Le Voyage de Monsieur PerrichonParte 11 de 12

Par exemple! generally expresses surprised indignation; literally, «For an instance (of something extraordinary, this is such an instance).» Translate by such an equivalent as Well, I declare! But sometimes (e.g. Act III, Sc. I) it is less strong, and introduces an exception to what has come before: e.g. «Napoleon was a great general, but par exemple, he blundered in Russia.» This use is equivalent to «But on the other hand,» literally, «For an instance (of a case to which this does not apply),» and may often be rendered, But then, or Oh! but…

Que voulez-vous? a very frequent expression of half-apology, «What could you expect?» «What was I to do?» «How could I help it?» etc., and is generally accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders and by a turning outward of the palms of the hands.

Saperlotte! a humorous exclamation of surprise, in line with, but stronger than, Sapristi! Often equivalent to Gee whiz!

Sapristi! (a euphemism for «per sanguinem Christi») is a mild and always humorous expression of surprise. Parallel to our Gee!

Soit! (Sound the final «t») All right! literally,«So be it!»

Tiens! (1) Take this! Here! (2) See this! See! (3) (the same as the second use, only addressed to one's self) Hello! Why!

Tenez! has the same first and second meanings as Tiens above, but is never used in the third, as no one would address himself in the plural of politeness.

Très bien! All right!

Voyons! often used to soothe or pacify, Come, come!

VOCABULARY

NOTE.—The articles, personal pronouns, possessive adjectives, and, in general, words the spelling and meaning of which are alike, or very nearly so, in English and in French, have usually been omitted.

A

à, at, to, in, with, for. abasourdi, dumfounded. abdiquer, to abdicate. abîme, m. abyss, pit. abord, m. d'——, first, at first, in the first place. abréger, to abridge. abrupt, steep. absence, f. absence. absolument, absolutely. accepter, to accept. accident, m. accident. accompagner, to accompany. accorder, to grant. accourir, to run up. acheter, to buy. achever, to finish. acquérir, to acquire. acquitter; s'—— de, to pay. acte, m. act. actif, active. action, action, share (of stock). adieu, farewell. administration, f. company, office; —— des douanes, custom-house. admirable, wonderful. admirer, to admire, to wonder at. adresse, f. address. adresser, to address; s'——, to apply. adversaire, m. adversary. affaire, f. affair, business (also pl.), papers. affiche, f. time-table (posted up in the station). affolé, gone crazy. affreux, awful. afin de, in order to; —— que, in order that. agacer, to irritate. âge, m. age. agent, m. servant. agir, to act; s'——, to be the question, to be the matter. agréable, agreeable, pleasant. agréer, to accept. ah, oh, ah! —— bah! «You don't say!» ; —— ça! See here! (See List of Exclamations.) ahuri, m. lunatic. aider, to aid, to help. aïe! (of pain) ouch! ailleurs; d'——, besides, moreover. aimable, amiable, kind. aimer, to love, to like; —— mieux, to prefer. ainsi, thus, for instance. air, m. air, look, manner; avoir l'—— de, to seem, to look as if. ajouter, to add. aller, to go; s'en ——, to go away, allons donc, nonsense! at last! allumer, to light. alors, then, so. amateur, m. amateur. amertume, f. bitterness. ami, m. friend; mon ——, my dear. amical, friendly. amoureux (de), in love (with). an, m. year. ancien, former, retired, ex. ange, m. angel. angle, m. corner. animal, m. stupid fellow. année, f. year. annoncer, to announce. antichambre, f. antechamber. apercevoir, to perceive. appartement, m. room, suite of rooms, flat. appartenir, to belong, to behoove. appeler, to call, to name. appointements, m. salary. apporter, to bring. appreciation, f. comment. apprendre, to teach, to learn. approcher, to draw up, to bring near; s'——, to approach. après, after, afterward, to. argent, m. money, silver. armée, f. army. arracher, to tear, to snatch. arranger, to arrange, to touch up, to patch up. arrêter, to stop. arriver, to come, to arrive, to happen. arrondissement, m. ward. arroser, to water. arrosoir, m. watering-pot. asseoir (s'), to sit down. assez, enough; —— … pour, so … as to. assignation, f. summons. assister, to help, to assist, to be present. associé, m. partner. associer, to associate, to put up. assurer, to assure, to insure. atroce, awful. attacher, to attach; s'——, to cling. attaque, f. attack. attendre, to wait, to wait for, to expect; s'—— à, to expect. attendrir, to touch, to move. attente, f. waiting. atténuer, to belittle. attrape! «one on me!» attribuer, to attribute, to ascribe. auberge, f. inn. aubergiste, m. innkeeper. aucun, any; ne … ——, no, none. au-devant de, to meet. aujourd'hui, to-day. aune, f. yard (lit. an ell). aurore, f. dawn. aussi, also, as, so. aussitôt que, as soon as. autant que, as much as, as many as. auteur, m. author. autorité, f. authority, police. autre, other, else. avance, f. advance; en ——, ahead of time. avancé, wiser than before. avancer, to advance. avant, before. avantage, m. advantage, privilege. avant-hier, m. the day before yesterday. avare, stingy. avec, with. avenir, m. future. avis, m. counsel, opinion, advice, mind. avouer, to admit, to confess.

