French Word of the Day

how many days

Pour combien de jours avez-vous besoin de la voiture?
How many days do you need the car?

THIS WEEK
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. This week, we’ll look at useful French words and phrases for renting a car.

FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
SUBSCRIBE TO VOILÀ! Only 3.95 a month, secure via PayPal!

to take a road

Empruntez le chemin à droite à travers la campagne.
Take the road on the right through the countryside.

MORE ABOUT THIS EXPRESSION
Although emprunter usually means to borrow, it takes on a slightly different meaning in this expression.

THIS WEEK
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. This week, we’ll help you get past la voiture to some practical words and phrases that will keep you moving.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

to fill up (the gas tank)

Le résevoir à essence est vide. Nous devons faire le plein.
The gas tank is empty. We have to fill up.

TODAY
Our phrase is about the topic cars and driving. Once you’ve learned to say you want to fill up the gas tank in French, follow the links below to discover more words about the road:

• Blinkers, Turn Signal
• Convertible
• Jalopy
• Lane
• Low-Beam Lights
• Red Light, Green Light
• Road Map
• Steering Wheel
• Tire
• To Get in the Car
• To Inflate
• To Park
• To Take the Highway
• To Take a Road
• To Turn
• Trunk/Boot
• Windshield

IS YOUR FRENCH CAR VOCABULARY IN OVERDRIVE?
Take our French Cars and Driving Vocabulary Quiz to find out.

included in the price

Combien de kilomètres sont inclus dans le prix?
How many kilometers are included in the price?

TODAY
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. This week, we’re looking at useful French words and phrases for renting a car. Click here for more French vocabulary words about travel and getting around.

READY TO HIT THE ROAD EN FRANÇAIS?
Take our French Car Rental Vocabulary Quiz to find out!

to honk

Hélène a klaxonné quand elle est arrivée chez Gérard.
Hélène honked when she arrived at Gérard’s house.

TODAY
Our word is one of several verbs we’ve covered that are not necessarily the most common but nonetheless useful to know. After you’ve learned how to say to honk in French, follow the links below to learn these other less common French verbs:

• To Break Up With
• To Curse
• To Flee
• To Mend
• To Sew

LOOKING FOR MORE WORDS ABOUT CARS AND DRIVING?
Follow these links to these words to help you take to the road in French:

• Blinkers, Turn Signal
• Convertible
• Jalopy
• Lane
• Low-Beam Lights
• Red Light, Green Light
• Road Map
• Steering Wheel
• Tire
• To Get in the Car
• To Inflate
• To Park
• To Take the Highway
• To Take a Road
• To Turn
• Trunk/Boot
• Windshield

LEARN TO CONJUGATE VERBS LIKE KLAXXONER
Check out our Quick Verb Guide to learn how to conjugate regular -er verbs like klaxxoner.

n.f., the insurance

Voulez-vous ajouter de l’assurance collision?
Do you want to add collision insurance?

THIS WEEK
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. This week, we’ll look at useful French words and phrases for renting a car.

FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
SUBSCRIBE TO VOILÀ! Only 3.95 a month, secure via PayPal!

the trunk (of a car)

Mettez les valises dans le coffre de la voiture s’il vous plaît.
Put the suitcases in the car trunk please.

steering wheel

Tenez le volant à deux mains.
Hold the steering wheel with two hands.

n.m.pl., blinkers

N’oubliez pas de mettre les clignotants avant de changer de voie.
Don’t forget to put on your blinkers before changing lanes.

THIS WEEK
We have been covering cars and driving.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VERB PRACTICE!
Teachers, tell your students about our 4 new verb practice exercises — 100 questions total! — that we’ve added to our Voilà! members area. The online practice sessions make it easy to gain proficiency in -er, -ir, -re and the most common irregular verbs. For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here.
NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.

low-beam headlights

Il a mis ses codes en face d’une autre voiture.
He put on his low beams in front of another car.

TO SAY THE OPPOSITE
High-beam or full-beam headlights are les pleins phares.

