1. Yes
   No
2. Half-heartedly
   Sarcastically

“Excusez-moi” is the phrase for “excuse me” which has the same context in French as it does in English. You say this when you want to call someone’s attention, for example if you’re buying in a store, or you can also use it to excuse yourself from the company of people. It’s also used as a polite way of saying that you want to pass through.

1. We're asking for money.
   We're asking for directions.
2. We're asking where the restroom is.
   We’re asking how things are with someone.

When you greet someone “Bonjour,” the second greeting is oftentimes “Ça va,” which means how are things, or a shortened form of asking how are you doing. If you’re doing great, you answer “Bien.”

1. Yes, but only for a while.
   Asking if someone can speak English
2. We're curious if someone is British.
   Asking if someone is alone

Asking a French speaker “Parlez-vous Anglais” means you’re asking if the person can speak in English. While it may be a formal and polite way of asking, remember that not all French people are keen on speaking English, so gauge this accordingly.

1. No, we're being insincere.
   A little bit only
2. Yes, because it means “please.”
   We're asking someone to eat with us.

It is always a nice gesture to add “s’il vous plaît” when you’re talking to French-speaking people, because this is the magic word: please. If you’re in a foreign land, it’s always helpful to be humble and respectful that way.

1. Yes, because it means “exhibiting controversial behavior.”
   Yes, because it means "throw the baby out with the bathwater."
2. Only if you're John McEnroe
   Only during the French Open

Anyone referred to as “l’enfant terrible” is someone who exhibits such controversial behavior, short of saying someone is having tantrums like a crybaby. "Enfant" is infant or baby, and "terrible" is obviously about being terrible.

1. Only when they're single
   Yes, as a title
2. Yes, only at night
   Not when the events are informal

The phrase “Monsieur et Madame” is an honorific title that refers to a man and a woman, when called out or introduced by their names. It’s like saying “Mr. and Mrs.” and it usually addresses a husband and wife tandem.

1. No, to French cooking procedures
   Yes, the ones who aren't strong enough
2. Yes, because it means “the best of the best.”
   No, only to food items

Technically speaking, "crème de la crème" literally translates to “cream of the cream,” but it’s actually a kind of idiomatic expression that translates to “the best of the best.” It refers to a group of people who are supposedly the best in what they do, and it is used as a term of high distinction or regard.

1. If it’s a love aim, kinda!
   Sure, but not about making decisions
2. Sometimes, depending on who's speaking
   Only when they're "born to be wild"

“Je t’aime” is perhaps the most universal French phrase ever, because it means “I love you.” Many songs and movies have been using this phrase for centuries.

1. Yes
   No
2. Only to elder people
   Only to strangers

Saying “Merci” is simply saying “thanks” or “thank you” in French. But if you add the word “beaucoup” in there, you’re essentially saying “thank you very much” or “thanks a lot,” which means you’re really very thankful to the person you’re addressing.

1. Yes, that's it.
   Not when they're divorced
2. No, their birthday
   Yes, but only if they're still married

“Bon anniversaire” is the French way of wishing someone a “Happy birthday.” The male form of "bon" is used because the gender of birthday or "anniversaire" is male.

1. Yes
   No
2. Only as a hyperbole
   Not really, just symbolically

To refer to something using the phrase “par excellence” means that something is described as being ultimate, and in a good or positive way. It’s another way of saying being the quintessential something or other, and it can also refer to people or people’s deeds, actions or achievements.

1. Yup, in that order
   The opposite: It’s a man and a woman.
2. No, it's a boy and a girl.
   No, it's apple and peach.

A man is the “homme” while a woman is the “femme,” and just put the proper gendered article in front of them: “un” for male, and “une” for female. Meanwhile, the word “et” is French for “and.” This phase is also the title of a popular French film.

1. Yes
   No
2. Only if you're not mad
   Depends on who you're bidding goodbye to

The French have several ways of bidding someone goodbye, the most commonly recognizable term of which is “Au revoir.” But sometimes, they also say “Adieu!” If they add “A bientôt,” that means “See you soon.”

1. Yes, we do.
   Not really
2. Only if no one else is around to see us
   Yes, except to the boss

When we say “pas de problème,” what we’re actually saying is “No problem” which implies the same thing in English as it does in French. It’s more like saying we don’t have a problem about something presented to us, so it’s not directly saying something about being in trouble.

1. Yes, that's it.
   Only if they've already finished dessert
2. It should be before they eat.
   Only if you dined with them

You utter “Bon appétit” when you want to say “Enjoy your meal” to someone. So naturally, you would say this phrase before they actually eat the meal, not after they have consumed it. If you interrupted someone eating to talk for a while, you can also say this as a way of saying goodbye, so they can continue enjoying their meal.

1. Yes, we do.
   No, only half an item
2. Just pertaining to liquid stuff
   Just a little

“Un peu” is actually a phrase that means “a little,” like if someone asks you if you speak French, you can definitely say this if you only know a little of the language. If you want to say “a little bit,” you can say “un petit peu” and if you mean “a lot,” you say “beaucoup.”

1. Not exactly, as it means “false steps”
   Yes, that's it.
2. No, it means "fake ID."
   Yes, but as applied to cars only

"Faux pas" actually means “false step,” so it literally pertains to an actual specific movement, not just to a general one. This French expression actually pertains to making the wrong decisions, usually disregarding prescribed etiquette, and the phrase is also used in English in the same manner.

1. No, it's about "truth coming out when drinking wine."
   Yes, because it means being careless.
2. Not really, only shrugging about life
   It has a different meaning altogether.

When one says “C’est la vie!” they’re essentially saying “That’s life!” as an interjection, and it’s like shrugging off something that happened, because that’s how life is. Depending on the situation, the phrase could be uttered in earnest, as a fleeting expression or even a sarcastic one.

