How to practice your French with Netflix's Lupin
by Nicole Baptista
Everybody is talking about Netflix’s new French series Lupin. With over 70 million views in just one month, the show is proving to be even more popular than the successful Bridgerton and The Queen’s Gambit. Starring the sensational Omar Sy, and with a storyline that will keep you on your toes from start to finish, this series offers a perfect opportunity for you to practice and improve your French.
Today’s post will look at some methods you can use to make the most of your Lupin binge-watching sessions, as well as offering some useful French slang vocabulary from the first episode.
Why Should You Watch It?
Breathtaking views of Paris
At a time when most borders remain shut due to Covid-19, most of us can’t travel to Paris, so why not let Paris come to us? This smash-hit series provides us with jaw-dropping views of the Louvre (both inside and outside). We even get a glimpse of the renowned Mona Lisa.
But that’s not all. Omar Sy takes us on a journey through Paris: a bike chase around the Jardin du Luxembourg, a stroll on the Pont des Arts, visits to Les Puces - the famous flea market, and shots of Parisian rooftops. The series is a great way to lift your spirits (especially as many of us haven’t travelled in a long time).
2. A Plot Full of Suspense and Clever Mystery
You just cannot get bored of this series. The story is inspired by the works of Maurice Leblanc, portraying a gentleman thief as well as master of disguise. Truth is, nobody can play Lupin better than Omar Sy.
“Assane'' (Omar) is smart, slick, charismatic, and always one step ahead of everyone else. His life is tragically turned upside down when his father dies after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Now as a grown man, he seeks revenge for his father’s death.
We sympathize with him the whole way through. No, he doesn’t need knives or guns to complete his missions: only his crafty smile and his tricks, which leave us wondering “ how did he do that?!” every few minutes.
3. French Vocabulary : Argot Expressions You Hear in the First Episode
To get you started, here is some useful vocabulary from Lupin’s first episode:
Assane’s ex-girlfriend : “T’as une belle gueule”
Gueule literary: yap or gob (slang). Expression ‘avoir une belle gueule’ :To look gorgeous
“You look gorgeous”
Raoul’ s mother to Asssane : “Sois-pas en retard”
Être en retard: to be late
“Don’t be late”
Assane: “Je vous explique comment faire de l’oseille”
L’oseille: money (slang)
“Let me explain to you how to make money”
Kevin : “Je vois pas arriver mon pognon”
Le pognon: money, readies, dough (slang)
“I don’t see my money coming”
Assane : “J’ai besoin d’un gars un peu costaud”
Costaud: hefty, beefy, strong (slang)
“I need someone beefy”
Assane: “on va faire gaffe, y a des caméras partout”
Faire gaffe: to be careful (slang)
“We must be careful, there are cameras everywhere”
Assane: “du coup, on vous verra pas”
Du coup: so (common)
“So, nobody will see us”
Assane: “vous entrez balayeur, vous sortez millionnaire”
Un balayeur: street sweeper
“You arrive a street sweeper, and you come out a millionaire”
Assane (talking about the security officer): “il est toujours à l’ouest”
Expression : être à l’ouest (slang) : to be out of sorts, to be distracted
“He is always out of sorts”
Assane: “Y a rien à craindre”
Craindre : to fear
“There is nothing to fear”
Assane: “les flics déboulent et mettent trois minutes à arriver”
Un flic: cop ( slang)
débouler (slang): to emerge quickly, to hurtle
“The cops hurtle and it takes them only three minutes to arrive”
Assane: “vous piquez le collier et vous sortez”
Piquer: to steal, to pinch ( slang)
“You steal the necklace and you get out”
Assane (young) : “C’est ici que tu bosses ?”
Bosser: to work (slang)
“You work here?”
The investigator (to Assane) : “j’ai jamais entendu parler de votre boîte Nanobye”
Une boite: company ( slang)
“I’ve never heard about your company Nanobay”
Assane : “ne faites jamais confiance à Arsène Lupin”
Faire confiance à quelqu’un : to trust someone
“Never trust Arsène Lupin”
Assane: “Tu t’es surpassé Benjamin?”
Benjamin (l’antiquaire): “C’est pas nickel, nickel, j’ai fait ce que j’ai pu”
Se surpasser: to surpass oneself
“You surpassed yourself Benjamin?”
C’est nickel (slang) : it’s perfect
“It’s not perfect, I did what I could”
4 . How Should You Watch It To Learn French At the Same Time
So, how should you watch Lupin to get the maximum benefits for your French learning?
As we already know, watching series can be a fun and effective way to learn French. Here is a method which can help you make the most of your Lupin watching.
Begin by watching Lupin in French audio WITH english subtitles. This will help you to work out what is being said (and understand what is actually happening). It will also help you get used to the French sounds and words. I would recommend this for beginners.
Next, try watching Lupin in French audio with French subtitles. Now you will be associating the written French with the spoken French. This is a very useful technique- you won’t just be improving your listening skills, but also your reading skills.
On your third attempt, watch Lupin in French audio without any subtitles. How much are you able to pick up and understand?
Of course, everyone is at different levels in French, and each person learns in different ways- but you can use this as a general guide. Whichever way you choose to do it, it is useful to take notes of new words you hadn’t come across before. Write them down as you hear them and look them up in a dictionary. Deciphering slang expressions can be tricky, in particular for beginners.