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Month: October 2023

5 rules for when to use ‘a’ and ‘in’ in Italian

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Going to a café can be a great opportunity to sit down and listen to one of our Coffee Break Italian podcasts with a nice cup of coffee or tea. In this article we’re talking about prepositions, so do you know which preposition you’d use in Italian to talk about going to a café or being in a café?

The Coffee Break Italian Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky Italian language topics. In the latest episode Mark and Maurizio talk about prepositions and, in particular, when to use a and when to use in.

These prepositions can describe both being in a location and motion towards a place. Depending on how they are used in a sentence, a and in could be translated into English as “in”, “at” or “to”.

If this sounds confusing just now, don’t worry! In the episode, Maurizio gives us five rules to help us remember when to use these prepositions.

Read on to find out more, and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

Rule 1: use ‘a’ with cities

In Italian, the preposition a is used to describe both being in a city and going to a city. Let’s look at some examples:

Sono a Londra.
I’m in London.

Vado a Londra.
I go to London.

Abito a Roma.
I live in Rome.

Tommaso va spesso a Dublino.
Tommaso often goes to Dublin.

Rule 2: use ‘in’ with countries

The preposition in is used to talk about location and motion when it comes to bigger geographical areas, such as continents, countries, states, and regions. For example:

Tommaso va spesso in Irlanda.
Tommaso often goes to Ireland.

Oggi ci troviamo in Oregon.
Today, we are in Oregon (literally, “we find ourselves in Oregon’”).

Mi piace viaggiare in Asia.
I like travelling in Asia.

Vivete in Piemonte o in Liguria?
Do you (plural) live in Piedmont or in Liguria?

Rule 3: use ‘in’ with rooms

We also use the preposition in with rooms. Again, it can mean either “in” or “to”, depending on the context. For example:

Sto andando in cucina per preparare il pranzo.
I’m going to the kitchen to make lunch.

Vado in bagno.
I’m going to the bathroom.

Siamo in classe.
We’re in class.

Andiamo in cucina.
We go to the kitchen.

Dormiamo in camera da letto.
We sleep in the bedroom.

Rule 4: use ‘in’ with buildings

When you’re talking about being at or going to a building, you should use the preposition in. Let’s look at these examples:

Andiamo in chiesa.
We go to church.

I miei figli vanno in palestra.
My children go to the gym.

Ora sono in banca.
I’m at the bank now.

Lavorano in ufficio.
They work at the office.

We also use in when talking about places ending in -ia or -teca:

Andiamo in biblioteca.
We go to the library.

Mangiamo in pizzeria.
We eat at the pizzeria.

Rule 5: rules have exceptions!

Mark and Maurizio also mention other phrases with a and in that don’t really follow the previous rules.

Despite being a building, we always use the preposition a when we are talking about a house or home. So, a casa can mean both “in the house” and “to the house”. For example:

Sei già a casa?
Are you already home?

Other similar exceptions are school and theatre – a scuola, for example, meaning both “at” or “to the school”, and a teatro, meaning “at” or “to the theatre”. Here are some examples:

Sei ancora a scuola?
Are you still at school?

Andiamo a teatro stasera.
We’re going to the theatre tonight.

Andiamo al teatro alla Scala.
We’re going to La Scala theatre.

Another tricky one is when you go to bed. We mentioned that we say in camera da letto. However, for being “in” or going “to bed” we say a letto.

Sono a letto.
I’m in bed.

Finally, Mark and Maurizio mention some specific phrases with in in relation to going on holiday:

andare in vacanza
to go on holiday

andare in montagna
to go to the mountains

essere in spiaggia
to be at the beach

andare in campagna
to go to the countryside

essere in hotel / albergo
to be in the hotel

A visual summary and a challenge!

Siamo pronti? Let’s see if you can translate the following sentences:

Right now, I’m in the office in Milan, in Lombardy, in Italy, in Europe.
Tomorrow, I’ll be on holiday in Palermo, in Sicily, in the hotel or at the beach!

The answers are at the end, but no peeking until you have noted down your translations!

Conclusion and answers

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Maurizio on The Coffee Break Italian Show. This is the series in which we look at a range of topics for Italian learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed or our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free Italian lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your Italian. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Other than that, keep practising when to use in and a! Mastering prepositions can make a complete change to how you sound in a language and will help you be much more confident when you next travel to Italy. However, don’t worry if you make mistakes – you’ll still be understood, even if you get your prepositions wrong. The most important thing is to make the effort to communicate.

Happy Coffee Breaking!

PS. Here are the answers to the challenges:

Right now, I’m in the office in Milan, in Lombardy, in Italy, in Europe.
Adesso sono in ufficio a Milano, in Lombardia, in Italia, in Europa.

Tomorrow, I’ll be on holiday in Palermo, in Sicily, in the hotel or at the beach!
Domani sarò in vacanza a Palermo, in Sicilia, in albergo o in spiaggia!

PPS. We opened this article with the question of how to talk about going to a café and being in a café. In Italian, both “to the café” and “in the café” would be translated as al caffè.

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Converse in French like a native: choosing ‘tu’ or ‘vous’

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Learning a new language comes with its own set of interesting challenges, and for learners of French, one of these challenges is knowing when to use the informal tu and when to use the formal vous, especially if your native language is one which only has one word for “you”.

Mastering this nuance, however, is important to help you converse in French like a native. This subtle distinction can greatly affect the way you communicate with others and is a crucial aspect of French etiquette.

The Coffee Break French Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky French language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Max explore the key points related to the use of tu and vous, shedding light on the rules, the exceptions and the social context that surrounds this linguistic choice.

