The Little Prince — Page 7 | Contextual Explanations

You are reading page 7 of 44 from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery. Use the contextual explanations to improve your English comprehension.

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They are like that.

They: refers to a group of people previously mentioned or understood in context [ðeɪ]
are: present tense form of the verb 'to be', linking the subject 'they' to the description that follows [ər]
like that: having certain qualities or characteristics; behaving in a particular way [laɪk ðət]

One must not hold it against them.

One: refers to people in general [wən]
must: expresses obligation or necessity [məst]
not: negates the verb 'hold' [nɑt]
hold it against them: to resent someone for something; to blame someone for something [hoʊld ɪt əˈgɛnst ðɛm]

Children should always show great forbearance toward grown-up people.

Children: young human beings who have not yet reached adulthood [ˈʧɪldrən]
should: expresses obligation or recommendation [ʃʊd]
always: at all times; on every occasion [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
show: to display or exhibit [ʃoʊ]
great: large in amount or degree [greɪt]
forbearance: patient self-control; restraint and tolerance [fɔrˈbɛrəns]
toward: in the direction of; concerning [təˈwɔrd]
grown-up people: adults [ˈgroʊˌnəp ˈpipəl]

But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference.

But: introduces a statement that contrasts with or adds to a previous statement [bət]
certainly: definitely; without doubt [ˈsərtənli]
for us: referring to the speaker and others who share a similar understanding [fər ˈjuˈɛs]
who: relative pronoun referring to 'us' [hu]
understand: to perceive the meaning of; to grasp the nature of [ˌəndərˈstænd]
life: the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]
figures: numerical symbols; numbers [ˈfɪgjərz]
are: present tense form of the verb 'to be', linking the subject 'figures' to the description that follows [ər]
a matter of indifference: something that is not important or significant [ə ˈmætər əv ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns]

I should have liked to begin this story in the fashion of the fairy-tales.

I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
should: expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation [ʃʊd]
have liked: would have enjoyed or preferred [hæv laɪkt]
to begin: to start; to commence [tɪ bɪˈgɪn]
this story: a narrative, either true or fictitious, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader [ðɪs ˈstɔri]
in the fashion of: in the style or manner of [ɪn ðə ˈfæʃən əv]
the fairy-tales: traditional stories, often involving magical creatures and events [ðə fairy-~~tales~~]

To those who understand life, that would have given a much greater air of truth to my story.

To those: Referring to the people [tɪ ðoʊz]
who: relative pronoun referring to 'those' [hu]
understand: to perceive the meaning of; to grasp the nature of [ˌəndərˈstænd]
life: the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]
that: refers to a previously mentioned idea or statement [ðət]
would: expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]
have given: would have provided [hæv ˈgɪvɪn]
a much: a great deal; considerably [ə məʧ]
greater: larger in amount, size, or degree [ˈgreɪtər]
air of truth: an appearance or impression of being true [ɛr əv truθ]
to: indicating direction or reference [tɪ]
my story: a narrative, either true or fictitious, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader [maɪ ˈstɔri]

For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly.

For: used to introduce the reason or explanation for something [fər]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
do: used for emphasis with the verb 'want' [du]
not: used to negate the verb 'want' [nɑt]
want: to have a desire for something [wɔnt]
any one: anyone; any person [ˈɛni wən]
to read: to look at and understand written words [tɪ rɛd]
my book: the book written by the speaker [maɪ bʊk]
carelessly: without paying attention or taking care [ˈkɛrlɛsli]

I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories.

I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
have suffered: to have experienced pain or distress [hæv ˈsəfərd]
too much: more than is desirable or necessary [tu məʧ]
grief: intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death [grif]
in setting down: in writing or recording something [ɪn ˈsɛtɪŋ daʊn]
these memories: recollections of past events [ðiz ˈmɛməriz]

Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep.

Six years: a period of six years [sɪks jɪrz]
have already passed: a period of time has elapsed [hæv ɔˈrɛdi pæst]
since: from a definite past time [sɪns]
my friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [maɪ frɛnd]
went away: left; departed [wɛnt əˈweɪ]
from me: away from the speaker [frəm mi]
with his sheep: accompanied by his sheep [wɪθ hɪz ʃip]

If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him.

If: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
try: to make an attempt or effort to do something [traɪ]
to describe: to give a detailed account of something [tɪ dɪˈskraɪb]
him: referring to the friend [ɪm]
here: in this place or context [hir]
it is: used for emphasis [ɪt ɪz]
to make sure: to ensure; to be certain [tɪ meɪk ʃʊr]
that: introducing a clause [ðət]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
shall not forget: will not forget [ʃæl nɑt fərˈgɛt]
him: referring to the friend [ɪm]

To forget a friend is sad.

To forget: the act of ceasing to remember [tɪ fərˈgɛt]
a friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [ə frɛnd]
is sad: causes unhappiness [ɪz sæd]

Not every one has had a friend.

Not every one: not everyone; not all people [nɑt ˈɛvəri wən]
has had: has experienced or possessed [həz hæd]
a friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [ə frɛnd]

And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures...

