Let's learn French

[Captain Jigglypuff]

The animal?

Or seal like "lock".

Edit: Or like stamp?

All three.

 

[lunarious]

How do French people use "àranger"? What are some examples on it's meaning?

Edit: i'm thinking about "arranged marriage".

---

The French word "range" is primarily the first-person singular conjugation of the verb ranger (to tidy, arrange, put away) or the imperative form. Examples include "Il faut que je range ma chambre" (I need to tidy my room) and "Range-le" (Put it away). It describes putting items in order or placing them in their proper place.

Examples of Range (First-person Conjugation / Imperative)

• Il faut que je range ma chambre : I need to tidy my room.
• Range-le : Put it away!.
• Range-la avant de sortir : Put it (feminine) away before you go out.
• Je range mes papiers : I am filing/arranging my papers.

Examples of Rangé(e) (Adjective/Past Participle)

When used as an adjective (rangé/rangée), it refers to something neat, tidy, or a settled person.

• C'est propre et bien rangé : It is clean and tidy.
• Un homme rangé : A settled/responsible man.
• Mal rangé : Messy or untidy.

Difference from "A Range" (English)

• Note that "a range" (e.g., a scope of items) translates differently (e.g., une gamme, une série, or une portée).

Range (verb form) implies cleaning up, organizing, or storing items.

---

OK, I'm going to buy a dictionary in French and French Books.

---

The French verb arranger originates from the Old French verb arengier (12th century), meaning "to put in a row" or "to set in battle order". It is formed by combining the prefix a- (from Latin ad-, meaning "to" or "at") with rang or rangier(rank, row), rooted in the Frankish word *hring (circle/ring).
Key points regarding the etymology of arranger:

• Root Origins: The term stems from Germanic roots (Frankish *hring) relating to a circular arrangement or, more specifically, placing items in a line or row.
• Old French Evolution: It developed from arengier, which referred to organizing or arranging items, particularly soldiers.
• Semantic Shift: Over time, the meaning evolved from solely physical, linear organization ("set in a row") to broader meanings, including fixing, settling, or organizing things in general.
• Related Terms: The word is the basis for arrangement (from Old French arengement) and the adjective arrangé

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

So how do you say seal in French?

 

[JayLapointe]

Post one word, or one sentence, one lesson in French and feel free to talk extensively about why it's important to you.

I'll start with: "Qu'est que ce vais dire?" Because I can repeat it. I apologize bad spelling.

Break it up:
Qu'est que = a fancy way of saying "what". We could've said just "que".

That is wrong buddy. While yes in very informal talk you can get away with dropping the "Qu-est" it doesn't change what Que actually means. Que translates to "that/than" and not "What". Qu-est = what is que = that, "what is that you said"?. I speak french as a second language. Have the good fortune to live in the only officially Bilingual province in Canada, which is itself an officially French/English bilingual Country as well.

 

[lunarious]

That is wrong buddy. While yes in very informal talk you can get away with dropping the "Qu-est" it doesn't change what Que actually means. Que translates to "that/than" and not "What". Qu-est = what is que = that, "what is that you said"?. I speak french as a second language. Have the good fortune to live in the only officially Bilingual province in Canada, which is itself an officially French/English bilingual Country as well.

I didn't understand the text in bold. Can you repeat that?

 

[JayLapointe]

I didn't understand the text in bold. Can you repeat that?

Que translates to "that/than" and not "What".

Qu-est translates to "what is"

 

[lunarious]

Break it up:
Qu'est que = a fancy way of saying "what". We could've said just "que".
ce vais dire = "that will imply?"

Que'est sounds/looks like "what is".
- Que = What
- Est = is

Que translates to "that/than" and not "What".

What are you saying Maaaan?

Qu-est translates to "what is"

That's what I said in green.

 

[lunarious]

So how do you say seal in French?

Depending on what you mean by "seal," there are a few different translations in French:

1. The Animal (Pinniped)
The most common translation for the marine mammal is un phoque.

• Pronunciation: It sounds very similar to the English "f-word," specifically like "fok".
• Baby Seal: This is un bébé phoque.

2. The Physical Stamp or Object
If you are referring to a stamp used on a document or a wax seal, the word is un sceau.

• Pronunciation: Sounds like the English word "so."
• Official Stamp: You can also use un cachet (e.g., for a postmark or official ink stamp).

3. The Verb (To Seal)

• Sceller: Used for closing something off or making an agreement official (e.g., "to seal a deal").
• Cacheter: Specifically used for "sealing" an envelope.
• Fermer hermétiquement: Used for "sealing" a container airtight.

4. Mechanical Seal (Gasket)
For a rubber seal on a door or a refrigerator, the word is un joint.
Would you like to know the pronunciationfor any of these specific terms, or perhaps a different animal name?

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

So how can those who don’t know French know when there is a silent letter or one that makes a very soft sound?