Won from the Waves — Page 4

English → Fr CHAPTER ONE. Level 6/10

As these words were uttered, a tall man a little past middle age, strongly-built and hardy-looking as the youngest, habited like the rest in fisherman's costume, was seen approaching from the largest of the cottages on the level ground.

Tandis que ces mots étaient prononcés, on vit s'approcher, venant de la plus grande des chaumières situées sur le terrain plat, un homme grand, un peu au-delà de la quarantaine, solidement bâti et d'apparence aussi robuste que le plus jeune, vêtu comme les autres en costume de pêcheur.

His face, though weather-beaten, glowed with health, his forehead was broad, his bright blue eyes beaming with good-nature and kindly feeling.

Son visage, bien que tanné par les intempéries, rayonnait de santé, son front était large, ses yeux bleus brillants respiraient la bonhomie et la bienveillance.

He was followed by a stout fisher-boy carrying a coil of rope over his shoulders, and a basket of provisions in his hand.

Il était suivi d'un robuste jeune pêcheur portant un rouleau de corde sur ses épaules et un panier de provisions à la main.

Two other lads, who had been with the men on the pier, ran to meet him.

Deux autres garçons, qui avaient été avec les hommes sur la jetée, coururent à sa rencontre.

"They are doubtful about going to sea to-night. What do you think of it, father?" said the eldest.

« Ils hésitent à prendre la mer ce soir. Qu'en pensez-vous, père ? » dit l'aîné.

"There is nothing to stop us that I see, Ben, unless it comes on to blow harder than it does now," answered Adam, in a cheery voice.

« Je ne vois rien qui puisse nous arrêter, Ben, à moins que le vent ne se mette à souffler plus fort qu'à présent, » répondit Adam d'une voix enjouée.

"The _Nancy_ knows her way to our fishing-grounds as well as we do, and it must be a bad night indeed to stop her."

« La _Nancy_ connaît le chemin de nos lieux de pêche aussi bien que nous, et il faudrait vraiment une bien mauvaise nuit pour l'arrêter. »

"What do you think of it, Adam?" asked two or three of the men, when he got among them.

« Qu'en pensez-vous, Adam ? » demandèrent deux ou trois des hommes lorsqu'il se trouva parmi eux.

Halliburt turned his face seaward, sheltering his eyes with his hand from the thick drizzle which the mist had now become.

Halliburt tourna son visage vers la mer, abritant ses yeux de sa main contre la bruine épaisse qu'était devenu le brouillard.

"If the wind holds from the south-east there will be nothing to stop us," he answered, after waiting a minute.

« Si le vent tient du sud-est, rien ne pourra nous arrêter, » répondit-il après avoir attendu un moment.

