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Writing essays in French Cheat Sheet by JAM

Useful expressions to help structure your A level French essay.

Introd­ucing the first argument

Adding and listing arguments

Listing arguments - start.

Listing arguments - middle

Listing arguments - end

Indicating the reason for something

Expressing contrast / concession

Introd­ucing one's own point of view.

In conclusion

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• Languages: English français (French)
• Published: 21st September, 2013
• Last Updated: 26th February, 2020
• Rated: 5 out of 5 stars based on 9 ratings

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these are very helpful thank you

Simple et utile, j'aime.

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Write an essay in French

Beyond the fact that writing an essay in French can be a good practice to improve your writing, you may also be asked to write one during your schooling. So, it is important to study the topic of French essay writing and get some useful tips..

» Tips and tricks for your French essay » The structure of a French essay » Sample French Essay

Tips and tricks for your French essay

When writing a French essay for school, you should always use a structured approach and good French skills to present your arguments in a focused way. Beyond French skills, there are also important formal requirements for a successful French essay. We will come back to this in detail later. First, you will find some useful tips and tricks that will help you write more compelling and better French essays in the future.

• Have a clear thesis and structure
• Do sufficient research and use reliable sources
• Use examples and arguments to support your thesis
• Avoid plagiarism and cite correctly
• Always check structure, grammar and spelling

When you write your essay at school or university, you need to make sure that the general structure of your essay, the presentation of the arguments and, above all, your French language skills play a role in the mark you will get. This is why you should definitely take a closer look at the structure of an essay as well as the most important grammar rules and formulations for French essays.

The structure of a French essay

In an essay, you deal at length and in detail with a usually given topic. When you write an essay in French, you must follow a certain structure. Below we show you what this structure looks like and give you some tips for writing the most important parts of your essay.

The Introduction

The introduction prepares the main body of your essay. You think of a meaningful title for your essay, you describe your thesis or your question, you give general information on the subject and you prepare your argument by giving an overview of your most important arguments.

Below are examples and phrases that you can use to write the introduction to your essay in French.

The title should be meaningful, concise and reflect the content of the essay.

Introductory paragraph

The first paragraph of your French essay should briefly introduce the topic and engage the reader. Here are some examples to help you write your essay:

Proposal or question

The central proposition or question of your French essay should be a clear and concise definition of the purpose of the essay. Use these examples to get a clearer idea of ​​how to write theses in French:

Overview of Arguments and Structure

At the end of your introduction, describe the structure of the main part of your essay (your outline) and outline your argument. Here are some French expressions that will certainly help you write your essay:

The body of your essay

The main part of your French essay deals with the given topic in detail. The subject is studied from all angles. The main body of your essay follows a thread of argument and discusses in detail the main arguments of your thesis previously made in the introduction.

In the body of the text, you should discuss the subject of your essay in clear and concise language. To achieve this, we give you some wording aids as well as vocabulary and phrases that you can use to write your essay in French.

Formulation tools:

French vocabulary for essays.

In the conclusion of your French essay, you address the thesis of your essay, summarize the main points of your discussion in the main body, and draw a conclusion. On the basis of the arguments and the resulting conclusions, you formulate in the conclusion of your dissertation final thoughts and suggestions for the future. It is important that you do not add new information or new arguments. This should only be done in the body of your text.

Here are some wording guides to help you write your essay in French:

Sample French Essay

Les avantages des voyages linguistiques

Malgré les difficultés potentielles, les voyages linguistiques offrent aux apprenants une occasion unique d'améliorer leurs compétences linguistiques et de découvrir de nouvelles cultures, ce qui en fait un investissement précieux pour leur développement personnel et académique.

Les séjours linguistiques sont des voyages organisés dans le but d'améliorer les compétences linguistiques des participants. Ces voyages peuvent se dérouler dans le pays ou à l'étranger et durer d'un week-end à plusieurs semaines. L'un des principaux avantages des séjours linguistiques est l'immersion. Entourés de locuteurs natifs, les apprenants sont contraints de pratiquer et d'améliorer leurs compétences linguistiques dans des situations réelles.Il s'agit d'une méthode d'apprentissage beaucoup plus efficace que le simple fait d'étudier une langue dans une salle de classe.

Un autre avantage des séjours linguistiques est l'expérience culturelle. Voyager dans un nouveau pays permet aux apprenants de découvrir de nouvelles coutumes, traditions et modes de vie, et de se familiariser avec l'histoire et la culture du pays. Cela enrichit non seulement l'expérience d'apprentissage de la langue, mais contribue également à élargir les horizons et à accroître la sensibilisation culturelle.