B

bagages, m. pl. baggage, baggage-room. baisser, to cast down, to go down. bal, m. ball (party). balustrade, f. railing. banal, commonplace. banc, m. bench, dock. banque, f. bank; puffery. banquier, m. banker. barbue, f. brill. barrière, f. railing. bas, basse, low, aside. bataille, f. battle. bâton, m. stick, cane; —— ferré, alpenstock. battre, to beat; se ——, to fight. beau, bel, belle, beautiful; avoir —— …; to … in vain. beaucoup, much, many. beau-père, m. father-in-law. bénéfice, m. benefit. bénir, to bless. besoin, m. need. bête, f. animal, blockhead. bête, silly, stupid. bêtises, f. pl. nonsense. bien, m. good. bien, well, right, proper, surely, really, very. bienfait, m. benefit, kindness. bientôt, soon, presently. bienveillance, f. good-will, favor. bienvenu, m. welcome. biffer, to erase. billet, m. note, bank note, ticket. bizarre, queer. blâmer, to condemn. blesser, to wound, to hurt. blond, fair. boire, to drink. bois, m. wood. bon,-ne, good, silly; du ——, some merit; mon ——! old man! de —— heure, early; à la —— heure, that's right! bonheur, m. good fortune, happiness. bonhomme, m. fellow, old fellow. bonjour, m. good day. bord, m. bank, brink. borner, to confine. boule, f. ball. bouquet, m. bouquet, finale (of fireworks), climax. bourgeois, m. civilian, boss. bousculer, to jostle. bras, m. arm. brave, brave, good, brisé, broken, blasted. bronze, m. bronze. bruit, m. noise, rumor. brûler, to burn. brusquement, sharply, quickly. bulletin, m. baggage-check. bureau, m. desk, office. buvard, m. blotter, writing pad.

