Il y a un commencement à tout

Meaning: Everything has to start somewhere; first attempts are allowed to be clumsy.

Literally: There is a beginning to everything

Example: “Tu n'as jamais cuisiné ? Il y a un commencement à tout.” — You've never cooked before? There's a first time for everything.

Equivalents in English, Spanish, and German

English: There's a first time for everything
Spanish: Siempre hay una primera vez (literally: There is always a first time)
German: Es gibt für alles ein erstes Mal (literally: There is a first time for everything)

Origin: A gentle encouragement for beginners: every expert once did things for the first time.

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

Épanouissement The full flourishing of a person — blooming into your most complete, radiant self. More t…
Ressourcement The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…
Dépaysement The disorienting yet often pleasant feeling of being far from home, immersed in the unfam…

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