Cependant, les séjours linguistiques peuvent également présenter des inconvénients. Par exemple, le coût du voyage et de l'hébergement peut être élevé, en particulier pour les séjours de longue durée. En outre, les apprenants peuvent être confrontés à la barrière de la langue ou à un choc culturel, ce qui peut être difficile à surmonter. Le coût et les difficultés potentielles des séjours linguistiques peuvent sembler décourageants, mais ils offrent des avantages précieux en termes d'épanouissement personnel et scolaire.

Les compétences linguistiques et les connaissances culturelles acquises peuvent déboucher sur de nouvelles opportunités d'emploi et améliorer la communication dans un cadre professionnel. Les bourses et les aides financières rendent les séjours linguistiques plus accessibles. Le fait d'être confronté à une barrière linguistique ou à un choc culturel peut également être l'occasion d'un développement personnel. Ces avantages l'emportent largement sur les inconvénients et font des séjours linguistiques un investissement qui en vaut la peine.

En conclusion, malgré les difficultés potentielles, les séjours linguistiques offrent aux apprenants une occasion unique d'améliorer leurs compétences linguistiques et de découvrir de nouvelles cultures, ce qui en fait un investissement précieux pour le développement personnel et académique. Qu'il s'agisse d'un débutant ou d'un apprenant avancé, un voyage linguistique est une expérience à ne pas manquer.

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French essay phrases

Hand-picked from all over the internet, these are my pick of the most pretentious, most sophisticated-sounding essay phrases. When used sensibly and embellished with decent points about the topic itself, they will secure you a decent grade in your writing exam. Enjoy! :P

• Created by: Annie
• Created on: 14-01-12 11:33

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Frenchlanguagebasics 🇫🇷

Learn French the fast and easy way!

Common connectors and transitions phrases in French

In French, connectors and transition phrases are important tools for linking ideas and creating a coherent narrative in both written and spoken communication.

In this lesson, we’ll go over some common connectors and transition phrases in French that you can use to improve your communication skills.

Premièrement, deuxièmement, enfin. (First, secondly, finally.) These connectors are used to order and sequence ideas in a narrative.

De plus, en outre, par ailleurs. (Moreover, furthermore, besides.) These connectors are used to add more information to an idea or argument.

Néanmoins, cependant, pourtant. (Nevertheless, however, yet.) These connectors are used to introduce a contrasting idea or argument.

En effet, effectivement, en réalité. (Indeed, in fact, actually.) These connectors are used to introduce a statement or fact that supports a previous idea or argument.

Ainsi, par conséquent, donc. (Thus, consequently, therefore.) These connectors are used to indicate a conclusion or result based on previous ideas or arguments.

D’un côté, de l’autre côté. (On one hand, on the other hand.) These connectors are used to present two contrasting sides of an argument.

En somme, finalement, pour conclure. (In summary, finally, to conclude.) These connectors are used to signal the end of a narrative or argument and provide a summary or conclusion.

À mon avis, selon moi, je pense que. (In my opinion, in my view, I think that.) These connectors are used to introduce a personal opinion or belief.

Bien que, malgré, quoique. (Although, despite, even though.) These connectors are used to introduce a contrasting idea or situation.

En revanche, par contre, au contraire. (On the other hand, however, conversely.) These connectors are used to introduce a contrasting idea or situation.

Learning and using these common connectors and transition phrases in French will help you to create a more structured, coherent and persuasive communication style.

It is important to also learn other advanced expressions and connectives to express more complex thoughts and ideas.

With practice and persistence, you’ll soon be able to speak and write more fluently in French.

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79 Common French Phrases To Survive Your First Conversation With A Native Speaker

Are you learning French?

Would you love to chat to French speakers with ease, without stumbling over your words?

Getting to a decent level in any language takes time because there's lot of vocabulary you need to learn. 

But, one big shortcut you can use at the beginning is to work out which words and expressions you are likely to need right from the start and focus on those.

And the good news is you don’t have to worry about it doing it for yourself – because I’ve done it for you!

Here’s my list of the 79 essential French phrases you need to start speaking right away.

Thanks to these common French phrases, you'll know exactly what to say in your first conversations with native speakers.

They'll serve you for your first interactions and well into the future.

Anyway, back to our common French phrases…. let's discover what they are!

Need-To-Knows About French To Use These Common French Phrases

Before we dive into the phrases themselves, there are a couple of need-to-knows about French that'll help you make the most of this list of common French phrases.

French Pronunciation

I’ve included an approximate guide for how to pronounce each of the phrases in this post based on phonetic English. Although this is no substitute for listening to recordings or native speakers pronouncing the words, it'll help you get started.

