Have you ever dreamed of chatting with a French speaker, ordering a café au lait in French, or making new friends during your Parisian vacation? Mastering conversational French is the first step toward making those dreams a reality.
In this article, we’ll learn how to have a simple conversation in French, focusing on basic, practical words and phrases for common situations. You’ll also discover fun and effective ways to boost your French conversation practice. Let’s dive in!
Table of contents
Essential French words and phrases
Greetings and introductions
A conversation in French always starts with a greeting. The most common ones are:
These greetings set the tone for the conversation, so choose depending on the time of day and the level of formality.
After greeting, you can introduce yourself:
- Je m’appelle Emma — My name is Emma.
- Moi, c’est Emma — I’m Emma (informal).
To ask someone’s name, you can say:
- Comment vous appelez-vous? — What is your name? (formal).
- Comment tu t’appelles? — What is your name? (informal).
When meeting someone for the first time, add:
- Enchanté(e) — Nice to meet you.
It’s worth noting that in French, tu and vous both mean “you,” but they’re used in different situations. Tu is informal and used with friends, family, or people your age or younger. Vous is formal and used in professional settings, with strangers, or to show respect. Going forward, we’ll focus mostly on the informal version.
Small talk essentials
Once greetings and introductions are out of the way, small talk is the next step in building a friendly conversation in French. Here are some questions to help you keep the conversation going:
- Ça va? — How are you?
- Quoi de neuf? — What’s new?
- D’où viens-tu? — Where are you from?
- Quel âge as-tu? — How old are you?
- Tu fais quoi dans la vie? — What do you do for a living?
- Tu fais quoi ce week-end? — What are you doing this weekend?
When responding, you can use these common phrases:
- Ça va bien. – I’m doing well.
- Je suis américain(e). — I’m an American.
- Je viens de New York. — I’m from New York.
- J’ai trente ans. — I’m thirty years old.
- Je suis professeur. — I’m a teacher.
- Ce week-end, je vais voir des films. — This weekend, I’m going to watch movies.
Don’t forget to keep the dialogue flowing by asking back:
Being polite
Despite the stereotypes, politeness is highly valued in French culture. Here are some essential phrases to keep your interactions respectful and friendly:
- S’il vous plaît — Please (formal).
- S’il te plaît — Please (informal).
- Merci — Thank you.
- Merci beaucoup — Thank you very much.
- De rien – You’re welcome.
When apologizing or excusing yourself, use:
- Pardon — Excuse me.
- Excuse-moi — Excuse me.
- Je suis désolé(e) — I’m sorry.
For making requests politely:
- Pouvez-vous m’aider? — Can you help me? (formal).
- Peux-tu répéter? — Can you repeat that? (informal).
- Comment dire … en français? — How do you say … in French?
When addressing people respectfully, use:
- Monsieur — Sir.
- Madame — Ma’am.
- Mademoiselle — Miss (less common today).
Other useful words
Sometimes, a few simple words can keep a conversation flowing naturally. Here are some essential ones:
For expressing agreement or confirmation, use:
- D’accord — All right.
- Bien sûr — Of course.
- Exactement — Exactly.
To react to what someone says:
- Super — Great.
- Génial — Awesome.
- C’est dommage — That’s a shame.
- Quelle horreur! — How awful!
For quick questions or clarifications:
- Qu’est-ce que c’est? — What is this?
- Ça veut dire quoi? — What does it mean?
- Tu comprends? — Do you understand?
- Je ne comprends pas — I don’t understand.
Other useful words to know:
Ending a conversation
Wrapping up a conversation in French is as important as starting one. The most common way to say goodbye is:
- Au revoir — Goodbye.
In more informal settings, you can use:
- Salut! — Bye (the same word as “hi”).
- À plus tard! — See you later! (the same day)
- À plus! — See you!
- À tout à l’heure! — See you later today.
- À bientôt! — See you soon! (on a different day)
- À demain! — See you tomorrow.
When leaving a professional or formal setting, you can add well-wishing phrases like:
- Bonne journée! — Have a good day.
- Bonne soirée! — Have a good evening.
If you need to excuse yourself before leaving, say:
- Je dois y aller. — I have to go.
Don’t forget to smile and add Merci, if appropriate.
Conversations in specific situations
At a restaurant
Ordering food and drinks is one of the most common scenarios where you’ll use French. Here are key phrases to help you navigate it with confidence:
Start with a polite greeting:
To request a table or ask for the menu, you can say:
- Avez-vous une table pour deux? — Do you have a table for two?
- Puis-je m’asseoir ici? — May I sit here?
- La carte, s’il vous plaît. — The menu, please.
- Quelle est votre spécialité? — What is your specialty?
