French Speaking Cheatsheet: Essential Phrases for Conversations
The core French phrases for real conversations, greetings, keeping a chat going and getting unstuck, in one quick, say-it-out-loud cheatsheet.
French is written one way and spoken another, so the best way to use this cheatsheet is out loud. These are the phrases that carry everyday conversations.
Greetings and basics
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello |
| Salut | Hi (informal) |
| Comment ça va ? | How are you? |
| Enchanté(e) | Nice to meet you |
| S'il vous plaît / Merci | Please / Thank you |
| Oui / Non / Peut-être | Yes / No / Maybe |
| Au revoir / À bientôt | Goodbye / See you soon |
Keeping a conversation going
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Comment on dit… ? | How do you say…? |
| Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? | What does that mean? |
| J'aime / Je n'aime pas | I like / I don't like |
| Je suis d'accord | I agree |
| Et toi ? | And you? |
When you get stuck
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je ne comprends pas | I don't understand |
| Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ? | Can you repeat, please? |
| Plus lentement, s'il vous plaît | Slower, please |
| Comment ? / Pardon ? | Sorry? / Pardon? |
| J'apprends encore | I'm still learning |
Mind the sounds
Many French letters are silent and words link together when spoken. Say each phrase out loud rather than reading it silently, that's how the sounds stick.
For the full method, read how to learn French by speaking, or get a free call and try these with Mira.
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