Monday, December 31, 2007

Sunday, December 30, 2007

der Mantel - the coat

Du bist wahnsinnig, ohne Mantel auszugehen, wenn es so kalt ist!

You're out of your mind to go out without a coat when it's so cold!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

der Schal - the scarf

Gib dem Schneemann diesen roten Schal.

Give the snowman this red scarf.

Friday, December 28, 2007

wahnsinnig - crazy, insane, manic

Er muss wahnsinnig sein, so etwas zu tun.

He must be out of his mind to do something like this.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

cinglé - crazy, deranged

Pourquoi devrions-nous promulguer une loi aussi manifestement cinglée

Why should we enact such an obviously outlandish law?

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

le ragot - gossip, rumor

Il n'avait pas cru les ragots sur l'infidélité de sa femme.

He didn't believe the gossip about his wife's infidelity.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

олень - a reindeer

Я видел восемь маленьких северных оленей.

I saw eight tiny reindeer.

Monday, December 24, 2007

un rencard - a date

Je vous donne une astuce amoureuse pour réussir un rencard sans avoir de stress et au contraire pour prendre du plaisir.

I'm going to give you a relationship tip on how to make a date a success without stress and even enjoy yourself.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

платье - a dress

На девушке красивое платье.

The girl is wearing a beautiful dress.


Это платье слишком дорого.

This dress is too expensive.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

коробка - a box

В этой большой коробке несколько книг.

There are several books in this large box.


Кошки любят сидеть в коробках.

Cats love to sit in boxes.

Friday, December 21, 2007

земля - land, ground

Эта земля прекрасна, сказал фермер.

This land is beautiful, said the farmer.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

un asile - an asylum; asylum, anctuary

Ils pensaient t'expédier à l'asile pour observation.

They were thinking of sending you to the asylum for observation.


Le peuple français donne l'asile aux étrangers bannis de leur patrie pour la cause de la liberté.

The French people give asylum to strangers banished from their homeland for the cause of liberty.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

marrant - funny, amusing

C'était marrant quand cette petite fille est tombée dans l'étang.

It was funny when that little girl fell in the pond.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

louper - to miss, overlook

Je risque d'en louper la plupart de tes jeux pendant que je sois en taule, mon frangin.

I might miss most of your games while I'm in jail, bro.

Monday, December 17, 2007

en taule - in prison

 Vous allez me manquer quand je serai en taule

I'm going to miss you guys while I'm in the slammer.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

une godasse - a shoe

Je le revois aux chiottes racler sa godasse, comme ça.

I imagine him in the shitter scraping off his shoe, like this.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

rendre dingue - to make crazy, irritate

Ça me rend dingue que tu sois aussi gentille avec cet con.

It drives me nuts that you're so nice to that asshole.

Friday, December 14, 2007

une poêle - a frying pan, skillet

On a besoin d'une poêle pour faire des crêpes.

You need a pan to make crepes.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

un jarret - a hock, shank

Pour la recette de jarret de porc au chou rouge, la cuisson du jarret se fait au four, et la poêlée de chou est cuite à part dans une poêle.

In the recipe for pork shank with red cabbage, the shank is cooked in the oven, while the frying of the cabbage is done off to the side in a pan.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

нести - to bring, carry [imp]

Я могу нести семь книг.

I can carry seven books.


Я несу эту черепаху на пляж.

I am carrying this turtle to the beach.

Monday, December 10, 2007

ведро - a bucket, pail

Ребенок нёс красное ведро́ на пляж.

The child carried a red bucket to the beach.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

ветер - the wind

Ветер сегодня очень холодный.

The wind is very cold today.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

черепаха - a turtle

Кролик может бегать быстрее, чем черепаха.

A rabbit can run faster than a turtle.

 

Эта черепаха зеленая.

This turtle is green.

Friday, December 7, 2007

частный - private, individual

Мой дедушка богат, и у него есть частный пляж.

My grandfather is rich and owns a private beach.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

арбуз - a watermelon [m]

Я увидел мужчину, который продавал арбузы.

I saw a man who was selling watermelons.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

располагать - to be located; to dispose, arrange, set [imp]

Отель расположен в самом центре города.

The hotel is located in the very heart of the city.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

иметь - to have

Я хочу иметь свою машину.

I want to have my own car.

Monday, December 3, 2007

у самого - next to, near

Вилла расположена у самого моря и имеет свой частный пляж.

The villa is located close to the ocean and has its own private beach.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

самый - the very same; the most, -est

Я живу в самом центре города.

I live in the very center of town.


Солнце не самая большая звезда.

The sun is not the largest star.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

солнце - the sun

Солнце не жёлтое, а белое.

The sun is not yellow, but white.

Friday, November 30, 2007

богатый - rich

Мой дедушка очень богат и дает мне деньги.

My grandfather is very rich and gives me money.


Его семья богата.

His family is wealthy.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

танцевать - to dance [imp]

Мой парень счастлив, когда я танцую.

My boyfriend is happy when I dance.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

счастливый - happy

Это счастливая семья: счастливый дедушка, счастливый отец, счастливая дочь.

That is a happy family: happy grandfather, happy father, happy daughter.


Все хотят быть счастливыми.

Everybody wants to be happy.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

парень - a boyfriend

Мой парень хочет жить в России.

My boyfriend wants to live in Russia.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Sunday, November 25, 2007

la chaîne - the TV channel

J'ai pris la télécommande et changé de chaîne.

I took the remote control and changed the channel.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

la bricolage - handiwork, DIY project

Ces camps de jour offrent des activités de bricolage, de lecture et de baignade en français. 

These day camps offer French-language activities such as crafts, reading, and swimming.

Friday, November 23, 2007

un brouillon - a rough draft, version

J'ai montré le brouillon de ma dissertation à mon professeur.

I showed my professor the rough draft of my essay.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

These tacos will make you explode all right

Everyone knows that burrito is from the Spanish meaning "little donkey" (based on the food's resemblance to the animal's back, I assume), but I learned a fun etymology about another delicious Mexican food.

Taco comes from a Spanish word meaning plug or light wadding.  It's Germanic, not Romance, in origin, and related to the English word "tack."

So how does that come to mean the tacos we know today?  Well, actually it's uncertain.  But the best guess, as explained in this Smithsonian article, is:

It dates from the 18th century and the silver mines in Mexico, because in those mines the word "taco" referred to the little charges they would use to excavate the ore. These were pieces of paper that they would wrap around gunpowder and insert into the holes they carved in the rock face. When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really a lot like a stick of dynamite. The first references [to the taco] in any sort of archive or dictionary come from the end of the 19th century. And one of the first types of tacos described is called tacos de minero—miner’s tacos. So the taco is not necessarily this age-old cultural expression; it’s not a food that goes back to time immemorial.

However!  This is just a theory.

This site states that taco comes from the Nahuatl word tlahco which means "half or in the middle," referring to the way it is formed.

Wikipedia gives space to both ideas.  Maybe both are true, and they just converged linguistically by coincidence.  Either way, if a taco makes you blow up nowadays, it will be in the bathroom, not in a miner's cave.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

frôler - to brush (against), skim

Le bateau a frôlé la jetée et a été légèrement endommagé.

The boat brushed the jetty and was slightly damaged.


Vivre dans l'espace, c'est frôler la mort de temps en temps.

Living in space is to have a brush with death once in a while.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

miser - to bet

Je croyais tellement à ce projet que j'ai tout misé sur sa réussite.

I believed so strongly in this project that I staked everything on its success.

Monday, November 19, 2007

gaillard - vigorous, healthy

Droite et gaillarde dans sa robe de chambre claire, Diane donnait en effet l'impression de la santé et de la vigueur.

Upright and strong in her translucent dressing gown, Diane radiated health and vigor.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

fourbe - cunning, deceitful, fraudulent

De gens fiers on a fait des laquais, d'honnêtes on a fait des fourbes, de francs, des menteurs.    

Proud people have been made into servants, the honest into frauds, and the truthful into liars.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

épargner - to spare; to save up

Quoi qu'il en soit, l'espérance de revoir le pauvre baron gai et gaillard m'a bien épargné de la tristesse.

In any case, the hope of seeing the poor baron happy and healthy spared me from any sadness.


Nous n'avons guère de provisions, il faut les épargner.

We have very little in the way of provisions; we must conserve them.

Friday, November 16, 2007

la formation - educational background, training period

Il crée aussi de petites entreprises qui offrent aux femmes démunies une formation en cours d'emploi et la possibilité de trouver du travail.

