Saturday, 31 May 2014

French words used in English

Bonjour amis! Today I was watching a old video of a program named rendez vous with Simmi Gerewal. These program name is combination of two language i.e English & French. Why they chose this kind of name for the program? May be to make it sound interesting. These days its a kinda trend to use french words in English. So in this lesson I am sharing some french works commonly used in English. So learn them and try next time in your English conversation.


À la carte
On the menu, with each dish priced.


À la mode
Fashionable; also, in the USA, with ice cream.

Art nouveau
'New art' - a style of art developed towards the end of the 19th century. It is characterized by ornamentation based on organic or foliate forms and by its asymmetric and curvaceous lines.

Au contraire
To the contrary. Often used with an arch or rather camp form of delivery.

Au revoir
Farewell for the time being. Sometimes given in English in the jokey au reservoir version.

Bon appétit 'Good appetite' 
"Enjoy your food".

Bon voyage 
Have a good trip.

Carte blanche
Having free rein to choose whatever course of action you want.

Coup d'état

An abrupt overthrow of a government through unconstitutional means, for example, by force, or by

Crème de la crème
The best of the best. Literally the cream of the cream.

Déjà vu
The feeling of having seen or experienced something before. Literally 'already seen'.

En route
On the way.

En suite
Part of a set, especially a series of rooms that adjoin each other forming a suite.

Esprit de corps

The regard entertained by the members of a group, especially a military unit, for the honour and interests of the group as a whole. Literally, 'spirit of the corps'.

Faux pas
A social blunder, causing embarrassment or loss of reputation. Literally, a 'false step'.
Film noir A bleak cinematographic style, usually dark visually and in storyline terms.

Haute cuisine

High class cooking. Literally, 'upper kitchen'.

Laissez-faire

The principle that government should not interfere with the action of individuals. Also, more generally, a policy of indulgence towards the actions of others. Literally, 'let (people) do (as they think best)'.

Merci beaucoup

Thank you very much.

Par excellence
Pre-eminently supreme - above all others.

Savoir-faire
Social grace; means know-how in French.

S'il vous plaît
Please. Literally, 'if it pleases you'.

Tête-à-tête
A private meeting between two people. Literally, 'head-to-head'.

Vis-à-vis
In a position facing another. Literally 'face to face'. Often now used in the sense of 'in relation to'.


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