I've used ‘j’ to represent the French ‘j’ sound. But be aware that in French, it has a soft pronunciation, not like the English ‘j’ in ‘John’.

For a more detailed look at dive into pronunciation, you can check out my comprehensive  French pronunciation  guide.

A Note On T u A nd V ous

French, like many other languages, has two ways to say “you” depending on your level of familiarity with the person you are speaking to.

The basic rule is:

• When you're speaking to strangers, especially people who are older than you, you should use vous. 
• When you're speaking to someone you are on familiar terms with or when you speak to children, you can use tu .

In my list, I've given the form you are most likely to need for that each phrase. Where you might need either, I've included both.

Finally, in very informal spoken French , tu es and tu as can be abbreviated to t’es and t’as respectively.

While this might not be considered strictly ‘correct’, it is quite common.

So I've used this form in my list for a couple of the more informal expressions to show where you might come across it.

By the way, if you're interested in informal language, you can also check out  this post on 23 colloquial French phrases for impressing the locals.

Common French Greetings You Already Know 

First, let's look at the basic greetings in French. These are fairly simple. And you no doubt already know at least some of them.

• (on shon tay)

Common French Phrases For Continuing The Conversation

After greeting someone, you'll want to move the conversation on with some small talk. Here are a few of the standard questions and answers.

• (komon va too, komon too va, komon tallay voo) – the ‘n’ is nasal and not pronounced strongly
• (sa va/juh vay byan)
• (sa va luh tra vai, luh boo low, luh taff – the last syllable of travail rhymes with “eye”)
• (komon va ton pair, ton pair va byan)
• (too fay kwah kom tra vai/say kwah ton tra vai)

Must-Know French Phrases For Being Polite 

Next, here are the basic expressions of courtesy that you need to know right from the start.

• (mair see byan)
• (mair see bo coo)
• (ill nee ah pah duh kwah)
• (eh skyoo zay mwah/pah don)
• (eh skyoo zay mwah/komon)
• (juh swee dehsolay/ pah don)
• (va zee, allay zee, sair twah)

Basic French Phrases For Dealing With Problems

Another situation you might find yourself in is one where you have to deal with a problem. Here are some important questions and expressions to use when you are having difficulties or when everything is not going according to plan.

• (poo vay voo)
• (poo vay voo parlay ploo lon tuh mon sih voo play)
• (poo vay voo luh reh peh tay sih voo play)
• (poo vay voo mayday sih voo play)
• (juh nuh compron pah)
• (juh nay rien compree)
• (juh nuh pahl pah bo coo duh fron say)
• (juh swee pair doo)
• (kess kuh sa vuh deer)
• (parlay voo fron say/ong glay)
• (juh nuh muh son pah tray byan)
• (juh swee ma lad)
• (jay onvee duh vomeer)
• (ah ton sion, fay/fet ah ton sion)
• (oh suhcoor)

French Question Words

Learning the basic question words can get you a long way, even if you don’t know much else of the language. Here they are in French:

• (pour kwah)

Check out this post on forming questions in French for more details on how to ask questions correctly.

Common French Questions

Ok, so now you know the essential French question words. But what about using them to form real questions? Here are some of the most common French questions you're likely to ask or be asked.

• (komon too tappel, too tappel komon)
• (kel aj ah too, too ah kel aj)
• (kel er et ill/ill ay kell er)
• (say kom byan, sa coot kom byan)
• (too vyen doo/tay doo)
• (too kom pron)
• (too pahl ong glai/fron say)
• (parlay voo ong glai/ fron say)
• (oo ay lah sal duh ban/oo son lay twah let)

Important Answers In French 

Here are some indispensable expressions for giving information about yourself as well as answering some other basic questions in French.

• (juh mappel)
• (juh swee roh jay/ear lon day/ear lon days/proh feh suhr)
• (jay tront on)
• (juh vyen dekoss/juh swee duh lekoss)
• (too luh ton/too lay jour)
• (pah fwah, day fwah)
• (byan sure – pronounced with an ‘s’ sound and not a ‘sh’)

Simple French Phrases For Special Occasions

If you're lucky and make some French friends, you may even be invited to some special occasions in France. Here are the phrases you'll need for those situations.

• (ah myooz twah byan, ah myoozay voo byan)
• (bon voyaj)
• (bonn vah konce)
• (bon appuh tee)
• (fay liss ee tah sion)
• (byan vuh noo)
• (jway uh zannee ver sair)
• (jway uh no ell)
• (bonn annay)

Essential French Expressions For Saying Goodbye

Finally, here are a few useful phrases for saying goodbye.

