Question 1

Why is there no French word for "how" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

In English, we say someone "knows how to" do something, but in French, the verb savoir (to know) is followed directly by an infinitive verb. You never use a translation of "how" (like comment) in this structure. The phrase savoir raconter fully covers "to know how to tell".

Question 2

How could we use the pronominal passive (this lesson's topic) to say "The legend is told"?

Accepted Answer

You would make the inanimate object (la légende) the subject and add the reflexive pronoun se before the verb. The sentence becomes La légende se raconte. This translates literally to "The legend tells itself," but it is the natural French way to say "The legend is told."

Question 3

Why is sait (from savoir) used here instead of connaît (from connaître)?

Accepted Answer

While both verbs translate to "to know," they are used differently. Savoir is used for facts and for knowing how to do a skill (always followed by an infinitive, like raconter). Connaître is used for being familiar with a person, place, or thing. If the storyteller simply knew of the legend, you would say Il connaît la légende.

Question 4

The word for storyteller is conteur. How would you say this if the storyteller were a woman?

Accepted Answer

The feminine form of French nouns ending in -eur (specifically those formed from a verb, like conter) usually ends in -euse. Therefore, a female storyteller is une conteuse.

Le conteur sait raconter la légende.

Breakdown of Le conteur sait raconter la légende.

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