C

ça (cela), that. cabrer (se), to rear, cacher, to hide. cacheter, to seal. cachot, m. prison-cell. café, m. coffee. caisse, m. pay desk. calculer, to calculate, calotte, f. traveling cap. campagne, f. campaign. canapé, m. sofa, caner, to climb down (slang). cantonade, f.; à la ——, off (the stage). caoutchouc, m. rubber coat. capital, important. car, for. caractéristique, characteristic. caresser, to cherish, carnet, m. note-book. carrosserie, f. carriage-making business. carrossier, m. carriage-maker. carte, f. card, carton, m. bandbox. cas, m. case, esteem; faire —— de, to set store by. caser, to settle. casser, to break. casserole, f. saucepan, stewpan; à la ——, stewed. causer, to talk. cavalier, m. horseman. ce, cet, cette, ces, this, that, these, Cie (compagnie), f. company. ceci, this. céder, to yield. cela, that. celui, celui-là, that one, that man. cent, hundred. centime, m. centime (one-hundredth of a franc). cependant, yet, still, however. certainement, certainly, of course. cesse, f. intermission, ceasing. ceux, these, those. chacun, each. chagrin, m. chagrin, regret. chaise, f. chair. chambre, f. chamber, room, court (of law). change; lettre de ——, promissory note. changer, to change. chanter, to sing. chapeau, m. hat. chaque, every. charger, to load, to commission. chariot, m. truck. chaud, hot, warm. chaussons, m. pl. overshoes, arctics, felt slippers. chemin, m. road, way; —— de fer, railroad. cheminée, f. fireplace, mantelpiece. cher, chère, dear. chercher, to seek. cheval, m. horse. chevalerie, f. chivalry. chez, at the house of, in. choisir, to choose. choix, m. choice. chose, f. thing. chut! hush! chute, f. fall. ciel, m. heaven, heavens! cinq, five. cinquante, fifty. circonstance, f. circumstance. circulation; en ——, out; mettre dans la ——, to issue, to give out. citoyen, m. citizen. clair, clear. cloche, f. bell. cocher, m. driver, cabman. coeur, m. heart. coffre, m. chest, trunk. coiffer, to do the hair. col, m. collar. colère, f anger. combattant, m. fighter. combattre, to combat, to fight. combien, how much, how many. combler, to heap (with good things). commandant, m. major. comme, like, as. commencer, to begin. comment, how, what! —— donc, why, certainly! commerçant, m. merchant. commissionnaire, m. (parcels-) porter. communiquer, to communicate. compagnon, m. companion. comparaître (official), to appear. compatriote, m. fellow-countryman. complètement, completely. compléter, to finish. comprendre, to understand. compromettre, to compromise. compte, m. account, number; mettre sur le —— de, put down to. compter, to count, to expect. concerter (se), to consult. concevoir, to conceive. concierge, m. janitor. conclure, to conclude. concours, m. competition, race. conduire, to drive, to give a lift to. confiance, f. confidence, reliance. confidence, f. imparted secret, confession. congé, m. leave of absence. connaissance, f. acquaintance. connaître, to know. consacrer, to commemorate. conseil, m. counsel, piece of advice, considérablement, much. consigner, to pay in. constater, to state, to establish. contempler, to contemplate. content, glad, satisfied. contraire, contrary. contrarier, to thwart, to annoy. contre, against. convenir, to suit, to agree. convoi, m. train. corde, f. cord, rope. corps, m. body, correspondant, m. agent. corriger, to correct. côté, m. side. coulisse, f side-scene (of stage). coup, m. blow, stroke; —— de sonnette, ring. couper, to cut. courage, m, courage. courber, to bend. courir, to run. course, f. trip. courtisan, m. flatterer. cousin, m. cousin. coûter, to cost. couvert, covered. craindre, to fear. cramponner (se), to cling, to clutch cravate, f. necktie, choker. crevasse, f. crevasse. cri, m. cry, shout. crispé, clenched. croire, to believe. croiser le fer, to cross swords. cueillir, to gather. cuisinière, f cook. culbute, f. tumble. cultiver, to cultivate.