It also creates small enterprises that offer underprivileged women on-the-job career training and the possibility of future employment.


Grâce à sa formation, il a trouvé un bon emploi.

Thanks to his educational background, he found a good job.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

une rognure - a clipping, cutting

Un chiffon est un mauvais linge, mauvais morceau d'étoffe ou rognure d'une étoffe neuve, utilisé pour nettoyer.

A washrag is a used cloth, used piece of fabric or cutting from a new fabric, used to clean.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

un chiffon - a rag, dustcloth

N'utilisez pas un chiffon sec pour nettoyer les rouleaux; vous pourriez les endommager. 

Don't use a dry rag to clean the rollers; you may damage them.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

saugrenu - bizarre, outlandish

L'idée que cela puisse avoir, à moyen ou long terme, un effet négatif sur l'image et les résultats de l'entreprise n'a rien de saugrenu

The idea that this could have a medium or long term negative effect on the company's image and success is not at all far-fetched.


On dit généralement que, par ce titre saugrenu, Satie a voulu se moquer de Debussy qui lui aurait reproché de ne pas soigner suffisamment la forme.

It is generally thought that with this outlandish title, Satie wanted to mock Debussy, who had criticized him for his lack of attention to form.

Monday, November 12, 2007

loufoque - crazy, wacky, goofy

Elle invente des jeux loufoques ou carrément absurdes qui réconcilient tout le monde par rire.

She invents goofy or outright absurd games that bring everyone together in laughter.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

insolite - unusual, freak

Nous avons des curiosités, oeuvres d'art, concept-designs, ouliposeries, livres insolites ou tout simplement inclassables, titres loufoques ou irresistibles.

We have curiosities, artwork, concept designs, Oulipo writings, unusual or simply unclassifiable books, grotesque, crazy, or irresistible titles.


Une tempête de neige est un évènement insolite dans la région.

A snowstorm is a freak occurrence in this region.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

la verrue - a wart

Les verrues que nous avons sur les mains ou sous les pieds sont d’origine virale (papillomas virus humain ou HPV) ; elles n’ont donc aucun lien avec les crapauds, mais sont par contre contagieuses.

The warts that we get on our hands and feet originate from viruses (human papillomavirus, or HPV); they have nothing to do with toads, but are, however, contagious.

Friday, November 9, 2007

un bidon - a can, drum, cannister

Le bidon a éclaté à cause d'une pression excessivement élevée.

The drum burst due to excessively high pressure.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

verrouiller - to lock, latch, bolt

J'ai verrouillé la porte avant d'aller me coucher. 

I locked the door before going to bed.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

un rein - a kidney

Il a pris la courageuse décision de donner un rein.

He made the brave decision to donate a kidney.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

carrément - outright; bluntly

Les quatre requins ont carrément rejeté son offre. Un seul requin, Kevin O'Leary, a fait une offre.

Four sharks rejected his offer outright.  Only one shark, Kevin O'Leary, made an offer.


Elle a dit carrément dans sa lettre: «Je sais que le gouvernement fédéral est responsable.»

She stated bluntly in her letter: "I know that the federal government is to blame."

Monday, November 5, 2007

gérer - to manage, handle, deal with

Je suis sûr qu'il sait comment gérer la situation.

I'm sure he knows how to handle the situation.


La propriété est gérée par une fiducie.

The property is managed by a trust.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

外套 - a coat, jacket

他 穿着 一件 蓝色 外套。

tā chuānzhuó yī jiàn lán sè wàitào

He wore a blue coat.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

帽 - a hat

给 我 我 的 绿 帽子。

gěi wǒ wǒ de lǜmàozi

Give me my green hat.

Friday, November 2, 2007

蓝 - blue

他 有 一顶 蓝色 的 帽子。 

tā yǒuyī dǐng lán sè de màozi

He has a blue hat.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

encadrer - to oversee, supervise

Le chef d'équipe encadre le travail de ses collègues.

The team leader oversees the work of his colleagues.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

saoul - drunk

Des chauves-souris vampires, ces vilains oiseaux nocturnes, beaucoup plus horribles et grands que ceux de par d'ici, viennent trouver les personnes couchées et dormantes en leur lit, et leur arrachent une pièce de la chair, puis en sucent le sang en grande quantité, sans que le blessé puisse se réveiller: Car ils ont cette autre propriété de tenir l'homme endormi, pendant qu'ils sucent son sang: et étant saouls le quittent, le sang au reste ne laissant de toujours distiller, ce qui rend la personne débile, et par plusieurs jours a de la peine à marcher.

Vampire bats, those nasty nocturnal birds, much nastier and bigger than those that we have here, come to seek out those who are prone, asleep in their beds, and tear off a piece of their flesh, then suck out the blood in great quantities, without waking the wounded person.  For they have this other power, of keeping the man asleep while they suck his blood; and becoming drunk on it they leave.  The blood, moreover, does not always purify itself, which renders the person weak and for several days has difficulty walking. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

眼睛 - an eye, eyeball

你 有 蓝色 的 眼睛。

nǐ yǒu lán sè de yǎnjīng

You have blue eyes.

Monday, October 29, 2007

teilen - to share; to split, separate

Ich habe den Kuchen in vier Portionen geteilt.

I divided the cake into four portions.


Möchten Sie die Rechnung teilen?

Do you want to split the bill?

Sunday, October 28, 2007

der Lehrer - the teacher

Ich mag meinen Beruf als Lehrer.

I enjoy my job as a teacher.


Die Lehrerin teilte die Klasse in zwei Gruppen.

The teacher split the class into two groups.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

lohnend - worthwile, rewarding

Ja, mein Beruf ist stressig, aber lohnend.

Yes, my profession is stressful, but rewarding.


Tourismus ist ein lohnendes Geschäft.

Tourism is a profitable business.

Friday, October 26, 2007

der Beruf - occupation, career

Das Internet hat viele neue Berufe geschaffen.  

The internet has created many new professions.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

die Geschwister - siblings

Hast du Geschwister, die dich abholen können?

Do you have any siblings who can come get you?

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

une trombe - a water cyclone, waterspout

Les trombes naissent sous des nuages orageux et s'accompagnent d'orages, de grêle, de vents violents et causent d'importants dégâts.

Waterspouts are formed out of stormclouds and are followed by storms, hail, and strong winds, and cause severe damage.

--

[I didn't know this was called a waterspout!]

[Attention: faux ami -- important here means severe, not important.]

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

un escroc - a swindler, crook

Parfois, vous recevrez une deuxième offre du même escroc qui vous proposera de vous aider à récupérer l'argent que vous avez perdu.

Sometimes you will get a second offer from the same swindler, offering to help you recoup the money that you already lost.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Slang does NOT come from "shortened language," read an article for once

Yesterday I talked about snark and how it isn't a portmanteau of "snide remark."

Well, one of the dumbest things I've come across about false derivations is that slang derives from "shortened language."  No, of course it doesn't.  Not only is this not how sounds get elided and corrupted, slang itself isn't even necessarily shorter than other phrases.  It would surely only take a few seconds of thought to realize how silly this idea is.

In almost all cases, words derive from older words.

Slang may come from an Old Danish word meaning to throw, as in to throw around some words, tossing out your special language.  Or, it may come from a related word in Middle English meaning a delineated piece of land, as in the turf used by thieves and scoundrels who talk in their special argot, or slang.  Etymology Online as always has a good summary of this evolution of the word.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Snarky about false derivations

I was reading this book!  And in it a character said that the word snarky is derived from snark, which itself was formed as a portmanteau of snide remark.  sn + ark = snark.  What a cool story!  Unfortunately, totally untrue.

"Snark" actually comes from "snarky,"  Low German snarken meaning to snort or sneer.  It's derived ultimately from the PIE root nas for nose, and is related etymologically to the word "narc."  The modern meaning of contemptuous or mocking critique only dates back to about the 1990s.

It has nothing to do with the "Hunting of the Snark," one of my favorite poems.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

neblig - foggy

Ich bin spät dran, weil es neblig ist.

I am late because it's foggy.

Friday, October 19, 2007

schlucken - to swallow

Kaugummi sollte ausgespuckt und nicht geschluckt werden.

Gum should be spit out and not swallowed.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

melden - to report, declare

Nur der Inhaber der Kreditkarte kann sie als gestohlen melden

Only the holder of the credit card can report it as stolen.

Monday, October 15, 2007

der Beamter - the civil servant, official, clerk

Ich meldete meinen Fall dem Beamten am Schalter.