In this article, we are going to look at the tips they give us to be able to confidently hold a conversation in French, choosing whether to go with the informal tu or the formal vous.

Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

‘Tu’ or ‘vous’?

Before we get into when to use tu and when to use vous, we should say that while it’s an important and interesting topic for French learners, don’t get too hung up on it! The most important thing is that you are using your French to communicate, and if you use the “wrong” word for “you”, people will understand you’re a learner and will just be happy that you’re practising your French with them.

Now, let’s get into our topic. One of the fundamental distinctions in French language usage is between tu and vous. The choice between these two forms of address is not arbitrary, but rather dictated by politeness and respect.

‘Vous’: a matter of politeness and respect

  • Use vous when you want to convey politeness and maintain a certain distance in your conversation.
  • Address older individuals, people in professional settings (e.g. restaurants, shops) and strangers with vous.
  • It is a common choice when interacting with people you don’t know well or who hold a certain level of authority.

‘Tu’: reserved for family and friends

  • Reserve tu for close relationships, such as family and friends, and when addressing children.
  • The use of tu indicates a more intimate and friendly level of communication.

The plural “you”

  • When speaking to two or more individuals simultaneously, always use vous.
  • This rule takes precedence over other considerations, so vous is used in both formal and informal situations to refer to a plural “you”.

‘Tutoyer’: a checkpoint in friendship

Transitioning from using vous to tu can be a significant moment in a relationship. It reflects a closer, more intimate bond between individuals.

Often, friends in the making ask each other on se tutoie ? to establish whether they should switch to using tu. This question uses the verb tutoyer, which means “to use the tu form with”. Vouvoyer, on the other hand, means “to use the vous form with”.

Key phrase: On se tutoie ? – Shall we use the tu form with each other?

Some anecdotes

To better understand the nuances of using tu and vous in French, in this episode Mark and Max share some personal anecdotes with us, which highlight how choosing between tu and vous can be dictated by the context, even between the same two people.

Social context can influence choice

Mark tells us that he once attended a work event in France where he initially used vous during the day when interacting with colleagues. However, in the relaxed atmosphere of a restaurant later on in the evening, they switched to tu. The next day, back in the formal setting of the conference, they returned to using vous. This demonstrates how context can influence your choice.

Max talks about his teacher at school, who was also the father of a football teammate. In the classroom, he addressed the teacher as vous, but used tu when interacting on the football pitch. This example underscores how the social context can govern whether to use tu or vous.

A sign of growing up!

Max explains that, in French culture, the first time someone addresses you with vous is often seen as a moment of growing up or becoming more mature. This typically happens around the time when teenagers start to transition into adulthood.

A visual summary

Before we go, there’s one last thing to mention about tu and vous, which may have already occurred to you if you watched or listened to episode 1 of our series, and that is pronunciation! In episode 1, Mark and Max discussed the difference between the vowel sounds u and ou in French, so make sure to differentiate between the u in tu and the ou in vous. If you haven’t already seen it, you can find that episode here, and you can practise your u and ou vowels just by saying the two words for “you”!

Mastering the distinction between formal and informal language will make your experience of speaking French richer and more complete. For example, the transition from vous to tu can be a meaningful checkpoint in developing closer, more intimate relationships with native speakers.

So, whether you find yourself addressing a new acquaintance with vous or using tu with a close friend, you’re now equipped to make the right choice in your French conversations. Embracing these language subtleties will enhance your ability to connect with French speakers and immerse yourself more deeply in their culture.

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Max on The Coffee Break French Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for French learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free French lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your French. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Finally, while it may seem daunting at first, remember that with practice and experience it will become more natural. In the meantime, making mistakes is normal and native speakers will always be happy to hear you make the effort.

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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The present simple and present continuous: ‘I work’ or ‘I am working’?

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Do you know the difference between I work and I am working in English?

This can be a challenging topic for English learners, especially because many languages just have one present tense.

The Coffee Break English Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations to help you understand some difficult topics in English. In the latest episode, Mark and Josie talk about the difference between the present simple and the present continuous tenses.

They explain the rules for when to use these tenses, so hopefully this will help you understand them better.

So, let’s get started and look at the present simple and present continuous tenses. Keep reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

Present simple

I work is the present simple tense. Here is the verb work conjugated in the present simple:

I work
you work
he/she/it works
we work
they work

I don’t work
you don’t work
he/she/it doesn’t work
we don’t work
they don’t work

When to use the present simple

Now that we know the structure of the present simple, do you know when to use it?

We use the present simple when we talk about habits, routines, and things that are always true. For example, when we are talking about someone’s permanent job or career. Here are some examples:

I work as a teacher.

She works as a bus driver.

They work from home.

Present continuous

I am working is the present continuous tense. Here is the verb work conjugated in the present continuous:

I am working
you are working
he/she/it is working
we are working
they are working

I’m not working
you aren’t working
he/she/it isn’t working
we aren’t working
they aren’t working

When to use the present continuous

We use the present continuous tense when we talk about temporary actions, or actions that are happening as we are speaking or at the present moment. For example:

I’m working, so I can’t talk right now.
= action happening in the present moment

She usually works in the office, but she’s working at home this week.
= temporary action

Let’s compare

Here are some more examples where you can see the difference between the present simple and the present continuous:

I’m drinking coffee now.
I drink coffee every day.

We are speaking English at the moment.
Josie also speaks French.

I go to the cinema once a month.
This podcast is going very well!

The exception: state verbs

So far, so good! However, there are some verbs that we don’t usually use in the present continuous tense. These are called “state verbs”.

