Vocabulary
Things you may have learnt at school and forgotten, and other things they never taught you at school.
Most of the locals involved in the tourist industry in Courchevel and the Three Valleys speak English, but it's useful to know a few key words that crop up on signs, menus and in literature and whose meaning perhaps isn't that obvious. It's also nice to meet French people who can't speak English so you can exercise your Français, clunky though it may be!
Words are organised in categories and by logical progression, not alphabetically.
French |
English |
Ski specific: |
|
| Espace/Domain | Ski area |
| Forfait | Lift pass |
| Remontées mécaniques | Ski lifts |
| Téléski | Drag Lift |
| Télésiège | Chair lift |
| Télécabine | Bubble lift/Gondola |
| Téléphérique | Cable car |
| Piéton | Pedestrian (non-skier) |
| Pistes débutants | Nursery slopes |
| Ralentir! | Slow down! |
| Glacé | Icy |
| Secours | Rescue |
| Itinéraire | Off-piste run |
| Denivelée | Vertical drop |
| Espace ludique | Fun area |
| Bob | Toboggan |
| Affutage | Ski edge sharpening |
| Fartage | Ski waxing |
Food & Drink: |
|
| Alcools | Spirit drinks |
| Bière blonde | Lager |
| Vin chaud | Mulled wine |
| Vin mousseux | Sparkling wine |
| Digestif | Liqueur |
| Dégustations | Small samples for tasting |
| Prix moyen | Buget price |
| Fondue/Raciette | Melted cheese dish |
| Chèvre | Goats' cheese |
| Chantilly | Whipped cream |
| Farci | Stuffed |
| Agneau | Lamb |
| Jambon | Ham |
| Canard | Duck |
| Volaille | Poultry |
| Thon | Tuna |
| Truite | Trout |
| Crevette | Prawn |
General: |
|
| Renseignements | Information |
| Hébergement | Accommodation |
| Immobiliere | Estate agent |
| Louer | Rent |
| Prévisions météo | Weather forecast |
| Navettes Routières | Bus services |
| Location de voitures | Car rental |