Common German and French Phrases

Question 1

avant garde

Answer 1

n.

the advance group in any field, especially in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods.

adj.

unorthodox or daring; radical.

or “vanguard”; French: literally, fore-guard; from Latin abante, a compound of ab “from” and ante “before”.

The avant-garde générale, avant-garde stratégique, or avant-garde d’armée is a strong force (one, two, or three army corps) pushed out a day’s march to the front, immediately behind the cavalry screen. Its mission is, vigorously to engage the enemy wherever he is found, and, by binding him, to ensure liberty of action in time and space for the main army.

Question 2

au fait

Answer 2

— adj
fully informed; an expert or versed

literally: to the point or fact (fait )

Question 3

fait accompli

Answer 3

n.-

Something alredy done and beyond alteration.

French, literally “an accomplished fact”