I reported my case to the clerk at the counter.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

der Schalter - the counter

Wir haben unsere Fahrkarten am Schalter gekauft.

We bought our tickets at the counter. 

Saturday, October 13, 2007

die Bordkarte - the boarding pass

Bitte halten Sie Ihre Bordkarte am Schalter bereit.

Please have your boarding pass ready at the counter.

Friday, October 12, 2007

convenable - suitable, appropriate

Un short n'est pas une tenue convenable pour un entretien d'embauche.

Shorts are not appropriate attire for a job interview.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

la tenue - outfit, attire

Mon oncle a acheté de nouvelles chaussures pour aller avec sa tenue

My uncle bought new shoes to go with his outfit.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

der Polizist - the policeman, police officer

Er war früher Polizist, aber er ist jetzt außer Dienst.

He used to be a policeman, but he is retired now.

Monday, October 8, 2007

freut mich - Pleased (to meet you)

Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen, ich bin Ihr neuer Chef.

Pleased to meet you, I'm your new boss.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

die Eule - the owl

Die Eule ist ein kleiner brauner Vogel, der Mäuse frisst.

The owl is a small brown bird that eats mice.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

malen - to draw, paint

Kinder lieben es, mit Wasserfarben zu malen.

Children love to paint with watercolors.

Friday, October 5, 2007

taré - corrupted, without honor; dangerous

L'humanité n'est bonne, n'est bienveillante, n'est indulgente que pour les bâtards, les tarés.

Humanity is not good or benevolent; it's only tolerant of the bastards and the corrupt.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

grogner - to growl, grunt, grumble

L'enfant a grogné quand sa mère l'a envoyé se coucher.

The child grumbled when his mother sent him to bed.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

que dalle - nothing at all

En principe il s’en fout de l’argent, il vit avec que dalle.

In principle he cared nothing for money; he lived with nothing at all.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

la burne - testicle

Il faut absolument que leur mâle assure un minimum de revenu, sinon, vous pensez bien que ça ne vaut pas la peine de s’encombrer d’un mec qui a perdu une burne sur deux. 

It is an absolute necessity that their male is assured a minimum income; otherwise, you know it's not worth it to saddle yourself with a guy who has lost one of his balls.

Monday, October 1, 2007

sacquer - to sack, fire; to be able to take, stand

Je ne peux pas sacquer les vieilles femmes, murmure-t-il pour lui-même.

"I can't stand old women," he murmured to himself.

 

Je vais me dire que j'ai été injustement traité et que mon patron m'a saqué pour des raisons personnelles.

I want to say that I have been treated unfairly and that my superior sacked me for personal reasons. 

--

[Also spelled saquer]

Sunday, September 30, 2007

cracher - to spit, belch

Au Népal, entrer dans une habitation avec ses chaussures est comparable au fait de cracher sur le sol d'une maison occidentale.

In Nepal, entering a house with your shoes on is the same as if you had spit on the floor of someone's house in the west.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

soûl - drunk

Il savait s'amuser, faire des repas avec des amis, se soûlait beaucoup mais il retournait toujours à sa solitude. 

He knew how have fun, go out and eat with friends, get drunk, but he always returned to his solitary life.

Friday, September 28, 2007

ricaner - to giggle; to sneer

Le premier à rire, ricaner, sourire ou à se tourner devient le nouveau centre d'attention.

The first one to laugh, giggle, smile, or turn away becomes the new center of attention.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

die Hinsicht - this respect, way, regard

In dieser Hinsicht ist mir meine Schwester sehr ähnlich.

My sister is very similar to me in this respect.


In gewisser Hinsicht hat mein Freund recht.

In a certain way my friend is right.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

aufregend - exciting

Sie war in vielerlei Hinsicht aufregend.

It has been exciting in many ways.

Monday, September 24, 2007

les maux - woes, ailments

Qu'il s'agisse du chamanisme, du christianisme ou de l'athéisme, tous ont le réflexe de penser que la religion pourra résoudre les maux du monde.

Whether it be shamanism, Christianity, or athiesm, we all reflexively think that religion can solve the ills of the world.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

un bouc émissaire - a scapegoat

Bruxelles en tant que nouveau pouvoir central reste toujours le bouc émissaire favori, responsable des maux dont souffrent les citoyens européens.

Brussels, in its role as the new central power, is still the popular scapegoat, responsible for the woes that European citizens suffer.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

papoter - to chat, jaw

Apprenez-en plus sur l'outback australien, une zone où les plaines s'étendent à l'infini et où les gens peuvent papoter à n'en plus finir. 

Learn more about the Australian Outback, a region where the plains stretch out forever and where the people can chew the fat endlessly.

Friday, September 21, 2007

le crissement - a squeal, crunch, squeak

Vos freins ont besoin d'entretien si vous entendez un grincement, frottement, crissement ou broutement excessif.

Your brakes need maintenance if you hear excessive screeching, grinding, squealing, or groaning.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

das blaue Auge - a black eye

Klar, ich habe ein blaues Auge, aber du solltest den anderen sehen!

Sure, I have a black eye, but you should see the other guy!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

das Sonderangebot - a bargain, special offer

Ich brauche es nicht wirklich, aber es ist im Sonderangebot!

I don't really need this, but it's on sale!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

ça me branche - that's my thing

Pour cette bande dessinée, j'avoue que les dessins sont magnifiques et l'histoire me branche bien.

For this comic book, I'd say the drawings are amazing and I really dig the story.

Monday, September 17, 2007

un gémissement - a groan, whimper

Le secouriste a entendu un gémissement épuisé et trouvé la victime.

The searchers heard an exhausted groan and found the victim.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

les chiottes - the shitter, the toilet [f]

Je nettoie les chiottes des gens pour gagner quelques sous.

I scrub other people's toilets for lousy pay.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

la prestation - benefit; delivery

Les membres peuvent profiter de toutes les prestations du club.

Members can enjoy all the club's benefits.


Nous avons également accompli des progrès non négligeables en collaborant avec nos partenaires au développement du réseau de prestation

Collaborating with our partners, we have also made not inconsiderable progress developing our delivery network.

Friday, September 14, 2007

détaillant - a retailer, dealer; retail

Vous pouvez apporter votre montre à votre détaillant spécialisé local, mais vous devrez éventuellement payer cette prestation.

You can take your watch to your local specialist retailer, but you may possibly be charged for this benefit.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

I got shingles from a roof

Let's talk about shingles, or as I like to refer to them, spinal herpes.  

Shingles, the disease, is a viral infection also known as herpes zoster (more on that in a minute).  It's caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.  I have had it, and it wasn't painful, but it itched like crazy.  Many people, especially older people, report that it hurts.  Most commonly, shingles presents as a rash that develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso.

It's this wrap-around feature that gives us its name.  The word shingles comes from from Medieval Latin cingulus, a loan-translation of Greek zoster which means "girdle."  This ultimately derives from the Latin cingulum "girdle," due to how the disease wraps like a girdle around your midsection.

The rooftop shingle comes from the Latin scindula which derives from a root meaning splinter, or tear off, because shingles are just pieces that tear off from a roof.  The fact that the two meanings diverged into one English word is just an unfortunate coincidence.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

la paperasse - paperwork, red tape

Cette réduction des programmes de remise devrait également alléger la paperasse à remplir chez les détaillants locaux. 

This reduction of rebate programs should alleviate the paperwork piling up at local retailers as well.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

congédier - to fire, dismiss

L'entreprise ne peut pas congédier des employés sans raison valable. 

The company cannot fire its employees without reasonable cause.

Monday, September 10, 2007

balancer - to betray

Il a fait neuf ans de prison et n'a jamais balancé ses complices.

He did nine years in prison and never ratted out his accomplices.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

une gifle - a smack, slap

Évitons qu'une nouvelle gifle ne soit donnée à ces pauvres.

Let's avoid giving yet another slap in the face to these unfortunates.


C'est comme si j'avais reçu une gifle en plein visage et qu'on me disait de me réveiller.

It was as if I had been given a slap in the face and been told to wake up.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

拿走 - to take away

他 拿走 了 我 的 书。 

tā ná zǒule wǒ de shū

Il a pris mon livre.

