25 Conversational French Phrases Every Beginner Should Know [Audio]

25 Conversational French Phrases Every Beginner Should Know [Audio] Sign up successful Youll notice the distinctions in some cases between informal and formal. The informal versions can be used with close friends and family. For new acquaintances and people you dont know very well, however, use the formal version. If youre  unsure, use the formal version, as its better to be safe than sorry. Note: Each conversational French phrase is followed by an audio clip. Be sure to listen to the audio and practice the proper French pronunciation. 25 Conversational French Phrases Every Beginner Should Know  Greetings French greetings are  one of the first things most people learn as beginner students. After all, it can be difficult to interact with people if you dont know how to say hello or ask how they are. Check out the simple French greetings below. 1. Bonjour! (Good day!) 2. Bonsoir! (Good evening!) 3. Bonne nuit! (Good night!) 4. Au revoir! (Goodbye!) 5. A bientôt! (See you soon!) 6. Comment allez-vous? (formal / plural)  Comment va-tu? (informal) (How are you?) 7. Très bien, merci! (Very well, thank you!) 8. Question: Ca va? Response: Oui, ca va (très bien, merci)!  Question: Hows it going? Response: Fine/very well, thanks! Tip:  This is an informal greeting. Only use it with people you know well and who are established on an approximately equal social status as you, such as close  friends and family. Personal Information Once you meet someone, chances are you will want to find out a little bit more about them as well as tell them some things about yourself. After all, having a conversation  is all about sharing and exchanging information. Check out the useful French phrases below. 9. Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal / plural)  Comment tu tappelles? (informal) (What is your name?) 10.  Je mappelle _______. Il / elle sappelle ______. (My name is _______. His / her name is ______.) 11.  Vous êtes de quelle nationalité? (formal / plural)  Tu es de quelle nationalité? (informal) (What is your nationality?) 12.  Je suis américain(e). (I am American.) Tip:  If youre  a female, add the -e in parenthesis and pronounce the final “n.” If youre  not American, you can replace “américain(e)” with any other nationality. For example, chinois(e) (Chinese), japonais(e) (Japanese), australien(ne) (Australian), mexicain(e) (Mexican). 13. Est-ce que vous parlez anglais? Or Parlez-vous anglais? (Do you speak English?) Tip: Just as in the previous question, you can replace “anglais” with any other language. For example, espagnol (Spanish), chinois (Chinese), allemand (German), italien (Italian). Significations For someone learning  French, its rather useful to know how to ask what things mean when you dont know, as well as how to say and write  certain words and phrases. Check out these French phrases to know. 14. Comment dit-on _____ (en français)? (How do you say _____ (in French)?) 15. Comment écrire _____? (How do you write _____?) 16. Quest-ce que ça veut dire? (What does that mean?) Activities Once youve met people, youll probably want to do something with them. Perhaps share a meal, for example, or tour a museum. While youre at it, you might also need to spend a little money. Here are some conversational French phrases to help you. 17. Allons-y (Lets go!) 18. Je voudrais _______. (I would like _______.) 19. Ça coûte combien? (How much does that cost?) 20.  Quest-ce que vous voudriez faire? (formal)  Quest-ce que tu voudrais faire? (informal) (What would you like to do?) 21.  Est-ce que vous voudrez prendre un verre? (Would you like to get something to drink?) Location Are you learning French because youre planning a trip abroad?  When visiting or adjusting to a new area, it may take some time to learn how to get around. In the conversational French phrases below, fill in the blank with any location youd like to visit. For example,  lhôtel (the hotel); un bon restaurant (a good restaurant), le metro (the subway), le parc (the park). 22. Je voudrais aller à ______. (I would like to go to ______.) 23. Comment aller à ______? (How do you get to ______?) 24. Où sont les toilettes? (Where is the restroom?) 25. Où est ______? (Where is ______?) Try it Yourself! Studying  these conversational French phrases will  help you on your way to being fluent  in French. But dont stop there! Learning how to speak French  takes time and persistence. As you learn, speak  French  as much as you can with those around you, because learning a language is also easier in the company of those who speak it or are, like you, learning it. Even if they dont speak it at first, your enthusiasm will be contagious! Photo by Jonas Foyn Therkelsen Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher