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May 24, 2024 19 mins

Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the French Blabla podcast! I'm Caroline, your host.

Today, we're about to unwrap two cheeky and somewhat controversial gems from the French linguistic treasure chest.

These expressions are quintessential to everyday French banter, often sparking raised eyebrows and knowing smiles.

We're going to explore "putain" and "merde," two swear words in French that are sure to ring a bell if you've spent any time on social media watching humorous language learning videos.

As we delve into these popular swear words in French, remember the cultural depth and emotional weight they carry in the French language.

With today's episode, you'll understand not just the translations but the appropriate contexts to use these colorful expressions without offending native speakers.

Let’s embark on this vocabulary journey with a light heart and a mind open to the intriguing world of casual French.

Later in the episode, I’ll also introduce you to our sponsor, but first, let's dive into the linguistic nuances.

 

In this episode

  • Mastering Usage: Learn how and when to appropriately use "putain" and "merde" in daily conversation without crossing the line.
  • Contextual Flexibility: Discover the versatility of these swear words from expressing frustration to amazement, and how their impact changes with tone and setting.
  • Cultural Insights: Gain insights into the cultural acceptance of these phrases and why context matters so much in French discourse.

 

What I mentioned in this episode:

 

 

Useful Episode Resources

Grab today's goodie here.

 

 

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Want to understand when French people speak? Sound more natural? Have a better and smoother pronunciation? Well, you can do that with this free audio training. It will give you the tips and secrets to speak more like a native. Grab your FREE training here.

 

 

 

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