1. Yes, it does.
   It means "chopped or whole."
2. None of that
   It’s “hot or cold.”

It’s very useful to know what “chaud ou froid” means when you’re traveling, because this means “hot or cold.” You can see this in restrooms, on sinks where there is a water temperature controller like in hotels, or even when ordering drinks in a menu. Don’t make the mistake of switching the meanings, as that could spell disaster!

1. Right!
   Wrong!
2. Not sure
   Sometimes only

To ask “Qu’est-ce que c’est?” means you’re asking someone “What’s this?” or “What is it?” which alludes to something that’s visible to the both of you at a given time. You could be referring to something specific, like an object, or maybe a concept, such as when you chance upon two people meeting without your prior knowledge, and you want to know what that is about.

1. Wrong
   Right!
2. It should be "Bonne año."
   It should be "Buona notte."

“Bonne année” is indeed the French term to wish someone a Happy New Year as the years change. Notice that the female term of “bonne” is the one used here, because the word for year or “année” takes on a female gender.

1. Not all the time
   Right!
2. It depends on who you're talking to.
   Not really, but never say this to a coworker.

The French use the expression “Je ne sais quoi” when they want to refer to something they’re not exactly sure of, or something they can’t accurately describe or define. Literally, it means “I don’t know what.” Hoity-toity people sometimes use this phrase in a pretentious manner.

1. Yes, it’s so-so.
   No, it's a sure thing.
2. It's more of an invitation to come over.
   It's really about reading between the lines.

Literally, “comme” means “like” so “comme ci comme ça” means “like this, like that.” In French cultures, that’s like saying something is so-so, or something is not really good but not really bad.

1. Yes, correct
   It should be "Buenas noches."
2. No, only if you’re leaving
   Not when you're in a bad mood

“Bonne nuit” actually means “Good night” more than “Good evening.” You use the term when you’re about to leave the venue for the evening. If you just arrived, the proper greeting should be “Bonsoir.”

1. No, that's the table napkins.
   Yes, the appetizers!
2. Yes, the desserts!
   No, that's the cutlery.

When someone gestures you to a tray and offers some “hors d’oeuvres,” that means the small food items laid out there are yours for the taking, as this is the French term for “appetizers” or any smaller food items they serve prior to the main meal. Sometimes they also serve these when everyone is already seated at the table.

1. Stolen clothes is more like it
   Ripped jeans is more like it
2. Summer clothes, to be precise
   Fashion in general

“Haute” means high while “couture” means sewing or dressmaking, but the combined term of “haute couture” pertains to high fashion of some sort. This means that a piece of clothing is tailor-made to fit a specific person, often designed by the fashion designer to fit just that person.

1. In a way, yes.
   Only when you're drunk
2. No, it doesn't.
   No, it means being divorced.

The expression “joie de vivre” translates to “Joy of life” and is used as such in both the French-speaking and English-speaking worlds. But “vivre” actually means “to live” so it’s also like saying “the joy of living,” pertaining to specific aspects of living that brings joy to a person, or it also describes someone who has a generally happy outlook and approach in life.

1. It can be black, too.
   Only as it applies to chocolate gifts
2. Yes and no
   Yes, that's just it.

"Carte blanche" indeed translates to “white card” in English, if we are to take a literal translation of it. But the French also use it as an idiomatic expression to mean “giving someone unlimited access or authority over something.” The phrase is actually used in English, too, and it also bears the same meaning.

1. Yes
   No
2. Only if you're short-tempered
   Only if you're single and unhappy

"Dommage" literally translates to "damage," so saying “Quel dommage” is like saying “What a pity,” which is a negative thought. But it can also be used in a sarcastic thought, and the implied thought in that manner of delivery could be construed as not totally negative a thought.

1. In a way, yes, if a destination is included there somewhere
   Only to family members
2. Only applied to strangers
   Yes, but spoken only over the phone

If you want to just say goodbye, you use the phrase “Au revoir!” If you say “Bon voyage,” you’re essentially saying “Happy trip” to someone, which is also a way of saying goodbye, but only if the person you’re bidding goodbye to will be going on an actual trip – and not just leaving your present company at the moment.

1. Yes
   No
2. Yes, but only to children
   No, that's not French.

Using the phrase” Joyeux Noël” is how French-speaking people greet each other a very Merry Christmas. “Joyeux” translates to happy, and%0D sometimes it also means joyful.

1. More of an evil scheme
   Only if you're the devil's advocate
2. Yes, especially an individual’s sole purpose
   Yes, but applicable only during specific projects

When you are asked about your “raison d’être,” people are asking for your “reason for being,” which is the literal translation of this term. It pertains to our purpose in life, short of asking for your very reason for existing, or asking what gives you meaning in life.

1. No, to you, the speaker!
   No, to her
2. No, to him
   No, it's an "us" thing.

“Avec moi” translates to “with me,” so a speaker who mentions this is saying something and referring to himself or herself. You can hear it used playfully in the song with the lyric that goes “Voulez vous coucher avec moi c’est soir?” which means “Do you want to sleep with me tonight?”

1. Yes, in a way.
   Not really
2. Yes, the cooking profession
   No, it's about flavorings.

"Savior-faire" translates to “know do” but what it really wants to say is “know how,” which pertains to a person’s skill or knowledge about something. So yes, it pertains mainly to one’s professional know how, but it can also pertain to artistic or creative skills as well.

1. Right!
   Wrong!
2. A bit, but we're not admitting it
   Not really, we're just denying things.

“Je ne comprends pas” might be the most common phrase a traveler could learn when touring France or French-speaking countries. That’s because it means “I don’t understand” so it could be good to say that once people start talking to you in French too fast!