Answers
May 29, 2013 - 10:03 AM
This is how dates are expressed in French, as simple numbers not as ordinals. I think this is covered in several lessons around the middle of level 3.
May 29, 2013 - 04:11 PM
Hi Scott, just to confirm, I responded to your email yesterday about this question. Hope that helped!
May 29, 2013 - 04:14 PM
for other Fluenz French users who might have the same question, here is an explanation I hope will help:
The words 'troisième' and 'septième' are ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are not used to talk about dates in French, but rather cardinal numbers- for example 'C'est le 28 mai'.
Of course it wouldn't be French without an exception and in this case, the first day of the month is a little different - you have to use the ordinal number instead. Therefore 'C'est le premier' (first) or 'C'est le 1er' (1st)
The words 'troisième' and 'septième' are ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are not used to talk about dates in French, but rather cardinal numbers- for example 'C'est le 28 mai'.
Of course it wouldn't be French without an exception and in this case, the first day of the month is a little different - you have to use the ordinal number instead. Therefore 'C'est le premier' (first) or 'C'est le 1er' (1st)
May 30, 2013 - 03:40 AM
This concept is explained quite well in lesson 15 on level 3. I have found from my own experience, if something doesn't seem to make sense in the workouts it's usually because I didn't fully understand something that was explained in the tutorial section of the lesson, so it's always best to go back and review that. The thing to always keep in mind, especially as you get into the more advanced levels, is that French is not English with French words. The same for all languages. Meaning that in French, English, or any other language the is a unique way to that language to understanding it's meaning. I think the most challenging thing is embracing that.
Jun 03, 2013 - 05:59 PM
thanks all for the quick answers (and the email mélanie - you guys are great). i think i went too fast through level 3, which was way harder than 1 and 2, probably where my memories of high school french ran out. i'm going to stop at lesson 12 of level 4 and redo all of 3. sigh. racing to finish is not the way.
Jun 04, 2013 - 06:15 PM
Scott, you're right. Racing through is not always the best for retaining everything you learn. But you should certainly be proud of all the progress you are making! Learning a language takes time and practice so don't be xxxx yourself. C'est très bien comme progrès :)