State verbs usually describe internal things like senses, emotions, and possession. So, even when we are talking about temporary actions, or actions that are happening at the present moment, we have to use the present simple, not the present continuous. For example:

I am being happy right now.
I am happy right now.

I am knowing the answer.
I know the answer.

He is wanting a coffee.
He wants a coffee.

There are lots of state verbs, so it’s a good idea to do some more research and learn some more.

Let’s review

If you found this post interesting, make sure you listen to the full podcast episode with Mark and Josie on The Coffee Break English Show. We will release more episodes soon, about some more useful topics! Subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube to learn when the next episode is available.

Plus! To get regular free English lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our email lessons. We regularly send short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your English. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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When to use ‘el’ with feminine nouns

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Have you ever wondered why there are some feminine nouns that use the masculine definite article el? You may be thinking of examples like el agua, el hambre or el aula.

You probably already know that when it comes to grammatical gender in Spanish, nouns can either be masculine or feminine. Masculine nouns use the word el to mean “the” in the singular form, while feminine nouns typically use la. So, what is happening with words like el agua?

The Coffee Break Spanish Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky Spanish language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Anabel look at a selection of words that take the article el despite actually being feminine nouns. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to use these nouns with any article or adjective, and see that it’s not as complicated as it may seem at first!

Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

Is ‘agua’ masculine or feminine?

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to noun gender in Spanish comes with words like agua (“water”), hambre (“hunger”), or aula (“classroom”) – some of the first words you may learn in the language!

You have probably learned to write el agua, el hambre and el aula, and you are not wrong! The issue comes when you assume they are masculine nouns or they always use masculine articles, because that’s not the case.

¿Qué está pasando entonces? Feminine nouns starting with a stressed a sound follow some very special rules.

When a feminine singular noun starts with a stressed a, we use el, un, algún and ningún before them.

For example:

el agua
the water

un agua
a water

algún agua
some water

ningún agua
no water

When the noun is in its plural form, we use the feminine form of the article.

For example:

las aguas
the waters

unas aguas
a few waters

algunas aguas
some waters

ningunas aguas
no waters

It’s important to keep in mind that we only use the masculine form with these nouns when we use el, un, algún and ningún before the noun. As you can see, we use the feminine form of the articles when using the plural form.

Take a look at these further examples and notice that esta, mucha and nuestra are in their feminine singular form – back to what you would expect with a feminine noun like agua.

esta agua
this water

mucha agua
a lot of water

nuestra agua
our water

¡Ojo! If we want to say “all the water”, it should be toda el agua, where the feminine form is used in toda, but we keep the masculine article el.

Indeed, when this type of noun is combined with an adjective, the adjective agrees in gender with the noun, even when using a masculine article. For example:

el agua fría
the cold water

However, if we move the adjective before the noun, then we have:

la fría agua
the cold water

In summary, el agua, el hambre and el aula might look like masculine nouns at first, but it is only to help pronunciation – in reality, they are all feminine nouns. The best way to get your head around this is to put it into practice.

Let’s practise!

Translate the following phrases into Spanish. For each one, we’ve given you the noun in brackets. You can find the answers and an explanation at the end of this article.

  1. open area (área)
  2. the bald eagle (águila)
  3. some white wing (ala)
  4. the best water (agua)
  5. the small classroom (use aulita (aula + ita) for “small classroom”)

Conclusion and answers

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Anabel on The Coffee Break Spanish Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for Spanish learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free Spanish lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your Spanish. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Finally, remember that when it comes to noun gender, while it’s useful to learn the rules and can help to give you more confidence when speaking, you’ll be easily understood even if you make mistakes!

We’ll be back soon with another interesting Spanish language topic. Until then, happy Coffee Breaking!

PS. Here are the answers to the challenges:

  1. open area (área) – área abierta
    Área     is a feminine noun.
  2. the bald eagle (águila) – el águila calva
    Águila     is a feminine noun, so the adjective calvo/a agrees with it. However, it starts with a stressed a, so we use the article el.
  3. some white wing (ala) – algún ala blanca
    The same applies here as in the previous example. However, we can also say alguna blanca ala. Since the adjective goes before the noun in this case, the article doesn’t change.
  4. the best water (agua) – la mejor agua
    The adjective mejor always goes before the noun. Since the adjective goes before the noun, the article remains as la, rather than el.
  5. the small classroom (aulita) – la aulita
    Aulita     now has the stress on the syllable –li-, so it doesn’t start with a stressed a, meaning that it doesn’t need a different article. Other options could have been: el aula pequeña or la pequeña aula.

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Saying ‘to go’ in German: ‘fahren’ or ‘gehen’?

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Most learners think of the verb gehen when they want to say “to go” in German, but that’s not always correct!

Yes, there are times when you should use gehen, but at other times we use fahren. Both verbs can mean “to go” in different contexts.

The Coffee Break German Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky German language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Thomas clarify when to use gehen or fahren. Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

Translating “to go” into German

In English, “to go” covers all methods of getting to a destination. For example, we can say:

We are going to the supermarket.

We went to Spain last week.

We are going on a holiday.

However, German requires a more nuanced approach.

When to use ‘fahren’

Usually, when a method of transport, such as car, bus, or train, is involved, then fahren would be used. Here are some examples:

Ich fahre zum Einkaufen.
I am driving / going to the shops.

Er fährt morgen mit dem Zug nach Berlin.
He is going to Berlin tomorrow by train.

Wann fährst du in den Urlaub nach Peru?
When are you going on holiday to Peru?

When to use ‘gehen’

When no method of transport is mentioned, gehen is used. It, therefore, implies that someone is walking somewhere. For example:

Ich gehe zur Post und kaufe eine Briefmarke.
I am going / walking to the post office and I am buying a stamp.

