Written by Gabriela Estrada

A good way to improve your French is to get to know the cultural richness of the language through its idioms. idioms. This involves a bit of research into the history of a French-speaking region and the oral tradition of its people. It may seem like a long or complex task, but it is not. In reality, it is enough to common everyday phrases to learn. everyday phrases is enough to learn. Moreover, this is a good way to expand your vocabulary and start speaking like a native speaker.

In today's blog, I'll take you on a walk through some fixed expressions of Canadian French that are not deductible at first glance. Read with me to the end and discover some idioms that will lead you to speak this language like a native. Let's get started!

What are idioms?

An idiom is a fixed expression, specific to a language, whose meaning is not literal. These expressions are used in the context of informal or colloquial conversation. For example, Hispanics often use the phrase "de armas tomar.De armas tomar"to refer to a brave or enterprising person and not necessarily to a violent person who picks up a firearm.

When we converse among Hispanics, we understand each other quickly, but if a foreigner hears the above phrase, he will probably understand it in its literal sense. The same is true in the context of learning French. To speak this language like a native, it is necessary to get involved in their culture and begin to discover why they express themselves in a typical way when conversing. Let's take a look at some French idioms in Canada.

Canadian French idioms

For the purposes of learning French, it is important to keep in mind that many common expressions used by native speakers reflect their way of thinking about the world and life in general. For example, in:

• C'est la vie (that's life). A way to define in a few words the most complex events of life.

• Ça marche! (everything is going well). This expression is used to give consent to something particular.

• Il mouille à boire debout (it rains so much that you can drink standing up). This is a typical expression from Quebec, where rain can be intense. The image it evokes is that the water falls with such force that you could drink it without having to bend down.
• Faire frette (make frette). Frette is a deformation of the French froid (cold). It is a quebequismo that reflects the harshness of winter in the region.

• Avoir la dent sucrée (to have a sweet tooth). This expression comes from the Québécois' traditional taste for desserts and sugary food, especially for the sirop d'érable (maple syrup), which is a cultural symbol in Quebec.

There are words and/or phrases that are used in Canada and in France with a different meaning. A common word is dépanneur. In Quebec, it refers to a a neighbourhood store or small grocery store, while in French in France it refers to a person who does repairs, such as a mechanic or an electrician. person who does repairs, such as a mechanic or electrician.

In Montreal, it is common to use the verb magasiner (commerce) to go shopping, but the French construct the same action in a more elaborate and literal way, thus: faire du shopping.

Fun facts about Canadian French

French is is one of the two official languages of Canada, the main one being English. Its presence in the country dates back to French colonization in the 17th century, and it remains an essential part of the nation's cultural and linguistic idiosyncrasies.

Canadian French is also known as Québécois French, since in the province of Quebec French is the only official language and is so important to the local government that it even has specific laws protecting and promoting its use.

The federal and provincial governments offer immigration schemes exclusively for francophones, for example, the newly created in 2023, Mobilité Francophone, which requires an intermediate level on the Canadian scale, often reflected in language requirements such as CLB 5, which is why it is so valuable to expand vocabulary and use it fluently in everyday conversation.

Another curious fact about Canadian French is that it differs from French in French in Canada is the notable differences with respect to French in France, both in terms of pronunciation and vocabulary. These differences are due in part to the influence of English and the independent evolution of the language in Canada, not to mention the multilingualism of a country that welcomes so many foreigners from around the world.

However, grammar in writing maintains the formal rules proper to any language; it must be taken into account that the greatest variations in a language usually occur in the meaning of its oral expressions, which are those that are transformed over time when speaking, listening and using them in everyday life. 

How to learn Canadian French?

Learning typical idioms and phrases to speak Canadian French is an excellent strategy that helps to get involved in the local culture. From reading books, news, even social networks of French-speaking public figures, listening to radio programs and podcasts in native French, to starting a French course designed with a French-Canadian curriculum.

At Planeta Immiland, we offer French and Canadian English courses and we use strategies designed to involve the student in the daily life of Canada, so they learn much faster the level and type of language they need, whether it is for academic, work, immigration or personal purposes.

Canadian French courses with Planet Immiland

Our school manages a migratory approach that leads you to learn the language according to your specific needs.

We offer the course: French from scratch

• This program is based on Canadian education and migration standards.
• Manages a communicative approach.
• The theory implemented is constructivist.
• Teaches the communication skills necessary for life in Canada.
• It is It focuses on the four main skills of FSL: speaking, reading, writing skills: speaking, reading, writing and listening.

In addition, we teach French in order to to successfully apply for the Mobilité Francophone.

This is the Intensive French course

• It consists of 15 weeks per course.
• It implements the most advanced theories and methodologies in the teaching and learning of French as a second language (ESL) with its typical idioms and expressions.
• It focuses on students interested in the Mobilité Francophone immigration program.
• The objective is to obtain the CLB 5 level of French. (A CLB 5 level plus the job offer allow to apply to the program).
• Develops skills to discuss and express opinions on current issues.
• Learn to read and write simple texts such as informal e-mails and service notes.

Learning French with its idioms from level zero can quickly lead you to speak the words naturally and confidently. The best thing to do is to study the language with certified, bilingual and/or native-speaker teachers who are familiar with the daily reality of Canada.

Would you like to learn more French idioms? If you would like to learn more about our courses, please visit: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/cursos-frances

I hope this linguistic tour has been to your liking! Thanks for reading. See you in the next blog.

With love, 

Planeta Immiland Education