How to say hello & more in French: 18 phrases + audio

Hello & how are you

1. Bonjour.

   Say it like: bohn-ZHOOR

   Hello.

   Neutral · Works almost anywhere, any time of day.
2. Salut tout le monde !

   Say it like: sah-LOO too luh MOHND

   Hi everyone!

   Informal · When you join a group that is already chatting.
3. Bonjour, madame / monsieur.

   Say it like: bohn-ZHOOR, mah-DAHM / muh-SYUH

   Hello, madam / sir (polite, any time of day).

   Formal · French uses bonjour all day; adding madame or monsieur is extra polite.

Introducing yourself

1. Je m'appelle …

   Say it like: zhuh mah-PEHL

   My name is …

   Neutral · Add your first name.
2. Comment vous appelez-vous ?

   Say it like: koh-mahn voo zah-play VOO

   What is your name? (polite)

   Formal · For hosts, older people or formal settings.
3. Tu t'appelles comment ?

   Say it like: tew tah-PEHL koh-MAHN

   What's your name?

   Informal · Among peers at a relaxed event.

Small talk

1. Tu es déjà venu(e) ici ?

   Say it like: tew ay day-ZHAH vuh-NEW ee-SEE

   Have you been here before?

   Informal · An easy way to start a chat.
2. C'est vraiment sympa ici.

   Say it like: say vreh-MAHN san-PAH ee-SEE

   It's a really nice place.

   Informal · A friendly comment about the venue.
3. Tu habites ici depuis combien de temps ?

   Say it like: tew ah-BEET ee-SEE duh-PWEE kohn-BYAN duh TAHN

   How long have you lived here?

   Informal · Locals and expats both like this question.

Understanding each other

1. Pardon, je n'ai pas compris.

   Say it like: par-DOHN, zhuh nay pah kohn-PREE

   Sorry, I didn't understand.

   Neutral · Honest and polite: people will help.
2. Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ?

   Say it like: voo poo-VAY ray-pay-TAY, seel voo PLEH

   Could you repeat that, please?

   Formal · A polite way to hear it again.
3. Tu peux parler plus lentement, s'il te plaît ?

   Say it like: tew puh par-LAY plew lahnt-MAHN, seel tuh PLEH

   Could you speak more slowly, please?

   Informal · Nobody minds: it's a common request.

Coffee & plans

1. On prend un café un de ces jours ?

   Say it like: ohn prahn uhn kah-FAY uhn duh say ZHOOR

   Shall we get a coffee sometime?

   Informal · A friendly, low-pressure invite after a good chat.
2. Tu veux venir avec nous ?

   Say it like: tew vuh vuh-NEER ah-vehk NOO

   Would you like to join us?

   Informal · Include someone who is standing alone.
3. Tu es libre ce week-end ?

   Say it like: tew ay LEE-bruh suh wee-KEHND

   Are you free this weekend?

   Informal · A relaxed way to suggest plans.

Contacts & goodbye

1. On reste en contact ?

   Say it like: ohn rehst ahn kohn-TAHKT

   Shall we stay in touch?

   Informal · Polite, with no pressure.
2. Voici mon numéro.

   Say it like: vwah-SEE mohn new-may-ROH

   Here's my number.

   Neutral · Only share it if you feel comfortable.
3. Écris-moi quand tu veux.

   Say it like: ay-kree-MWAH kahn tew VUH

   Message me anytime.

   Informal · A friendly follow-up after exchanging contacts.

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