Wenn es schön ist, gehe ich zur Arbeit.
When the weather is nice, I walk to work.

Both of these examples clearly imply that the person is walking and so gehen is used.

Another use of ‘gehen’

The verb gehen is more often used in the context of going somewhere to do an activity or task, or attending something. Let’s look at these examples:

Sie gehen schwimmen.
They are going swimming.

Mein Bruder geht in die Grundschule.
My brother goes to primary school.

The second example shows how the verb gehen is used to mean “to attend”.

To distinguish between gehen and fahren, Mark uses the example:

Wir fahren morgen zum Schwimmbad. Wir gehen schwimmen.
We are going to the swimming pool tomorrow. We are going swimming.

Ready to go?

Before we go, here’s a visual summary of what we’ve learned.

As you can imagine, there is a bit of a grey area, so it’s always best to check if you are not sure. But don’t worry – you will always be understood, even if you mix up the verbs.

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Thomas on The Coffee Break German Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for German learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free German lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your German. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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CBP 1.16 | Shopping for souvenirs – Essential Portuguese shopping vocabulary

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Welcome to lesson 16 of Coffee Break Portuguese! This is the series in which we’re learning Portuguese right from the beginning, along with Rafael and Ava. The topic of this lesson is shopping. We’re learning some transactional language that will come in useful when you’re in a shop. We learn the words for different types of souvenirs, and how to ask how much things cost.

How to pronounce Italian double consonants

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Italian is renowned for its smooth and lyrical sounds. One of the intriguing aspects of Italian pronunciation lies in its double consonants – or le doppie.

In Italian, all consonants can be doubled (apart from the letter H). Even the double Q exists – soqquadro (“disarray”).

The Coffee Break Italian Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky Italian language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Maurizio share some tips on how to perfect your pronunciation of double consonants.

Mastering this phonetic feature is a way to make you sound more Italian when you speak, so continue reading to find out more, and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

The power of ‘le doppie’

Sometimes, the pronunciation of le doppie marks the difference in meaning between words. For example, notice the difference in meaning between the following words:

casa
house

cassa
box

pena
pain, suffering

penna
pen

This underscores why it is important to learn how to pronounce double consonants. Having said this, context always helps, and in most situations the person you’re speaking to will understand what you’re talking about. Even if you don’t quite pronounce le doppie correctly, most people will just be happy you’re speaking in Italian!

Tips for pronouncing double consonants

Producing the distinctive sounds of Italian double consonants requires a bit of practice. We have some tips to help you out:

Elongate the sound

When encountering a double consonant, elongate the sound while holding it in your mouth. For example, try saying sasso (“rock”), palla (“ball”) and mamma (“mum”).

Push the sound forcefully

For consonants like B, P, C, G, T and D, try pronouncing them more forcefully by pushing air through your mouth. This extra burst of air adds emphasis to the consonant. Experiment with words like babbo (“dad”) and mucca (“cow”) to feel the difference.

“Bounce” on the letter

One last tip is to imagine bouncing on the double consonant as you say the word. This mental image can help you emphasise the sound. You could even try to physically bounce on the spot to help you practise the pronunciation of double consonants!

Now, try to pronounce these two sentences. Each has the same consonant sounds, but only one has double-lettered words:

La palla è rossa.
The ball is red.

La pala è rosa.
The shovel is pink.

Regional differences

It’s important to note that sounds can also change depending on regional accents. In certain parts of Italy, vowel sounds preceding le doppie may vary.

There are rules of diction for standard Italian when it comes to the sound of vowels before le doppie, but the regional accents of many Italians might appear to contradict these rules.

The most important thing is to speak the language and then you can decide whether to adjust your vowel pronunciation depending on where you find yourself in Italy or who you are talking to.

Remember that there isn’t one specific regional variety of Italian to learn or copy – all accents and pronunciations are correct.

A pronunciation challenge

Let’s take a look at some common examples of how double consonants can change the meaning of words. Try to pronounce the following words, then listen to the podcast episode or watch the video to check how Maurizio pronounces each of them.

casa
house

cassa
till, cash desk

papa
pope

papà
dad

pappa
baby food

sete
thirst


sette
seven

cappello
hat

capello
hair

È tutto per oggi!

Keep practising your Italian pronunciation, paying attention to those double consonant sounds, and you will be well on your way to sounding more like a native speaker!

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Maurizio on The Coffee Break Italian Show. This is the series in which we look at a range of topics for Italian learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed or our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free Italian lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your Italian. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Your pronunciation will improve with practice, so keep listening to Italian songs, watching TV and films, and trying to speak it whenever you can. We’ll be back soon with more interesting discussions about learning Italian.

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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Understanding adjective placement in French: when do adjectives go before a noun?

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Adjectives play a crucial role in adding depth to your French conversations. However, understanding where to place them in a sentence can be tricky for learners.

In most cases, adjectives in French come after the noun they modify, but there are some exceptions which can make this rule seem more like a guideline.

The Coffee Break French Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations that demystify tricky French language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Max discuss how to get your head around adjective placement.

Let’s dive into the world of adjectives in French and explore when and why some go before the noun.

B.A.N.G.S.

To help you remember which adjectives go before the noun, you can use the acronym BANGS, which stands for Beauty, Age, Number, Goodness and Size.

