Christmas shoes

Savez-vous que*…

French children put out their chaussures* instead of their stockings in the hope that Père Noël* will fill them to the brim with cadeaux*?

Voici l’histoire*, thanks to French leather goods site Cirage et Compagnie*.

On raconte qu'un jour qu'il passait devant la maison de trois petites sœurs pauvres pour se réchauffer devant la cheminée, Saint Nicolas leur offrit quelques pièces de monnaie pour les aider.

Les piécettes glissèrent dans les chausses que les fillettes avaient mis à sécher devant le foyer de la cheminée. Ce n'est qu'après sa visite, qu'elles découvrirent la surprise en se réveillant.

Les bonnes choses se sachant vite, la rumeur s'est répandue et depuis, le soir du réveillon, chacun met ses chaussures ou ses chaussettes devant la cheminée ou bien au pied du sapin avec l'espoir d'y trouver quelque chose le lendemain matin.

---

It is said that once upon a time, as Saint Nicholas passed by the front of the house of three poor little sisters, he asked to warm himself in front of their fire and offered them a few coins to help them out.

He slipped the little coins in the pantaloons that the young girls had placed to dry in front of the chimney. It was only after his visit, when they woke up the next morning, that they discovered the surprise.

Good news travels fast so the rumour got around and ever since, on Christmas Eve, children put their shoes or slippers in front of the chimney or even at the foot of the Christmas tree in the hope of finding something the following morning.

Mignon, non*?

*Did you know that | *shoes | *Father Christmas | *presents | *Here’s the story | *Wax & Co. | *Cute, isn’t it?

Père Fouettard

Les gens* often lament that things are just not like they used to be, and in many cases, it’s a fair complaint. The world seems to be changing at warp speed and it’s tempting to want to grasp on to the familiar.

However, there are certaines circonstances* when change is a positive thing and Père Fouettard is one of them!

No longer d’actualité* (you’ll see why soon), Père Fouettard (Father Whipper or Old Man Whipper) is a fictional (we hope!) character who accompanies Père Noël* on his rounds during Saint Nicholas’ Day on the 6th December. The story goes that while jolly Père Noël is busy handing out gifts aux enfants sages*, Père Fouettard dispenses lumps of coal to the naughty children. Fouetter is the verb ‘to whip’ in French and this is where this villain gets his name - he’s known to whip those rascals who have not been on their best behaviour all year.

As though that’s not disturbing enough, an alternative tale goes like this:

“An innkeeper (or a butcher in other versions) captures three boys who appear to be wealthy and on their way to enrol in a religious boarding school. Along with his wife, he kills the children in order to rob them….They drug the children, slit their throats, cut them into pieces, and stew them in a barrel. St. Nicholas discovers the crime and resurrects the children. After this, Père Fouettard repents and becomes St Nicholas' partner.”

Quelle horreur*!

Source: Wikipedia

*People | *certain circumstances | *in common usage | *Father Christmas | *to the good children | *What horror!

A different type of crèche.

Savez-vous que*…

Though we use the word crèche in English to mean a nursery where babies and young children are cared for during the working day, there is another meaning related to Noël*.

Une crèche* is also the French word for a nativity scene, as it comes from the Old French cresche or ‘crib’.

Not up to speed on your French religious figures’ vocab? N’ayez crainte*, we’ve got you covered.

*Did you know that | *Christmas | *a nativity scene | *Never fear

Le Réveillon de Noël*

Though today only about 15% percent of French citizens declare themselves practising Catholics, there was a time towards the end of the 19th century when that number was 98%.

This could explain the French tradition of celebrating Christmas on the 24th December with a very late dinner, usually eaten upon their return from Mass and often kicking off at about midnight.

Naturally, things have changed since then and many families celebrate with an earlier dîner* on Le Réveillon de Noël with some even waiting for the 25th to celebrate.

While in the most religious of families the Christmas meal was deliberately simple (for example une soupe aux légumes*) as a reminder that Jesus was born into poverty, today the meal is often a veritable festin de Balthazar* and can include foie gras*, huîtres*, queues de langoustines*, saumon fumé*, champagne* and the traditional bûche de Noël, of course.

Délicieux*!

*Christmas Eve | *dinner | *vegetable soup | *feast fit for a king | *foie gras | *oysters | *lobster tails | *smoked salmon | *champagne | *Christmas log | *Delicious!

