I have a few little questions about English phrases translated into French. This is for a personal writing project of mine, not commercial, not for school.
* What would be French for "my friends" (plural)?
* What would be French for "my friend" when it's a male addressing a male of the same age/status?
* Is "Mademoiselles" the correct plural of "Mademoiselle"?
* I was told that "ma chère" is the term used for a male addressing a younger female, is this correct? Are there different spellings of this phrase depending on who they're referring to?
* Finally, I feel rather stupid, but is "bonhommes" a word, and if so what does it mean...?
Thank you so much for any replies, I hope someone can help.
Simple English to French
Moderators: kokoyaya, Beaumont
Re: Simple English to French
Hi,
* What would be French for "my friends" (plural)?
mes amis (if only girls: mes amies)
* What would be French for "my friend" when it's a male addressing a male of the same age/status?
Mon ami: formal
Mon copain / mon pote: younger people
* Is "Mademoiselles" the correct plural of "Mademoiselle"?
No, it's mesdemoiselles
* I was told that "ma chère" is the term used for a male addressing a younger female, is this correct? Are there different spellings of this phrase depending on who they're referring to?
You can say that, but it's very formal. It can be used in letters for example (My Dear Kelly, ... -> Ma chère kelly, ...)
If it's addressed to a female, it's always spelled this way. If addressed to a male: mon cher
* Finally, I feel rather stupid, but is "bonhommes" a word, and if so what does it mean...?
bonhomme is old fashioned, it means guy, man, but it is still seldom used.
* What would be French for "my friends" (plural)?
mes amis (if only girls: mes amies)
* What would be French for "my friend" when it's a male addressing a male of the same age/status?
Mon ami: formal
Mon copain / mon pote: younger people
* Is "Mademoiselles" the correct plural of "Mademoiselle"?
No, it's mesdemoiselles
* I was told that "ma chère" is the term used for a male addressing a younger female, is this correct? Are there different spellings of this phrase depending on who they're referring to?
You can say that, but it's very formal. It can be used in letters for example (My Dear Kelly, ... -> Ma chère kelly, ...)
If it's addressed to a female, it's always spelled this way. If addressed to a male: mon cher
* Finally, I feel rather stupid, but is "bonhommes" a word, and if so what does it mean...?
bonhomme is old fashioned, it means guy, man, but it is still seldom used.
«C'est une triste chose de songer que la nature parle et que le genre humain ne l'écoute pas.» Victor Hugo
I wouldn't say it's a common one, but it definitely is a misspelling.
Besides, although I can't speak for every French-speaking region, I'd like to point out that it isn't that "old fashioned" or obsolete here in Canada - kids still use that word to refer to many things, ranging from toy figures (EDIT: fixed. how on earth did I let such a mistake as "figurings" slip through... go figure.) to comics on TV. Also, adults also use it as a familiar word to talk about a younger man, and then there's the interjection "beau bonhomme !" which means more or less "what a good looking man!".
Hope that helped. :p
Besides, although I can't speak for every French-speaking region, I'd like to point out that it isn't that "old fashioned" or obsolete here in Canada - kids still use that word to refer to many things, ranging from toy figures (EDIT: fixed. how on earth did I let such a mistake as "figurings" slip through... go figure.) to comics on TV. Also, adults also use it as a familiar word to talk about a younger man, and then there's the interjection "beau bonhomme !" which means more or less "what a good looking man!".
Hope that helped. :p
Last edited by dYShock on 16 May 2008 01:01, edited 3 times in total.
Si, ayant frappé ton prochain sur une joue, il te tend l'autre, frappe-le sur la même, ça lui apprendra à faire le malin. ~François Cavanna
Don't mention it.tehuti88 wrote:Thank you all very much! I greatly appreciate it!
Also, I edited my other post. It seems like I do make embarassing mistakes sometimes... Must've been tired. :p
Si, ayant frappé ton prochain sur une joue, il te tend l'autre, frappe-le sur la même, ça lui apprendra à faire le malin. ~François Cavanna