Vocabulary

Tandis: tɑ̃.di — While, whereas; used to introduce a contrasting clause.
que: kə — That, which, as; versatile conjunction or relative pronoun.
ces: sɛ — These, those; demonstrative adjective for plural nouns.
mots: mo — Words; units of language used in speech or writing.
étaient: e.tɛ — Were; third person plural imperfect tense of être.
prononcés: pʁɔ.nɔ̃.se — Pronounced, spoken aloud; past participle of prononcer.
on: ɔ̃ — One, we, they; impersonal subject pronoun in French.
vit: vi — Saw; third person singular simple past of voir.
s': s — Reflexive pronoun; contracted form of se before a vowel.
approcher: a.pʁɔ.ʃe — To approach, come near; to draw closer to something.
venant: və.nɑ̃ — Coming; present participle of venir, indicating movement toward.
de: də — Of, from; preposition indicating origin or possession.
la: la — The; definite article for feminine singular nouns.
plus: ply — Most, more; superlative or comparative adverb of degree.
grande: ɡʁɑ̃d — Large, big, great; feminine adjective describing size or importance.
des: de — Of the, some; contracted article combining de and les.
chaumières: ʃo.mjɛʁ — Thatched cottages; small rustic houses with straw roofs.
situées: si.tɥe — Located, situated; feminine plural past participle of situer.
sur: syʁ — On, upon; preposition indicating position above a surface.
le: lə — The; definite article for masculine singular nouns.
terrain: tɛ.ʁɛ̃ — Ground, land, terrain; a piece of flat or open land.
plat: pla — Flat, level; adjective describing a surface without elevation.
un: œ̃ — A, an, one; indefinite article for masculine singular nouns.
homme: ɔm — Man; adult male human being.
grand: ɡʁɑ̃ — Tall, large, great; adjective describing height or stature.
peu: pø — A little, slightly; adverb indicating small degree or quantity.
delà: də.la — Beyond; indicating a point further than a given reference.
quarantaine: ka.ʁɑ̃.tɛn — About forty; approximate age or quantity around forty years.
solidement: sɔ.lid.mɑ̃ — Solidly, firmly; adverb describing something built or done robustly.
bâti: bɑ.ti — Built, constructed; past participle of bâtir, describing physical build.
et: e — And; basic coordinating conjunction connecting words or clauses.
d': d — Of, from; elided preposition de before a vowel sound.
apparence: a.pa.ʁɑ̃s — Appearance, look; the way someone or something looks outwardly.
aussi: o.si — Also, too, as; adverb indicating similarity or addition.
robuste: ʁɔ.byst — Robust, sturdy, strong; adjective describing physical strength and health.
jeune: ʒœn — Young; adjective describing someone of a younger age.
vêtu: vɛ.ty — Dressed, clothed; past participle of vêtir, indicating attire worn.
comme: kɔm — Like, as, such as; conjunction or preposition of comparison.
les: le — The; definite article for masculine or feminine plural nouns.
autres: o.tʁ — Others, other; adjective or pronoun referring to remaining people.
en: ɑ̃ — In, by, as; preposition indicating manner, state, or material.
costume: kɔs.tym — Costume, outfit; a set of clothing typical of a group.
pêcheur: pɛ.ʃœʁ — Fisherman; a person who catches fish professionally or recreationally.
Son: sɔ̃ — His, her, its; possessive adjective for masculine singular nouns.
visage: vi.zaʒ — Face; the front part of a person's head.
bien: bjɛ̃ — Well, very, quite; adverb intensifying or qualifying an adjective.
tanné: ta.ne — Tanned, weathered; darkened by prolonged exposure to sun and wind.
par: paʁ — By, through, per; preposition indicating means, cause, or agent.
intempéries: ɛ̃.tɑ̃.pe.ʁi — Bad weather, harsh elements; adverse outdoor meteorological conditions.
rayonnait: ʁɛ.jɔ.nɛ — Radiated, beamed; imperfect tense of rayonner, shining outwardly.
santé: sɑ̃.te — Health; the state of physical and mental well-being.
son: sɔ̃ — His, her, its; possessive adjective for masculine singular nouns.
front: fʁɔ̃ — Forehead; the part of the face above the eyebrows.
était: e.tɛ — Was; third person singular imperfect tense of être.
large: laʁʒ — Wide, broad; adjective describing great width or breadth.
ses: se — His, her, its; possessive adjective for plural nouns.
yeux: jø — Eyes; the plural of œil, organs used for seeing.
bleus: blø — Blue; masculine plural adjective describing a blue color.
brillants: bʁi.jɑ̃ — Brilliant, sparkling, bright; adjective describing shining or gleaming eyes.
respiraient: ʁɛs.pi.ʁɛ — Breathed, exuded; imperfect tense showing an expression of feeling.
bonhomie: bɔ.nɔ.mi — Good-naturedness, geniality; a cheerful and friendly disposition.
bienveillance: bjɛ̃.vɛ.jɑ̃s — Benevolence, kindness; the quality of being well-intentioned toward others.
Il: il — He, it; third person masculine singular subject pronoun.
suivi: sɥi.vi — Followed; past participle of suivre, indicating someone came after.
portant: pɔʁ.tɑ̃ — Carrying, bearing; present participle of porter, holding something.
rouleau: ʁu.lo — Roll, coil; a cylindrical roll of material such as rope.
corde: kɔʁd — Rope, cord; a thick twisted strand used for tying or pulling.
épaules: e.pol — Shoulders; the joints connecting the arms to the upper body.
panier: pa.nje — Basket; a woven container used for carrying food or goods.
provisions: pʁɔ.vi.zjɔ̃ — Provisions, supplies; food and necessary items stored for a journey.
à: a — To, at, in; preposition indicating direction, location, or possession.
main: mɛ̃ — Hand; the part of the body at the end of the arm.
Deux: dø — Two; the cardinal number following one.
garçons: ɡaʁ.sɔ̃ — Boys, lads; young male children or youths.
qui: ki — Who, which, that; relative or interrogative pronoun.
avaient: a.vɛ — Had; third person plural imperfect tense of avoir.
été: e.te — Been; past participle of être, used in compound tenses.
