White nights, and other stories — Page 12

English → Fr Full Text Level 7/10

But there was already a gleam of a smile on her lips.

Mais il y avait déjà une lueur de sourire sur ses lèvres.

She too stole a glance at me, faintly blushed and looked down.

Elle aussi me lança un regard furtif, rougit légèrement et baissa les yeux.

"There, you see; why did you drive me away? If I had been here, nothing would have happened...."

« Vous voyez bien ; pourquoi m'avez-vous chassé ? Si j'avais été là, rien ne serait arrivé.... »

"But I did not know you; I thought that you too...."

« Mais je ne vous connaissais pas ; je pensais que vous aussi.... »

"Why, do you know me now?"

« Et maintenant, vous me connaissez ? »

"A little! Here, for instance, why are you trembling?"

« Un peu ! Tenez, par exemple, pourquoi tremblez-vous ? »

"Oh, you are right at the first guess!" I answered, delighted that my girl had intelligence; that is never out of place in company with beauty.

« Oh, vous avez deviné du premier coup ! » répondis-je, ravi que ma jeune fille eût de l'intelligence ; cela ne déplace jamais quand on est beau.

"Yes, from the first glance you have guessed the sort of man you have to do with.

« Oui, dès le premier regard vous avez deviné à quel genre d'homme vous aviez affaire.

Precisely; I am shy with women, I am agitated, I don't deny it, as much so as you were a minute ago when that gentleman alarmed you.

Précisément ; je suis timide avec les femmes, je suis agité, je ne le nie pas, autant que vous l'étiez tout à l'heure quand ce monsieur vous a effrayée.

I am in some alarm now.

Je suis moi-même quelque peu alarmé en ce moment.

It's like a dream, and I never guessed even in my sleep that I should ever talk with any woman."

C'est comme un rêve, et je n'aurais jamais imaginé, même en dormant, que je pourrais un jour parler à une femme. »

"What? Really?..."

« Quoi ? Vraiment ?... »

"Yes; if my arm trembles, it is because it has never been held by a pretty little hand like yours.

« Oui ; si mon bras tremble, c'est parce qu'il n'a jamais été tenu par une jolie petite main comme la vôtre.

I am a complete stranger to women; that is, I have never been used to them.

Je suis un parfait étranger aux femmes ; c'est-à-dire que je n'ai jamais eu l'habitude d'elles.

You see, I am alone.... I don't even know how to talk to them.

Voyez-vous, je suis seul.... Je ne sais même pas comment leur parler.

Here, I don't know now whether I have not said something silly to you!

Tenez, je ne sais même pas à présent si je ne vous ai pas dit quelque sottise !