And: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
if: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
forget: to cease to remember [fərˈgɛt]
him: referring to the friend [ɪm]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
may become: might transform into [meɪ bɪˈkəm]
like: similar to [laɪk]
the grown-ups: adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]
who: referring to the grown-ups [hu]
are no longer: not any more [ər noʊ ˈlɔŋgər]
interested: showing curiosity or concern about something [ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd]
in anything: in any matter or thing [ɪn ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
but: except; only [bət]
figures: numerical data [ˈfɪgjərz]

It is for that purpose, again, that I have bought a box of paints and some pencils.

It is: used to introduce a reason or explanation [ɪt ɪz]
for that purpose: for that specific reason or intention [fər ðət ˈpərpəs]
again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
that: introducing a clause [ðət]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
have bought: to have purchased [hæv bɔt]
a box of paints: a container filled with different colors of paint [ə bɑks əv peɪnts]
and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
some pencils: a few drawing instruments [səm ˈpɛnsəlz]

It is hard to take up drawing again at my age, when I have never made any pictures except those of the boa constrictor from the outside and the boa constrictor from the inside, since I was six.

It is: used to introduce a reason or explanation [ɪt ɪz]
hard: difficult; not easy [hɑrd]
to take up: to begin or resume an activity [tɪ teɪk əp]
drawing: the act of creating pictures with a pencil or pen [drɔɪŋ]
again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
at my age: at the speaker's current stage of life [æt maɪ eɪʤ]
when: at the time that [wɪn]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
have never made: have not ever created [hæv ˈnɛvər meɪd]
any pictures: any drawings or paintings [ˈɛni ˈpɪkʧərz]
except: not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]
those: referring to the pictures [ðoʊz]
of the boa constrictor: a type of snake [əv ðə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]
from the outside: viewed from the exterior [frəm ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
the boa constrictor: a type of snake [ðə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]
from the inside: viewed from the interior [frəm ðə ˌɪnˈsaɪd]
since: from the time that [sɪns]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
was six: was six years old [wɑz sɪks]

I shall certainly try to make my portraits as true to life as possible.

I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
shall certainly try: will definitely attempt [ʃæl ˈsərtənli traɪ]
to make: to create or produce [tɪ meɪk]
my portraits: pictures of people [maɪ ˈpɔrtrəts]
as true to life: as realistic as possible [ɛz tru tɪ laɪf]
as possible: to the greatest extent or degree [ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl]

But I am not at all sure of success.

But: used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
am not at all sure: not confident at all [æm nɑt æt ɔl ʃʊr]
of success: of achieving the desired outcome [əv səkˈsɛs]

One drawing goes along all right, and another has no resemblance to its subject.

One drawing: a single drawing [wən drɔɪŋ]
goes along: progresses [goʊz əˈlɔŋ]
all right: satisfactorily; well enough [ɔl raɪt]
and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
another: a different one [əˈnəðər]
has no resemblance: does not look similar [həz noʊ rɪˈzɛmbləns]
to its subject: to the person or thing being drawn [tɪ ɪts ˈsəbʤɪkt]

I make some errors, too, in the little prince's height: in one place he is too tall and in another too short.

I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
make: to create or produce [meɪk]
some errors: mistakes [səm ˈɛrərz]
too: also; in addition [tu]
in the little prince's height: regarding the height of the little prince [ɪn ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz haɪt]
in one place: in one instance or part [ɪn wən pleɪs]
he is: referring to the little prince [hi ɪz]
too tall: excessively tall [tu tɔl]
and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
in another: in a different instance or part [ɪn əˈnəðər]
too short: excessively short [tu ʃɔrt]

And I feel some doubts about the color of his costume.

And: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
feel: to experience an emotion or sensation [fil]
some doubts: uncertainties or hesitations [səm daʊts]
about: concerning [əˈbaʊt]
the color: the hue or shade [ðə ˈkələr]
of his costume: of the clothes he is wearing [əv hɪz ˈkɑstum]

So I fumble along as best I can, now good, now bad, and I hope generally fair-to-middling.

So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
fumble along: to proceed clumsily or hesitantly [ˈfəmbəl əˈlɔŋ]
as best I can: to the best of my ability [ɛz bɛst aɪ kən]
now good: sometimes good [naʊ gʊd]
now bad: sometimes bad [naʊ bæd]
and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
hope: to want something to happen or be true [hoʊp]
generally: usually; in most cases [ˈʤɛnərəli]
fair-to-middling: of average quality; neither very good nor very bad [fair-to-~~middling~~]

In certain more important details I shall make mistakes, also.

In: preposition indicating location or condition [ɪn]
certain: specific but not fully specified or identified [ˈsərtən]
more important: having greater significance or value [mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]
details: individual features or facts [ˈditeɪlz]
I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
shall: auxiliary verb indicating future tense [ʃæl]
make: to perform an action or create something [meɪk]
mistakes: errors or faults [mɪˈsteɪks]
also: in addition; as well [ˈɔlsoʊ]

But that is something that will not be my fault.

But: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
that: referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]
is: linking verb [ɪz]
something: an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
that: relative pronoun introducing a clause [ðət]
will: auxiliary verb indicating future tense [wɪl]
not: negative particle [nɑt]
be: linking verb [bi]
my: first-person singular possessive pronoun [maɪ]
fault: responsibility for an error or failure [fɔlt]

My friend never explained anything to me.

My: first-person singular possessive pronoun [maɪ]
friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [frɛnd]
never: at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]
explained: made clear or understandable [ɪkˈspleɪnd]
anything: a thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
to: preposition indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]
me: first-person singular object pronoun [mi]

He thought, perhaps, that I was like himself.