D

dame, f. lady. Dame! Why! (See List of Exclamations.) dans, in, into, with, within. danser, to dance. danseur, m. dancer, partner. davantage, more. de, of, by, from, with, out of, some, any. débarrasser, to rid. décamper, to quit. décidément, on the whole. décider, to decide, to persuade. décocher, to let fly. défaut, m. fault. défendre, to defend, to forbid. dehors, outside. déjà, already. déjeuner, to breakfast, to lunch. déjeuner, m. breakfast, lunch. délicat, delicate, delicious. demain, to-morrow. demande, f. offer (of marriage). demander, to ask; se ——, to wonder. déménager, to move (one's lodgings). demoiselle, f. girl, young lady. démontrer, to prove. départ, m. departure. dépêcher (se), to hurry up. dépense, f. expenses. depuis, after; —— que, since. déranger, to disturb; être dérangé, to be out of order. dernier, last. dérober; se —— à, to flee from. derrière, behind. dès, as early as, from. désagréable, disagreable. descendre, to put up (at an hotel), to come down (the stage). désigner, to designate, to point out. désinviter, to take back an invitation. désireux, désirous. désolé, very sorry. désormais, henceforth. dessus, over it. destituer, to discharge. deux, two. deuxième, second. devant, before; aller au —— de, to go to meet. développer, to unfold. devenir, to become. dévergondage, m. dissipation, impertinence. deviner, to guess. devoir, to owe, to have to, (I am to, etc.) dévouement, m. devotion. dévouer, to devote. diable, m. deuce. diablesse, f.; —— de, deuce of a … d'ici là, between this and then. dicter, to dictate. dictionnaire, m. dictionary. Dieu, m. God, gracious! difficile, difficult. dîner, m. dinner. dire, to say, to gainsay. direct (of trains), through, express. diriger, to direct, guide. disparaître, to disappear. disposer (se), to make ready. distingué, well-bred, refined. distrait, absent-minded. distribuer, to distribute, to give out. dividende, m. dividend. dix, ten. domestique, m. and f. servant. dominer, to lord it over. donc, then; allons ——, nonsense! at last! (See List of Exclamations.) donner, to give. dont, whose, of which, of whom. dormir, to sleep. douane, f. custom-house. douanier, m. custom-house officer. doucement, imperceptibly. douloureux, painful. doute, m. doubt. douter, to doubt; se —— de, to suspect. doux, douce, gentle, soft. douzaine, f. dozen. douze, twelve. dresser, to draw up, to lodge. droit, m. right, duty. droit, straight. droite, f. right hand. drôle, queer. duel, m. duel, dueling. durer, to last.

E

eau, f. water. éboulement, m. landslide. échange, m. exchange. échapper, to escape, to slip out. éclabousser, to bespatter. éclairer, to enlighten. éclater, to burst, to fly out (at a person). écouter, to listen; —— aux portes, eavesdropping. écraser, to crush. écrier (s'), to exclaim. écrire, to write. écriture, handwriting. effet, m. fact. effort, m. effort. effrayer, to frighten. effusion; avec ——, effusively. égal, equal, indifferent; C'est ——, all the same; ça m'est ——, I don't care également, equally. eh bien, well! élancer (s'), to rush, to dart. élégant, elegant. élever, to elevate, to bring up, to train. éloigner; s'—— de, to move away from, to leave. embarras, m. perplexity; dans l'——, left in the lurch. embrasser, to embrace, to kiss. empêcher, to prevent. emphase, m. pomposity. employé, m. official. emporter, to carry away; l'——, to win. emprunter, to borrow. empressement, m. eagerness. ému, moved. en, in, on, by, for, from, like. en, in it, of it, with it (them); some, any; from there, for that. enchaîner, to chain, to bind. enchanter, to delight. encore, still, more, besides, yet, again, too. encrier, m. inkstand. endroit, m. place. énergiquement, energetically. enfant, m. and f. child. enfermer, to shut up. enfin, at last, in short, anyhow. engager, to engage, to enter on, to begin. engraissé, fleshier. enlevez! O.K.! ennemi, m. enemy. ennuyer, to weary, to tire; s'—, to be tired, bored. enregistrer (of baggage), to check. enrhumé, with a cold. ensemble, together. ensevelir, to bury. entendre, to hear, to understand; s'——, to have an understanding. entier, entire. entourer, to surround. entre, between. entrée, f. entrance. entrer, to enter. entr'ouvrir, to half-open. envahir, to intrude, to invade. envenimer, to envenom. envers, to, toward. envie, f. notion, fancy, desire; avoir —— de, to have a mind to, to want to. envoi, m. sending. envoyer, to send. épanouir, s'—, to bloom, to beam. épée, f. sword. éperon, m. spur. éplucher des fautes, to pick holes. épouser, to marry. éprouver, to feel, to experience. espérance, f. expectation, hope. espérer, to hope. espoir, m. hope. esprit, m. mind, wit. essayer, to try. essuyer, to wipe, to dust, to mop. estimer, to esteem. estomac. m. stomach, chest. et, and. étendre, to extend, to stretch. étoffe, f. stuff, étonnant, wonderful. étonner, to astonish. étranger, m. stranger; à l'—— abroad. étrangler, to strangle, to stick in the throat. événement, m. event. éviter, to avoid. exactement, exactly, punctually. examiner, to examine. excellent, good, excellent. ex-commandant, major… retired. exemple, m. example; par ——, Well, I declare! (See List of Exclamations.) exercice, exercise, discharge. explication, f. explanation. expliquer, to explain. exprès, on purpose. extérieur, outside, exterior.