Cher Père Noël*

Savez vous que…*

Since 1962 it has been French law that every letter written to Père Noël* will be responded to in the form of a carte postale*? C’est vrai*!

La Poste (the French version of Australia Post) even has several versions of suggested texts to help les enfants* express their dearest wishes, as well as various addresses, all of which will ensure accurate delivery. C’est tellement mignon*. Here’s the full story.

*Dear Father Christmas | *Did you know that… | *Father Christmas | *postcard | *It’s true | *children | *It’s so cute

Notre ami Thibaut

If you’ve been a student at Lingua Franca for a few years, it is likely you’ve come across Thibaut Guigues. Thibaut was kind enough to appear in a series of videos where we asked local French friends to respond to a series of questions about their lives.

Thibaut fielded beginner questions such as ‘comment vous appelez-vous*?’ and ‘vous avez des enfants*?’ all the way through to those requiring much more reflection such as ‘quel livre a le plus marqué votre vie et pourquoi*?’ and ‘si vous étiez votre animal domestique, que feriez-vous de vos journées*?’

At the time Thibaut was 34 years old, the owner of Le Comptoir Français (a business he set up importing classic French clothing brands into Australia) and he and his wife Kate had just had a baby, the delightful (and noisy!) Arthur.

Our students have very fond memories of him, even though they’ve never actually met him. Until now, that is…

Last weekend at the inaugural French Christmas Market in West End, Thibaut was spotted by one of our students and she couldn’t resist the chance to ask for an update on sa vie*.

PS: The affection goes both ways. Thibaut has very kindly offered Lingua Franca readers a 15% discount across his whole range, just in time for Christmas!

LF: Tu peux te présenter, s’il te plaît?

TG: Bonjour, je m’appelle toujours Thibaut mais j’ai maintenant presque 39 ans. Je suis Franco-Australien. J’ai mon propre business qui s’appelle Le Comptoir Français et je suis marié à une australienne.

LF: Tu as combien d’enfants maintenant?

TG: La famille s’est agrandie, en plus d’Arthur (qui a maintenant 6 ans), nous avons une fille qui s’appelle Margaux (comme le vin).

LF: Tu habites où?

TG: Nous avons déménagé et nous habitons maintenant à Toowoomba.

LF: Tu as un animal domestique?

TG: Nous avons un chat qui s’appelle Pomme (comme le fruit) 

LF: Comment vont tes sœurs?

TG: Mes sœurs vont très bien. Une habite en Bretagne et l’autre près de Paris.

LF: Et ton papa? Il joue toujours au golf?

TG: Mon père pratique toujours le golf et le bridge, toutes les activités d’un bon retraité. Il a hâte que les frontières ouvrent pour pouvoir venir nous rendre visite.

LF: Comment va ton business?

TG: Le business continue à grandir car en plus de mon site internet je suis en charge de la distribution pour la marque Saint James pour toute la région Australie/Nouvelle-Zélande. Je trouve de nouveau magasins et je présente les nouvelles collections deux fois par an.

LF: Finalement, tout le monde veut savoir si Arthur crie toujours en se réveillant?

TG: Arthur ne crie plus le matin. Il est passé directement de bébé à adolescent et aime bien faire la grasse matinée.

LF: Can you introduce yourself, please?

TG: Hello, I am still called Thibaut but I am now nearly 39 years old. I have my own business called Le Comptoir Français and I am married to an Australian woman.

LF: How many children do you have now?

TG: The family has grown, in addition to Arthur (who is now 6 years old), we have a little girl called Margaux (like the wine).

LF: Where do you live?

TG: We’ve moved and we now live in Toowoomba.

LF: Do you have a pet?

TG: We have a cat called Apple (like the fruit).

LF: How are your sisters going?

TG: My sisters are going really well. One lives in Brittany and the other close to Paris.

LF: And your Dad? Is he still playing golf?

TG: My father still pays golf and bridge, all the activities of a good retiree. He is keen for the borders to open so he can come and visit us.

LF: How is your business going?

TG: The business continues to grow because in addition to my website I am in charge of the distribution for the Saint James brand for the whole of the Australia/New Zealand region. I’m finding new boutiques and I present new collections twice a year.

LF: Finally, everyone wants to know if Arthur still wakes up crying?

TG: Arthur no longer cries in the morning. He has gone straight from being a baby into adolescence and loves having big sleep-ins.

