Turn the page: 8 superb French Idioms with books

Learning French can be great fun, yet going up a level seems such a challenge at times. 

But less so if you take little bite sized chunks of information and enjoy them, apply them and try to make your own version up in your life to suit you.  It has to be REAL - Rewarding, Effective and realistic Learning,

The theme for the next set of idiomatic expressions is books . . . are you book worm, or a book rat as the French say! 

Today you will discover:

•  8 idiomatic expressions related to books in French

•  How to use these expressions and not trip up socially

• How to remember the ones you want to learn

8 idiomatic expressions related to books in French.

When we learn a language, it’s always fun to dive into these idiomatic expressions native people use daily, which are fun. However, it is imperative to grasp their meaning to avoid any misinterpretations.

Let’s play with 8 examples in the literary field.

The first one is similar to the English expression except that the animal is another one!

• Un rat de bibliothèque  >>> a bookworm.

Here’s an example for you:

• Claire est  un vrai rat de bibliothèque: elle préfère passer ses soirées à dévorer des romains plutôt que de sortir. >>> Claire is a real bookworm: she prefers spending her evenings devouring novels rather than going out.

The following one refers to your appetite for reading:

• dévorer un livre  >>> to devour a book. 

You could use it like this:

• Il a dévoré le dernier romain de cet auteur en une seule journée, tant l’intrigue était passionnante. >>> He devoured the latest novel by this author in just one day because the plot was so captivating. 

The next one is a synonym of starting something new. 

• entamer un nouveau chapitre  >>> to start a new chapter.

I have an example for you:

• Après dix ans dans cette entreprise, il a décidé de démissionner et d’entamer un nouveau chapitre de sa carrière. >>> After ten years in that company, he decided to resign to start a new chapter in his career.

This one is exactly the English translation of

• se plonger dans un bon livre.  >>> to dive into a good book.

Have a look at this context:

• Elle adore les dimanches pluvieux, parfaits pour se plonger dans un bon livre. >>> She loves rainy Sundays, perfect for diving into a good book.

The following expression is also similar to the English idiom:

• tourner la page.  >>> to move on.

Like this:

• Après sa rupture, elle a décidé de tourner la page et de se concentrer sur son avenir. >>> After her breakup, she decided to move on and to focus on her future.

Still with the word “page”, here’s another idiom: 

• être à la page  >>> to stay up-to-date. 

Here’s a way to say it:

• Pour parler couramment, il faut être à la page en discutant avec des locuteurs natifs et bilingues. >>> To speak fluently you need to stay up-to-date by discussing with native and bilingual speakers.

Have you ever heard this one? 

• une bibliothèque ambulante  >>> a walking library. 

Here’s a way to say it:

• Ma professeur est une bibliothèque ambulante : elle connaît tout sur le français. >>> My teacher is a walking library: she knows everything about French.

Note that the feminine of “professeur” is relatively new. You can find find “ma professeure” and many people still use “mon professeur” even if it’s a woman. 

The last expression is also similar to the English idiom:

• comme un livre ouvert.  >>> like an open book. 

For instance: 

• Magali est comme un livre ouvert: on devine ses émotions rien qu’en la regardant. >>> Magali is like an open book: you can guess her emotions just by looking at her.

Tips to learn the idiomatic expressions in French.

To start with, choose one thing at a time and master it. Once you do, you can add more to your list.

Then, say it aloud to memorise it.

The word is not enough. Indeed, if you put it into context with your own example it will facilitate.

Then, you want to practice as much as possible or you will forget it.

In a nutshell, there is no need to learn a lot. You would better apply your learning in order to speak French simultaneously with confidence. 

In this mini-lesson, you have seen 8 idiomatic expressions related to books:

• un rat de bibliothèque  >>> a bookworm.

• dévorer un livre  >>> to devour a book. 

• se plonger dans un bon livre.  >>> to dive into a good book.

• entamer un nouveau chapitre  >>> to start a new chapter.
• tourner la page.  >>> to move on.
• être à la page  >>> to stay up-to-date. 
• une bibliothèque ambulante  >>> a walking library. 
• comme un livre ouvert.  >>> like an open book.

I have other mini-lessons about French expressions for you:

5 Great Idiomatic Environment Expressions in French

5 great expressions using animals in French

How do you learn idiomatic expressions? ...Always happy to hear from you . . .