Friday, September 7, 2007

拿 - to hold, seize, catch

我 得 拿 我 的 包。 

wǒ dei ná wǒ de bāo

I need to get my suitcase.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

没关系 - no worries, it doesn't matter

你 拿 走了 我 的 铅笔。 没关系。 

nǐ ná zǒule wǒ de qiānbǐ. Méiguānxì

You took my pencil.  It doesn't matter.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

对不起 - sorry

对 不 起! 我 太 忙了。 

duì bù qǐ  Wǒ tài mángle

Sorry!  I am too busy.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Monday, September 3, 2007

Sunday, September 2, 2007

不客气 - you're welcome

不 客 气! 我 得 走了。 

bù kèqì! Wǒ děi zǒule

You're welcome!  I have to go.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

九 - nine

我 有 九 个 哥哥。 

wǒ yǒu jiǔ gè gēgē

I have nine older brothers.

Friday, August 31, 2007

玩 - to play

我 弟弟 喜欢 玩 电脑。 

wǒ dìdì xǐhuān wán diànnǎo.

My little brother likes to play on the computer.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

首都 - capital city

美国 的 首都 是 什么 名字? 

Měiguó de shǒudū shì shénme míngzì

What is the name of the capital of the United States?

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

公共汽车 - public bus

我们 坐 公共 汽车 回 家。   

wǒmen zuò gōnggòng qìchē huí jiā

We take the bus back home.

Monday, August 27, 2007

飞机 - an airplane

我 乘 飞机 去 中国。 

wǒ chéng fēijī qù zhōngguó

I am going to China by plane.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

船 - a boat

河上 有 一 只 小 船。 

héshàng yǒu yī zhī xiǎo chuán

There is a little boat on the river.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

写 - to write

我 不 会 写 汉字。 

wǒ búhuì xiě hànzì

I can not write Chinese characters.

Friday, August 24, 2007

字 - a written character

我 认识 一百 个 字。

wǒ rènshi yībǎi gè zì

I recognize one hundred characters.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

应该 - should

你 应该 学 英语。 

Nǐ yīnggāi xué yīngyǔ

You should study English.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

酒店 - a hotel

你 是 在 家里 还是 在 酒店? 

nǐ shì zài jiālǐ háishì zài jiǔdiàn?

Are you at home or at a hotel?

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

牛肉 - beef

我 喜欢 吃 牛肉

wǒ xǐhuān chī niúròu

I like to eat beef.

Monday, August 20, 2007

总 - always

她 总是 很 开心。 

tā zǒngshì hěn kāixīn

She is always happy.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

累 - tired

早上 我 总 是 很累。

zǎoshang wǒ zǒng shì hěn lèi

In the morning I am always tired.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

刀子 - a knife

你 不 能 用 刀 吃 米饭。
 
Nǐ bùnéng yòng dāo chī mǐfàn
 
You can't use a knife to eat rice.

Friday, August 17, 2007

叉子 - a fork

我 用 叉子 吃 米饭。

wǒ yòng chāzi chī mǐfàn

I use a fork to eat rice.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

正在 - in the process of, currently

她 正在 写 一 本 书。 

tā zhèngzài xiě yī běn shū.

She is in the process of writing a book.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

着 - (indicator of action in progress), -ing

她 正 忙着 写 一 本 书。

tā zhèng mángzhe xiě yī běn shū.

She is busy writing a book.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

躲 - to hide, avoid

你 在 躲着 我 吗? 

nǐ zài duǒzhe wǒ ma?

Are you hiding from me?

Monday, August 13, 2007

别 - don't, no need

别 躲 了, 我 看到 你 了。

bié duǒ le, wǒ kàn dào nǐ le.   

You don’t need to hide, I already saw you.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

看到 - to see, note

你 可以 在 动物园 看到 兔子。 

nǐ kěyǐ zài dòngwùyuán kàn dào tùzǐ

You can see rabbits at the zoo.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

动物园 - a zoo

你 可以 在 动物园 看到 熊猫。 

nǐ kěyǐ zài dòngwùyuán kàn dào xióngmāo

You can see pandas at the zoo.

Friday, August 10, 2007

动物 - an animal

动物 不 住 在 城市 里。

dòngwù bù zhù zài chéngshì lǐ

Animals don't live in cities.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

熊猫 - a panda

熊猫 是 大 动物。 

xióngmāo shì dà dòngwù

Pandas are big animals.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

坐下 - to sit down

请 在 这里 坐下。
 
qǐng zài zhèlǐ zuò xià
 
Please sit down here.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

城市 - a city, town

我 住 在 城市 里。 

wǒ zhù zài chéngshì lǐ

I live in the city.

Monday, August 6, 2007

爱 - to like, love

我 爱 这 座 城市。

wǒ ài zhè zuò chéngshì

I love this city.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

le débit - flow

Les débits du fleuve Saint-Laurent varient beaucoup d’une année à l’autre et dépendent des variations interannuelles des apports en eau au lac Ontario, elles-mêmes dépendantes des conditions climatiques.

The flow of the Saint Laurence river varies greatly from one year to the next and depends on interannual intake of water from Lake Ontario, itself dependent on the climate.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

comporter - to include, comprise; to involve

La demande doit comporter les pièces justificatives requises.

The application must include the required supporting documents.

Friday, August 3, 2007

dégagement - emission, clearing; decommitment

Le limiteur de débit doit comporter un tube de dégagement pour permettre l'égalisation des pressions. 

The excess flow must include a bypass valve to allow the equalization of pressure.


Un dégagement de fumée a entraîné l'intervention des pompiers et l'évacuation du site.

An emission of smoke led to the intervention of firefighters and an evacuation of the site.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

tarauder - to bore into, tap; to torment, haunt

Une question me taraude l'esprit : suis-je un con ?

One question weighs heavily on me: am I an asshole?


Le vieux rêve d'Icare n'a jamais cessé de tarauder l'homme. 

The old dream of Icarus has never ceased to haunt us. 


Pour percer ou tarauder un tuyau sous pression, des précautions élémentaires de sécurité doivent être prise.

Before drilling or tapping a pressurized water pipe, certain basic safety precautions should be taken.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

когда - when

Когда твои внуки вернутся домой?

When are your grandchildren coming home?

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

меч - a sword

У офицера были пистолет и меч.

The officer had a pistol and a sword.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Sunday, July 29, 2007

почему - why

Почему ты такой злой? 

Why are you so angry?

 

Почему мой отец сейчас спит?

Why is my father asleep right now?

Saturday, July 28, 2007

семья - a family

Моя семья любит готовить.

My family loves to cook.

Friday, July 27, 2007

родители - parents

Мои родители хотят купить лодку.

My parents want to buy a boat.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

отец - a father

Мой отец любит готовить и читать.

My father loves to cook and read.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

чей - whose

Чья это книга? Чей это карандаш?

Whose book is this?  Whose pencil is this?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

внуки - grandchildren

Их внуки живут в Германии.

Their grandchildren live in Germany.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

ждать - to wait for [imp]

Я сидел в кафе и ждал свою девушку. 

I was sitting in a cafe and waiting for my girlfriend. 

 

Я не люблю ждать. 

 I don't like waiting.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Friday, July 20, 2007

корабль - a ship [m]

Корабль ждал на причале.

The ship waited at the dock.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

причала - pier, dock, berth

Лодка далеко от причала.

The boat is far from the pier.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

clabauder - to bark; to complain, slander

Je n'ai pas l'habitude de clabauder de porte en porte.

I am not in the habit of going around complaining. 

 

Personne ne fut satisfait, tout le monde clabauda, ainsi le veut l'humaine nature.

No one is satisfied, everyone gripes; thus human nature wills it.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

un hangar - a shed

Un portail en pierre s'ouvrait sur la grande cour, que bordaient à droite et à gauche des hangars et des écuries. Près d'un puits, un orme immense couvrait de son ombre la moitié de la cour.

A stone gateway led into the large courtyard, which was bordered on the left and right with sheds and stables.  Next to a well, an immense elm tree shaded half the yard.

Monday, July 16, 2007

справиться - to cope, get by [pf]

Я не могу справиться с плохими новостями.

I can't handle bad news.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

найти - to find [pf]

Я не могу найти свою книгу.

I can't find my book.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

любой - any

Я могу справиться с любой проблемой на работе. 

I can cope with any problem at work.

Friday, July 13, 2007

нужный - needed, required

Она может найти нужные слова в любой ситуации.

She is able to find the necessary words for any situation.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

больной - sick, ill

Этот лев не опасен, но болен. 

This lion is not sick, but ill. 

 

Больным людям нужен доктор.

Sick people need a doctor.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

бежать - to run somewhere

Тысячи опасных львов бегут к нам.

Thousands of dangerous lions are running toward us.

 

Он бежит домой. 

He is running home.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

тысячи - thousands

Тысячи людей посмотрели то видео.