*what is your name? | *do you have any children? | *which is the book that has most affected you and why? | if you were your pet, what would you do with your days? | *his life

French hand gestures

“You truly have another language with your hands.”

C’est vrai*! It is said that making yourself understood over the phone in a foreign language is so very difficult because up to 80% of all communication is non-verbal.

This very cute video will have you gesticulating your way to better French in no time.

*It’s true!

Josephine Baker

“France made me what I am. I will be grateful forever. The people of Paris have given me everything… I am ready, captain, to give them my life. You can use me as you wish. ”

— Josephine Baker offering her services to Free France

What a life it was to give.

Born into poverty in Little Rock, Arkansas, Josephine Baker was waitressing by 12, married by 13 and at 19, long divorced from the first of her four husbands, took Paris by storm when she landed a leading role in La Revue Nègre*, a musical comedy show featuring an all-black cast.

But this was just the start. At Le Casino de Paris* she wowed in her one-woman show (if you don’t count her pet cheetah Chiquita, who wore a diamond collar) and at one time was the highest paid and the most photographed woman in the world. Dame Shirley Bassey said of her: “I swear in all my life I have never seen, and probably never shall see again, such a spectacular singer and performer."

The first woman of colour to have a starring role in a major motion picture, Baker returned to the States triumphant, but received terrible reviews for her role in a reprisal of the Ziegfield Follies. Heartbroken, she retreated to France, relinquished her US citizenship and became a French citizen.

A new marriage to Frenchman Jean Lion followed and as war broke out in 1939, Baker moved to the South of France and became involved in the French resistance. Later (and with yet another new husband Jo Bouillon) she adopted 12 children of different races and religions creating what she called her ‘Rainbow Tribe'.

There are so many more twists and turns to the life of Josephine Baker, but one constant was her love for her adopted country. Whereas her life in the US was hampered by segregationist policies, in France she could move about freely, without fear of reprisals. Like many American artists during the Jazz Age, she found her creative home in the clubs and theatres of Paris, and remained fiercely loyal to la République française until her death in 1975.

Jus this week, it was announced that Josephine Baker would become the first Black woman to be entered into the Panthéon mausoleum, joining illustrious alumni such as Victor Hugo, Pierre and Marie Curie, Louis Braille and Antoine St Exupéry, author of Le Petit Prince.

Read more about her fascinating life here…

*The Negro Revue | *The Paris Casino

Let’s get straight to the point.

Allez, allez*! Take 10 minutes to learn these evocative phrases which all use the verb aller*.

*Go, go! | *to go

It’s all back to front.

As a child you may have dabbled in a bit of pig latin, but did you know the French have their own secret language called verlan?

The name verlan itself is in fact an illustration of how this very-commonly used langage* works. To create a word in verlan, we must first identify the sounds of the syllables. The next step is to reverse their order. Attention*, you’re not reversing the letters, you’re inverting the sounds of the syllables.

For example, ‘ver-lan’ is made up of the sounds ‘lan-ver’, and l’envers in French means ‘backwards’. Tu piges*?

If not, don’t worry, it’s not immediately obvious, c’est sûr*, so we’ve given you some more examples below.

Interested in this sort of thing? If you live in Brisbane, we’ll be talking more about this little French quirk at our upcoming P’tit Week-end Immersion (more details here).

If you’re busy or don’t live in the area, please enjoy this video instead, by French artist Stromae, whose very name is verlan for Maestro. Clever, non*?

*language | *Be careful | *Do you get it? | *that’s for sure | *isn’t it?

A bolt from the blue?

Le Président* Emmanuel Macron has changed the colour of the French flag, but malheureusement* no-one seemed to notice…

Photo by Nicolas from Pexels

*unfortunately

La Petite Histoire

If you've ever done a group lesson here at Lingua Franca, you've probably come into contact with La Petite Histoire*. A tale with the very humblest of beginnings, it winds up becoming a rollicking schlockbuster as you move up the levels and your French improves enough to handle the outrageous (some would say impossible) turns of events of the six young friends.

La Petite Histoire is currently only available to our students, however La Préquelle is for everyone’s enjoyment. Below, another instalment of this new series, Chapter 4 (of 6) of the Beginner Revision level.

*The Little Story | *The Prequel

Hier matin, j’ai décidé de faire un plan.

La semaine dernière j’ai essayé de parler à mon tuteur, Roger, à propos de nos cours. Il est très gentil et drôle aussi, mais nos leçons de sont pas assez sérieuses pour moi.

