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Quiz about How do you say that in English

How do you say that in English? Quiz

Here are some French phrases used in everyday English. The quiz looks for the literal translation. For example: Bonjour = good day, not hello or howdy. So...Bonne chance!(hint: The French word will be in quotation marks and no accent marks

A multiple-choice quiz by grisham. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
grisham

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
332,915

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
11 / 15

Plays
2100

Last 3 plays: claudecormier1 (14/15), Guest 24 (8/15), Guest 72 (14/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. "Bienvenu" in French is a greeting. What would be the translation? (Don't forget we are looking for a literal translation in this quiz.) Hint

Godspeed

Good evening

Good bye

Welcome

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Question 2 of 15

2. A 'tete a tete' is loosely translated as a meeting. What does it actually mean? Hint

Tea to tea

Head to head

Toast to toast

Coast to coast

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Question 3 of 15

3. At a party in the U.S., you might be served with "hors d'oeuvres". What does that l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y mean? Hint

Outside of the work

Appetizer

Hurry the opening

Horse feathers

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Question 4 of 15

4. After the hors d'oeuvres, you may be invited, if you're visiting in America, to partake of the "entree", the main course. What is the literal translation? Hint

In a tree

Interred

On a tray

Entry

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Question 5 of 15

5. For dessert you are served an "eclair". What does the word eclair mean? Hint

Cream

Lightning

Pastry

Equal

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Question 6 of 15

6. "Pas de deux" refers to something in dance. What does it mean literally? Hint

Not for two

Step of two

Dad's deuce

Potted dough

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Question 7 of 15

7. When a magician pulls a rabbit from the hat he will often say "voila". What does that mean? Hint

Magic

There

I did it

Rabbit

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Question 8 of 15

8. "L'etat c'est moi" was a famous quote, generally attributed to King Louis XIV. It did not ingratiate him to his loyal servants. What does it mean? Hint

MIght makes right

The state is me

Knowledge is power

I am always right

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Question 9 of 15

9. "Eau de Cologne" (perfume - for those of us uncultured people) means what? Hint

Cologne beauty

Colony water

Water from Cologne

A loan from Cologne

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Question 10 of 15

10. "Detente" was an integral part of American foreign policy for years. What does it really mean? Hint

Distant

Sit in "da tent"

Distend

Relaxation

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Question 11 of 15

11. That feeling of having experienced something previously is described as "deja vu". What would be the literal translation? Hint

Viewpoint

Already seen

Dijon mustard

Felt weird

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Question 12 of 15

12. An "au pair" is a kind of full-time parents' helper in the house, though usually concentrating on child care. What does it literally mean? Hint

Pear tree

Pair off

On par

A deuce

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Question 13 of 15

13. "C'est la vie" is often said as a means of coming to terms with a particular situation. What does it really mean? Hint

Silly of me

That's life

It's lovely

It was on tv

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Question 14 of 15

14. "Fait accompli", an oft-used expression meaning that something is already finished or completed, means what? Hint

Fiction composition

Complied fully

Fat's accomplice

Done deed

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Question 15 of 15

15. "Joie de vivre" describes what feeling? Hint

Vivi's game

Josie's friends

Joy of life

Joe's life

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 24 2024 : claudecormier1: 14/15
Dec 22 2024 : Guest 24: 8/15
Nov 24 2024 : Guest 72: 14/15
Nov 02 2024 : mazza47: 15/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Bienvenu" in French is a greeting. What would be the translation? (Don't forget we are looking for a literal translation in this quiz.)

Answer: Welcome

I highly doubt if 'woohoo' or 'howdy' existed when this word was first being used.
In Italian, benvenuto; in German, Willkommen; in Hebrew, Baruch Habba, etc. There is a great song from the movie Cabaret - "Wilkommen, Bienvenu, Welcome...la-di-da"

2. A 'tete a tete' is loosely translated as a meeting. What does it actually mean?

Answer: Head to head

Two are better than one King Solomon said. It should go true for 'heads' as well (unless they're butting).

