Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
Today’s French Word of the Day is franc (feminine franche), an adjective meaning “honest” or “frank”.
Meaning
Pronunciation with IPA
Example sentences
Meaning
“Franc” (feminine: “franche”) is a French adjective meaning “honest,” “frank,” “open,” or “candid.” The lesson also mentions the related adverb “franchement” (frankly, honestly) and differentiates it from “le franc,” the former French currency.
Pronunciation
Example sentences
This first sentence uses été, which is the past participle of être (to be) and also means summer.
Philippe a toujours été très franc avec ses amis.
Philippe has always been very honest with his friends.
This sentence uses franche, the feminine form of franc. The preposition envers means towards a person, not to be confused with vers (towards a place). The verb dire means both to say and to tell.
Sylvie est très franche envers son patron et dit toujours la vérité.
Sylvie is very honest towards her boss and always tells the truth.
This sentence uses franchement (frankly, honestly), which is the adverb form of franc. The verb passer (to pass) in the reflexive form (se passer) means to happen or to occur.
Franchement, je ne comprends pas ce qui s’est passé.
Frankly, I don’t understand what happened.
This final sentence uses le franc, which was the currency used in France until 2002. This lesson explains how to say the year in French, which can cause confusion for many students. Arrêter de + infinitive means to stop doing an action.
Les Français ont arrêté d’utiliser le franc en deux mille deux.
The French stopped using the franc in 2002.
Related words
- Honnête (adjective) honest.
- Sincère (adjective) sincere.
- Direct(e) (adjective) direct, straightforward
- Ouvert(e) (adjective) open-minded
Related lesson
