The French language 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 melody of the throat sound “p” and the exquisite precision of “le” give a special charm to the language.
Gallicisms
The French words used in the Russian language are called Gallicisms, they firmly entered the Russian-speaking conversation with a large number of words and derivatives of them, similar in meaning or, conversely, only in sound.
The pronunciation of French words differs from Slavic in the presence of throat and nasal sounds, for example, “en” and “he” are pronounced by passing 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 emphasis on the last syllable of the word and soft hissing sounds, as in the words “brochure” and “jelly”. Another indicator of Gallicism is the presence of the suffixes -azh, -ar, -ism in the word (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 people realize that “metro”, “baggage”, “balance” and “politics” are original French words borrowed in other languages, beautiful “veil” and “nuance” too. According to some reports, about two thousand gallicisms are used every day in the territory of the post-Soviet space. Articles of clothing (drawers, cuffs, vest, pleated, jumpsuit), military subjects (dugout, patrol, trench), trading (advance payment, loan, kiosk and regime) and, of course. words accompanying beauty (manicure, cologne, boa, pince) are all gallicisms.
Moreover, some words are consonant by ear, but have a distant or different meaning. For example:
- Syurtuk is a subject of a man’s wardrobe, and literally means “on top of everything”.
- Buffet reception - here it’s a festive table, among the French it’s just a fork.
- A dude is a dapper young man, and a dude in France is a dove.
- Solitaire is a literal translation from French “patience”, here we have a card game.
- Meringue (a kind of air cake) is a beautiful French word meaning a kiss.
- Vinaigrette (vegetable salad), vinaigrette is just the vinegar of the French.
- Dessert - originally this word in France meant cleaning the table, and much later - the last dish, after which they cleaned.
Language of love
Tet-a-tete (one-on-one meeting), rendezvous (date), counterpart (opposite) - these are also words from France. Amor (love) is a beautiful French word that has so many times excited the minds of lovers. A stunning language of romance, tenderness and adoration, the melodious murmur of which will not leave any woman indifferent.
- mon amour (mon amour) - my love;
- (mon plezir) - my pleasure;
- (mon sher) - my dear;
- c 'est mon petit ami (se mon ptit ami) is my little friend;
- But those ador - I adore you.
The classic “tem” is used to denote strong, all-consuming love, and if you add “bian” to these words, the meaning will already change: it will mean “I like you”.
Peak of popularity
French words in Russian first began to appear during the time of Peter the Great, and from the end of the eighteenth century they significantly pushed native speech aside. French has become the leading language of high society. All correspondence (especially love) was conducted exclusively in French, beautiful long tirades filled banquet rooms and negotiation rooms. At the court of Emperor Alexander the Third, it was considered shameful (bad manners — bad manners) not to know the language of the Franks, a stigma of ignorance was immediately hung on a person, so French teachers were in great demand.
The situation changed thanks to the novel in verses “Eugene Onegin”, in which the author Alexander Sergeyevich did very subtly, writing a monologue-letter of Tatiana to Onegin, in Russian (although he thought in French, being Russian, as historians say.) He returned this former glory of the native language.
French phrases now popular
Comme il faut in French means “as it should”, that is, something made by comme il faut - done in accordance with all the rules and wishes.
- Se la vie! - a very famous phrase meaning "such is life."
- Same tem - world famous for these words was brought by singer Lara Fabian in the song of the same name “Je t'aime!” - I love you.
- Sherche la famm - also known to all “look for a woman”
- A la ger, com a la ger - “in war, as in war”. Words from a song sung by Boyarsky in the popular film of all time, Three Musketeers.
- Bon mo is a sharp word.
- Fézon de parle - manner of speaking.
- Ki famm ve - die le ve - "what a woman wants, God wants it."
- Entr Well Sau Di - it is said between us.
The story of a few words
The well-known word "marmalade" is the warped "Marie est malade" - Marie is sick.
In the Middle Ages, the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart, while traveling, suffered from seasickness and refused to eat. The personal doctor prescribed her slices of oranges with peel, densely sprinkled with sugar, and the French cook prepared quince decoctions to stimulate appetite. If these two dishes were ordered in the kitchen, they immediately whispered between the courtiers: "Marie is sick!" (mari e malad).
Chantrap - the word for loafers, street children, also came from France. Children who didn’t have a musical ear and good vocal abilities were not accepted into the church choir by singers (“chantra pas” - they don’t sing), so they wandered around the streets idly, having fun and having fun. They were asked: "Why are you messing around?" In response: "Chantrap."
Podshofe - (chauffe - heating, heater) with the prefix under-, that is, heated, under the influence of heat, accepted for "warming". A beautiful French word, and the meaning is just the opposite.
By the way, the famous old woman Shapoklyak, why was she called that? But this is a French name, she also has a handbag from there - a reticule. Shapo - is translated as "hat", and "gag" is a palm strike, akin to a slap. A hat folded into a slap is a folding cylinder, which was worn by a harmful old woman.
Silhouette is the last name of the Comptroller of Finance at the court of Louis the Fifteenth, who was famous for his craving for luxury and various expenses. The treasury was emptied too quickly and, in order to rectify the situation, the king appointed a young incorruptible Etienne Silouet, who immediately banned all festivities, balls and banquets. Everything became gray and dull, and the fashion that arose at the same time for depicting the outline of an object of a dark color on a white background - in honor of the minister-hunks.
Beautiful French words diversify your speech
Recently, tattoos from words have ceased to be only English and Japanese (as dictated by fashion), they have increasingly come across in French, and some of them have an interesting meaning.
- Toute la vie est la lutte - All life is a battle (or battle).
- A tout prix - At all costs.
- Forte et tendre - feminine version, sounds like "strong and gentle."
- Une fleur rebelle is a daring, rebellious flower.
The French language is considered quite complicated, having many nuances and details. To know him well, you need to painstakingly study for more than one year, but to use several winged and beautiful phrases, this is not necessary. Two or three words inserted at the right time in the conversation will diversify your vocabulary and make your speech in French emotional and lively.