Socializing in French – Part 1
Socializing in French - Part 1
When you are in France, you will commonly see people give a kiss on both cheeks when greeting family and friends ; but between two men, shaking hands is the more standard norm of greeting. This is the same standard when a man is introduced to a woman for the first time.
You may also observe that the French people are quite formal when they address people whom they are not acquainted to. You will normally hear them use “monsieur”, “madame” or “mademoiselle” in instances where English speakers will not use any such term of address. “Monsieur” is used both to pertain to Mister or Sir. “Madame” is used to pertain to Mrs. or Miss (formal). “Mademoiselle” is used to pertain to a “Miss”.
Making Conversations
When you are in a party, the topics considered to be the safest to discuss with other guests are culture and sports. The topic of food, on the other hand, is the best way for you to get a French person to start talking; but you are highly advised not to talk about money including income and prices.
When you are in France, you will commonly see people give a kiss on both cheeks when greeting family and friends ; but between two men, shaking hands is the more standard norm of greeting. This is the same standard when a man is introduced to a woman for the first time.
- Hello – bonjour
- Hi – salut
- Good morning or good afternoon – bonjour
- Good evening – bonsoir
- See you later. - à bientôt.
- Goodbye – au revoir
- How are you? – Comment allez-vous? (formal) or Ça va? (informal)
- Fine, thank you. – Bien, merci.
- What is your name? – Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal) or Comment tu? (informal)
- My name is… - Je m’appelle…
- I would like to introduce you to… - Je vous présente…
- I am pleased to meet you. – Enchante (masc.) or Enchantée (fem.)
You may also observe that the French people are quite formal when they address people whom they are not acquainted to. You will normally hear them use “monsieur”, “madame” or “mademoiselle” in instances where English speakers will not use any such term of address. “Monsieur” is used both to pertain to Mister or Sir. “Madame” is used to pertain to Mrs. or Miss (formal). “Mademoiselle” is used to pertain to a “Miss”.
Making Conversations
When you are in a party, the topics considered to be the safest to discuss with other guests are culture and sports. The topic of food, on the other hand, is the best way for you to get a French person to start talking; but you are highly advised not to talk about money including income and prices.
- Do you speak English? – Parlez-vous anglais?
- Do you live here? – Vous habitez ici?
- Do you like it here? – Ca vous plait ici?
- I love it here. – Ca me plait beaucoup ici.
- Where are you going? – Ou allez-vous?
- What are you doing? – Que faites-vous?
- Are you waiting (for a taxi)? – Attendez-vous un taxi?
- Can I have a light? – Vous avez du feu?
- What do you think (about…)? – Que pensez-vous (de…)?
- What is this called? – Comment ça s’appelle?
- Can I take a photo (of you)? – Je peux (vous) prendre en photo?
- That is beautiful, is it not? – C’est (beau), non?
- Are you here on a holiday? – Vous êtes ici pour les vacances?
- I am here for a holiday. – Je suis ici pour les vacances.
- I am here on business. – Je suis ici pour le travail.
- I am here to study. – Je suis ici pour les études.
- I am here with my family. – Je suis ici avec ma famille.
- I am here with my partner. – Je suis ici avec mon/ma partenaire (masc. or fem.)
- This is my first trip (to France). – C’est la première fois que je viens (en France).
- How long are you here for? – Vous êtes ici depuis quand?
- I am here for… days/weeks. – Je reste ici … jours/semaines.
- Have you ever been (to England)? – Es-ce-que vous êtes déjà allez (en Angleterre)?
- Do you want to come out with me? – Voulez-vous sortir avec moi?
- This is my son. – Voici mon fils.
- This is my daughter. – Voici ma fille.
- This is my friend. – Voici mon ami (masc.) or Voici ma amie (fem.).
- This is my husband. – Voici mon mari.
- This is my wife. – Voici ma femme