F

fâcher (se), to be vexed, to be angry. facilement, easily. facteur, m. (baggage) porter. factionnaire, m. sentry. faiblesse, f. weakness. faiblir, to weaken, to flinch. faire, to make, to do, to counterfeit; to pay, to travel; —— part, to notify. fait, m. fact, point; —— d'armes, exploit; au ——, after all; tout à ——, entirely. falloir, to be necessary. famille, f. family. fanfaronnade, f. boastfulness, bluster. fantaisie, f. fancy. fatigant, tiresome. fatuité, f. conceit. faute, f. fault. fauteuil, m. armchair. faux, fausse, false, sham; —— pas, slip. félicitation, f. congratulation. femme, f. woman, wife. fenêtre, f. window. fer, m. iron. ferrailleur, m. swashbuckler. ferré, iron-shod. feu, m. fire; —— d'artifice, fireworks. feuilleter, to turn the leaves of. fiacre, m. cab. fier, proud. fièrement, proudly. figure, f. face. fille, f. daughter, girl. fils, m. son. fin, f. end. finir, to finish. fixer, to fix, to settle. flairer, to scent. flatteur, -se, flatterer, flattering. flèche, f. arrow, bolt. fleur, f. flower. foi, f. faith; de la mauvaise ——, not straight. fois, f. time. fonctions, f. pl. duty. fond, m. rear, back, bottom. fort, strong, hard, great. fou (fol, folle), crazy. foule, f. crowd. fourrer, to stuff, to intrude. frais, fraîche, fresh, still wet. frais, m. pl. expenses, costs. franc, frank. franc, m. franc (about 20 cents). français, French. frère, m. brother. frimas, m. (poetical) eternal snows. frissonner, to quiver, to shiver. froisser, to jar on. front, m. forehead. frotter, to rub. fumer, to smoke.

G

gabelou, m. (custom-house) shark. gagner, to earn, to gain. gaiement, gayly, joyously. galanterie, f. love-making. gambader, frisk. garantie, f. collateral. garçon, m. boy, fellow, waiter; adj. single (unmarried). garde, m. guard, keeper. garde, f. care. garder, to keep. gare, f. station, terminal. gâteau, m. cake. gauche, left. gêner, to trouble, to put out. Genève, Geneva. gens, m. and f. people. gentil, nice. gentilhomme, nobleman. gérant, m. manager. glace, f. ice. glisser, to slip. gonfler (se), to swell, to inflate. gouffre, m. chasm. gourmand! m. greedy thing! goutte, f. drop. grâce, f. grace. gradé, with the rank of an officer. grammaire, f. grammar. grammatical, grammatical. grand, great, grand; ——'route, high-road. gras, -se, fat, grave, serious. gré; savoir ——, to be grateful. grincer, to grind one's teeth. grippe, f. dislike, aversion; prendre quelqu'un en ——, to take a positive aversion to somebody. grog; —— au kitsch, cherry brandy. guère; ne … ——, hardly. guéridon, m. light table. guérir, to cure. guérison, f. cure. guerre, f. war. guichet, m. (ticket), window. Guillaume, William.

H

habiter, to inhabit, to live in. habits, m. pl. clothes. habitude, f. habit. hasard, m. chance. hâte, f. haste. haut, high, loud; aloud. haut, m. height. hautement, loudly. hauteur, f. haughtiness. hein, eh? héroïque, heroic. hésiter, to hesitate. heure, f. hour, o'clock; de bonne ——, early; à la bonne ——, that's right! tout à l'——, by and by. heureusement, fortunately. heureux, -se, happy, lucky, fortunate. heurter, to bump into. hier, yesterday. histoire, f. story, talk; -s, fuss. hiver, m. winter. Holà, hello! hommage, m. homage. homme, m. man; —— de monde, gentleman. honnête, good. honneur, m. honor. huile, f. oil. huit, eight, eighth. huitième, eighth. humanité, f. mankind. humilier, to humiliate.