French 80s Commercial for Famille Ducoeur Toy

This is an French TV commercial from the 80s for a kids toy called la Famille Ducoeur by Mattel. The commercial offers some basic vocabulary for the playground (l’aire de jeu). There are also some fun adjectives – épatant (marvelous) and rigolo (fun, amusing).

commercial text and translation

  • Voici la Famille Ducoeur.
    Here’s the Ducoeur Family.
  • La Famille Ducoeur, c’est la famille du bonheur.
    The Ducoeur Family is the family of happiness.
  • La Famille Ducoeur aime les promenades en tandem.
    The Duceour Family likes to outings in tandem.
  • Les bébés sont heureux de jouer dans l’aire de jeux.
    The babies are happy to play in the playground.
  • Le tobaggan, c’est épatant.
    The slide is marvelous.
  • Le cheval, c’est rigolo.
    The horse is fun.
  • La balençoire va très haut.
    The swing goes very high.
  • La Famille Ducoeur, c’est la famille du bonheur.
    The Ducoeur Family is the family of happiness.
  • La Famille Ducoeur et l’aire de jeux par Mattel.
    The Ducoeur Family and playground by Mattel.

vocabulary and grammar of interest

  • Les bébés sont heureux de jouer – this is être adjective + de + infinitive. E.g., Je suis heureux d’être ici. I’m happy to be here.
  • épatant (adj.) – translates to marvellous, smashing, cracking. In older language translates to generous.
  • rigolo (adj.) – translates to funny or amusing. Synonyms are drôle and amsuant.
  • l’aire de jeux – translates to playground. Another word for playground is le terrain de jeu.

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About David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.