• Il met les pleins phares. (He turns on his high-beam headlights.)

THIS WEEK
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. This week, we’ll help you get past la voiture to some practical words and phrases that will keep you moving.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

to rent a car

Je voudrais louer une voiture, s’il vous plaît.
I would like to rent a car, please.

THIS WEEK
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. This week, we’ll look at useful French words and phrases for renting a car.

FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
SUBSCRIBE TO VOILÀ! Only 3.95 a month, secure via PayPal!

to get in the car

Je suis monté en voiture, et j’ai mis ma ceinture de sécurité.
I got in the car, and I put on my seat belt.

TODAY
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. Today’s phrase was selected to help you get beyond la voiture and get you moving.

to return the car

À quelle heure dois-je ramener la voiture?
What time do I have to return the car?

THIS WEEK
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. This week, we’ve been looking at useful French words and phrases for renting a car.

FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
SUBSCRIBE TO VOILÀ! Only 3.95 a month, secure via PayPal!

to take the highway

Je m’engage sur l’autoroute vers Marseille.
I’m taking the highway (motorway) to Marseille.

MORE ABOUT THIS EXPRESSION
This expression could be used with any road:

• Je m’engage sur la 101. (I take the 101.)
• Je m’engage sur la route N79. (I take the N79.)
• Engagez-vous sur la route à péage. (Take the toll road.)

TODAY
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. Today, we’ll help you get past la voiture to a practical phrase that will keep you moving.

an extra driver

Combien coûte-t-il pour ajouter un conducteur supplémentaire?
How much does it cost to add an extra driver?

TODAY
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. Today, we’re looking at a useful French word for a conversation about renting a car.

a convertible

Sophie aime conduire son décapotable rouge dans le Midi.
Sophie likes to drive her red convertible in the South of France.
(Wouldn’t we all?!)

TODAY
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. Today’s word is one example.

a windshield

Regardez pars le pare-brise pour voir l’autoroute.
Look through the windshield to see the highway.

a tire

Savez-vous changer un pneu crevé?
Do you know how to change a flat tire?

Other expressions:
pneus toutes-saisons = all-season tires
pneu neige = snow tire
gonfler un pneu = to inflate a tire

an automatic/a manual (car)

Avez-vous une automatique? Je ne peux pas conduire une manuelle.
Do you have an automatic? I can’t drive a manual.

TODAY
We always enjoy covering vocabulary topics about travel, because they contain essential words and phrases for French language learners who want to visit a French-speaking country. Today, we’re looking at useful French words and phrases for renting a car.

RELATED WORDS
After you’ve learned to ask for an automatic or manual in French, follow the links below to discover more French vocabulary words about cars:

• Blinkers, Turn Signal
• Convertible
• Jalopy
• Lane
• Low-Beam Lights
• Red Light, Green Light
• Road Map
• Steering Wheel
• Tire
• To Get in the Car
• To Inflate
• To Park
• To Take the Highway
• To Take a Road
• To Turn
• Trunk/Boot
• Windshield

QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and others like it here.

a car (slang)

C’est une bagnole sensationnelle!
This is a terrific car!

MORE ABOUT THIS WORD
The French often use the word bagnole for car. While it can have a slightly negative connotation — think jalopy — it also can denote a certain playful affection for the vehicle and is used regularly in conversation.

THIS WEEK
When you learn the word for car, la voiture, in French class, the vocabulary sometimes doesn’t go too far beyond that. But there is, of course, so much vocabulary related to cars and driving. This week, we’ll help you get past la voiture to some practical words and phrases that will keep you moving.

THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
Not a member yet? SUBSCRIBE HERE!

a high-speed chase

Les deux voitures se sont percutées pendant une course-poursuite.
The two cars collided during a high-speed chase.

QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and more like it here.

a lane (on a road or highway)

Les policiers ont fermé la voie gauche pendant deux heures.
The police closed the left lane for two hours.