J’ai besoin d’aide avec mon anglais et il préfère me donner des compliments et poser des questions sur ma vie privée. Donc, j’ai décidé de prendre le contrôle.

Je suis allée à la bibliothèque à l’université pour trouver un bon livre de grammaire pour l’anglais. Je veux un peu de structure pour nos leçons.

“Excusez-moi, monsieur. Je cherche un livre de grammaire anglaise,’ j’ai dit au bibliothécaire.

“Bien sûr, madame. Quel est votre niveau?”

“Ah, Leïla est très avancée, monsieur. Son anglais est fantastique.”

Surprise, je me suis retournée et j’ai vu la jeune femme qui connaît Roger - la rousse avec les yeux verts.

“Ah, salut!” j’ai dit et j’ai souri. “Je suis désolée mais comment t’appelles-tu?”

“Pas de problème, je suis Noëlle. Comment vont tes cours avec Roger?”

“Oui, très bien, merci. En fait, je suis ici pour chercher un livre de grammaire pour notre leçon cette semaine.”

“Ah bon? Mais j’ai pensé que Roger était ton tuteur. Il ne prépare pas des cours?” Noëlle a demandé.

“Pas vraiment,’ j’ai répondu. “Il préfère parler.”

“Parler ou flirter?” Elle était très directe.

J’ai rougi un peu. “Les deux, je suppose,” j’ai dit.

“Et voilà, ça c’est notre Roger!” Elle a souri.

“Mais son anglais est incroyable,” j’ai dit. “Il parle très bien.”

“Ah, bon?” elle a dit. Et puis elle a dit: “Leïla, si tu veux de l’aide dans le futur avec ton anglais, je suis australienne et donc je parle anglais couramment. C’est juste un idée.” Elle m’a donné son numéro et juste comme ça, elle est partie.

Yesterday morning, I decided to make a plan.

Last week I tried to talk to my tutor, Roger, about our lessons. He is very kind and funny as well, but our lessons aren't serious enough for me.

I need help with my English and he prefers to give me compliments and ask me about my private life. Therefore, I decided to take control.

I went to the library at the university to find a good grammar book for English. I want a bit of structure for our lessons.

"Excuse me, sir. I am looking for an English Grammar book," I said to the librarian.

"Of course, madam. What is your level?"

"Oh, Leïla is very advanced, sir. Her English is fantastic."

Surprised, I turned around and I saw the young woman who knows Roger - the redhead with the green eyes.

"Oh, hi!" I said and I smiled. "I'm sorry but what is your name?"

"No problem, I'm Noëlle. How are your lessons going with Roger?"

"Yes, very well, thanks. In fact, I'm here to look for a grammar book for our lesson this week."

"Oh, really? But I thought Roger was your tutor. He doesn't prepare lessons?" Noëlle asked.
"Not really," I responded. "He prefers to talk."

"Talk or flirt?" She was very direct.

"Both, I suppose," I said.

"And there you go. That's our Roger!" She smiled.

"But his English is incredible," I said. "He speaks very well."

"Oh, really? she said. And then she said: "Leïla, if you want some help in the future with your English, I am Australian and so I speak English fluently. It's just an idea." She gave me her number and then, just like that, she left.

---

Marché de Noël

We hate to be the ones to break it to you, but Noël* is just around the corner.

In great news though, the organisers of Le Festival* have decided to end 2021 with a bang by staging Brisbane’s first French Christmas Market .

Bringing a traditional, French festive vibe to West End’s impressive West Village complex, the event will run over two days, the 20th and 21st November. Come along to browse quality produits français* just in time to fill your Christmas stockings.

Hope to see you there!

Plus d’infos* right here.

Blagues Carambar

If you’ve been into le nid* recently you may have noticed a little ceramic pot filled with these delicious caramel treats just as you walk through la porte*. Well, it was full…

It turns out our Chouchous* have taken to these iconic French treats in a big way, so we’re offering you the chance to win a packet of your own. Be the first person to translate la blague* below and les bonbons* are all yours!

Firstly, though, some history…

Finding themselves with a surplus of cocoa, the Director of the Delespaul-Havez company, M. Fauchille, and his employee, M. Galois, decide to create a brand new recette* as a way of using it up.

According to legend, one factory machine malfunction later the Caram’bar (as it was then known) was born, a portmanteau word combining caramel* and barre*.