Beauty

In French, adjectives that convey the idea of beauty come before nouns. For example:

un beau livre
a beautiful book

une belle armoire
a beautiful wardrobe

un bel oiseau
a beautiful bird

une jolie maison
a pretty house

Age

When discussing age, adjectives like vieux / vieille (“old”) come before the noun, as in:

un vieux château
an old castle

une vieille maison
an old house

Number

Adjectives related to numbers, such as premier / première (“first”) and deuxième (“second”), are placed before the noun. For instance:

le premier jour
the first day

la deuxième fois
the second time

Goodness

Adjectives like bon / bonne (“good”) and mauvais(e) (“bad”) are positioned before nouns. For example:

le bon gâteau
the good cake

la mauvaise nouvelle
the bad piece of news

Size

Adjectives describing size, such as grand(e) (“large”) and petit(e) (“small”), also go before the noun. For instance:

un grand canapé
a large sofa

une petite table
a little table

Adjectives with two possibilities

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Some adjectives can be placed before or after the noun – and their placement alters the meaning. Here are some of them. In each pair of examples, notice how the meaning of the adjective changes, depending on whether it comes before or after the noun.

ancien / ancienne

mon ancienne maison
my former house

la maison ancienne
the old house

cher / chère

Cher Mark …
Dear Mark …

un canapé cher
an expensive sofa

curieux / curieuse

une curieuse recette
a strange recipe

mon ami curieux
my curious friend

dernier / dernière

le dernier mois de l’année
the last month of the year

le mois dernier
last month

vrai / vraie

C’est une vraie Rolex ?
Is it an actual Rolex?

C’est une histoire vraie.
It’s a true story.

propre

C’est ma propre chambre.
It’s my own bedroom.

ma chambre propre
my tidy bedroom

A visual summary

In conclusion

Understanding these exceptions and nuances in adjective placement can be a huge boost in your French fluency and allow you to express your ideas more precisely.

So, whether you’re describing a beautiful landscape or discussing your dear friend, mastering the placement of adjectives will help you convey your thoughts and opinions effectively.

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Max on The Coffee Break French Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for French learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free French lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your French. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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When to use ‘do’ and ‘make’ in English

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Do you know when to use do and when to use make when you’re speaking English? This can be a difficult topic for English learners, because many languages just have one verb for do and make. In this episode of The Coffee Break English Show, we’ll do some work to help you avoid making mistakes with do and make.

The Coffee Break English Show is a podcast series of informal conversations to help you understand some difficult topics in English! In the latest episode, Josie and Mark talk about when to use do and make.

There are some rules to follow, but as Josie and Mark explain during the episode, the best way to learn when to use do and make is to learn some fixed expressions.

So, let’s get started and look at the rules and expressions with do and make. Continue reading to find out more, and why not listen to the podcast as you go!

Make

We use make when we create or produce something. The result is usually something that we can see and touch. Here are some examples:

make dinner
I’m making pasta for dinner tonight.

make lunch
Mark made a salad for lunch.

make breakfast
My grandma makes pancakes for breakfast on Sundays.

make a coffee
Would you like me to make you a coffee?

make clothes
My brother makes his own clothes – he’s very creative.

make furniture
I made this table all by myself.

Do

We use do to describe actions. Let’s look at some examples:

do homework
The children are doing their homework.

do housework (e.g. do the laundry, do the dishes)
I don’t like doing housework.

do something
I’m bored – let’s do something fun!

do anything
Did you do anything yesterday evening?

do nothing
He loves doing nothing on Sunday mornings.

Fixed expressions with ‘make’

As we mentioned before, the best way to learn when to use make and do is to learn some fixed expressions. Here are five fixed expressions with make:

make a mistake
When you’re learning a language, you often make mistakes.

make friends
I made all my best friends at university.

make a decision
We need to make a decision about where to go on holiday this summer.

make plans
Have you made plans for the weekend yet?

make a mess
Please try not to make a mess in the kitchen!

Fixed expressions with ‘do’

Now you’ve seen some expressions with make, here are five fixed expressions with do:

do your hair / make-up
It usually takes her 10 minutes to do her hair in the morning.

do an exam
I did an exam yesterday, and I passed!  

do exercise / sport
Do you usually do exercise in the morning or in the evening?

do the shopping
I’m going to the supermarket to do the shopping.

do research
She is doing research for her PhD at the moment.

Remember, there are many more expressions with make and do. It’s a good idea to make a list when you see or hear a new expression, to help you remember it.

Let’s review

If you found this post interesting, make sure you listen to the full podcast episode with Mark and Josie on The Coffee Break English Show. We will release more episodes soon, about some more useful topics! Subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube to learn when the next episode is available.

Plus! To get regular free English lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our email lessons. We regularly send short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your English. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

So, keep practising make and do! Remember that all English learners make mistakes, but people can usually still understand you. It’s all part of the language-learning journey. Why not make a coffee now and do some more research about make and do?

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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How to pronounce the R in Spanish

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The Spanish R is one of the most distinctive sounds when you listen to a native speaker.

For a learner, getting your mouth around the R might not only be challenging, but it can also be tough to know how and when to use it.

The Coffee Break Spanish Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations that demystify tricky Spanish language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Anabel dive into Spanish pronunciation and chat about how to say the letter R.

Anabel shares valuable tips on how to achieve the correct pronunciation of the Spanish R – both when simple and when rolled – and gives us some creative ways to practise it.

Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

The simple R – R you ready?

To pronounce the simple R sound in Spanish, you need to place the tip of your tongue above the back of your teeth, on the roof of your mouth. It’s the same place where you place it to pronounce a D. While you gently touch that point with the tip of your tongue to make a D sound, you have to “caress” it in order to pronounce the R.

If you are good at accents, Mark’s tip is to try saying words like “city”, “bottle” or “letter” in a New York accent. The sound made to pronounce the T in those words is very close to the Spanish R!

