Both are translated by “to know” which can be very confusing.
Connaître
To be aware of the existence of something, of this value. Can also be used to speak about people, places, the experience of something/its deep knowledge. The etymology in Latin is “to visit, to see each other, to get to know”. A good tip could be to remember that in Connaître, there is “naître” (to be born, to start). This way you can remember the link to people and starting something.
- I know my neighbors : Je connais mes voisins (You got to know them)
- I know the Louvre : Je connais le Louvre (you visited the Louvre)
- I know South America : Je connais l’Amérique du Sud (you traveled through South America)
- I know my lesson : Je connais ma leçon
- I know my work : Je connais mon travail.
Connaître is always followed by a noun and can’t never be used before pronouns (qui, que, quoi, comment, etc.)
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Savoir
Savoir is used for things teached, facts, abilities, knowing information, conviction.
- I know how to write : Je sais écrire
- I know how to conjugate a verb : Je sais comment conjuguer un verbe.
- I know how to bake tasty cakes : Je sais cuisiner de bons gâteaux
- I know that you’re going to Italy for summer : Je sais que tu vas en Italie cet été
- I know that you love stargazing : Je sais que tu aimes regarder les étoiles
- I know why you didn’t come to the party : Je sais pourquoi tu n’es pas venu à la soirée
- I know who stole the cake : Je sais qui a volé le gâteau.
- I know it’s you : Je sais que c’est toi.
It’s mostly followed by verbs or subordinate clauses (Thing you can see in English too, the verb “to know” is used differently to translate savoir than for connaître!)
When it’s followed by an infitive : It’s about knowledge, how to do something
Je sais écrire > I know how to write
When it’s followed by a subordinate clause : it’s about an information you got and understood/conviction
Je sais que c’est toi : I know/I’m convinced it’s you.
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Amandine Bourgeois for France, Eurovision 2013
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modernizing:
The Hotel Bubble in France.
Bubble Rooms – ideas, used by two hotels in France. Small bubbles are designed by designer Pierre-Stephane Dumas, they allow you to stay in the room, but at the same time as though and in the open air.
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If you live in Paris or suburbs, like this post.
(I may organize polyglot parties downtown..)
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François Bard, French painter.
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1. The French never agrees, is generally on strike, and remains a lazy person : The foreigner must have experienced some problems with our national railway company. But it’s not true, we’re not always on strike, we might be on holidays also.
2. A real French always carries a baguette with him. And ham in his pocket, of course.
3. France is THE country of civil rights, but makes eco-freak boats explode if needed, and expels a lot because Roms are messing with us : We’re kind but don’t mess with us, that’s it. Word of Hortefeux (our immigration minister)
4. More béret than Von Dutch cap : everybody knows that, we didn’t create anything in fashion since 1940. It almost smells like ration coupons.
5. The usual uniform is a stripped sweater like Mime Marceau. Just in case we fell like miming, on the go.
6. Our First Ladies have always been models. Speaking of Bernadette, we just forgot who the designer was.
7. The Camembert is our most basic food : and it can also replace toothpaste. Anyways, French are already dirty, so…
8. French TV is made of thrilling TV shows super well-sold abroad : “Louis La Brocante”, “Plus Belle La Vie”, and unfornately true for “Sous Le Soleil”.
9. French women don’t shave their armpits. But we thought the German women were the ones who didn’t shave. So, the hairs are always longer elsewhere.
10. French kiss is the traditional way to greet someone. It’s almost embarrassing at the office, especially after a wild night, but you get used to it.
(note: this is obviously highly ironic)
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Je peux passer une annonce? C'est juste pour dire que je suis étudiante (en langues) sur Angers et que je cherche une ou un coloc pour l'année prochaine (erasmus ou pas d'ailleurs, mais erasmus ça serait cool). Voilà, voilà, bon week-end :)
Roommate wanted in Angers, France!!
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french student experience
You were asking for expat’s experiences in France, so I thought I’d give mine ^^! I’m currently living in Provence and working as an English tutor. At the same time I’ve been attending lycée to further help me learn the language. I just wanted to say that I’ve met some of the loveliest people here; despite the language barrier they’ve welcomed me with open arms and done their best to make me feel welcomed. Probably the best place I’ve visited would be Roussillon - if you’re in the south, this is a must-see! Oh, and my best moments have always been with my nez friends: discovering a local cuisine with them, partying with them… all! :) Definitely take the leap and study abroad! it won’t always be easy, there’ll certainly be some difficult times, but it’s the good times that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, not the bad. :)
By sophie-en-europe
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Hi there, I’m just going to share a quick story about one of my favorite stories from when I studied abroad in France. For starters, There are numerous stories that I could tell but one that sticks out to me the most is quite mundane to be honest. I loved going to the grocery store with my host mother. It was a time where I got to work on my French and compare the differences between my culture and France’s but it also allowed me to connect with my host mother. My host family was fantastic.
By pshwhaturl
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student reassurance post!