Thousands of people watched that video.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Sunday, July 8, 2007

колено - a knee

Доктор посмотрел на мое колено. 

The doctor looked at my knee.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

einkaufen - to shop, purchase

Ich gehe gerne in kleinen Läden einkaufen.

I like to shop in small stores.

Friday, July 6, 2007

krank - sick, ill

Wenn Sie krank sind, haben Sie keine Lust zum Einkaufen.

When you're sick, you don't feel like shopping.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

опасный - dangerous

Львы опасные животные. 

Lions are dangerous animals.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

une gamme - a range, selection

Nous vous proposons une gamme de feux d'artifice de qualité pour tous vos événements.

We offer a line of quality fireworks for all types of events.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

животное - an animal

Лев - мое любимое животное. 

The lion is my favorite animal.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Sunday, July 1, 2007

das Eiweiß - protein

Milch, Käse und Milchprodukte spenden Calcium und Eiweiß

Milk, cheese, and dairy products are good sources of calcium and protein.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

getrocknet - dried

Getrocknete Früchte sind reich an Eiweiß.

Dried fruits are rich in protein.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Well I'll be buggered

TIL that the verb "bugger" as in buggery is derived from...  Take it away, Online Etymology Dictionary:

from Medieval Latin Bulgarus "a Bulgarian," so called from bigoted notions of the sex lives of Eastern Orthodox Christians or of the sect of heretics [the Bogomils] that was prominent there 11c. Compare Old French bougre "Bulgarian," also "heretic; sodomite."

This sect, which appears to be basically one that believes in dualism (Satan as creator and possibly God's little brother), is named after the Bulgarian priest that founded it, Bogomil. Wikipedia provides further information:

"Buggery" first appears in English in 1330 with the sense "abominable heresy," though "bugger" in a sexual sense is not recorded until 1555.  The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology quotes a similar form—"bowgard" (and "bouguer"), but claims that the Bulgarians were heretics "as belonging to the Greek Church, sp. Albigensian." Webster's Third New International Dictionary gives the only meaning of the word "bugger" as sodomite, "from the adherence of the Bulgarians to the Eastern Church considered heretical."

The name of Bulgaria itself, of course, comes from the river Volga.  They are the people of the Volg, or Bolg.  So "buggery" is not derived from Bulgaria itself, but ultimately from a tenth-century heretical priest.

Those Bulgarians sure are cute little buggers!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

sofort - immediately, at once

Wenn jemand kommt und sagt: "Hallo, ich bin Herr Jemand", dann schreibst du sofort den Namen auf.  

If somebody comes and says: "Hello, I'm Mr. Somebody," then write down the name at once.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

nass - wet

Meine Haare sind noch nass vom Regen.

My hair is still wet from the rain.

Monday, June 25, 2007

der Stiefel - the boot

Der Fischer zieht seine nassen Stiefel aus, wenn er nach Hause kommt.

The fisherman takes off his wet boots when he comes home.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

ausziehen - to take off, remove

Ich zog meinen Mantel aus, weil die Sonne schien.

I took off my coat because the sun was shining.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

bleiben - to stay

Wieso ziehst du nicht deinen Mantel aus und bleibst eine Weile?

Why don't you take off your coat and stay a while?

Friday, June 22, 2007

branché - connected, wired; trendy

L'imprimante n'est pas branchée à l'ordinateur.

The printer isn't connected to the computer.


Une robe de mariée branchée cette année, c’est donc une robe au décolleté halter ou à col cheminée, à grand renfort de dentelle pour habiller de romantisme votre tour de cou.

A trendy wedding gown this year is one with a halterneck or high collar with a large lace train to dress up your neck size romantically.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

tapageur - raucous, boisterous

Mes fils sont parfois assez tapageurs quand ils jouent.

My sons are often quite boisterous when they play.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

aguicheur - enticing, flirty

Les arrangements sont parfois aguicheurs, parfois moins accessibles et moins clairement définis. 

The arrangements are sometimes inviting, sometimes less accessible and less clearly defined.

 

Aguicheur come un petit bikini mignon à la plage de Miami, ce sont des couleurs tapageuses, très branchées et joyeuses, qui vous agrippent.

Flirty as a little cute bikini on the beaches of Miami, these are raucous, very trendy and joyful colors that grab you.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

le joug - the yoke

Texas est un État dans lequel les Noirs souffrent encore sous le joug de l'oppression et de l'idéologie raciste.

Texas is a state in which black people are still suffering under the yoke of oppression and racist ideology.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Sunday, June 17, 2007

die Serviette - the napkin

Kannst du mir bitte nochmal eine Serviette bringen?

Can you bring me another napkin, please?

Saturday, June 16, 2007

moucher quelqu'un - put someone in their place

Elle a pendant quelques secondes, bien eu envie de rire et de jouer la fameuse scène du film Pretty Woman dans lequel l'héroine principale achète tout ce qui se trouve dans la boutique pour le plaisir de moucher la vendeuse qui l'avait affrontée.

For a few seconds, she thought of laughing and playing that famous scene in the film Pretty Woman in which the protagonist buys everything she sees in the jewelry store just to thumb her nose at the saleslady who insulted her.

--

Moucher quelqu'un: remettre quelqu'un à sa place, lui infliger une correction, le battre.

Friday, June 15, 2007

s'écouler - to flow, elapse (time)

Puis, en songeant que l'heure s'écoulait, elle se remit debout. 

Then suddenly recalling that time was slipping away, she stood up.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Let me take you to... Acacia Avenue

I came across this word today, Acacia Avenue.  I guess it's actually two words, but taken together they make up one word meaning.  It's a common street name in the UK, so by extension is a British euphemism for the middle class or hoi polloi, much as some commentators use "Main Street" to refer to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Average, the salt of the earth, regular folk, the common clay of the Midwest.  You know... morons.

Whoops, got off track there. 

Here are some usages I found on the web:

  • Acacia Avenue is a cliche of British culture, a metaphor for a middle-class suburban street and a middle-class suburban life. (This from a piece Auntie Beeb did on "Lives of Acacia Avenue Revealed")
  • The householders of Acacia Avenue, the nesting box of Middle England, have taken time off from dusting the garden gnomes to respond to a survey about their lives - which could be summarised as "mustn't grumble".
  • Acacia Avenue has been a byword for contented suburban dullness at least since the 1940s, when Henry Cass made the film 29 Acacia Avenue (although the play dates from earlier).

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

songer - to think, muse

Il est temps de songer à des moyens de réduire vos dépenses ou d'augmenter vos revenus pour régler le problème.

It's time to think about ways to reduce your expense and increase income in order to solve your problem.

Monday, June 11, 2007

un épis - an ear, stalk (of grain)

Porter à ébullition une grande casserole d'eau bien salée.  Plonger les épis de maïs dans l'eau et laisser cuire environ 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of well-slated water to a boil.  Lower the ears of corn into the water and let them cook for about ten minutes.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

une modiste - milliner, hat-maker

Plus jeune, elle était modiste, elle créait des chapeaux. Ensuite elle a tricoté des pulls par dizaines pour ses petits-enfants.

As a young girl, she was a milliner; she designed hats.  Later she knitted sweaters by the dozens for her grandchildren.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

une cousette - a young dressmaker

On saute dans l'autobus, dans le métro, dans le tramway, pêle-mêle avec les autres employées, modistes, cousettes, caissières, dactylographes, qui ont, elles, fini leur journée. 

We got on the bus, the train, the tram, pell-mell with the other working people, the milliners, seamstresses, cashiers, and typists who had all finished their workday.

Friday, June 8, 2007

une couturière - a dressmaker, seamstress

Les gens de la ville et les fermiers locaux achetaient du tissu chez Lebowitz puis l'emportaient chez le tailleur ou la couturière

The townspeople and farmers in the area bought cloth at Lebowitz's store and then brought it to the tailor or seamstress.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

une écumoire - a slotted spoon, skimmer

Comme son nom l’indique, la fonction première de l’écumoire est d’enlever l’écume : cette mousse blanchâtre qui se forme à la surface de certains liquides lorsqu’on les chauffe. 

As its name indicates, the main use of the slotted spoon is to skim off foam, that whitish froth which worms at the surface of some liquids when they're heated.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

une loque - a wreck, rag

Mon fils est une loque depuis qu'il a attrapé la grippe. 

My son has been a wreck ever since he caught the flu.


La femme de ménage va passer la loque en microfibre dans la cuisine.

The maid will wipe down the kitchen with a microfiber cloth.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

cribler - to riddle (with holes), sift

On me visite quand on a le temps et l'on m'apporte des chemises usées et colorées, des mouchoirs en loques, des chaussettes criblées de trous comme des écumoires.

