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En connaître un rayon (To be really clued in)

The French expression “en connaître un rayon” translates literally to “to know a department [in a store]”. English meanings include:

  • to be really clued in
  • to know your stuff
  • to know a thing or two

French-to-French meaning is “etre calé” (to be good at something) and “savoir beaucoup” (to know a a lot).

Here’s an example sentence:

Il habite dans ces montagnes depuis plus que vingt ans. Il connaît toutes les pistes de randonees comme sa poche. En fait, on peut dire qu’il en connaît un rayon. He’s lived in these mountains for more than 20 years. He knows all the hiking trails like the back of his hand. Actually, you can say he knows his stuff.

A synonym is “s’y connaître en + subject”:

  • Il s’y connait en français. He knows a thing or two about French.

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David Issokson
David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

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