Carambar decided to include jokes on the inside of each wrapper. They launched a competition in schools across France asking students to submit their best (clean) jokes with the incentive of winning one’s weight in Carambar. Naturally, they were inundated and the blague Carambar* took off.

Renowned for being des blagues à deux balles* , the Carambar jokes are nonetheless fondly considered in France, much like the ones found in Christmas crackers dans ce coin*.

After an absence of five years, Carambar ads return to the screens with YouTubers extolling their virtues as well as a new strap line: “Carambar, c’est la barre!”

A play on words, the marketers swapped c’est la balle* for c’est la barre*, in reference to the bar shape of the sweet and a whole new generation of enfants français* were hooked.

So here we go, une petite sélection* of des blagues Carambar.

1. Pourquoi les maisons en Angleterre ne sont-elles pas solides ?

Parce qu’elles sont en glaise. (anglaises)

2. Quelles sont les lettres les plus vieilles de l’alphabet ?

A G (âgé)

3. De quelle couleur sont les parapluies quand il pleut ?

Ils sont tout verts ! (Ils sont ouverts)

*the nest | *the door | *Teacher’s Pets | *the joke | *lollies | *recipe | *caramel | *bar | *Carambar joke | *corny jokes | *in this neck of the woods | *It’s awesome | *it’s the bar | *French children | *a little selection

Hard English words for French people

I know people are dubitatifs* when we tell them that the French often perceive our pronunciation flaws as adorable, but just try watching this video and not smiling in sympathy.

*doubtful

DIOR - Designer of Dreams

If you have just une minute*, it is well worth watching the very beginning of this documentary, “Dior - Designer of Dreams”.

The opening scenes find us at a photo shoot for the image above, and the moment of its capture is pure magie*. Keep an ear out for the unexpected Australian accent off camera, too. It truly is une équipe internationale* who pulled off this exquisite exhibition of 70 years of the House of Dior at Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris in 2017.

If you have an interest in la haute couture*, you’ll fall in love dès le départ*.

If you’re more of a sceptic, though, this could be le documentaire* to win you over, as it illustrates in the most intricate detail le dévouement*, la passion* et le travail acharné* required to create things of such beauty.

Currently showing at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, is it too much to hope it’ll eventually find its way aux Antipodes*?

Entre temps*, we have a video to watch… Enjoy.

*one minute | *pure magic | *an international team | *haute couture (literally ‘high sewing’) | *from the get-go | *the documentary | *the dedication | *the passion | *the sheer hard work | *Down Under

Saint Malo

In 2019, Lingua Franca took two groups of Chouchous* on a two-week tour around north-western France. One of the absolute points forts* was our visit to St Malo and from these belles images* it's easy to see why.

📸 : ouramericandream.fr

*Teacher’s Pets | *highlights | *beautiful images

Recette : Gratin Dauphinois

There's only one...well deux* words for this delicious French version of comfort food: miam, miam*. Cuisinez bien*!

*two | *yum, yum | *Happy cooking!

Picture and recipe source : www.delscookingtwist.com

La Petite Histoire

If you've ever done a group lesson here at Lingua Franca, you've probably come into contact with La Petite Histoire*. A tale with the very humblest of beginnings, it winds up becoming a rollicking schlockbuster as you move up the levels and your French improves enough to handle the outrageous (some would say impossible) turns of events of the six young friends.

La Petite Histoire is currently only available to our students, however La Préquelle is for everyone’s enjoyment. Below, another instalment of this new series, Chapter 3 (of 6) of the Beginner Revision level.

*The Little Story | *The Prequel

“Qu’est-ce que tu fais aujourd’hui, ma chérie?” Jean Louis a demandé.

“J’ai mon cours d’anglais avec Roger,” j’ai dit.

“Bien sûr,” il a répondu. “Comment ça va?”

“Super, merci,” j’ai menti.

En vérité, Roger préfère flirter avec moi, j’ai pensé, mais je ne vais pas dire ça à mon mari!

_____________

“Salut Leïla, tu veux quelque chose à boire?” Roger a demandé quand je suis entrée dans le café.

“S’il te plaît. Un thé anglais avec du lait,” j’ai répondu.

“Ah, ma petite fille anglaise,” Roger a taquiné. “J’admire ta détermination d’apprendre l’anglais, Leïla.” Et puis il est parti pour aller au comptoir.

Tu n’es pas déterminé, Roger, ça, c’est sûr, j’ai pensé.

