Introduction
Learning how to greet others and introduce yourself is essential in any language. In French, greetings are not only a way to start a conversation but also a reflection of respect and courtesy.
Common Greetings
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / Good morning |
| Bonsoir | Good evening |
| Salut | Hi / Hello |
| Coucou | Hey (informal) |
| Bonne nuit | Good night |
| À bientôt | See you soon |
| À demain | See you tomorrow |
| À plus tard | See you later |
| Au revoir | Goodbye |
| Adieu | Farewell |
| Bienvenue | Welcome |
Common Introductions
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Comment tu t'appelles ? | What’s your name? |
| Je m'appelle... | My name is... |
| Enchanté(e) | Nice to meet you |
| Comment ça va ? | How are you? |
| Ça va bien, merci. | I’m fine, thank you. |
| Et toi ? | And you? |
| Je suis... | I am... |
| Voici... | This is... |
| Je te présente... | I introduce you to... (informal) |
| Je vous présente... | I introduce you to... (formal/plural) |
| C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer. | It's a pleasure to meet you. |
| Ravi(e) de te connaître. | Glad to know you. |
Key Phrases for Politeness
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Merci | Thank you |
| Merci beaucoup | Thank you very much |
| De rien | You're welcome |
| S'il te plaît | Please (informal) |
| S'il vous plaît | Please (formal) |
| Excuse-moi | Excuse me (informal) |
| Excusez-moi | Excuse me (formal) |
| Pardon | Sorry |
| Je suis désolé(e) | I'm sorry |
Cultural Tips
- "Bonjour" is used throughout the day until the evening.
- "Bonsoir" is appropriate in the late afternoon and evening.
- Use "Enchanté" for men and "Enchantée" for women when saying "Nice to meet you."
- Always use "vous" when addressing someone formally or when speaking to more than one person.
- "Salut" is informal and best used with friends or people you know well.
Practice Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Informal Greeting
Person 1: Salut ! Comment ça va ?
Person 2: Salut ! Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ?
Person 1: Ça va bien aussi. Merci !
Dialogue 2: Formal Introduction
Person 1: Bonjour, je m'appelle Marie.
Person 2: Enchanté, Marie. Je m'appelle Paul.
Person 1: Ravi de vous rencontrer, Paul.
Dialogue 3: Introducing Someone
Person 1: Salut, voici mon ami, Jean.
Person 2: Enchanté, Jean !
Jean: Enchanté de te connaître.
Conclusion
Mastering these basic greetings and introductions will help you make a great first impression in any French-speaking setting. Remember, practice makes perfect!