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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French word of the Day: Se régaler

If you enjoy enjoying things and then telling people about it, we have the word to help you show your full appreciation.

French word of the Day: Se régaler

Why do I need to know se régaler? 

Because sometimes life is great and you want to express that you’ve more than just liked something. 

What does it mean?

The verb se régaler means to treat or enjoy yourself.

Stronger than aimer, se régaler also shows that it was a pleasure. 

If your friend cooked you a lovely bœuf bourguignon, and you really want to compliment the chef, you can say Je me suis regalé – I really enjoyed it.

As with a lot in France, this word is often associated with good food and drink.

But one can also se regaler de other things.

For example: Je me suis régalé du concert  – I really enjoyed the concert

Je me suis régalé du livre  – I loved the book.

As it's a reflexive verb, you need to remember that it's je me, tu te etc and it's followed by de or du

Se régaler can also be an instruction, like when your fromager sends you off with some wonderfully smelly cheese and tells you to Regalez-vous! – Enjoy!

For more French words and phrases, check out of French word of the Day section.

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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Word of the Day: Cousinade

This French word might come up when discussing summer plans or genealogy.

French Word of the Day: Cousinade

Why do I need to know cousinade?

Because you might be able to attend one of these if you have extended family in France.

What does it mean?

Cousinade – roughly pronounced koo-zee-nad – may look similar to cassonade (brown sugar) or cuisine (kitchen), but the term does not have anything to do with cooking.

French people use it to talk about family parties or events. It is defined as a ‘family event where cousins [les cousins] are invited’. 

Depending on the family, these might be just first cousins, or it could be an even larger gathering of extended family. These often take place around holidays, or once a year in the summer-time to bring people together.

However, even though they are often used interchangeably, a cousinade is not exactly a réunion de famille (family reunion). 

The latter can bring any members of an extended family, while the former tends to focus on people with a common set of ancestors. 

People looking to learn about their heritage might organise a cousinade, for example. In 2012, over 5,000 relatives gathered for a cousinade in Vendée in France, and at the time it made the Guinness Book of World Records.

Use it like this

J’ai interrogé ma grand-tante sur notre ascendance à la cousinade l’année dernière. – I asked my great-aunt about our ancestry at the family party last year.

Ma famille est trop petite et déconnectée pour les cousinades. – My family is too small and disconnected for family reunions.

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