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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Expression of the Day: 06

French people will ask for yours if you live here and if you're a fan of rap, you can finally understand why La League incorporated this expression in their song lyrics.

Published: 5 July 2019 17:13 CEST
French Expression of the Day: 06
Photo: Depositphotos
Why do I need to know 06?
 
If you live in France and have a French mobile phone number, chances are potential lovers, business partners, or friends will ask you for your 06.
 
What does it mean?
 
The expression 06 refers to the fist two digits of a French mobile number. Although +33 is the country code, 06 is specific to mobile phones. So when an acquaintance asks for your 06, he or she wants to have your mobile number.
 
Once you incorporate 06 into your vocabulary, many will have the impression that you do live in France or at least have stayed here for a while.
 
Examples:
 
Donne-moi ton 06 pour qu’on puisse se capter parfois. – ‘Give me your cellphone number so that we can hang out sometime.'
 
Tapez ton 06 pour prendre un rendez vous. – ‘Type your number to book an appointment.'
 
C’est qui ce mec? Il est beau gosse, mais je ne pense pas qu’il veuille mon 06. – ‘Who is that guy? He’s really attractive, but I don’t think that he’ll want my phone number.’
 
Where does it come from?
 
The origin of 06 is unclear but according to some sources it was created by young people living in the banlieues (France’s northeastern suburbs, in particular).
 
The expression has grown so popular in the suburbs that La League created a song after it (see below).
 

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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Expression of the Day: Faire du lèche-vitrine

This French expression might come in handy in the weeks leading up the bi-annual 'soldes'.

Published: 31 May 2024 11:08 CEST
French Expression of the Day: Faire du lèche-vitrine

Why do I need to know faire du lèche-vitrine?

Because you might opt for this if your bank account is running a little low.

What does it mean?

Faire du lèche-vitrine – roughly pronounced fair doo lesh vih-treen – translates as ‘to do the window licking’. 

If your friend suggests this for a Saturday afternoon activity, do not worry – it’s not to be taken literally. The phrase is the French equivalent of ‘window-shopping’ in English.

In France, people have been using this expression since the 20th century. Before that, in the 19th century, the word lécher took on a second meaning of ‘to brush against’, in addition to ‘passing one’s tongue over something’.

As for window shopping, the French expression gives the image of a person who is so enthralled with the items shown in the shop windows that they are close enough to the glass to lick it.

If you want a synonym for this expression, you might say on va flâner dans les magasins (we are going to leisurely walk around the shops).

There are a few other French expressions that use lécher – such as lécher les bottes à quelqu’un (to lick someone’s boots, or overly flatter them).

Use it like this

Mon compte en banque est presque vide. Je ne peux me permettre que de faire du lèche-vitrine. – My bank account is almost empty. I can only afford to window-shop.

Ma grand-mère adore faire du lèche-vitrine le samedi après-midi. – My grandmother loves window-shopping on Saturday afternoons.

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