Simple French phrases for beginners

Are you starting to learn French and want to jump straight into the conversation? A new language is a communication tool, so why not use it? But where to start? Here are a few phrases that may be useful for you on your French language learning journey.

In French, there is an expression that says "c'est simple comme bonjour!". The French use it to say that something is easy to do. Except that saying "bonjour" in French is not so simple. Be careful who you talk to:

woman researching how to use simple french phrases for beginners

Beginner French phrases

Introducing yourself in French

An elderly/unknown person and/or a professional:

A friend, a person of your age:

The future tense in French

Presenting yourself in French

If you are in a professional or tourist context, for example at the reception of a hotel go with the following:

This is called "vouvoiement". To appear more polite, the French use the second person plural, "vous".

If you meet friends of friends, people your own age or neighbours, you can switch to "tutoiement", i.e. use the second person singular " tu":

6 essential grammar rules you need to know about French grammar

Asking for or giving simple information in French

To register for a course or to keep in touch with people you have recently met you will probably be asked for these details! 

If you don't know the person:

If you know the person or they are the same age as you:

However, be prepared to write down or give information containing numbers!

Apologising in French

When you're first learning a language, a little diplomacy goes a long way! Whether you bump into someone in the street unintentionally or ask for someone's attention, here's what you should say:

If you receive an apology, it is also good to say in return:

Talking about your tastes in French

If a topic of conversation comes up about movies, sports, clothing or food, you will often be asked to express what you think about it:

The vocabulary of emotions is quite abundant in French, here are the essentials, in ascending order:

Proposing an activity in French

Now that the formalities are over, you can become an actor in the conversation and propose an activity to your French-speaking friends. First, make sure your friend is available:

Then propose the activity you have in mind:

Now try to match all these elements to create a conversation you could have in real life:

Audrey Sivadier

Audrey Sivadier

Audrey has been a French teacher for more than ten years now, and a cheese-lover all her life. She comes from the west of France, and after living 2 years in Spain and 4 years in Oxford in England, she has just settled in the heart of France, in Auvergne, a land of cheese, rugby, Michelin tires and ancient volcanoes. Audrey definitely prefers the first one. She speaks French, Spanish and English, and just started German, nothing better to understand her students who tremble at the French grammar! When she is not teaching, she tries to find time to cook or sing in a choir. She loves to invite people to her house to feed them and trap them with musical blind tests designed and adapted to her guests! Find out more about her on her website and LinkedIn.