Salutations et présentations
Learning a language starts with saying hello. These greetings and introductions will get you through your first conversations in French.
Greeting people
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / Good morning | All day, formal and informal |
| Bonsoir | Good evening | After ~6 PM |
| Salut | Hi / Bye | Casual, among friends |
| Au revoir | Goodbye | Standard farewell |
| Bonne nuit | Good night | Before going to sleep |
Introducing yourself
The magic formula: Je m'appelle + your name.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je m'appelle Marie. | My name is Marie. |
| Comment tu t'appelles ? | What's your name? (informal) |
| Comment vous appelez-vous ? | What's your name? (formal) |
| Enchanté(e). | Nice to meet you. |
Tu vs. Vous
French has two words for "you":
- Tu — for friends, family, children, people your age in casual settings
- Vous — for strangers, elders, authority figures, and also the plural "you all"
Rule of thumb: When in doubt, use vous. The French person will tell you on peut se tutoyer (we can use tu) when they're comfortable.
Essential phrases
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Oui / Non | Yes / No |
| S'il vous plaît | Please (formal) |
| Merci (beaucoup) | Thank you (very much) |
| De rien | You're welcome |
| Excusez-moi | Excuse me |
| Pardon | Sorry |
| Je ne comprends pas | I don't understand |
| Parlez-vous anglais ? | Do you speak English? |
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below to mark this chapter as read.
How do you say "hello" in French?
"Salut" is appropriate in formal situations.
Complete: Je ___ Marie.
Which word for "you" should you use with a stranger?
How do you say "I don't understand"?
"Enchanté" means ___ in English.