Today’s lesson examines the masculine noun régime, which means both diet and governmental or political system or regime. The Modern French régime comes from the regimen (control, steering, direction) and regere (to rule, guide, direct) in Latin. A related English word is regiment (military unit, to organize rigidly).

le régime

diet

Pronunciation [ʀeʒim]

Le régime – diet

Example sentences

For this first sentence, the adverb trop means too or too much. In the passé composé, it comes between auxiliary verb and past participle. To go on a diet in French is suivre un régime, literally “to follow a diet”.

J’ai trop grossi et j’ai pris la décision de suivre un régime. Plus de sucre !

I gained too much weight and made the decision to go on a diet. No more sugar!

For this second sentence, l’Ancien Régime or “old order” refers to the political and social system of France leading up to the French Revolution. Translations for au cours de include in, during, over and during the course of.

Nous avons étudié tous les rois de l’Ancien Régime au cours de l’histoire.

We studied all of the kings of the ancien régime throughout history.

Related lessons

References

Word of the Day archive | Lessons by David Issokson

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven 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 lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

See Full Bio