Now that you know how to say it, it’s important to practise. Here are some drills that will help you to master this sound:

ara – are – ari – aro – aru

era – ere – eri – ero – eru

ira – ire – iri – iro – iru

ora – ore – ori – oro – oru

ura – ure – uri – uro – uru

Once you have these, you can start practising with real words in Spanish, like:

caro
expensive

era
I was

giro
turn

huerto
vegetable garden

Pay attention to the letter combinations in the sounds and words we’ve seen so far, as this will help you to recognise when to make the simple R sound, as opposed to the strong R. When the R comes between two vowels (for example in caro) or at the end of a syllable (for example in huerto, the sound will be a simple R, rather than a strong R. We also pronounce a simple R when an R appears after a consonant, unless it’s an L, S or N (e.g brazo – “arm”).

The strong R – roll with it!

Now that we know where to place the tip of our tongue, we are going to keep it there, relax the tongue and exhale air strongly. With time and practice, the tip will move creating that double R sound. One shortcut is to try to say PR, placing your tongue in the right spot above your teeth. Then, try extending the R sound and saying prrr and brrr.

It can be tricky at first, but ¡no te preocupes! Practise as much as possible and soon you’ll have mastered the sound!

When you are able to say prrr and brrr, it’s time to practise with other drills. Try working your way through the following sounds:

ra – re – ri – ro – ru

arra – arre – arri – arro – arru
erra – erre – erri – erro – erru
ira – irre – irri – irro – irru
orra – orre – orri – orro – orru
urra – urre – urri – urro – urru

pra – pre – pri – pro – pru
bra – bre – bri – bro – bru
cra – cre – cri – cro – cru
tra – tre – tri – tro – tru
fra – fre – fri – fro – fru
dra – dre – dri – dro – dru
gra – gre – gri – gro – gru

As you may have noticed, this sound appears in Spanish when you have two Rs between vowels (e.g. perro – “dog”) or a single R at the beginning of a word (e.g. rápido – “fast”). We pronounce a rolled R when we find an L, S, or N before the R (e.g. alrededor – “around” or enriquecer – “enrich”). Note that when an R comes after any other consonant, we pronounce a simple R, rather than a rolled R.

Let’s practise!

One challenging word to practise is carretera, “road”, which contains both sounds – the simple and double R. A tip is to split it up and practise saying carre- and -tera as if they were two separate words.

Here are some trabalenguas, “tongue twisters”, to challenge yourself. You can hear Anabel pronounce these in the podcast episode. 

Like tongue twisters in any language, these are nonsense phrases! Still, in case you’re wondering, we’ve included the English translations:

Tres tristes tigres tragan trigo en un trigal.
Three sad tigers swallow wheat in a wheat field.

El carril del tren es rápido, caro y raro.
The train line is fast, expensive and rare.

El perro de Pedro rasca a la rata.
Pedro’s dog scratches the rat.

Enrico enriquece el rico arroz.
Enrico enhances the delicious rice.

Keep your Rs up!

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Anabel on The Coffee Break Spanish Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for Spanish learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free Spanish lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your Spanish. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Remember to be patient and keep on practising – ¡Recuerda ser paciente y practicar!

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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Unravelling word order in German multi-verb sentences

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Word order in German can seem unusual, especially when there is more than one verb in a sentence. However, you’ll soon find that there are some straightforward rules to follow and constructing sentences with confidence will be well within your grasp.

The Coffee Break German Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky German language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Thomas discuss some rules to follow when using more than one verb in a sentence.

This short but thorough conversation clarifies how to form multi-verb sentences with certainty.

Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

The basics of word order

Let’s look at the basics to get a clear starting point. As you may already know, the verb in a German sentence occupies the second position.

The verb may follow the subject of the sentence or an adverb of time. When after an adverb, the subject is moved into third position.

What happens with two verbs?

When there are two verbs in a sentence, one is conjugated and the other may be in the infinitive form or be a past participle.

What do we do in this case? The conjugated, auxiliary verb takes the second position. Just as its name suggests, an auxiliary verb helps out by forming part of a tense with another main verb. The main verb goes to the end of the clause or sentence.

Let’s look at this situation in more depth.

Types of auxiliary verbs

The first type of auxiliary verb Mark and Thomas mention is werden. It works together with a main verb, in the infinitive, to form the future tense.

The other auxiliary verbs they mention are haben and sein. These are conjugated in the present tense and work together with a past participle of a main verb to form the perfect tense.

The last type of auxiliary verbs Mark and Thomas look at in this podcast are modal verbs. They, too, are conjugated and placed in second position with the infinitive being placed at the end of the sentence or clause.

Examples with two verbs in a sentence

Here is an example of the future tense:

Wir werden morgen mit dem Boot nach Korsika fahren.
Tomorrow, we will travel to Corsica by boat.

This construction uses the conjugated present tense of werden in second position and the infinitive form of the main verb, fahren.

In the podcast, Mark mentions all the information given between the two verbs. There’s the time phrase, morgen. Then there’s a mode of transport, mit dem Boot. Next, there’s a location, nach Korsika, before the main verb. This is a good reminder of the word order of other parts of a sentence, i.e. time, manner, place. However, that’s a whole other video in itself!

Our second example also shows two verbs in one sentence, but this time one is a modal verb in the present tense and the other is an infinitive.

Du sollst nach dem Essen deine Hände waschen.
You should wash your hands after eating.

Sollst, the modal verb, is in the present tense, and the other, waschen, is in the infinitive. The modal verb is conjugated and takes second position, while the main verb is placed at the end of the sentence.