avec: a.vɛk — With; preposition indicating accompaniment or association.
hommes: ɔm — Men; plural of homme, adult male human beings.
jetée: ʒə.te — Jetty, pier; a structure projecting into water for mooring boats.
coururent: ku.ʁyʁ — Ran; third person plural simple past tense of courir.
sa: sa — His, her, its; possessive adjective for feminine singular nouns.
rencontre: ʁɑ̃.kɔ̃tʁ — Meeting, encounter; a coming together of two or more people.
Ils: il — They; third person masculine plural subject pronoun.
hésitent: e.zit — Hesitate, waver; third person plural present tense of hésiter.
prendre: pʁɑ̃dʁ — To take, to go out onto; infinitive with various contexts.
mer: mɛʁ — Sea; a large body of salt water.
ce: sə — This, that; demonstrative adjective or pronoun for masculine nouns.
soir: swaʁ — Evening, tonight; the part of the day after afternoon.
Qu': k — What, that; elided form of que before a vowel.
pensez-: pɑ̃.se — Think; second person plural present of penser, used in question.
vous: vu — You; second person plural or formal singular subject pronoun.
père: pɛʁ — Father; a male parent or respected older male figure.
dit: di — Said, told; third person singular simple past of dire.
l': l — The; elided definite article le or la before a vowel.
aîné: ɛ.ne — Elder, eldest; the oldest of siblings or a group.
Je: ʒə — I; first person singular subject pronoun.
ne: nə — Not; negative particle used with pas or other negatives.
vois: vwa — See; first person singular present tense of voir.
rien: ʁjɛ̃ — Nothing; indefinite pronoun indicating the absence of anything.
puisse: pɥis — Can, may; present subjunctive of pouvoir expressing possibility.
nous: Us, we; first person plural subject or object pronoun.
arrêter: a.ʁɛ.te — To stop, halt; to cause someone or something to cease moving.
Ben: bɛ̃ — Well; informal interjection expressing mild affirmation or hesitation.
moins: mwɛ̃ — Less, unless; comparative adverb indicating a smaller degree.
vent: vɑ̃ — Wind; moving air, especially outdoors or at sea.
se: sə — Himself, herself, itself; reflexive pronoun for third person.
mette: mɛt — Put, start; present subjunctive of mettre used in conditions.
souffler: su.fle — To blow; of the wind, to move air with force.
fort: fɔʁ — Hard, strongly, loud; adverb indicating great force or intensity.
qu': k — Than, that; elided conjunction used in comparisons.
présent: pʁe.zɑ̃ — Present, now; referring to the current moment in time.
répondit: ʁe.pɔ̃.di — Replied, answered; third person singular simple past of répondre.
une: yn — A, an, one; indefinite article for feminine singular nouns.
voix: vwa — Voice; the sound produced in the throat when speaking.
enjouée: ɑ̃.ʒwe — Cheerful, lively; adjective describing a bright and playful tone.
La: la — The; definite article for feminine singular nouns.
connaît: kɔ.nɛ — Knows; third person singular present tense of connaître.
chemin: ʃə.mɛ̃ — Way, path, road; a route or course to a destination.
nos: no — Our; possessive adjective for plural nouns with a plural owner.
lieux: ljø — Places, spots; plural of lieu, indicating specific locations.
pêche: pɛʃ — Fishing; the activity or practice of catching fish.
il: il — He, it; third person masculine singular subject pronoun.
faudrait: fo.dʁɛ — Would take, would need; conditional of falloir expressing necessity.
vraiment: vʁɛ.mɑ̃ — Really, truly; adverb emphasizing the truth or degree of something.
mauvaise: mo.vɛz — Bad, poor; feminine adjective describing poor quality or unpleasantness.
nuit: nɥi — Night; the dark period between sunset and sunrise.
pour: puʁ — For, in order to; preposition indicating purpose or destination.
demandèrent: də.mɑ̃.dɛʁ — Asked, requested; third person plural simple past of demander.
deux: dø — Two; the cardinal number following one.
ou: u — Or; coordinating conjunction offering an alternative.
trois: tʁwa — Three; the cardinal number following two.
lorsqu': lɔʁsk — When; conjunction introducing a time clause before a vowel.
trouva: tʁu.va — Found, encountered; third person singular simple past of trouver.
parmi: paʁ.mi — Among, amongst; preposition indicating being in the midst of.
eux: ø — Them; stressed third person masculine plural pronoun.
tourna: tuʁ.na — Turned; third person singular simple past of tourner.
vers: vɛʁ — Toward, towards; preposition indicating direction or approximate time.
abritant: a.bʁi.tɑ̃ — Sheltering, shielding; present participle of abriter, protecting from elements.
contre: kɔ̃tʁ — Against; preposition indicating opposition or physical contact.
bruine: bʁɥin — Drizzle; light, fine rain falling in small drops.
épaisse: e.pɛs — Thick, dense; feminine adjective describing a dense substance or mist.
devenu: də.və.ny — Become; past participle of devenir, indicating a change of state.
brouillard: bʁu.jaʁ — Fog, mist; a thick low-lying cloud reducing visibility outdoors.
Si: si — If; conjunction introducing a conditional or hypothetical clause.
tient: tjɛ̃ — Holds, stays; third person singular present tense of tenir.
du: dy — Of the, from the; contraction of de and le.
sud-: syd — South; cardinal direction, used here in a compound direction.
est: ɛst — East; cardinal direction, part of a compound wind direction.
pourra: pu.ʁa — Will be able; third person singular future tense of pouvoir.
répondit-: ʁe.pɔ̃.di — Replied; third person singular simple past of répondre in inversion.
après: a.pʁɛ — After; preposition or adverb indicating a subsequent time or position.
avoir: a.vwaʁ — To have; infinitive of the auxiliary and possessive verb.
attendu: a.tɑ̃.dy — Waited, awaited; past participle of attendre, having paused expectantly.
moment: mɔ.mɑ̃ — Moment, while; a short period or specific point in time.

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