Vocabulary

Mais: mɛ — Conjunction meaning 'but', used to contrast ideas.
il: il — Third-person masculine singular pronoun meaning 'he' or 'it'.
y: i — Adverbial pronoun meaning 'there' or 'in it'.
avait: avɛ — Third-person singular imperfect of 'avoir', meaning 'had'.
déjà: deʒa — Adverb meaning 'already' or 'yet'.
une: yn — Feminine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an'.
lueur: lɥœʁ — A faint or glimmering light; a gleam.
de: də — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'.
sourire: suʁiʁ — A smile; also the verb 'to smile'.
sur: syʁ — Preposition meaning 'on', 'upon', or 'over'.
ses: sɛ — Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its' (plural).
lèvres: lɛvʁ — Plural noun meaning 'lips' on a person's face.
Elle: ɛl — Third-person feminine singular pronoun meaning 'she'.
aussi: osi — Adverb meaning 'also', 'too', or 'as well'.
me: mə — First-person singular object pronoun meaning 'me'.
lança: lɑ̃sa — Past tense of 'lancer'; threw or cast (a glance).
un: œ̃ — Masculine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an'.
regard: ʁəɡaʁ — A look or glance directed at someone or something.
furtif: fyʁtif — Adjective meaning 'furtive', stealthy, or secretive.
rougit: ʁuʒi — Past tense of 'rougir'; blushed or turned red.
légèrement: leʒɛʁmɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'slightly', 'lightly', or 'gently'.
et: e — Conjunction meaning 'and', linking words or clauses.
baissa: bɛsa — Past tense of 'baisser'; lowered or cast down.
les: le — Definite plural article meaning 'the'.
yeux: jø — Plural of 'œil'; meaning 'eyes'.
Vous: vu — Second-person plural or formal pronoun meaning 'you'.
voyez: vwaje — Second-person plural of 'voir'; 'you see'.
bien: bjɛ̃ — Adverb meaning 'well', 'good', or 'indeed'.
pourquoi: puʁkwa — Interrogative adverb meaning 'why'.
m': m — Elided form of 'me'; first-person object pronoun.
avez: ave — Second-person plural of 'avoir'; 'you have'.
vous: vu — Second-person plural pronoun meaning 'you'.
chassé: ʃase — Past participle of 'chasser'; driven away or expelled.
Si: si — Conjunction meaning 'if'; introduces a conditional clause.
j': ʒ — Elided form of 'je'; first-person singular subject pronoun.
avais: avɛ — First-person singular imperfect of 'avoir'; 'I had'.
été: ete — Past participle of 'être'; meaning 'been'.
là: la — Adverb meaning 'there' or 'here' (that place).
rien: ʁjɛ̃ — Pronoun meaning 'nothing' or 'not anything'.
ne: nə — Negative particle used with 'pas', 'rien', etc.
serait: səʁɛ — Third-person singular conditional of 'être'; 'would be'.
arrivé: aʁive — Past participle of 'arriver'; happened or arrived.
je: ʒə — First-person singular subject pronoun meaning 'I'.
connaissais: kɔnɛsɛ — Imperfect of 'connaître'; 'I knew' or 'was acquainted with'.
pas: pa — Negative adverb used with 'ne' to mean 'not'.
pensais: pɑ̃sɛ — Imperfect of 'penser'; 'I thought' or 'was thinking'.
que: kə — Conjunction meaning 'that'; also used in comparisons.
aussi: osi — Adverb meaning 'also', 'too', or 'as well'.
Et: e — Conjunction meaning 'and', linking words or clauses.
maintenant: mɛ̃tnɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'now' or 'at this moment'.
connaissez: kɔnɛse — Second-person plural of 'connaître'; 'you know'.
Un: œ̃ — Masculine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
peu: pø — Adverb or noun meaning 'a little' or 'a bit'.
Tenez: tne — Imperative of 'tenir'; 'hold' or 'look here, take this'.
par: paʁ — Preposition meaning 'by', 'through', or 'per'.
exemple: ɛɡzɑ̃pl — Noun meaning 'example' or 'instance'.
tremblez: tʁɑ̃ble — Second-person plural of 'trembler'; 'you tremble' or 'shake'.
Oh: o — Interjection expressing surprise, admiration, or emotion.
deviné: dəvine — Past participle of 'deviner'; guessed or figured out.
du: dy — Contracted article 'de + le'; meaning 'of the' or 'some'.
premier: pʁəmje — Adjective meaning 'first' in order or rank.
coup: ku — Noun meaning 'blow', 'hit', or 'attempt'; also in idioms.
répondis: ʁepɔ̃di — First-person singular passé simple of 'répondre'; 'I replied'.
ravi: ʁavi — Adjective meaning 'delighted', 'thrilled', or 'overjoyed'.
ma: ma — Feminine possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
jeune: ʒœn — Adjective meaning 'young' or 'youthful'.
fille: fij — Noun meaning 'girl' or 'daughter'.
eût: y — Third-person singular imperfect subjunctive of 'avoir'; 'had'.
l': l — Elided definite article 'le' or 'la' before a vowel.
intelligence: ɛ̃teliʒɑ̃s — Noun meaning 'intelligence', cleverness, or mental ability.
cela: səla — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'that' or 'this'.
déplace: deplas — Third-person singular of 'déplacer'; moves or displaces.
jamais: ʒamɛ — Adverb meaning 'never' or 'ever' depending on context.
quand: kɑ̃ — Conjunction or adverb meaning 'when'.
on: ɔ̃ — Indefinite pronoun meaning 'one', 'we', or 'people'.
est: ɛ — Third-person singular of 'être'; meaning 'is'.
beau: bo — Adjective meaning 'handsome', 'beautiful', or 'fine'.