The waiter may ask you questions like:
- Est-ce que vous êtes prêt à commander? — Are you ready to order?
- Avez-vous choisi? — Have you decided?
- Vous désirez? — What would you like?
- Et comme boisson? — And for a drink?
- Avez-vous terminé? — Are you finished?
When you’re ready to order, use:
- Je voudrais… — I would like…
- Un café. — A coffee.
- Un verre de vin rouge. — A glass of red wine.
If you need more time to decide, you can ask:
- Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez? — What do you recommend?
- Quel est le plat du jour? — What is the dish of the day?
To clarify something on the menu, say:
- Qu’est-ce que c’est? — What is this?
- Ça contient quoi? — What does it contain?
- Combien ça coûte? — How much does it cost?
When it’s time to pay, use:
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît. — The check, please.
As you leave, you can thank your waiter:
- Merci beaucoup! — Thank you very much!
- Bonne journée! — Have a good day!
- Bonne soirée! — Have a good evening!
Shopping
Shopping in France often involves speaking directly with shopkeepers, especially in smaller stores or markets. Knowing how to interact politely will make your experience much smoother.
Start by greeting the shopkeeper when you enter.
When looking for something specific, you can say:
- Je cherche… — I’m looking for…
- Avez-vous…? — Do you have…?
- Est-ce qu’il y a…? — Is there…?
If you need help, you might say:
- Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez? — What do you recommend?
- Pouvez-vous m’aider? — Can you help me?
- Puis-je essayer ceci? — Can I try this on?
- Où sont les cabines d’essayage? — Where are the fitting rooms?
For sizes and fit:
- Quelle taille faites-vous? — What size are you?
- Je fais du 38. — I’m size 38.
- C’est trop grand. — It’s too big.
- C’est trop petit. — It’s too small.
To ask about prices, use:
- Ça coûte combien? — How much does it cost?
- Ça fait combien? — How much is it altogether?
- Y a-t-il une réduction? — Is there a discount?
When you’ve made your choice, say:
- Je vais prendre ça. — I’ll take this.
- C’est tout. — That’s all.
Common phrases used when it’s time to pay:
- Voulez-vous un sac? — Would you like a bag?
- Vous payez en espèces ou par carte? — Are you paying in cash or by card?
- Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit? — Do you accept credit cards?
- Puis-je payer par carte? — Can I pay by card?
- Je vais payer en espèces. — I’ll pay in cash.
As you leave, don’t forget to say thank you and goodbye.
Asking for directions
When exploring a French-speaking area, knowing how to ask for and understand directions is essential. These phrases will help you navigate confidently and find your way.
Start by politely getting someone’s attention:
- Excusez-moi, où est la Tour Eiffel? — Excuse me, where is the Eiffel Tower?
- Pardon, pouvez-vous m’aider? — Excuse me, can you help me?
Common phrases for specific locations:
- Où est la gare? — Where is the train station?
- Où est le musée? — Where is the museum?
- Où est l’hôtel Marriott? — Where is the Marriott hotel?
- Où sont les toilettes? — Where are the restrooms?
When someone gives you directions, listen for key phrases:
- Continuez tout droit. — Go straight ahead.
- Tournez à gauche. — Turn left.
- Tournez à droite. — Turn right.
- Traversez le pont. — Cross the bridge.
- C’est à côté de… — It’s next to….
- C’est en face de… — It’s across from…
- C’est à 300 mètres. — It’s 300 meters away.
If you didn’t catch everything, ask:
- Pouvez-vous répéter? — Can you repeat that?
- C’est loin ou près? — Is it far or close?
- Combien de temps ça prend à pied? — How long does it take on foot?
For specific means of transport, you can say:
- Quel bus va à l’aéroport? — Which bus goes to the airport?
- Y a-t-il une station de métro ici? — Is there a metro station here?
- Pouvez-vous appeler un taxi pour moi? — Can you call a taxi for me?
At a hotel
When staying at a hotel in France, knowing a few key phrases in French can make your experience more comfortable.
To book or confirm a reservation, you can say:
- J’ai une réservation au nom de Martin. — I have a reservation under the name Martin.
- Avez-vous une chambre disponible? — Do you have a room available?
- Je voudrais une chambre pour deux nuits. — I’d like a room for two nights.
If you have specific preferences, you might add:
- Je voudrais une chambre avec une vue. — I’d like a room with a view.
- Je voudrais une chambre avec un balcon. — I’d like a room with a balcony.
- Y a-t-il du Wi-Fi dans les chambres? — Is there Wi-Fi in the rooms?
During your stay, you may need to ask about hotel services or address issues:
- Quand est le petit déjeuner? — When is breakfast?
- Où se trouve l’ascenseur? — Where is the elevator?
- Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi? — Can you call me a taxi?
- Puis-je avoir des serviettes supplémentaires? — Can I have extra towels?
- La douche ne fonctionne pas. — The shower isn’t working.
- Il y a un problème avec ma chambre. — There’s a problem with my room.
When checking out, use these phrases:
- Je voudrais régler ma note. — I’d like to pay my bill.
- À quelle heure dois-je libérer la chambre? — What time do I need to check out?
- Pouvez-vous garder mes bagages? — Can you hold my luggage?
At work
Using the right French phrases can help you navigate meetings, communicate with colleagues, and make a good impression. Here are some essential phrases to help you feel confident in the workplace.
Start your day with a polite greeting:
- Bonjour! — Hello!
- Comment allez-vous? — How are you? (formal).
Introducing yourself to colleagues or clients:
- Je m’appelle Charlotte. — My name is Charlotte.
- Je travaille comme gestionnaire. — I work as a manager.
- Je suis nouveau ici (nouvelle). — I’m new here.
Participating in a meeting:
- Je voudrais ajouter quelque chose. — I’d like to add something.
- Pouvez-vous clarifier ce point? — Can you clarify this point?
- Qu’en pensez-vous? — What do you think?
- Je suis d’accord avec ça. — I agree with that.
Asking for help or clarification:
- Pouvez-vous m’expliquer cela? — Can you explain this to me?
- Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît? — Can you repeat that, please?
- Comment puis-je accéder à l’intranet? — How can I access the intranet?
Talking about work tasks:
- Quel est le délai pour ce projet? — What’s the deadline for this project?
- Avez-vous besoin d’aide? — Do you need help?
- C’est presque fini. — It’s almost done.
Phrases about salary and contracts:
- Quel est le salaire pour ce poste? — What is the salary for this position?
- Quand serai-je payé(e)? — When will I be paid?
- Est-ce que ce poste inclut des avantages? — Does this position include benefits?
- Quand dois-je signer le contrat? — When should I sign the contract?
At the hospital
When visiting a hospital in a French-speaking area, these phrases will help you communicate your needs and understand the medical staff.
Start by explaining your situation:
- J’ai besoin d’un médecin. — I need a doctor.
- Je ne me sens pas bien. — I don’t feel well.
- Il y a eu un accident. — There has been an accident.
If asked about your symptoms, you can say:
- J’ai mal à la tête. — I have a headache.
- J’ai de la fièvre. — I have a fever.
- J’ai mal à la gorge. — I have a sore throat.
- J’ai une douleur ici. — I have pain here.
- Ma température est de 38,5 degrés. — My temperature is 38.5 degrees.
To describe your condition more clearly:
- Depuis quand avez-vous ces symptômes? — Since when have you had these symptoms?
- Depuis deux jours. — For two days.
- Je suis allergique à la pénicilline. — I am allergic to penicillin.
When discussing treatment or medication:
- Qu’est-ce que je dois faire? — What should I do?
- Est-ce que je dois prendre des médicaments? — Do I need to take medication?
- Combien de temps ça va prendre? — How long will it take?
When your visit is over:
- Puis-je avoir une ordonnance? — Can I have a prescription?
- Dois-je revenir pour un suivi? — Should I come back for a follow-up?
- Merci pour votre aide. — Thank you for your help.
At the bank
Visiting a French bank may involve opening an account, withdrawing money, or resolving financial issues. These phrases will help you navigate your visit.
Explain why you’re there:
- Je voudrais parler à un conseiller. — I would like to speak with an advisor.
- Je voudrais ouvrir un compte. — I’d like to open an account.
- Je veux retirer de l’argent. — I want to withdraw money.
- Pouvez-vous m’aider avec ce problème? — Can you help me with this issue?
If you’re opening an account, you may be asked for:
- Une pièce d’identité. — An ID.
- Un justificatif de domicile. — Proof of address.
- Un titre de séjour. — A residence permit.
You can ask questions like:
- Quels sont les frais de ce compte? — What are the fees for this account?
- Puis-je avoir une carte bancaire? — Can I have a bank card?
- Quel est le montant minimum pour ouvrir un compte? — What is the minimum amount to open an account?
For withdrawing or depositing money:
- Je voudrais retirer 200 euros. — I’d like to withdraw 200 euros.
- Je voudrais déposer de l’argent. — I’d like to deposit money.
- Pouvez-vous échanger cette monnaie? — Can you exchange this currency?
If you need to transfer money:
- Comment puis-je faire un virement? — How can I make a transfer?
- Je voudrais faire un virement à ce compte. — I’d like to make a transfer to this account.
For common banking problems:
- Il y a un problème avec ma carte. — There’s a problem with my card.
