Vocabulary List for “Qui sera le chef?”
Here is a useful list of French words and expressions from the story to help with your reading.
| French Word/Expression | English Translation | Context / Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Un chef | A leader, a chief | The role that needs to be filled in the town of Sansouci. |
| Remplacer | To replace | What the current chief wants someone to do for him. |
| Un successeur | A successor | The person who will take the chief’s place. |
| Un concours | A contest, a competition | The method chosen to select the new chief. |
| Une estrade | A stage, a platform | Where the candidates present their talents. |
| Un talent | A talent, a skill | What each candidate must demonstrate. |
| Accourir | To rush, to run up | What the townspeople do to participate or watch. |
| Gesticuler | To gesticulate, to wave arms about | How one of the candidates behaves on stage. |
| En sécurité | Safe, in safety | The promise made by the candidate who wants to turn bullies into plush toys. |
| Une peluche | A stuffed toy, a plush | What the gesticulating man promises to turn bullies into. |
| Intrigué | Intrigued, curious | How the crowd feels when Pépita comes on stage. | Une tronçonneuse | A chainsaw | One of the sounds Pépita and the children can imitate. |
| Une débroussailleuse | A brush cutter, a strimmer | Another sound that Pépita and the children imitate. |
| Faire la grimace | To pull a face, to frown | The crowd’s reaction to Pépita’s “ordinary” talents. |
| Départager | To decide between, to choose a winner | The purpose of the contest to choose the new chief. |
| Bouche bée | Open-mouthed, astounded | How the crowd is left after Pépita and the children’s demonstration. |
| Une habileté | A skill, dexterity | What the crowd admires in Pépita. |
| Se débrouiller | To manage, to cope | What Pépita wants to be sure the old chief can do in her classroom. |