They come when they have the time and bring me worn, stained shirts, handkerchiefs in rags, socks riddles with holes like sieves.

Monday, June 4, 2007

jalonner - to punctuate, mark; to stake

Nous nous sommes promis d'ouvrir une nouvelle piste à l'avenir et de la jalonner avec des comportements et des technologies propres.

We have pledged to open a new path to the future and to mark it with appropriate conduct and proper technology. 


Pour obtenir un permis de prospection ou jalonner un claim minier, la société ou le particulier intéressé doit obtenir une licence de prospection.

To obtain a permit to prospect or to stake a mineral claim, the interested company or individual must obtain a prospecting license.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

le guignon - bad luck

Les aventures du pauvre homme étaient jalonnées par son triste guignon.

The poor man's adventures were punctuated by episodes of tragic misfortune.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

la nounou - the nanny

Toutefois, si Bruxelles veut prouver qu'elle veut agir envers les citoyens comme une nounou importune, cette directive constitue réellement un sommet.
 
However,  if Brussels wants to demonstrate that it will act towards its citizens like an intrusive nanny, then this directive really is the limit.

Friday, June 1, 2007

ничего себе - wow

Вчера я видел коричневую корову. Он ел солому. Ничего себе!

Yesterday I saw a brown cow.  It was eating straw.  Wow!

Thursday, May 31, 2007

коричневый - brown

Дверь моего дома коричневая. 

My house's door is brown.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

синий - blue

Эта тарелка синяя, а эта жёлтая.

This plate is blue, and this one is yellow.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

жёлтый - yellow

Где у собаки жёлтый мяч?

Where is the dog's yellow ball?


Я вижу жёлтое полотенце.

I see a yellow towel.

Monday, May 28, 2007

мяч - ball

Собака любит играть с мячом.

The dog loves to play with the ball.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

играть - to play

Я хочу играть в парке.

I want to play in the park.


Он умеет очень хорошо играть на гитаре.

He can play the guitar very well.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

必须 - must, to have to, necessarily

你 必须 吃 这些 面条。

nǐ bìxū chī zhèxiē miàntiáo

You must eat these noodles.

Friday, May 25, 2007

合 作 - to cooperate

我们 现在 必须 合作。

wǒmen xiànzài bìxū hézuò

We must cooperate now.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

foncer - to go for it

Mon pote qui n'a jamais acheté de trucs de luxe dans sa vie s'est décidé à foncer pour les 30 ans de sa copine.

My pal who has never had any luxurious things in his life has decided to go for it on his girlfriend's 30th birthday.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

prometteur - promising, hopeful, exciting

Quand j'étais jeune, l'idée que les Illuminati contrôlent tout ce que passe dans le monde était amusante et prometteuse, mais à cet étage de la vie, c'est trop réelle et déprimante.

When I was young, the idea that the Illuminati controlled everything that happens in the world was fun and exciting, but at this stage of my life, it's too real and depressing.

 Happy 5/23 day

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

如果 - if

如果 我们 有 面条,我们 会 吃。

Rúguǒ wǒmen yǒu miàntiáo, wǒmen huì chī

If we have noodles, we'll eat.

Monday, May 21, 2007

beweglich - movable, mobile

Die Ausstellung hat mehrere bewegliche Konstruktionen beinhaltet.

The exhibit included several mobile structures.      

Sunday, May 20, 2007

小时 - hour

你 等了 几 个 小时?

nǐ děngle jǐ gè xiǎoshí?

How many hours have you been waiting?

Saturday, May 19, 2007

die Sehnsucht (nach) - a yearning, longing (for)

Ich habe Sehnsucht nach meinem Zuhause, weil ich im Ausland wohne.

I feel longing for my home because I'm living abroad.

Friday, May 18, 2007

天气 - weather

今天 的 天气 很 好。

Jīntiān de tiānqì hěn hǎo

The weather today is nice.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

(se) chevaucher - to overlap; to ride on, straddle

Tous les porcs doivent pouvoir s'allonger sans se chevaucher pendant le transport. 

All the pigs should be able to lay alongside one another without crowding during transport.


Les êtres humains sont également des mammifères ; la médecine humaine et la médecine vétérinaire peuvent par conséquent se chevaucher

Human beings are also mammals; human medicine and veterinary medicine thus may overlap. 


Ma copine aime chevaucher ma bite, mais en position à l envers avec un jolie gros plan sur ses fesses !

My girlfriend likes to ride my dick, but doggy-style with a nice shot of her butt!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

un soutien-gorge - a bra

À votre avis, quelle est la perception des français vis à vis d'une femme qui ne porte pas de soutien-gorge qu'importe la taille de ses seins ?  Étant une femme à petite poitrine il ne m'est aucunement nécessaire d'en porter.

In your opinion, what do French people think of women who don't wear bras regardless of the size of their breasts?  Being a small-chested woman, it is not at all necessary that I wear one.

Monday, May 14, 2007

难过 - sad

我 今天 很 难过。 

wǒ jīntiān hěn nánguò 

I am sad today.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

黄色 - yellow

花 是 黄色 和 红色 的。 

huā shì huángsè hé hóngsè de

The flowers are yellow and red.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

绿色 - green

我 的 车 是 绿色 的。

Wǒ de chē shì lǜsè de

My car is green.

Friday, May 11, 2007

dorénavant - henceforth

En terminant sur ce point, je dirais qu'il faut éviter dorénavant l'approche par compartimentation, ce vieux réflexe bureaucratique.

In closing on this point, I would say that henceforth we must avoid the old bureaucratic reflex of the compartmentalization method.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

день рождения - birthday

Мой дедушка сделал мне подарок на мой день рождения.

My grandfather gave me a present for my birthday.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

guigner - to look surreptitiously

Il a guigné le paquet de toile cirée et, sans réfléchir, a commencé à le glisser sous sa veste. 

He snuck a peek at the packet of oilcloth, and, without thinking, slipped it into his vest.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

rater - to miss, fail

Je vais rater un rendezvous important à Paris !

I'm going to miss an important meeting in Paris!


Pourquoi j'ai échoué à mon examen ? Voici une petite liste non exhaustive de raisons souvent évoquées par ceux qui ont raté un examen.

Why did I do so badly on my test?  Here is a short, non-exhaustive list of reasons that people who have failed an exam often give.

Monday, May 7, 2007

das Korn - grain

Auch ein blindes Huhn findet mal ein Korn.

Even a blind hen will find a grain once in a while.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

tailler - to trim, cut

Apportez-moi les cisailles ; je vais tailler notre haie.

Bring me the shears; I'm going to trim our hedge.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

aîné - older

Mon frère aîné conduit une voiture qui grince constamment.

My older brother drives a car that constantly creaks.

Friday, May 4, 2007

der Versuch - a try, attempt

Tun oder nicht tun; es gibt keinen Versuch. 

Faire ou pas ; il n'y a pas d'essai.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

un sécateur - shears

J'ai troqué mon ancienne tondeuse contre ce nouveau sécateur.

I traded my old mower for these brand new shears.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

troquer - to swap, trade

J'ai troqué ma vieille voiture contre un tout nouveau vélo.

I swapped my old car for a brand new bicycle.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

le tamia - the chipmunk

I woke up this morning.  I had a scone and a large house blend, and then a little conversation with my squirrel and chipmunk friends.

Je me suis réveillé ce matin.  J'ai pris un scone et un café noir, et puis j'ai bavardé un peu avec mes amis, les écureuils et les tamias.

Monday, April 30, 2007

дарить - to give as a gift

Мой дедушка часто любит дарить мне подарки. 

My grandfather likes to give me gifts often.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

добрый - kind, nice

Моя бабушка добрая и дарит мне подарки.

My grandmother is kind and gives me gifts.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

потому что - because

Я люблю своего дедушку, потому что он добрый.

I love my grandfather because he is kind.

Friday, April 27, 2007

борода - a beard

У моего дедушки была большая борода.

My grandfather had a large beard.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

хотя - even though

Я работаю, хотя мне это не нравится.

I work even though I don't like it. 


Я люблю свой дом, хоть он и маленький.

I love my house even though it is small.

Monday, April 23, 2007

knusprig - crispy

Ich mag Müsli, wenn es noch knusprig ist.

I like cereal when it's still crispy.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

известный - famous, well-known

Он очень известный писатель.

He is a very well-known writer.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

официант - a waiter

Официант приносит мне чай.

