Le Soleil

Le SOLEIL
(luh soh-LAY = the sun)
Le soleil means the sun. As I write here in Canada, the days are getting longer as we move through the winter and anticipate the arrival of spring. The English word solar means "having to do with the sun," as in "solar system" (our sun and its satellites), "solar energy" (energy from the sun) and "solarium" (a place to enjoy the sun). Soleil and solar are descended from the Latin word for sun: sol.
To visit the site (with English links) of a French observatory where the sun is studied, visit: L'Observatoire de Paris

This Paris Observatory Solar Archive Site contains up-to-date photographs of the sun's activity.

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Le Dos

le dos (luh DOH) = the back

The French word for back comes from the Latin word for back - dorsum. The English word dorsal (on the back of something, as a dorsal fin on the back of a whale) is related to the French word dos.

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Le Nez

le nez (luh NAY)* = the nose

The French word for nose comes from the Latin word for nose - nasus. Related English words include nasal (pertaining to the nose), nose, and nostril. Many French and English words have a common origin in Latin.

*Please note that this pronunciation guide gives only a rough approximation of the real French sound.

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Le Pied

le pied (luh PEEAY)* - the foot


The French word for foot comes from the Latin word for foot - pedis. English words that are related are pedestrian (someone walking on foot), and pedal (something operated with your foot).

* This pronunciation guide gives only a rough approximation of the real French sound.

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La Main

la main (la MEH)* - the hand

The French word for hand comes from the Latin word for hand - manus. English words that are related are manual (as in manual labour, which means working with your hands), and manuscript (something written by hand).

* This pronunciation guide gives only a rough approximation of the real French sounds.

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Months of the Year

The French months of the year are very similar to the English months. Notice that the last four months are almost exactly like English.

We get the names of our months from the Roman calendar. Originally the first month was March, mars in French, named after Mars, the Roman god of war, who was important in such an imperialistic culture. The theory was that if you are planning to take over the world, you need to keep the war-god happy. September was then the seventh month, like the French number sept from the Latin septem for seven, October was then the eighth month, from the Latin octo for eight, November was then the ninth month, like the French number neuf from the Latin novem for nine, and December was then the tenth month, like the French number dix from the Latin decem for ten.

Learn the French months of the year:

janvier (zhahn**-VYAY) - January
février (fay-vree-YAY) - February
mars (MARS*) - March
avril (av-RIL) - April
mai (MAY) - May
juin (ZWUHn**) - June
juillet (zhwee-YEH**) - July
août (OO) - August
septembre (sep-TAHn-bruh) - September
octobre (ahk-TAH-bruh) - October
novembre (noh-VAHn-bruh) - November
décembre (day-SAHn-bruh) - December

* - pronounce this s like "s" not "z."
** - zh is pronounced like "s" in usual or "g" in beige

(Please note that the guides to pronunciation only give a rough idea of what things really sound like in French. Listen to the podcast to hear the correct pronunciation.)

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