faire des balades

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill) W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

faire des balades

Loved this little exercise! It was really fun, and was an excellent review of several expressions (and offered some new ones to learn as well) such as:

"donner a manger aux lapins" ie. "to feed an animal"

"une tarte aux framboises" = "raspberry tart" 

"la confiture faite maison" = "homemade jam"

"se regaler" = to enjoy oneself/to enjoy a meal/to treat oneself 

"un fou de velo" = to be crazy about something - This was a new expression for me and a fun one to learn.

"faire des balades" = to take a walk or a drive

"relantir" = to slow down. I just learned this verb recently and the image of Magalie struggling to keep up with her grandpa, and him slowing down is one I won't easily forget.

Just a couple questions: 

1). About the use of "nous faisons des balades...": I am already familiar with "une balade"; "balader"; "se balader" and "faire une balade". My question is about the translation given: "...we go for long rides...". Why is the adjective "long" added in English? Can we assume that a "balade" always "long"? Also I would like to add that it is useful seeing it used for a bikeride. I have always encounter "balade" in reference to a walk or a car ride.

2). "Fou de velo". Could we have some more examples using this phrase? Would I say, for example, "Je suis un fou de nager", using the infinitive; or "Je suis un fou de natation" using the noun? "Je suis un fou de jardiner"; "Je suis un fou de jardinage"; or "Je suis un fou de jardin" ? Also, I assume that fou changes to folle for the feminine.

Thank you for your help.

Merci ! 

Asked 2 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour N. Hilary,

It is nice to see that you are learning a lot from our exercises!

1). About the use of "nous faisons des balades..."

If you had "we go for a ride", it would be translated by "nous faisons un tour" because it is generally considered shorter than "balade"

2). "Fou de velo".

You are correct that "être fou de" is followed by the noun of the activity/sport and not the verb

 

"Je suis un fou / une folle de natation" I am crazy about swimming

"Je suis un fou / une folle de jardinage" = I am crazy about gardening

I hope this is helpful

Bonne journée !

 

faire des balades

Loved this little exercise! It was really fun, and was an excellent review of several expressions (and offered some new ones to learn as well) such as:

"donner a manger aux lapins" ie. "to feed an animal"

"une tarte aux framboises" = "raspberry tart" 

"la confiture faite maison" = "homemade jam"

"se regaler" = to enjoy oneself/to enjoy a meal/to treat oneself 

"un fou de velo" = to be crazy about something - This was a new expression for me and a fun one to learn.

"faire des balades" = to take a walk or a drive

"relantir" = to slow down. I just learned this verb recently and the image of Magalie struggling to keep up with her grandpa, and him slowing down is one I won't easily forget.

Just a couple questions: 

1). About the use of "nous faisons des balades...": I am already familiar with "une balade"; "balader"; "se balader" and "faire une balade". My question is about the translation given: "...we go for long rides...". Why is the adjective "long" added in English? Can we assume that a "balade" always "long"? Also I would like to add that it is useful seeing it used for a bikeride. I have always encounter "balade" in reference to a walk or a car ride.

2). "Fou de velo". Could we have some more examples using this phrase? Would I say, for example, "Je suis un fou de nager", using the infinitive; or "Je suis un fou de natation" using the noun? "Je suis un fou de jardiner"; "Je suis un fou de jardinage"; or "Je suis un fou de jardin" ? Also, I assume that fou changes to folle for the feminine.

Thank you for your help.

Merci ! 

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