Life and living 5
l’union libre (f.) common-law union
les vœux de mariage (m. pl.) marriage vows
Les fi ançailles sont souvent suivies de la Th e engagement is oft en followed by a public
publication des bans. announcement of marriage.
Le mariage est un événement important A wedding is a signifi cant moment in life.
dans la vie.
La séparation entre deux personnes Th e separation of two married people oft en ends
mariées fi nit souvent en divorce. in divorce.
Le concubinage n’est pas une union légale Common-law relationships are not legal unions
en France. in France.
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EXERCICE
Les grands moments de la vie. Important moments of life. Put the following life
markers in chronological order from birth to death, using the letters A through L. Use the
letter A for birth and end with the letter L for death.
- les fi ançailles
- la mort
- le divorce
- les rapports intimes
- la grossesse
- le mariage
- la lune de miel
- la séparation
- le second mariage
- la maturité
- la naissance
- les noces de diamant
De l’enfant à l’adulte (From child to adult)
French children and adolescents spend a lot of time with their families (en famille), sharing food
and conversation with grown-ups. Kids are included when their parents host family or friends,
and they are expected to socialize with people from various age groups.
l’adolescent (e) adolescent
l’adulte (m./f.) adult
le/la célibataire bachelor
le couple couple
la dame lady
la demoiselle young lady
l’enfant (m./f.) child
l’époux (m.), l’épouse (f.) spouse