Quand Roger est retourné, j’ai décidé de dire quelque chose.

“Roger, j’aime bien mes cours d’anglais avec toi,” j’ai commencé.

“Moi, aussi, Leïla. J’aime être payé pour passer du temps avec une très belle femme deux fois par semaine,” il a souri et il m’a passé mon café. “Du sucre?”

”Je suis sérieuse, Roger. Ne me taquine pas,” j’ai dit.

“Moi aussi, Leïla, je suis sérieux. Tu es une très belle femme. Je pense que tous les autres hommes dans ce café sont jaloux de moi.”

“Roger, ça suffit! Je n’aime pas quand tu parles comme ça. Tu sais que je suis mariée.”

“Oui, tu es mariée, Leïla, mais tu n’es pas morte! On est amis. J’aime te taquiner. Tu rougis très facilement.”

Mon visage était rouge, c’est vrai, mais je ne souriais pas.

“Roger, je veux changer nos leçons. Je ne veux plus…”

Soudain, une femme est passé devant notre table. Elle était magnifique - grande, avec des cheveux roux et les yeux verts.

”Coucou Roger!” elle a dit. “Toujours dans le café, je vois,” elle a taquiné. “Je suis surprise que ce n’est pas un bar.”

“Tu me connais bien,” il a dit et il a rougi.

“À demain!” elle a dit, et elle est partie.

“C’est qui ça?” j’ai demandé.

“Elle s’appelle Noëlle’, il a dit et il n’a pas souri.

“What are you doing today, my darling?” Jean-Louis asked.

“I have my English lesson with Roger,” I said.

“Of course,” he responded. “How’s it going?”

“Super,” I lied.

In truth, Roger prefers to flirt with me, I thought, but I’m not going to say that to my husband!

_____________

“Hi Leïla, do you want something to drink?” Roger asked when I entered the café.

“Yes, please. An English tea with milk,’ I responded.

“Oh, my little English girl,” Roger teased, “I admire your determination to learn English, Leïla.” And then he left to go to the counter.

You’re not determined,Roger, that’s for sure, I thought.

When Roger returned, I decided to say something.

“Roger, I really like my English lessons with you,” I started.

“Me too, Leïla. I like to be paid to spend tike with a very beautiful woman twice a week.” He smiled and passed me my coffee. “Sugar?”

“I’m serious, Roger. Don’t tease me,” I said.

“I’m serious, too. Leïla. You are a very beautiful woman. I think that all the other men in the café are jealous of me.””Roger, that’s enough! I don’t like it when you speak to me like that. You know that I’m married.”

“Yes, you are married, Leïla, but you’re not dead! We’re friends. I like teasing you. You blush very easily.”

My face was red, it’s true, but I wasn’t smiling.

“Roger, I want to change our lessons. I no longer want…”

Suddenly, a woman passed in front of our table. She was magnificent - tall, with red hair and green eyes.

“Hi there, Roger!” she said. “Always in the café, I see,” she teased. “I’m surprised it’s not a bar.”

“You know me well,” he said and he blushed.

“See you tomorrow!” she said, and she left.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

“Her name is Noëlle,” he said and he didn’t smile.

---

Tu me manques

If you’re very, very lucky, one day you might wish to tell someone in French that you miss them. Encore mieux*, they might tell you that they’re missing you. Romantique, non*?

Romantique, oui*, but it’s not as easy as you might think.

The verb ‘to miss’ is manquer in French. So far so good, you may think, but this is where it starts to get a little tricky.

In English we say “I miss you". In French though, the structure is the equivalent of “You are missing to me”. That is, in French, the object of your affections takes centre stage, whereas in English it’s all about the person doing the missing.

It may help to think of the verb manquer as ‘to lack’. I find this help me come to grips with the fact that we use an indirect pronoun (to me) rather than a direct one (me). Ne prends pas la tête*, though. If you do structure your sentence in the English way, you’ll just be telling the person that they’re lacking to you, which could spark a conversation all of its own.

Of course, you could always turn this phrase into a question if you wanted to ask someone if they were missing you.

C’est clair*? Maybe not right now, but you will wrap your mind around this counterintuitive little gem in time, c’est promis. One of our Chouchous*, Nora, found this song which she swears has helped her to just that. Merci encore*, Nora.

*better still | *Romantic, isn’t it? | *Romantic, yes | *Don’t worry too much | *Is that clear? | *I promise | *Teacher’s Pets | *Thanks again