Our third example is in the perfect tense.

Mein Vater hat gestern Abend für uns gekocht.
My father cooked for us last night.

The auxiliary verb here is the conjugated, present tense of haben, which is paired with the past participle of the main verb, gekocht, forming the perfect tense. The past participle is at the end of the sentence or clause.

It can seem as though there’s a lot between the auxiliary verb and the main verb at the end of the clause or sentence.

Thomas gives a top tip: if you are reading in German, first look at the end of the clause or sentence to see the main verb. This helps you find out what the sentence is about.

Negation of a sentence with two verbs

Where do we place nicht if we want to make the sentence negative?

The nicht goes directly before the main verb at the end. This way it negates the whole sentence, not just one part of it. For example:

Sie werden dieses Spiel nicht gewinnen.
You (formal) will not win this game. / They will not win this game.

This sentence is in the future tense, using werden as the auxiliary verb. (By the way, gewinnen means “to win”, despite looking like a past participle since the infinitive begins with ge-. The past participle of gewinnen is gewonnen.) As you can see, the nicht is right before the infinitive, making the sentence negative.

Beginning with an adverb

Commonly, sentences begin with something other than the subject of the sentence. For example, an adverb of time can begin a sentence or clause, as we see in the example below.

Letztes Jahr sind sie mit dem Auto in den Urlaub gefahren.
Last year, they travelled on holiday by car.

The important thing to remember in this situation is that the conjugated verb, sind, still has to be in the second position, after the adverb of time, letztes Jahr. It is the subject of the sentence, sie, that moves into third position when something else comes before the first verb. The main verb, gefahren, still remains in last position at the end of the clause or sentence.

Subordinate clauses

The last construction Mark and Thomas look at is when there are two verbs in a subordinate clause, rather than a main clause. Let’s look at a final example:

Wenn du morgen arbeiten musst, dann können wir auch übermorgen schwimmen gehen.
If you have to work tomorrow, then we can go swimming the day after tomorrow.

A nice way to remember which is the subordinate clause is to think of it as the one that cannot stand alone and make sense on its own. In this example, it begins with wenn. Wenn is a subordinating conjunction and sends the verb to the end. This turns the rules we’ve learned so far on their head, as the conjugated verb, musst, is sent to the end of that clause, immediately after the main verb, arbeiten.

The other part of the sentence is a main clause and the verbs appear in the “normal” way – können is in second position and gehen is at the very end of the clause and sentence.

All in order?

Here’s a visual summary of how word order works in sentences with two verbs.

Be conscious of word order the next time you read something in German. Gradually, you will become more familiar with the rules, and correct word order will feel increasingly natural when you’re speaking German.

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Thomas on The Coffee Break German Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for German learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free German lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your German. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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Converse in Italian like a native: choosing ‘tu’ or ‘Lei’

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When you speak Italian, formality is more than just a grammatical nuance – it’s a cultural code that reflects our relationships and social contexts.

The Coffee Break Italian Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky Italian language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Francesca delve into the fascinating world of Italian formality and how to address people, choosing between tu and Lei.

This can be difficult at times, but don’t worry! Francesca and Mark share some tips – whether you want to talk to a friend, a relative, a doctor, or even the president of Italy.

Continue reading to find out more, and why not enjoy the podcast episode as you go?

Formality in Italian

Formality, in the context of the Italian language, hinges on the choice between tu and Lei – the two ways of addressing someone as “you”. This affects not just pronouns but verb conjugations as well, and choosing between tu and Lei involves recognising the nature of the situation and whether it is most appropriate to sound informal or formal.

In terms of which form of the verb to use:

tu is used in the second person singular form of the verb, for example 
tu canti (“you (informal) sing”), 
tu apri (“you (informal) open”)

Lei is used in the third person singular form of the verb, for example 
Lei canta (“you (formal) sing”), 
Lei apre (“you (formal) open”)

You might notice that Lei shares its written form with the third person singular pronoun lei (“she”), however it starts with a capital letter.

The plural you

The plural form of address is voi for both informal and formal contexts. For example:

Bambini, volete del gelato?
Children, would you like some ice cream?

Come posso aiutarvi, signori?
How can I help you, gentlemen?

A very formal plural form of address, Loro, is usually reserved for extremely formal situations, such as high-end establishments like luxury hotels.

Loro sono i signori Verdi?
Are you Mr and Mrs Verdi?

Loro voglio accomodarsi?
Would you like to take a seat?

Decoding the scenarios

  1. Strangers

    Imagine you’re meeting someone for the first time or you’re asking someone for information. In this case, the safer option is to use the formal form of address, Lei, unless the person is noticeably younger than you. Let’s say you want to catch their attention – you would say:

    Scusi!
    Excuse me! (formal)

    Scusa!
    Excuse me! (informal)

  2. Professional settings

    At workplaces or when addressing superiors, such as your boss, adopting the formal Lei is the norm. Similarly, in academic settings like schools and universities, people tend to use formal language when communicating with teachers and professors.

  3. Familiar territory

    Among friends and people you know well, the informal tu is the way to go. It conveys a sense of intimacy and familiarity.

 

Titles as indicators of formality

Formality often comes hand in hand with titles. Adding titles can be a clear sign of formality, for example:

Signore / Signora
Sir / Madam or Mr / Ms

Professore / Professoressa
Professor

Dottore / Dottoressa
Doctor

These titles show respect and set the tone for a formal conversation.

