Topic: Expressions

French has different greetings depending on the time of day and level of formality. Choosing the right greeting shows respect and helps you make a good first impression. French IPA English When to Use Bonjour [bɔ̃.ʒuʁ] Hello / Good day Anytime during the day (formal + informal) Salut [sa.ly] Hi / Hey Informal, with friends … Read more

French has multiple ways to say goodbye depending on the situation and when you expect to see the person again. French IPA English When to Use Au revoir [o ʁə.vwaʁ] Goodbye Universal, formal + informal Salut [sa.ly] Bye Informal, with friends À bientôt [a bjɛ̃.to] See you soon When you’ll meet again soon À demain … Read more

Politeness is essential in French culture. Using s’il vous plaît and merci isn’t optional — it’s expected in virtually every interaction. French IPA English Formality S’il vous plaît [sil vu plɛ] Please Formal S’il te plaît [sil tə plɛ] Please Informal Merci [mɛʁ.si] Thank you Universal Merci beaucoup [mɛʁ.si bo.ku] Thank you very much Universal … Read more

French has three main ways to apologize or get someone’s attention, each with a different purpose. French IPA English Main Use Excusez-moi [ɛk.sky.ze mwa] Excuse me Getting attention, interrupting Pardon [paʁ.dɔ̃] Pardon / Sorry Bumping into someone, quick apology Désolé(e) [de.zɔ.le] Sorry Expressing regret, apology Je suis désolé(e) [ʒə sɥi de.zɔ.le] I’m sorry Sincere apology … Read more

Asking for and giving names is one of the first things you’ll do when meeting French speakers. French IPA English Formality Comment vous appelez-vous? [kɔ.mɑ̃ vu.za.ple vu] What is your name? Formal Comment tu t’appelles? [kɔ.mɑ̃ ty ta.pɛl] What’s your name? Informal Je m’appelle… [ʒə ma.pɛl] My name is… Universal Moi, c’est… [mwa sɛ] I’m… … Read more

Asking “how are you?” is a fundamental part of French conversation. French has both formal and informal versions. French IPA English Formality Comment allez-vous? [kɔ.mɑ̃ ta.le vu] How are you? Formal Ça va? [sa va] How’s it going? Informal Ça va bien [sa va bjɛ̃] I’m fine Universal Et vous? / Et toi? [e vu] … Read more

Oui, non, peut-être / Yes, No, Maybe Knowing how to say yes, no, and maybe is essential for any conversation. French has several ways to express agreement, disagreement, and uncertainty—from simple oui and non to more emphatic or nuanced responses. French IPA English Usage Oui [wi] Yes Standard affirmative Non [nɔ̃] No Standard negative Peut-être … Read more

These phrases will help you when you don’t understand something in a conversation. Native speakers appreciate when learners try to communicate, even if it’s to say they’re lost! French IPA English Je ne comprends pas [ʒə nə kɔ̃.pʁɑ̃ pa] I don’t understand Pardon? [paʁ.dɔ̃] Pardon? / Sorry? Pouvez-vous répéter? [pu.ve vu ʁe.pe.te] Can you repeat? … Read more

Il y a is one of the most useful expressions in French. It means both “there is” and “there are” — the same form works for singular and plural. French IPA English Il y a [il ja] There is / There are Il n’y a pas (de) [il nja pa (də)] There isn’t / There … Read more

The verb aimer (to like/love) is one of the most common French verbs. French has a range of expressions from strong love to strong dislike. French IPA English Intensity J’adore [ʒa.dɔʁ] I love +++ J’aime beaucoup [ʒɛm bo.ku] I really like ++ J’aime [ʒɛm] I like + J’aime bien [ʒɛm bjɛ̃] I quite like +/- … Read more