Salut! I’m an American who spent about 18 months in Nancy. It’s a great (albeit, slightly overlooked) city! My favorite memories were just getting drinks at a café in centre ville or on Place Stanislas with friends. The people, in general, were very kind and for the most part, I had very positive interactions with everyone I came in contact with. Once, I was waiting for the bus when a woman struck up a conversation with me. After a few minutes, we realized that her daughter was a student in one of my classes (I was an English assistant in a collège). She invited me over for dinner the following night, and all of her daughter’s friends (most were my students as well) came over to chat with me about my life and American things, like Gossip Girl and Michael Jackson.
By filleindomptee
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I saw your request for former exchange students who lived in France to talk about their positive experiences. I have to say that I will always remember my very first day in France. I’d never been so far away from home, I was terrified, and my french was absolute crap. The sheer number of complete strangers who made sure I was ok was phenomenal. I reached Saint Etienne, my host city, and two men on the bus made sure I got to my dorm without getting lost, even though they didn’t know me at all. <3
By bakazaru7
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Coucou! I’m currently studying/working in Paris. I received a scholarship to travel the country and write about the food. My favorite trip was to Le Havre, where a local restaurant owner sat down and started talking to me. We talked about the history of Le Havre, and why it’s so different from everywhere else. It shocks people when I tell them this, but it’s honestly one of my favorite cities in France.
-frenchpeas
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Hi there! Just wanted to share my awesome experience while in France. I was there for about five months doing study abroad, and what really made my trip was plugging into the things I like to do back home. For me, that was doing service (teaching in highgschools) and going to church. I was able to make a lot of really good friends both ways, teachers and fashion students, expats from other countries and a lot of really sweet French people who are still my friends. And the best part is, once you find your group and bring your hobbies and interests into play in another country, it immediately begins to feel like home and you become more at ease. The friends I made in Paris are some of the most loyal and genuine I’ve ever made and I’m excited to see a number of them this summer in NYC!
By today-isawindingroad
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Well, I spent one semester in Besançon at a language institute studying French. It was really hard to integrate into French life because I was at a school with only international students all day long. The best thing that I did was live with a host family. All of my friends lived in CROUS housing. They were miserable and only spoke English because they were always together. My family was incredible; they taught me the history of the region, how to cook, we watched television together, and they made sure that I had time to sit and talk every night. I wound up loving it so much, that I came back in the fall as a lectrice in the local university. So, my recommendation is, wherever possible (and push if you need to), to live with a host family or in a colocation. They aren’t too difficult to find in France! Another piece of advice from my time here as a teacher, find the local university’s conversation table for English, or start one of your own, and make yourself available as a native speaker. You’ll make friends this way, and you and your new friends can split your time speaking French and English!
By francypantsmmp
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Thanks to all who submitted!
Share more stories! Send yours :)
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- Louvre, Orsay Museums and Centre Georges Pompidou -basically, all History from Mesopotamia to nowadays. They are the absolute must-see. You can count two days to visit the whole Louvre Museum (I’m not kidding, it’s HUGE. If you really want to appreciate, two days are great. One single day is too short unless you specifically choose not to visit periods you’re not curious about), 3 to 4 hours for the Orsay Museum and same for Centre Georges Pompidou.
- Eiffel Tower. I wouldn’t recommend to actually visit it, just go there. The only fact to see it is breathtaking. It’s so huge that you feel like a little poor thing right under, it’s a nice thing to experience XD However, it’s pretty useless to actually visit it, because the only thing you get to see is Paris from the highest point. But, If I were you, I’d visit Montmartre for that, ‘cause seeing Paris’ roofs is much more impressive when you get to see the Eiffel Tower lost in the jungle of grey and red roofs :)
- Père Lachaise cemetary. Unusual but it’s just… wonderful! It’s by far my favorite place in Paris. But be aware, wear good shoes ‘cause you’re gonna walk, climb and jump a lot xD It takes a good day too to do the all cemetary.
- Montmartre, very pittoresque. It’s the most touristic place in Paris but it’s still a must see. Breathtaking when it’s sunny. It takes an afternoon to visit. Bonus for the incredible view of the roofs as I said previously.
- Saint-Germain, to do some shopping and eat in great restaurants. It’s very chic. You’re gonna probably fall in love with Paris after visiting this area. I’d visit it by night, it’s even more charming in the darkness. About a day/ two nights to visit.
- Versailles. It’s out of Paris (30 minutes by train) but it would be a terrible mistake to come in France and not to visit the Royal Castle. It’s a huge domain, with the castle of course, and two little castles Marie-Antoinette used as a personal living space. The castle itself is gorgeous but I personally dig the two other castles (Petit and Grand Trianons) which are much more intimate and breathtaking (But it’s only my opinion). The gardens are also gorgeous but they’re only opened during summer. A day to do the three castles, two days if you add the gardens.
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. A must see as well, approximately 2 hours if you take your time.
- Mouffetard street, if you’re into partying but like chilling with friends while drinking good stuff.
