your post and the wonderful pictures. Hope you are having a great visit with your family.
Robin
Posted by: Robin Lewin | Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 07:26 AM
Several expressions come to mind:
J'en ai ras le bol! (used it a lot when I was working in Paris)
Mince alors! (one of my Grandfather's favorites)
une larme (used when asked if you would like more of a beverage)
belle-soeur (also belle-mere because they're so opposite of their English counterparts which seem to often have a negative vibe; my sister-in-law loves this expression - it always makes her smile)
Posted by: Andrea Hughes | Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 10:29 PM
chuchoter-- a perfect onomatapeia
Posted by: Linda Donahue | Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 11:24 PM
lecher les vitrines- literally"window licking" --window shopping
Posted by: patricia flynn | Sunday, September 21, 2014 at 03:06 AM
J'aime bien le mot mistinquette.yes,I love the sound of it! There are so many .....
Posted by: Eve Taylor | Sunday, September 21, 2014 at 07:33 AM
"Pois chiches" - I have always loved the sound and saying it aloud!
Posted by: Mary | Sunday, September 21, 2014 at 10:19 PM
J'aime le mot "rigoleuse" - makes me giggle to hear it. Annie Gray
Posted by: Annie | Monday, September 22, 2014 at 03:44 AM
All her American grandchildren called my French husband's mother "Mimi" at her request. She didn't like any of the traditional "mamie" names. It suited her to a T. Other French cousins called their grandmother "Minette". All from Provence. Chouette!
Posted by: Jean(ne) in MN | Monday, September 22, 2014 at 05:51 PM
Bisous!
Posted by: Jan Acorn | Monday, September 22, 2014 at 06:57 PM
I learned to pronounce the French U and R saying "urlu-burlu".
Posted by: Henri Drane | Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 03:45 AM
I love so many of these wonderful words - I think I need to make a little dictionary! One word I still love is 'aubergine' - I love the way it sounds, the color and even the taste that it can invoke!
Posted by: Judi | Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 05:21 AM
What about la falaise - means the cliff - sounds so much nicer than the English version.
Posted by: Liz Hamilton | Friday, September 26, 2014 at 09:47 AM
Hi! This is more a "life in general" comment. I bragged about your French blog today.
Before I reveal the blogger, I could use your help. She said she would cook dinner for anyone who could conjugate "chiffonade". Please help! She is a great vegan cook!
Thanks!
Posted by: MamaBaer | Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 04:44 AM