Patf Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 It often surprises me how different french expressions are from english. And why?One example occurred to me this evening, saying to someone that it's dark early tonight. Is it really correct to use "noir"? Surely not "foncé"?Is there a french word for "twilight"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 [quote user="Patf"]It often surprises me how different french expressions are from english. And why?One example occurred to me this evening, saying to someone that it's dark early tonight. Is it really correct to use "noir"? Surely not "foncé"?Is there a french word for "twilight"?[/quote]Twilight = crépuscule (it's a bit literary.)Foncé wouldn't work in this particular "light vs dark" context. You could use sombre though, as in "Il fait sombre tôt ce soir!" [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Pénombre?I will have to look it up now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Baudelaire "le cielSe ferme lentement comme une grande alcôve"http://poesie.webnet.fr/lesgrandsclassiques/poemes/charles_baudelaire/le_crepuscule_du_soir.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Clair said: sorry, mouse going all over the place and can't do the quoteTwilight = crépuscule (it's a bit literary.You could use sombre though, as in "Il fait sombre tôt ce soir!" Here is an expression I often use for crépuscule though I do say "il fait noir" as well.http://www.linternaute.com/expression/langue-francaise/46/entre-chien-et-loup/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Twilight - entre chien et loupI like this one[:)] (ah just seen your link Sweets) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Il fait nuit tôt ce soir, surely?Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted October 27, 2013 Author Share Posted October 27, 2013 Thanks to all - didn't think there would be so many choices.I think my neighbour will be rather shocked when I say to her "le ciel se ferme lentement comme une grande alcove" . Or "la nuit tombe doucement ce soir". When she comes to collect her dog tomorrow. [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 The Baudelaire quotation wasn't intended for practical use [:)]....just so you could click on the link and enjoy the language... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 I've just read the poem, Norman, and it is beautiful - I wonder if French people still appreciate this kind of romanticism?Moreso than Gray's Elegy, written about the same time of day.Actually I think my neighbour might recognise it because she was university - educated, but more in Spanish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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