Oui: wi — Affirmative adverb meaning 'yes'.
dès: dɛ — Preposition meaning 'from', 'as early as', or 'since'.
le: lə — Masculine definite article or pronoun meaning 'the' or 'him/it'.
à: a — Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in'.
quel: kɛl — Interrogative or exclamative adjective meaning 'what' or 'which'.
genre: ʒɑ̃ʁ — Noun meaning 'type', 'kind', or 'genre'.
d': d — Elided preposition 'de' before a vowel; 'of' or 'from'.
homme: ɔm — Noun meaning 'man' or 'human being'.
aviez: avje — Second-person plural imperfect of 'avoir'; 'you had'.
affaire: afɛʁ — Noun meaning 'matter', 'business', or 'affair'.
Précisément: pʁesizémɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'precisely', 'exactly', or 'quite so'.
suis: sɥi — First-person singular of 'être'; meaning 'I am'.
timide: timid — Adjective meaning 'shy', 'timid', or 'bashful'.
avec: avɛk — Preposition meaning 'with'.
femmes: fam — Plural of 'femme'; meaning 'women' or 'wives'.
agité: aʒite — Adjective meaning 'agitated', 'restless', or 'nervous'.
nie: ni — Third-person singular of 'nier'; 'denies' or 'refuses'.
autant: otɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'as much', 'so much', or 'equally'.
étiez: etje — Second-person plural imperfect of 'être'; 'you were'.
tout: tu — Adjective or adverb meaning 'all', 'every', or 'quite'.
heure: œʁ — Noun meaning 'hour' or 'time' of day.
ce: sə — Demonstrative adjective or pronoun meaning 'this' or 'that'.
monsieur: məsjø — Formal title meaning 'mister' or 'gentleman'.
a: a — Third-person singular of 'avoir'; meaning 'has'.
effrayée: efʁeje — Past participle of 'effrayer'; frightened or scared (feminine).
Je: ʒə — First-person singular subject pronoun meaning 'I'.
moi: mwa — Stressed first-person pronoun meaning 'me' or 'myself'.
même: mɛm — Adjective or adverb meaning 'same', 'even', or 'itself'.
quelque: kɛlkə — Adjective meaning 'some', 'a few', or 'a little'.
alarmé: alaʁme — Past participle of 'alarmer'; alarmed or frightened.
en: ɑ̃ — Preposition or pronoun meaning 'in', 'on', or 'of it'.
moment: mɔmɑ̃ — Noun meaning 'moment', 'instant', or 'time'.
C': s — Elided form of 'ce'; used before 'est' meaning 'it is'.
comme: kɔm — Conjunction or preposition meaning 'like', 'as', or 'how'.
rêve: ʁɛv — Noun meaning 'dream'; also first/third person of 'rêver'.
n': n — Elided negative particle 'ne' before a vowel.
aurais: oʁɛ — First-person singular conditional of 'avoir'; 'I would have'.
imaginé: imaʒine — Past participle of 'imaginer'; imagined or conceived.
dormant: dɔʁmɑ̃ — Present participle of 'dormir'; sleeping or while asleep.
pourrais: puʁɛ — First-person singular conditional of 'pouvoir'; 'I could'.
jour: ʒuʁ — Noun meaning 'day' or 'daytime'.
parler: paʁle — Infinitive meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk'.
femme: fam — Noun meaning 'woman' or 'wife'.
Quoi: kwa — Interrogative pronoun meaning 'what'; also used as interjection.
Vraiment: vʁɛmɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'really', 'truly', or 'indeed'.
si: si — Conjunction meaning 'if'; also adverb meaning 'so' or 'yes'.
mon: mɔ̃ — Masculine possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
bras: bʁa — Noun meaning 'arm' (body part).
tremble: tʁɑ̃bl — Third-person singular of 'trembler'; 'trembles' or 'shakes'.
parce: paʁsə — Part of 'parce que', meaning 'because'.
qu': k — Elided form of 'que'; conjunction 'that' before a vowel.
tenu: təny — Past participle of 'tenir'; held or gripped.
jolie: ʒɔli — Adjective meaning 'pretty', 'lovely', or 'cute' (feminine).
petite: pətit — Feminine adjective meaning 'small', 'little', or 'tiny'.
main: mɛ̃ — Noun meaning 'hand'.
la: la — Feminine definite article or pronoun meaning 'the' or 'her/it'.
vôtre: votʁ — Possessive pronoun meaning 'yours' (formal or plural).
parfait: paʁfɛ — Adjective meaning 'perfect', 'ideal', or 'flawless'.
étranger: etʁɑ̃ʒe — Noun or adjective meaning 'stranger', 'foreigner', or 'foreign'.
aux: o — Contracted article 'à + les'; meaning 'to the' or 'at the'.
dire: diʁ — Infinitive meaning 'to say' or 'to tell'.
ai: e — First-person singular of 'avoir'; meaning 'I have'.
eu: y — Past participle of 'avoir'; meaning 'had'.
habitude: abityd — Noun meaning 'habit', 'custom', or 'usual practice'.
elles: ɛl — Third-person feminine plural pronoun meaning 'they'.
Voyez: vwaje — Second-person plural of 'voir'; 'you see' or 'look'.
seul: sœl — Adjective meaning 'alone', 'only', or 'single'.
sais: sɛ — First-person singular of 'savoir'; 'I know'.
comment: kɔmɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'how'; also used to ask for clarification.
leur: lœʁ — Pronoun or adjective meaning 'their' or 'to them'.
présent: pʁezɑ̃ — Noun or adjective meaning 'present', 'gift', or 'current time'.
dit: di — Third-person singular passé simple of 'dire'; 'said'.
sottise: sɔtiz — Noun meaning 'foolish remark', 'stupidity', or 'nonsense'.

← Previous Next →

Unlock audio playback, vocabulary games, and reading progress tracking.

Create free account →