3. At a party in the U.S., you might be served with "hors d'oeuvres". What does that l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y mean?

Answer: Outside of the work

1. In other words, not included in the main course. 'Oeuvre' usually refers to creative work.
2. Truth is, I'm not sure why it's 'outside the course'. I find that after tasting about 427 hors d'oeuvres, I really am not hungry for the meal.
3. When I was much younger, I had always thought it was spelled 'auderves' and couldn't figure out why I couldn't find it in the dictionary.
4. And, yes, when i wrote the choices I did have Marx Brothers on my mind.

4. After the hors d'oeuvres, you may be invited, if you're visiting in America, to partake of the "entree", the main course. What is the literal translation?

Answer: Entry

I was always confounded as to why entree should mean the main course and not the first course or appetizer. Apparently the French aristocracy used to make a whole presentation of the main course. The kitchen staff would 'enter' the main hall to display the fine food to be served as the main course. Hence, the word entree.
if you don't like that answer,here is a link to a site that tries to explain how entree came to mean main course in America.
http://www.takeourword.com/TOW114/page2.html

5. For dessert you are served an "eclair". What does the word eclair mean?

Answer: Lightning

It may hit your tastebuds like lightning, but it isn't lightening your calorie intake!

6. "Pas de deux" refers to something in dance. What does it mean literally?

Answer: Step of two

A dance for two dancers would be the meaning of this phrase. Never learned dance myself, but that's what it is.

7. When a magician pulls a rabbit from the hat he will often say "voila". What does that mean?

Answer: There

I don't think they taught this at Hogwart's. It is actually a contraction of two words - vois la - see there.

8. "L'etat c'est moi" was a famous quote, generally attributed to King Louis XIV. It did not ingratiate him to his loyal servants. What does it mean?

Answer: The state is me

This statement, generally attributed to him, could be construed as being in tune with his actions of centralizing rule away from feudal lords.

9. "Eau de Cologne" (perfume - for those of us uncultured people) means what?

Answer: Water from Cologne

Eau de Cologne - from one of the largest cities in...Germany - yes Germany. I, too, thought that it was in France because of the spelling. It is actually spelled K�ln in Germany and it is where perfume was claimed to have been first 'discovered' by an Italian chemist, Johann Farina. I have some difficulty accepting that claim that it was discovered just then since perfumed water was also mentioned in Talmudic literature as early as the 4th century.

On a lighter side, one of my favorite cartoon characters when growing up was a skunk named Odie Calonie. It took me years to understand that it was a play on Eau de Cologne.

10. "Detente" was an integral part of American foreign policy for years. What does it really mean?

Answer: Relaxation

The word "detente" comes from the verb "detendre" which means to ease, loosen, slacken or relax.

11. That feeling of having experienced something previously is described as "deja vu". What would be the literal translation?

Answer: Already seen

Interestingly, the Crosby, Stills song, 'Deja vu', never actually uses the words deja vu - though it does sing of the phenomenon.

12. An "au pair" is a kind of full-time parents' helper in the house, though usually concentrating on child care. What does it literally mean?

Answer: On par

This kind of arrangement has the au pair, often from overseas, living as a member of the family - eating, sleeping and traveling with them.

13. "C'est la vie" is often said as a means of coming to terms with a particular situation. What does it really mean?

Answer: That's life

Ooooophhh - I can't think of interesting info to add here. C'est la vie!

14. "Fait accompli", an oft-used expression meaning that something is already finished or completed, means what?

Answer: Done deed

Fait - meaning deed or fact. Faire - the infinitive meaning to do or to make. not much to add here - it is a fait accompli.

15. "Joie de vivre" describes what feeling?

Answer: Joy of life

Something I wish for all of you who took this quiz. Though if you're in fun trivia chances are you already know something about this. Smile everyone and have a great day!

Source: Author grisham

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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