French language Q&A Forum

Why does "la vraie cuisine française" mean "real French cuisine"? Doesn't "vrai" mean "real/true" when it comes after the noun and "quite a/elaborate/interesting" when it comes after the noun?

Please explain the use of hors-d'ouvres vs amuse-gules or entrée

I notice that in most of the exercises, "J'aime beaucoup" is often used when followed by a noun, (e.g. J'aime beaucoup mon cousin Benjamin; Elle aime beaucoup les livres)

Whereas "J'aime bien" is often followed by verb (e.g. j'aime bien rester chez moi)

I am just wondering if they are completely interchangeable and if there is a tenancy of beaucoup use more with nouns and bien more with verbs.

feelings at the time....why am I wrong?

In the discussion following several of the lessons, there are often questions like Donna's. And, without being unkind to the wonderful moderators/teachers,  in NONE of the answers had I seen a really 'eureka' moment of clarification.

And then I searched THE SITE  and came across this amazing lesson!

It is brilliant and clears up so much. I think that lesson should be included as a ' 'highlighted related lesson'' to this one and others like ' avoir peur'.

Additionally, in the lesson quoted above there is coverage of phrases meaning  "all/specific/adjectivally modified" nouns.

Two great examples of 'avoir envie' are given.

" Il a envie de bon chocolat. He wants (some) good chocolate."

"Il a envie du bon chocolat que tu m’as donné. He wants the good chocolate that you gave me."

Please add or indicate why NOT a similar distinction for the very common 'avoir besoin'.

You have

 "J’ai besoin de bonnes chaussures. I need (some) good shoes."

If I were to say to a store clerk "I need (the) special shoes with the orthopedic lifts" would I say ;

 "J’ai besoin des  chaussures spéciales  avec orthopédie."

Merci! Looking forward to the answer.

Can anyone explain to me why there is a "ne" in the following sentences:

"Je crains que vous ne conduisiez trop vite" translated in the quiz as "I fear that you drive too fast."

"Les feuilles dorées auront tombé avant que nous n'arrivions" translated in the quiz as "The golden leaves will have fallen before we arrive."

Thank you.