• (oh ruh vwah)
• (bonn jour nay)
• (bonn swah ray)
• (bonn nwee)
• (ah byan toe)
• (ah duh man)

Never Get Lost For Words In French Again

So there you are! 79 common French phrases to help you take your first steps in your new language.

You'll be amazed by how far these greetings, questions and basic courtesy phrases will get you in your first conversation with a French speaker.

With this list, you'll be able to greet a French speaker politely, introduce yourself, get to know them better and deal with any problems that might come up.

So now, all that remains is for you to go find someone to talk to in French. Armed with this list, you'll never be lost for words again.

And maybe, it might just be the start you need to go on to learn to speak French fluently!

If you're at beginner or false beginner level in French and want to learn to speak the language confidently, then I recommend my French Uncovered course.

It's a complete beginner programme that teaches you through the power of story. So you not only will you improve your French quickly, you'll have fun doing it!

Unlike traditional methods where you learn through grammar rules, in French Uncovered, you immerse yourself in a story and learn as you read and listen.

It's the same method I used to learn Italian in 3-months from home. Find out more and try it out by clicking here .

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HOME > FRENCH WORDS > FRENCH PHRASES

The useful and common French phrases you need

Learn everything you need to know about the most popular French phrases and French sentences. (meaning, how to use, audio pronunciation, dialogue examples, translation in English, etc.)

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23 Key French Transition Words

The French language has quite the catalog of transition words to help hold it all together.

Not only do they keep you from sounding robotic, but they’re also the key to writing effective essays, understanding the literature you’re reading and improving your comprehension and conversation .

Here are 23 French transition words that you can start integrating into your sentences.

Tying It All Together: 23 Transition Words for Seamless French

1. d’abord, 5. ainsi que, 6. après que, 7. avant que, 8. bien que, 10. parce que/car, 11. pour que, 12. quoi que, 13. tant que, 14. comme / puisque, 15. lorsque / quand, 16. quoique, 18. en fait, 19. cependant, 20. en revanche / par contre, 21. en plus / en outre, 22. pour ma part / pour moi, 23. à mon avis, how to integrate french transition words into your diet, get your feet wet with quizzes, extract transition words from real french materials, write your own beautiful sentences, use transition words with the subjunctive, listen to french instructors online.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Translation: First of all

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nah.

When you think “transition word,” this may be what you’re thinking. To start with the basics, here’s one of the first transition words you likely learned in French class. It’s best at the beginning of sentences, when giving directions or when recounting a series of events.

D’abord , il faut réchauffer le four. (First of all, you must preheat the oven.)

Translation: Next

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nuh-uh.

An easy way to remember this one (yet another in the series of your basic transition words), is that la  suite   is the sequel or “the next one” in French. It’s a useful piece of vocab when delving into French book series and films, and this transition word is obviously useful for continuing a series of events or directions you may be giving.

Ensuite , je prépare la tarte aux cerises. (Next, I prepare the cherry pie.)

Translation: Then

Subjunctive-friendly?  Not this one, either.

Then, you’ve got  puis .  If you’re unfamiliar with this one, just know that it’ll come up a lot in literature and conversation. It’s a very useful transition word to have under your belt. Puis  proves to be a good fallback word to have when some of the more specific transition words slip your mind.

Puis, je coupe les pêches. (Then, I cut the peaches.)

Translation: Finally

Subjunctive-friendly?  Pas du tout  (not at all).

In our  d’ abord, ensuite, puis  sequence, we end with  enfin .  This useful word is not only used as a transition to mark  la fin (the end) of something, but is also an interjection—a filler word, if you will.

It can mean “well,” “all in all,” “I mean” or “at least.” It’s a multi-edged sword. Use it as a transition to an end or to make your conversational French more authentic.

Enfin, on mange tout. (Finally, we eat everything.)

Translation:  As well as

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nope!

Getting into some more advanced vocabulary now, this means “just as.” This conjunction is useful when elaborating on something you’re already discussing. It can also be used with a different meaning of “just as,” as in “It went just as I thought.”

Je voudrais une tarte aux pommes ainsi que deux boules de glace. (I would like apple pie as well as two scoops of ice cream.)

Translation:  After/when

Subjunctive- friendly?  Technically, no, but French speakers tend to use the subjunctive after it regardless. So go ahead and get the extra practice.

Bet you’re wondering what the difference is between  a près que   and that old favorite  a près . Après  is a preposition , and  ap rès que  is a compound conjunction . All that means is you use the latter when it’s followed by a verb (like in the example). If you wanted to start a sentence with “after,” then you would use the preposition:

Après , on va partir. (After, we’re going to leave.)

