Vocabulary List for “Chacun son tour !” (Everyone Gets Their Turn!)
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 Polki | A Polki (a type of collectible figurine) | The prized collectible toy that Mathis brings to school. |
| Une figurine | A figurine, a small model | Another word for the Polki, a small plastic figure. |
| La récréation (la récré) | Recess, break | Where the children play and where Alexandre first takes the Polki. |
| CM1 (Cours Moyen 1) | Year 5 (UK), 4th Grade (US) | Alexandre’s class level, he is one of the “big kids.” |
| Hésiter | To hesitate | What Mathis does before lending his Polki to Alexandre. |
| Embêter | To bother, to annoy | What Alexandre often tries to do to smaller children. |
| Inquiet / Inquiète | Worried | How Mathis feels in class after his Polki isn’t returned. |
| Rassurer | To reassure | What Simon tries to do for Mathis when he is worried. |
| Prendre son courage à deux mains | To take one’s courage in both hands | An expression meaning to pluck up courage to do something scary. |
| Traîner les pieds | To drag one’s feet | How Mathis walks home, showing he is sad and reluctant. |
| Un tour de magie | A magic trick | The solution Mathis finds to get his Polki back. |
| Rendre service | To do a favor, to be useful | Mathis hopes the magic trick will “do him a great service.” |
| Un boniment | A spiel, a line | Talk used by a magician to distract the audience. |
| Se décourager | To get discouraged | What Mathis does NOT do, even though the trick is difficult. |
| Le trac | Stage fright, nerves | What Mathis feels before performing his trick in the yard. |
| Mener quelqu’un en bateau | To lead someone on, to deceive someone | What Mathis knows Alexandre is doing to him with false promises. |
| Penaud | Shamefaced, sheepish | How Alexandre looks when he walks away after being outsmarted. |
| Épaté | Impressed, amazed | How the other students feel after seeing Mathis’s trick. |
Tip: Try using these words in sentences to help you remember them better!