French is a widely spoken language in many countries around the globe. The French language is popularly known as the language of love due to its beautiful words and its sophistication. If you are someone who is looking at learning this beautiful language because you love the culture, or if you are looking at learning this language for travelling purposes, it is important to know phrases that will help you in communication.
Knowing different phrases is pertinent and incredibly helpful when it comes to making a good impression on a native French speaker.
In this article, let us look at some of the most useful French phrases that are available which can help you communicate effectively and efficiently.
Greetings and Introductions
This is a basic but extremely important part of conversing with someone else. This type of phrase is relevant if you are meeting someone new irrespective of the social setting. In this section of the article, we will look at some of the most commonly used French phrases to greet someone and introduce yourself.
Bonjour
Bonjour is a very common phrase that is known to many people irrespective of whether they know French or not. This phrase is something that is used from morning until evening and is a very polite way to greet someone.
Bonsoir
You can use this word in the evening and at night. This phrase is used usually after 5 pm and is a polite way to greet someone similar to Bonjour. This is a more appropriate way to greet someone later in the evening.
Comment ça va?
Comment ça va? This means how are you? Or how are things? This expression is a relaxed way of inquiring about how someone you’re familiar with is doing. If you are asked this, a polite and simple way to answer would be to say Ça va bien, merci. The phrase simply means I am doing well, thank you.
Enchanté(e)
Enchanté(e) is a phrase commonly used when you are introduced to another person. It means nice to meet you. The reason why there is an (e) in the word above is that in the French language, men will say Enchanté meanwhile women use the word Enchantée. Make sure to keep this in mind when you are using this word.
Je m’appelle…
When introducing yourself to someone you will use the phrase Je m’appelle. For example, if your name is Susan, you will say “Je m’appelle Susan”.
Et vous?
After introducing yourself, you can use Et Vous to ask the person their name. Et Vous simply means ‘and you?’ This is a useful phrase to use when it comes to keeping the conversation going.
Check out French Movies That Captivated Audiences Worldwide!
Common Question Phrases in the French Language
It is important to learn common question phrases as asking questions is a fundamental part of any communication. We have listed down some of the important question-related phrases you should know in order to communicate effectively in the French language.
Où est…?
Asking where is something is one of the few basic questions you should know. This phrase is how you ask this question in French. This phrase is versatile as you can ask for directions, things and many more with this phrase. This is a useful tip not only for those looking at mastering this language but also for those of you who are looking at travelling to French-related countries.
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Another question that is highly helpful if you are travelling to French-speaking countries is Qu'est-ce que c'est? This question simply means what is this and is a useful phrase when you are seeking clarification on something that you are not familiar with.
Combien ça coûte?
Combien ça coûte? This is yet another question that will help you when you are travelling. Most of us like shopping when we are travelling. One of the basic questions when shopping is asking the price of things. In French, this is what this phrase is. The direct translation of this phrase is How much does it cost? This is the perfect phrase to know when you are shopping.
À quelle heure?
This is a common phrase that you can use to inquire about the timing of something. This can be from the time of an event all the way to the time of a movie or a meeting.
Pourquoi?
This phrase is common and basic but it is powerful. We say this because it is one of the few phrases that can be used in a variety of situations and is applicable to many contexts. This phrase is simple and it means why.
Useful Phrases When You Are Dining
A big part of experiencing French culture is food. French cuisine is celebrated for its careful preparation and incredible flavours! On top of the French being known for their culinary heritage, they are also popular for their cheeses as well as pastries. We have listed some of the questions you should know that will facilitate your experience in dining and food.
Je voudrais…
This phrase is commonly used when you are ordering food. This phrase means I would like and can be used to indicate what food or drink you want to have in a restaurant.
L’addition, s'il vous plaît!
L’addition, s'il vous plaît! Is used when you are asking for the bill or the check after you have had your drinks and meal. Politeness is a synonym in France so make sure you ask this politely after you have completed your dining in a restaurant.
C'est délicieux!
If you are visiting friends for a meal or if you go to a restaurant and absolutely love the meal you had, this would be the exact phrase to be used. This phrase means delicious. It is used to complement the food you just had while showing appreciation.
Avez-vous des options végétariennes?
In this day and age with people being conscious about not only their health but also the environment, there are a lot of people who have chosen to become vegetarians. If you are from Malaysia and have chosen this lifestyle, you know how difficult it can be sometimes to find food options for yourself. Just picture being in another country where the language is different from what you're used to. This phrase is extremely useful for you if you are a vegetarian. This phrase simply means do you have vegetarian options? Use this phrase when you, your family or friends are looking for vegetarian options when you go to a French restaurant.
Puis-je avoir… ?
This phrase means may I have. You can input whatever you are looking for after this phrase. This is a very demure and polite way of asking something and can be used in many different situations.
Do you want to pick French words by listening to songs? Click here!
How will Learning These Phrases Help You?
Application
When you learn phrases instead of individual words, you are actually able to engage with other French speakers in conversations right away. In order to successfully use these phrases, you should not let yourself be confused by the French’s complicated sentence structures. Do not use difficult or rare vocabulary instead use common phrases that will be useful in everyday context.
Context
French is a language that's beautifully connected to its rich culture. Getting to know French phrases can really deepen your appreciation of the culture behind the language. When you learn them you are not only reflecting this but also the cultural nuances of the French language. By knowing certain phrases, you are motivating yourself to not only learn but also enable yourself to appreciate and understand the cultural subtleties.
Encourage Conversations
You do not need to master the French language before you start speaking the language. When you learn useful French phrases, it can act as a conversation starter that helps initiate dialogue in a social group. Knowing certain phrases makes it easier for beginners to join in conversations and learn their pronunciation and comprehension in a real-life environment.
Confidence
When you learn phrases, you will start to have conversations in French. In doing so you will start to feel confident in your speaking skills. Most of the time, people tend to forget that proficiency in a language is highly dependent on your confidence. When you start having confidence without the worry or concern of making mistakes, only then will you start truly mastering a language.
Are you looking for French lessons in Malaysia? One of the best things you can do to enrich your experience of this country is to learn the language. Superprof is a platform that is suitable for those of you who are looking to learn the French language. We have a list of qualified, experienced and skilled French tutors who are just waiting to help you learn, appreciate and master this romantic and beautiful language. Our site is not only easy to navigate but is very useful for finding tutors not only in languages but a variety of subjects and hobbies.
Our dedication to helping students and tutors out there is what makes the core of who we are. We believe in allowing everyone to have the chance to learn. Most of our tutors offer their first lesson for free so this is a good way you can connect with prospective tutors to discuss the goals and what you plan to achieve by learning this language.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...