Q&A Forum

Not sure who to ask this question, or if it is the wrong box.

How is that I can read French, paper, books etc, but have problems with speaking and writing the language.

I really would like an answer as my feedback is not really helpful

Bonjour,

Was wondering about the word frais since it means fresh. I thought that fresh fruit would be similar to saying l'enfant est frais. Or would I be wrong in my following examples. 

Le fruit est frais

The fruit is fresh

L'enfant est frais

Can I also say

Le frais Enfant

The fresh kid

Thanks

Nicole

Quelle chanson sucrée!  :)

Nous mangeons du poulet.

Nous prenons un peu de poulet.

The first sentence is "de + le poulet" but the second is "de poulet". Is this because of the "un peu" modifier? What's the rule? 

I know that with living beings we have the choice between "à qui" vs. "auquel/à laquelle/auxquels/àuxquelles". Is there any nuance in terms of formality or elegance between the use these two options?

I'm wondering why the colors do not agree with 'La jupe'. I would have thought it would be 'bleue, blanche et rouge'. Is 'bleu, blanc et rouge' invariable?

Je n'aurais pensé que l'aurais si facilement. Should je n'aurais pensé trigger the subjunctive?

'By the time my father succeeded' is translated as 'le temps que mon père réussisse'.

Could it also be 'le temps que mon père ait réussi'?

If so, are there stylistic considerations why you should chose one rather than the other?

1. According to multiple references « faire du lèche-vitrines » is invariable with the plural form of 'vitrines'. However, it appears that the 1990 rectifications accept the singular form. The plural form is still correct but is being red-lined through the 's'.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-french/window-shopping

https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais-anglais/l%c3%a8che-vitrines/46459

https://www.dictionnaire-academie.fr/article/A9I1911

2. The hint for "Some of them deliver to your door " is to use the plural form of "yours" - I think this is meant to be use the polite form, as the expected script  is « votre porte », not « vos portes »

Why does "tu me manques beaucoup" mean "I miss you very much" ?   Why does it not mean "You miss me very much" ?