Ah, Valentine’s Day—the season of love, chocolates, and, if you’re a language enthusiast, an opportunity to appreciate how romance influences the way we speak. 💕
Did you know that some of the most charming, passionate, and even scandalous words in English love stories actually come from French? Whether you're writing a heartfelt message, planning a romantic rendezvous, or simply expanding your vocabulary, understanding the French origins of English romance can be both fun and useful.
If you're looking to improve your fluency and add a bit of je ne sais quoi to your conversations, these words might just be the perfect place to start!
💌 Words of Love and Romance
Fiancé(e) – Love with a promise 💍
History: Borrowed from French in the 19th century, fiancé(e) literally means “promised.”
Modern Usage: In English, we keep fiancé (masculine) and fiancée (feminine), just as in French. Fun fact: in everyday French, un fiancé or une fiancée often implies a formal engagement, whereas in English, the term is sometimes used more casually.
Rendezvous – A romantic or secret meeting 🕰️
History: Entered English in the 16th century, meaning “appointed meeting place.”
Modern Usage: While English uses it mostly for romantic dates or spy meetings, in French, un rendez-vous can simply mean any appointment—even a doctor’s visit!
Adore – More than just “like,” but not quite “love” 💕
History: From Old French aorer, meaning “to worship.”
Modern Usage: In English, “adore” suggests deep affection. However, in French, adorer can be more casual, like “J’adore le chocolat” (I love chocolate).
💘 Flirting & Dating Words (Ooh là là! 😘)
Flirt – The art of charming conversation 😉
History: Comes from Old French fleureter, meaning “to speak sweetly” or “to chat with little flowers.” 🌸
Modern Usage: In English, flirting is playful and fun. In French, while flirter exists, a more common word is draguer (to hit on someone).
Crush – A fleeting obsession or admiration 😍
History: Possibly adapted from French croche (hook), suggesting something that catches hold of you.
Modern Usage: In English, a crush is an infatuation. In French, people say “avoir un béguin” to describe having a crush.
💔 The Drama of Love: Breakups & Heartache
Liaison – More than just a relationship! 🔥
History: From Old French liason, meaning “connection” or “tie.”
Modern Usage: English uses this word for secret or scandalous love affairs (a romantic liaison). In French, it can mean any link or connection—even between words in pronunciation!
Je Ne Sais Quoi – That something special you can’t describe ✨
History: Borrowed in the 17th century, originally referring to an indefinable charm.
Modern Usage: English speakers use this to describe an alluring quality. French speakers use it the same way, but also in everyday contexts.
📚 Did you know? In an E-learning English course, you can develop this same je ne sais quoi in your spoken English, making conversations smoother and more natural.
🤩 Fun Fact!
Did you know that “silhouette” also comes from French? It was named after Étienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister, because of his penny-pinching ways—people started calling cheap portrait cutouts “silhouettes” as a joke!
🎯 Vocabulary Quiz!
Test your knowledge! Match the French-origin word with its meaning.
Rendezvous
Fiancé(e)
Liaison
Flirt
Je ne sais quoi
a) A mysterious, hard-to-describe charm
b) An engaged person
c) A playful way to show romantic interest
d) A planned meeting (romantic or secretive)
e) A romantic or scandalous relationship
(Answers at the bottom!)
🏹 Translation Challenge: French Love in Action!
Can you translate this English sentence into French using the words we discussed?
👉 “Tonight, I have a rendezvous with my fiancée , and she has such a je ne sais quoi**. I** adore her, but I hope she doesn’t still have a crush on her old flirt**!”**
(Try before checking the answer! 😏)
💡 Final Thoughts: Love and Language
French has long been called the language of love, and as we've seen, English has borrowed plenty of that romance. Whether you're planning a rendezvous, expressing admiration, or just fascinated by how languages evolve, knowing these words will add a little flair to your conversations.
And if you’re looking for help to refine your vocabulary and pronunciation, exploring words like these is a fun way to start. 💘
Which French-origin word surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 😊
📝 Quiz Answers:
1-d, 2-b, 3-e, 4-c, 5-a.
🇫🇷 Translation Challenge Answer:
“Ce soir, j’ai un rendez-vous avec ma fiancée, et elle a un vrai je ne sais quoi. Je l’adore, mais j’espère qu’elle n’a plus un béguin pour son ancien flirt !”
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