- Mon compte est bloqué. — My account is locked.
- Pouvez-vous vérifier mon solde? — Can you check my balance?
Visiting friends or family
Knowing certain phrases can make your visit with French-speaking friends or family smoother and more engaging.
Start with a friendly greeting when you arrive:
- Bonjour! — Hello!
- Ça va? — How are you?
- Merci de m’avoir invité(e). — Thank you for inviting me.
If you’re bringing a gift, you can say:
- J’ai apporté quelque chose pour vous. — I brought something for you.
- J’espère que ça vous plaira. — I hope you’ll like it.
During your visit, keep the conversation flowing with these phrases:
- Comment allez-vous? — How are you? (formal).
- Quoi de neuf? — What’s new?
- Comment va ta famille? — How’s your family?
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais ce week-end? — What are you doing this weekend?
If you’re offered food or drinks, you can respond politely:
- Oui, avec plaisir. — Yes, with pleasure.
- Non, merci. — No, thank you.
- C’était délicieux! — That was delicious!
When you’re getting ready to leave, use these phrases to say goodbye:
- Merci pour tout! — Thank you for everything!
- J’ai passé un très bon moment. — I had a great time.
- À bientôt! — See you soon!
- Bonne soirée! — Have a good evening!
Socializing
These French phrases will help you connect with friends or acquaintances.
To discuss what you or someone else is doing:
- Tu as passé une bonne journée? — Did you have a good day?
- Alors, quoi de prévu aujourd’hui? — So, what’s planned for today?
- Tu fais quoi ce week-end? — What are you doing this weekend?
- On se voit ce soir? — Are we meeting tonight?
- Tu veux aller boire un verre? — Do you want to go for a drink?
- Tu veux aller au parc? — Do you want to go to the park?
- Je vais au cinéma samedi. — I’m going to the movies on Saturday.
Ask or talk about hobbies:
- Qu’est-ce que tu aimes faire? — What do you like to do?
- Tu lis quoi en ce moment? — What are you reading right now?
- Tu fais du sport? — Do you play sports?
- J’adore cuisiner. — I love cooking.
- Tu joues d’un instrument? — Do you play an instrument?
- Je joue de la guitare. — I play the guitar.
Expressing your thoughts or asking for someone else’s:
- Qu’est-ce que tu en penses? — What do you think?
- C’est génial! — That’s awesome!
- Je pense que c’est une super idée. — I think it’s a great idea.
- Je trouve ça intéressant. — I find that interesting.
- Je n’aime pas trop ça. — I don’t really like that.
- C’est pas mon truc. — It’s not my thing.
Wrapping up the conversation:
- Je te tiens au courant. — I’ll keep you updated.
- On s’appelle! — Let’s call each other!
- Passe une bonne soirée. — Have a good evening.
- On se retrouve à quelle heure? — What time should we meet?
How to improve your French
Mastering conversational French takes practice and consistency, but with the right strategies, it can be easier than you think. Here are practical tips to help you become more confident in speaking French.
Practice speaking regularly
Speaking as often as possible is key to improving your fluency. Start by practicing simple conversations with:
- Language exchange partners — Connect with native French speakers who want to learn your language.
- Friends or classmates — Practice with other learners to gain confidence.
- Language tutors — A structured way to get personalized feedback and guidance.
Immerse yourself in French
Immersion helps you get used to how French is naturally spoken. Try these methods:
- Watch French TV shows or YouTube — Use subtitles to match what you hear with the words.
- Listen to French podcasts or music — Pick up on accents, intonation, and common expressions.
- Read dialogues aloud — Practice speaking scripts from books, language apps, or websites.
Use real-life scenarios
Practice with phrases that you’ll use in everyday life. Focus on situations such as:
- Ordering at a café.
- Asking for directions.
- Shopping or making small talk.
Build your vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with words and phrases relevant to your interests. For example:
- Learn vocabulary for hobbies or work.
- Focus on common expressions used in casual conversations.
- Use flashcards or apps with spaced repetition to retain new words.
Focus on pronunciation
Pronunciation matters in French. To improve it:
- Mimic native speakers by repeating phrases you hear in videos or audio recordings.
- Practice tongue twisters or tricky sounds like the French r.
- Record yourself and compare it to native pronunciation.
Stay consistent
Consistency is crucial. Dedicate time daily to improving your French, even if it’s just a few minutes. For example:
- Speak out loud for 10 minutes a day.
- Write a short journal entry in French to practice forming sentences.
- Use a language app or course during your commute or downtime.
Be patient and persistent
Mistakes are part of learning. Don’t be afraid to speak, even if you’re unsure. Native speakers will appreciate your effort and often help correct you kindly. The more you practice, the more confident and fluent you’ll become.