Glossary
Here are some French words and phrases used in the book, translated into English. I hope it will prove helpful, if you are like me as I was before I began writing this book. My French was poor at best when
I began writing ‘Disfigured’, but since it is set in France, I felt my characters ought to toss out a French word here and there for verisimilitude. I found on-line English to French dictionaries very helpful! And my friend Janan helped me with the rest, as she does speak French, quite well.
If you come across a French word in the book and wonder what it means, look here at my handy glossary; most of the words are here except the ones that everyone already knows, like merci.
Alors So
Après tout After all
Avant-Garde Cutting edge; the latest thing
Bien sûr que non Of course not
Bien sûr Of course
Bonne chance Good luck
Buche de Noel Traditional Christmas cake in shape of a log
C’est ca It is so
Chanteuse Female singer
Comment What
Coup de Maitre A masterstroke
D’accord I agree, alright
De rigueur required, esp. in fashion or etiquette
De trop Excessive
en dishabille Scantily or incompletely dressed, esp. in morning
en fait In fact
En plus Also, and also; as well
Entre Nous Between ourselves (just between us)
Et aussi And also
Folie a deux Unsuitable romance between 2 people
Garde-manger Pantry, larder
Hors concours Out of the running, as in love
Idée fixe An obsession
Incroyable Incredible
Je comprends I understand
Je ne sais pas I do not know
Je sais I know
Je suis votre ami I will always be your friend
à jamais
le diable The devil
le Reveillon Christmas Eve dinner
Maintenant Now
Mais Oui But of course!
Mise en scene Stage setting, placement of actors, etc.
Noel Christmas
Notaire Family attorney
Oui, c’est vrai Yes, it is true
Pied-Ã -terre Place to stay, house in the city
Poisson Fish
Robe de chambre Dressing gown
Sans doute Without a doubt, undoubtedly
Sobriquet A nickname
Soi-disant So-called
Soigné Fashionable, polished
Tout de suite Immediately, at once, quickly
Très bien Very well
Volte-face About face
Vous comprenez You understand
Vraiment Truly