The waiter brings me tea.

Friday, April 20, 2007

приносить - to bring

Принеси мне, пожалуйста, кофе. 

Please bring me coffee.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

счёт - the bill

Спасибо, всё было очень вкусно. Принесите счёт, пожалуйста.

Thank you, everything was very tasty.  Please bring the bill.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

der Besuch - the visit

Wann möchtest du zu Besuch kommen?

When would you like to come on a visit?

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Monday, April 16, 2007

die Seite - the page of a book; the side

Ich möchte den Rest meines Lebens an deiner Seite verbringen.

I want to spend the rest of my life by your side.

 

Es gibt viele Wörter auf dieser Seite des Buches.

There are a lot of words on this page of the book. 

Sunday, April 15, 2007

налог - tax

Вы должны платить налоги.

You must pay taxes.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

поздно - late

Слишком поздно пить кофе.

It's too late to drink coffee.

Friday, April 13, 2007

довольно - quite, rather

Уже довольно поздно. Я иду домой.

It's quite late already.  I am going home.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

лето - the summer

В этом году лето будет очень жарким. 

Summer will be very hot this year.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

жаркий - hot (climate)

Летом во Франции довольно жарко.

In France in the summer it is quite hot.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

никто - no one

Горячее пиво никто не пьет.

Personne ne boit de bière chaude.

Monday, April 9, 2007

горячий - hot

Мой кофе слишком горячий.

My coffee is too hot.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

seit - ever since, for

Sie gehen seit zwei Jahren miteinander.

They've been dating for two years.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

un artichaut - an artichoke

L'artichaut diminue les nausées, les ballonnements, les lourdeurs digestives et accélère la digestion.

Artichoke reduces nausea, bloating, and digestive heaviness, and aids digestion.

Friday, April 6, 2007

wohnen - to live in

Ich wohne seit Jahren in Boston.

I have been living in Boston for years.

Thursday, April 5, 2007

promouvoir - to promote

Plutôt que de promouvoir des œuvres qu’on n’a pas aimé, pourquoi au contraire de ne pas mettre en avant des œuvres qui nous semblent injustement méconnues ?

Rather than promoting works that you didn't enjoy, why not showcase works that you think are unjustly overlooked?

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

wohin - where to

Wohin fährst du dieses Wochenende?

Where are you going to this weekend?

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

девушка - girlfriend

Это моя девушка; она любит кроликов.

This is my girlfriend; she loves rabbits.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Sunday, April 1, 2007

gluant - sticky

Pour faire un cadeau aux pêcheurs, et pour se moquer un peu d'eux car la pêche était soit trop facile (abondance le jour d'ouverture), soit infructueuse (jour de suspension), on leur offrait un hareng. C'est alors qu'une habitude populaire se serait installée : on accrochait subrepticement un vrai poisson dans le dos des gens. Comme les habits étaient plus larges, les victimes ne s'en apercevaient pas tout de suite, de sorte que le poisson devenait de plus en plus gluant et puant. 

As a gift for fishermen, and to rib them a little for fishing being either too easy (due to abundance on opening day) or fruitless (on closing day), people offered them a herring.  This is how a popular custom began: a real fish was hung surreptitiously on people's backs.  As the garments were rather voluminous, the victims did not notice immediately, so that the fish became more and more sticky and smelly.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

colporter - to peddle, sell

Allez colporter vos marchandises ailleurs, charlatan !

Go peddle your wares somewhere else, you charlatan!

Friday, March 30, 2007

Thursday, March 29, 2007

охладиться - to cool down, chill

Он прыгнул в воду, чтобы охладиться.

He jumped in the water to cool down.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

ещë - yet

Ваня ещë не хочет спать.

Vanya doesn't want to sleep yet.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

должен - should, ought to

Я должен сделать свою домашнюю работу.

I should do my homework.

Monday, March 26, 2007

сейчас - now

Мы должны уйти сейчас же!

We have to go now!

Sunday, March 25, 2007

делать - to do

Что твой кот делает на столе?

What is your cat doing on the table?

Saturday, March 24, 2007

стоить - to cost

Сколько стоит этот молоток?

How much is this hammer?

Friday, March 23, 2007

hinsetzen - to sit down

Manchmal möchte ich mich einfach mit einem guten Buch hinsetzen. 

Sometimes I just like to sit down with a good book. 

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

менять - to change, modify

В октябре листья меняют цвет.

In October the leaves change colors.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

молоток - a hammer

Этот молот очень тяжелый.

This hammer is very heavy.

Monday, March 19, 2007

geschäftlich - on business

Der Manager ist geschäftlich in Deutschland.

The manager is in Germany on business.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

la soute à bagages - cargo hold, luggage compartment

Ne mettez jamais les bébés dans la soute à bagages.

Never put babies in the baggage hold.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

полоса - a stripe

На флаге Ирландии три полосы: оранжевая, белая и зелёная.

The Irish flag has three stripes: orange, white, and green.

Friday, March 16, 2007

un gosse - a kid, tyke

J’ai rien contre les gosses qui crient sur le train. Par contre je hais les parents qui les laissent hurler, qui ne leurs ont prévu aucune activité pour un trajet de 3h, qui ne les amènent même pas se détendre les jambes en faisant un aller retour au wagon-bar…

I have nothing against crying kids on the train.  However, I do detest parents who let them scream, who don't provide them with a single activity to occupy them in a three-hour trip, who don't even let them stretch their legs by taking them to the dining car... 

Thursday, March 15, 2007

piffrer - to fill up, sate oneself

Ils ont tellement bu, et se sont si pleinement piffrés, que la plupart en ont été malades.

They drank so much, and stuffed themselves so fully, that most of them were sick.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

быстро - quickly, fast

Ты всегда говоришь слишком быстро.

You always talk too fast.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

расти - to grow

Мои дети так быстро растут.

My children are growing up so quickly.

Monday, March 12, 2007

почва - soil

Цветы хорошо растут на хорошей почве.

Flowers grow well in good soil.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

цветок - a flower

В этой комнате много цветов.

There are a lot of flowers in this room.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

nützlich - useful

Danke für die nützlichen Informationen.

Thank you for the useful information.

Friday, March 9, 2007

tragbar - portable, wearable

Dieses nützliche Gerät ist leicht, billig, und tragbar.

This useful device is light, cheap, and portable.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

das Gerät - the device, equipment

Ich habe ein neues Radio gekauft und mein altes Gerät recycelt. 

I bought a new radio and sold my old set.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

reklamieren - to complain

Ich reklamierte, da das Gerät nicht funktionierte.

I complained because the device did not work.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Monday, March 5, 2007

schlecht - bad; sick

Mein älterer Bruder fährt schlechter als ich.

My older brother drives worse than I do.


Von Achterbahnen wird mir schlecht.

I get sick on roller coasters.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

лучший - better

Мой брат готовит лучше меня.

Mon frère cuisine mieux que moi.

Saturday, March 3, 2007

ужин - a dinner

Обед был хорош, но ужин лучше.

The lunch was good, but the dinner is better.

Friday, March 2, 2007

leider - unfortunately

Leider kann ich dir damit nicht helfen.

Unfortunately, I cannot help you with that.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

die Regierung - government

Amerika wählt eine neue Regierung.

The US is electing a new government.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

un rebondissement - a rebound; a turn of events

Ce fâcheux rebondissement ne me arrêtera pas.

This unfortunate turn of events will not stop me.


Après une sévère baisse des indices occidentaux, la Bourse de Paris a ouvert la séance du mercredi avec un rebondissement.

After a severe slump in the Asian markets, the Paris stock exchange began Wednesday's session with a bounce back.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

une panne - an outage, failure

La tempête a provoqué une panne d'électricité.

The storm caused an electrical failure. 


Mais pourquoi ces pannes de la vie, ces évènements fâcheux, sont-ils beaucoup plus nombreux ?

But why are these life failures, these unfortunate events, so much more common?

Monday, February 26, 2007

grincer - to squeak, grate

Le vieux moteur grince quand je le démarre.

The old motor makes a grating noise when I start it.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

démarrer - to start, fire up

J'ai rencontré une nouvelle personne, et nous démarrons notre vie intime.

I met a new person, and we began to be intimate.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

nocif - harmful, deleterious

L'alcool avant 21 ans? Non non non, c'est nocif pour la santé ça monsieur.  Mais on donne une carabine au petit Jimmy pour ses 11 ans et un fusil à pompe pour ses 13 ans.

Alcohol before the age of 21?  No no no, that's harmful to health sir.  But we give little Jimmy a rifle for his 11th birthday, and a pump shotgun for his 13th.