- Champs Elysées Avenue, if you’re more into clubbing. Also, you better get there early and very well dressed if you want to enter a club. A must-see by day too, it’s the so-called most beautiful avenue in the world so that’d be a shame to miss it xD Also, this avenue hurts your bank account right in the nuts, so you better lock your credit card in a vault or something considering the HUGE amount of incredible shops there :p. Useful information: all shops are open until midnight or so…
- Bateaux-Mouches. I’d finish by that. It’s a 1 hour long beautiful ballad on the Seine river. You get to see every important building from the river and it’s a great conclusion for a trip in Paris. It’d make you remember everything you saw and it’s a great feeling. It’s the best postcard you can have. You can do it twice though, once by day and once by night, that can be fun ;)
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Anonymous asked :
Can you talk a bit about parenting in France?
Oh gosh… I don’t know where to start… Well, we’re quite tough with them. In the 0-7 age, we don’t encourage them to have “personality” like I can hear on American TV sometimes. I remember, there was an American mom expat’ in France who wrote a book about that. She said she was astonished by our ability to “teach” sleeping to babies. Here we believe babies can sleep at regular hours and are not meant to wake up anarchically like they want (all teeth growing/bad digestion problems put asides obviously). The kids are not really allowed to speak while their parents are chatting with other people. They must ask if they can speak first and anyhow, they must wait for their parents to ackowledge them they’re “available” to listen to what they have to say. We also believe there’s a time for everything, no need to teach them to read and write too soon or to have too much activities too quickly. We don’t believe in goals and achievement for todlers. For us, a good kid is a kid that knows how to stay quiet, that understands their “child” condition, meaning they can’t do whatever they want and that they pretty much need to ask for everything. And most parents aren’t afraid of slap their kids, you often hear “a good slap never killed anyone and it makes the kid behave”.
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En séjour à Paris pour un week-end “culturel” avec ma famille, nous avons décidé de nous faire un théâtre Tout d’abord, direction le Kiosque Théâtre, un bon plan parisien où l’on retrouve les pièces qui se jouent le soir même dont les places sont vendues à moitié prix! Il en existe trois, à Montparnasse, à la Madeleine et aux Ternes. Après avoir tourné un bon quart d’heure sans être vraiment inspirés par les affiches exposées tout autour du kiosque, nous nous décidons à demander à la vendeuse qui se révèle être une grande fanatique de pièces de théâtre. Elle nous conseille à merveille et nous voilà partis avec nos places en poche pour la pièce du soir : La vie de Galilée mis en scène par Christophe Luthringer au Lucernaire. Il est 20h30, nous arrivons devant le théatre, une face parisienne, assez jolie mais plutôt banale. Un homme d’une soixantaine d’années distribue à l’entrée des petites publicités pour un spectacle dans lequel il joue. Il raconte la pièce à qui veut l’entendre, un grand sourire aux lèvres. Nous pénétrons dans le théâtre et à ma grande surprise, plusieurs queues vers différentes salles s’étalent. On annonce de vive voix la direction que les spectateurs de “La vie de Galilée” doivent prendre. Nous montons un escalier, deux escaliers puis nous nous installons dans une salle d’environ 80 spectateurs. Il y fait bien chaud. Le spectacle commence et c’est parti pour 1h10 de bonheur.
Si vous êtes de visite à Paris, curieux de découvrir quelque chose de différent que la Tour Eiffel, le Lucernaire est un endroit qui vaut le détour.
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Anonymous asked :
Since when is Paris "The city of love"? I went to an interview for an exchange program and referred to Paris as such and was corrected. Not the "City of love", it's the "City of Lights".
Well technically, the “City of Lights” (Ville des Lumières) is Lyon, not Paris. Paris is the “Ville-Lumière” (Lit. “Light-City”) but translated as “City of Lights” too so it’s a little confusing.
I couldn’t find any serious source about Paris refered to as City of Love, so I’d go for a completely irrational theory and just assume that this image of the artists’ bohemian, free, sexual lifestyle during the 1900/1920’s has been exported when the artists left France (Paris particularly) during WW1 and when they kept living this lifestyle abroad. Maybe people assumed that was the ONLY way French people were living and developped that fantasized image of Paris? After all, the top places tourists visit are those 1900/1920 active areas like Montmartre and stuff… But that’s just my theory!
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Anonymous asked :
I heard that French people are (or at least were) very prejudiced towards French Muslims and French Arabs, is that still a major issue now?
Oh I think it’s still an issue. Mostly because people (maybe with the help of politics?) don’t distinguish Muslim people from terrorists. Media talk about it as a full package, as if welcoming Muslim people would lead to Charia in France. There’s definitely double standards like, the politics are supposedly “fighting” against street prayers while some right-wing deputees were pushing the Catholics to pray in the streets during the debate over gay marriage but in the meantime, they were calling themselves guardians of Civil Code hence its religion-free philosophy. Ding dong, I feel hypocrisy, don’t you?! And with the political crisis around, I honestly can’t say if it’s gonna get worse or not. The extremist right-wing parties are getting stronger which is no good news but there’s still 4 years until the next presidential elections. The actual government will release next autumn a full strategy to fight discriminations at school (with two main goals: racism and homophobia), and will add “secular morals” courses too. I really, truly hope that educated children will educate their parents and everybody will stop jumbling everything. Let’s hope this will work before the next elections!
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