When to transition to ‘tu’

Sometimes, negotiating formality becomes an explicit conversation. The following phrases are all ways of transitioning to a more familiar or relaxed tone of conversation.

diamoci del tu
let’s use the tu form with each other (literally, “let’s give each other the tu form”)

dammi del tu
use the tu form with me (literally, “give me the tu form”)

non darmi del Lei
don’t use the Lei form with me (literally, “don’t give me the Lei form”)

Choosing between tu and Lei is a personal decision that, once made, tends to be stuck to within a conversation or even relationship (unless a transition like this happens).

Note that, while nowadays it is possible to notice a shift towards informality, the majority of Italians still prefer to use both tu and Lei, depending on the situation.

 

Regional variants

Sometimes geography plays a role in the choice of forms of address. In southern Italy, the tendency to replace Lei with voi is noticeable, echoing the French vous. For example:

Signor Turri, volete un caffè?
Mr Turri, would you like a coffee?

È tutto, signore e signori!

The choice between tu and Lei in Italian is more than just grammatical – it is also about social customs. Understanding these subtleties enables you to navigate various situations, whether chatting with friends, addressing your boss, or exploring the charming streets of Italy.

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Francesca on The Coffee Break Italian Show. This is the series in which we look at a range of topics for Italian learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed or our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free Italian lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your Italian. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

If you have conversations in Italian, the choice between tu and Lei is bound to come up sooner, rather than later. The best tip is not to stress about it. People will understand you are a learner, and the advice in this blog will give you a firm starting block.

Happy Coffee Breaking!

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Mastering French vowel sounds: ‘ou’ and ‘u’ made easy

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French pronunciation can be both fascinating and tricky, especially when it comes to vowel sounds like ou and u.

These two sounds might seem similar at first, but being able to distinguish between them will greatly help to improve your French pronunciation and comprehension, as well as your spelling.

The Coffee Break French Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we demystify tricky French language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Max break down how to pronounce ou and u in simple terms.

In this article, we are going to look at the tips they give us to be able to produce these sounds accurately, and we will also provide some words and exercises to practise.

Continue reading to find out more.

How to say ‘ou’

Max gives his tips for pronouncing ou:

Lips slightly forward

Begin by pushing your lips slightly forward.

Round your mouth

Keep your mouth in a rounded shape.

Tongue placement

Place your tongue towards the back of your mouth, but don’t let it touch your teeth.

Here are some examples of words that have this sound:

nous
we / us

vous
you (formal / plural)

bonjour
hello

How to say ‘u’

Max’s tips for pronouncing u are:

Lips slightly forward

Like ou, push your lips slightly forward.

Round your mouth

Maintain the rounded shape of your mouth.

Tongue placement

Unlike ou, this time let your tongue gently touch your bottom teeth while making the sound.

Some examples of words that have this sound:

tu
you (informal singular)

j’ai lu
I read / I have read

j’ai vu
I saw / I have seen

j’ai bu
I drank / I have drunk

Let’s practise!

Now that you know the basics, let’s practise to improve your pronunciation. In the podcast episode, Max tells us four top tips for you to get a good grasp of this pronunciation:

  1. Repeat the sounds

    Start by saying ou and u separately, repeating each sound five times. Pay close attention to your lip and tongue positions.

  2. Spelling matters

    Get familiar with how these sounds are spelled in French. This is one example of where French spelling makes perfect sense – you’ll always find ou and u representing these sounds. The pronunciation of these two sounds is the same even if there is an accent in the word, for example où (“where”) and dû (the past participle of devoir). The only small additional detail to watch out for is one word that sounds exactly like u: eu, the past participle of avoir. This is used in compound tenses like the passé composé, such as in j’ai eu (“I have had”).

  3. Use them in sentences

    Try incorporating these sounds into everyday phrases and sentences. For example, try saying:

    nourriture
    food

    tout va bien
    everything is going well

    tu vas bien
    you are well

    Tu l’as lu ?
    Have you read it?

    Manges-tu du mangetout ?
    Do you eat mangetout / snow peas?

    This will help you practise using these sounds naturally.

  4. Spot the difference

    To really grasp the nuances, work with minimal pairs – these are words that differ by just one sound. Here are some examples to practise with:

    hutte / août
    Hutte     means “hut”, while août means “August”.

    du / doux
    Du     means “of the” / “some” / “from the” / “any”, while doux means “sweet”.

    puce / pouce
    Puce     means “flea” / “computer chip”, while pouce means “thumb”.

    bulle / boule
    Bulle     means “bubble”, while boule means “ball”.

    tu le jures / tout le jour
    Tu le jures     means “you swear it”, while tout le jour means “all day”.

    la mûre / l’amour
    La mûre means “the blackberry”, while l’amour means “love”.

A visual summary

 

In conclusion

Mastering the pronunciation of ou and u in French is a journey that gets easier with practice. By understanding the basics of lip and tongue positions, using these sounds in sentences, and practising with minimal pairs, you’ll soon find yourself speaking French with more confidence.

If you found this post interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Mark and Max on The Coffee Break French Show. In this series of chats between our language experts, we look at a range of topics for French learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube.

Plus! To get regular free French lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your French. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

So, embrace the charm of French pronunciation, one vowel sound at a time.

Bonne chance and happy Coffee Breaking!

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CBP 1.15 | Numbers, days and months – Counting from 1 to 1000+ in Portuguese

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The topic of lesson 15 of Coffee Break Portuguese is numbers. Join Rafael and Ava as they count up to the thousands in Portuguese, and learn the days of the week, the months of the year, as well as some helpful phrases which use numbers and dates. We learned the numbers up to 10 in lesson 6 of our course, so if you haven’t already listened to that episode, you can find it in the Podcasts section of our website. Vamos lá!

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