This key facts covers Key rules at a glance within French to English translation technique for GCSE French. Revise French to English translation technique in Reading and Translation into English for GCSE French with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

📌 Key rules at a glance

les/la/le with general nouns: do NOT translate as "the" — "J'aime les chiens" = "I like dogs"
du/de la/des: translate as "some" or omit — never "of the"
Reflexive verbs: translate idiomatically — se lever = to get up, se coucher = to go to bed
Avoir expressions: avoir faim/soif/peur/raison/tort/chaud/froid = to be hungry/thirsty/scared/right/wrong/hot/cold
Depuis + present: translate with English present perfect — "I have [done] for/since…"
Ne…que: = only (not a negation — "I only drink water")
Venir de + infinitive: = to have just done something
On: in informal/colloquial contexts = we

Practice questions for French to English translation technique

On AQA Paper 3, how is the French-to-English translation task marked?

A. The passage is split into short sections, each worth marks for conveying meaning accurately.
B. You must translate the whole passage perfectly to receive any marks.
C. Marks are awarded only if your English uses formal, literary language.
D. Each individual word is marked separately — one mark per correct word.

1 markfoundation

Translate this sentence into English: **Ma soeur fait ses devoirs dans sa chambre le soir.**

3 marksfoundation

Quick recall flashcards

How do you translate 'on' in different contexts?

'On' is very common in French and can mean: - 'We' (most common in GCSE texts): On va au cinéma = We go to the cinema - 'You/One' (general): On peut visiter le musée = You can visit the museum - 'People/They' (impersonal): On dit que... = People say that... Context tells you which English word fits best.

How do you handle reflexive verbs in translation?

French reflexive verbs often do NOT need 'myself/himself' in English: - Je me lève = I get up (NOT 'I get myself up') - Il s'appelle Marc = He is called Marc / His name is Marc - On s'amuse = We have fun Translate the MEANING, not word-for-word.

The Four-Step Translation Process

Exam Tips & Common Errors

Key rules at a glance

📌 Key rules at a glance

Practice questions for French to English translation technique

Quick recall flashcards

15 questions on French to English translation technique — practise free