Friday, February 23, 2007

démuni - powerless; destitute, deprived

Puisque soit les États-Unis vont envoyer ces enfants démunis mourir dans une guerre inutile, soit ils vont les fourrés dans des prisons privées pour travailler comme des esclaves.

Either the United States will send impoverished children to die in a useless war, or they'll stuff them in private prisons to work as slaves.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

buter - to rub out, take out, kill

Si quelqu'un tue sa mère il se fera buter d'une façon ou d'une autre, donc pas besoin de police.

If someone kills his mother he will take them out one way or the other without involving the police.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

se morfondre - to languish, mope

Devons-nous, nous autres, nous morfondre et les laisser se charger du problème?
 
Should all the rest of us just mope and leave it to them to handle the problem?

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

rigolo - funny

Mais un beau soir alors qu'il est encore une fois en train de se morfondre, il fait la rencontre un peu spéciale d'un chat rigolo et très enjoué. 

But one fine evening when he is again moping about, he meets a rather special cat who is funny and very cheerful.

Monday, February 19, 2007

un entremet - a dessert

Un moule idéal pour un gâteau ou un entremet d'anniversaire.

An ideal mold for a cake or a birthday pudding.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

un croix gammée - a swastika

Françoise Dior pose faisant le salut nazi et portant une croix gammée en sautoir.

Françoise Dior made a Nazi salute and wore a long necklace with a swastika.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

entortiller - to twist, entwine

Si vous entortillez le tuyau comme ça, l'eau ne passera pas.

If you kink the hose like that, water will not go through.

Friday, February 16, 2007

un sautoir - longue chaîne ou collier qui se porte sur la poitrine

Elle portait un sautoir de morceaux d'ambre irréguliers, dans lequel s'entortillait sa main gauche.

She wore a long necklace of irregular pieces of amber, in twisted her left hand was entwined.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

craquant - irresistible

C'est un craquant sautoir avec ses deux médaillons en émail, pour y glisser un mot doux, une photo ou un secret, qui vous suivront tout au long de la journée. 

It's an irresistible long necklace with two enamel lockets, in which you might slip a love note, a photo, or a secret that will accompany you the whole day.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

en profiter pour - to go for it, take the opportunity

Le jour de la Saint-Valentin, le 14 février, est considéré dans de nombreux pays comme la fête des amoureux. Les couples en profitent pour échanger des mots doux et des cadeaux comme preuves d’amour ainsi que des roses rouges qui sont l’emblème de la passion. 

St. Valentine's Day, the 14th of February, is considered a celebration of love in many countries.  Couples take the opportunity to exchange love notes and gifts as token of love, as well as red roses which symbolize passion.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

das Hemd - a shirt

He always wears jeans and a shirt.   

Er hat immer Jeans und ein Hemd an. 

Monday, February 12, 2007

links - the left

Das Museum steht auf der linken Strassenseite.

The museum is on the left side of the street.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Saturday, February 10, 2007

le gué - the ford, crossing point

Il y avait bien un pont à deux kilomètres, mais ils ignoraient sans doute son existence, et il était peu croyable qu’ils tenteraient de passer à gué la rivière.

There was, however, a bridge two kilometers from here, but they were no doubt ignorant of its existence. and it hardly seemed likely that they would try to ford the river.

Friday, February 9, 2007

s'emballer - run riot, overreact

Vous savez, il n'y a rien, que je ne ferais pas, quand je m'emballe pour un type comme ça.

You know, there's nothing that wouldn't do when I'm crazy about a guy like that.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

une faille - a weakness, flaw

Mon cœur s'emballe alors que je tourne les pages de mon cahier, sans trouver la moindre faille dans mon raisonnement.

My heart races as I turn the pages of my notebook, not finding the slightest flaw in my reasoning.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

rusé - cunning, sly

L'avocat rusé a trouvé une faille dans la loi.

The cunning lawyer found a loophole in the law.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

guetter - to watch out for, keep an eye on

Ils s’intéressaient surtout à un petit soldat, posté au bord de la Morelle, derrière la carcasse d’un vieux bateau ; il était à plat ventre, guettait, lâchait son coup de feu, puis se laissait glisser dans un fossé, un peu en arrière, pour recharger son fusil ; et ses mouvements étaient si drôles, si rusés, si souples, qu’on se laissait aller à sourire en le voyant.

They were especially interested in a young soldier, stationed on the bank of the Morelle.  He was lying on his belly behind the wreck of an old boat, keeping guard; he would let off a shot, then slither into a ditch a little behind him to reload his rifle; and his movements were so funny, so cunning, so supple, that they couldn't help smiling at him.

Monday, February 5, 2007

une fente - a slot, slit

Ils entrèrent dans la grande salle, où une dizaine de soldats attendaient en silence, les volets fermés, guettant par des fentes.

They entered the main parlor, where a dozen soldiers waited in silence, the shutters closed, watching through the slats.

Sunday, February 4, 2007

la dentelle - lace

Peu à peu, en effet, cette fusillade terrible ébranlait le vieux moulin. Un volet tomba à l’eau, troué comme une dentelle, et il fallut le remplacer par un matelas. 

Little by little, in fact, that terrible fusillade was shaking the old mill apart.  A shutter fell into the water, riddled with holes like lace, and had to be replaced by a mattress.

Saturday, February 3, 2007

un volet - a shutter

Je ferme le volet, une tempête arrive.

I'm closing the shutters, a storm is coming.

Friday, February 2, 2007

anziehen - to wear

Was ziehst du am Samstag Abend an?

What will you be wearing on Saturday evening?

Thursday, February 1, 2007

le mouillage - anchoring, berth, mooring

Mon navire reste dans son mouillage tout l'hiver.

My ship stays in its berth all winter.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

une rade - a bay, harbor

Une rade est un plan d'eau marin permettant le mouillage d'une flotte.

A bay is a body of seawater enabling the mooring of a fleet.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

une astuce - a tip, hint; shrewdness

La poubelle dégage parfois de très mauvaises puanteurs ! Voici quelques astuces simples de nos grands-mères.

Your trash can sometimes emit some very bad stenches!  Here are several simple tricks our grandmothers used.

Monday, January 29, 2007

mépriser - to scorn, despise

Il méprise toute honte et toute confusion, il ne compte pour rien le péché et sa puanteur. Il ose faire en plein soleil ce que d'autres n'oseraient jamais faire.

He scorns all shame and ambiguity, he is good for nothing but sin and its stench.  He dares to do in the light of day that which others never dare to do.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

souiller - to stain, contaminate

En quoi avons-nous méprisé ton nom?  Vous avez souillé mon autel en y offrant un pain souillé.

How have we scorned your name?  You have defiled my altar by offering polluted bread.


Le vin rouge peut souiller les vêtements blancs.  

Red wine can stain white clothing.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

un autel - an altar

L'autel sculpté de l'église est magnifique.

The carved altar of the church is magnificent.

Friday, January 26, 2007

beben - to shake, quake

Die Erde bebte für ein paar Sekunden, bevor das Erdbeben vorbei war.

The earth shook for a couple of seconds before the earthquake was over.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

plötzlich - sudden, suddenly

Plötzlich begann die Erde zu beben.

Soudain, la terre se mit à trembler.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

schütteln - to shake, agitate, rock

Schüttelt euch die Hände und schließt Frieden.

Shake hands and make up.  [lit, end as friends]

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

une garderie - nursery, daycare

Je me souviens d'un petit garçon dans une garderie qui emplissait ses poches de petits jouets appartenant au milieu de garde.

I remember a little boy in a nursery who was filling his pockets with little toys belonging to the daycare center.

Monday, January 22, 2007

emplir - to fill

Le poste de soins régimentaire, une vieille grange attachée à une maison, commence à s'emplir de blessés. 

The regimental aid post, an old barn attached to a house, begins to fill with wounded. 


Lui, il emplissait ses poches, poignée après poignée, or sur or.

He filled his pockets, handful after handful, gold upon gold.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

arm - poor

Ich gab dem armen Mann einen Penny.

I gave the poor man a penny.

 

Viele Menschen in Indien sind arm.

Many people in India are poor. 

Saturday, January 20, 2007

злой - angry

Почему этот человек так зол?

Why is that man so angry?

 

Ты очень злая девочка.

You are a very angry girl. 

faire gaffe - watch out, be careful

Faut faire gaffe quand on traverse, à ne pas se faire écraser par un vélo. Be careful crossing, or you'll be run over by a bike.