Remember that the  que   helps link the clauses, and you should be good to link the night away.

Je vais dormir  après que je mange toute cette tarte. (I’m going to sleep after I eat all this pie.)

Translation:  Before

Subjunctive-friendly?  Yes, and don’t you forget it!

Similar to  a près que,  this conjunction is not to be confused with its definition without  que.  The same distinction can be made— avant   being the preposition in this case and avant que   the compound conjunction.

Je vais finir la tarte avant que je nettoie la cuisine. (I’m going to finish the pie before I clean the kitchen.)

Translation:  Although/even though

Subjunctive-friendly?  Oh, most definitely.

Careful not translate this one to “good that.” This conjunctive phrase is great for showing contrast and adding “conditions” to things, even though you have to know your subjunctive to use it.

Il m’a donné une tarte aux pêches bien que j’aie commandé une tarte aux pommes! (He gave me peach pie even though I ordered an apple pie!)

Translation: As soon as

Subjunctive-friendly?  Never, ever.

This is usually followed by not the subjunctive, but by a future tense! Makes sense considering the context. This is a great conjunctive phrase to use when making threats, lofty goals and uncertain plans. Très useful.

Dès que la tarte arrive, je vais la détruire. (As soon as the pie arrives, I will destroy it.)

Translation: Because

Subjunctive-friendly?  No.

You’re likely familiar with  parce que ,  and maybe less so with car .  There are some slight distinctions to keep in mind for you nit-picky French speakers out there:  Car  leans slightly more towards “since” or “for.” 

Parce que  is a little stronger when used in speech. They both mean essentially the same thing, but it’s good to know both of them to add variety to your French conversation.

J’aime les tartes plus que les gâteaux parce que (car) la croûte est magnifique. (I like pies more than cakes because the crust is magnificent.)

Translation: So that

Subjunctive-friendly?  You better believe it!

Oh, isn’t it great when such a useful conjunction takes the subjunctive? Well, sure it is! That’s how you get practice.  Pour   means for, but for translation purposes, “so that”   makes more sense when using this phrase.

Je fais une tarte pour que  tu aies quelque chose à manger ce soir. (I’m making a pie so that you have something to eat tonight.)

Translation: No matter what

Subjunctive-friendly?  Yes…yet again!

I bet your mind is reeling with how much better your French will sound once you get this one down. No matter what the medium is, it’s useful.

But you may be noticing an interesting trend: A word that you’re well-versed in (bien, quoi, pour) , when   added to our favorite little word  que,  can bring out a completely different definition. Keep this in your mental notebook when you read these phrases or hear them spoken!

Quoi que ma mère fasse en cuisine, c’est délicieux. (No matter what my mom makes in the kitchen, it’s delicious.)

Translation: As long as

Subjunctive-friendly?  No, you’re safe on this one.

What’s  tant   mean anyway? Funny you should ask, because this here is yet another example of fun words being transformed by their trusty sidekick  que. Tant  by itself means “so much or many,” or can be used to express an indefinite quantity.

If you apply that definition back to this transitional phrase, then you can see something of a rough translation that matches “as long as.” But as long as you remember the definition, you’ll be good to go.

Tant que cette tarte est là, je serai tenté de la manger. (As long as this pie is here, I will be tempted to eat it.)

Translation: Since

Subjunctive-friendly?  No and no.

Even though the definition is the same on these two, there is a slight distinction. Comme is useful for showing both the cause and result in a sentence, whereas puisque just gives an explanation.

Comme also likes to hang around at the beginning of sentences, whereas  puisque can go in the middle if it so pleases. This distinction will help you sound extra-super pro!

Comme j’ai mangé trop de tarte, je ne peux pas manger mes légumes. (Since I ate too much of the pie, I can’t eat my vegetables.)

Puisque je l’ai fait, je goûte en premier. (Since I made it, I’ll taste [it] first.)

Translation: When

Subjunctive-friendly?  Sadly, no.

These are interchangeable when talking about time, though lorsque is a formal upgrade of quand . Gauge the situation when you pick. They both have their own special purpose as well: Quand can mean “whenever,” and lorsque can mean “whereas.”

  Je cuisinais quand/ lorsque   tu es arrivé. (I was cooking when you arrived.)

Translation: Even though

Subjunctive-friendly?  You better believe it.

Okay, I’ll admit…it does get a bit confusing here. We just did  quoi que , meaning “no matter what,”   and now we’ve got the same thing minus the space in between and all of a sudden it means “even though”?

These sound the same when spoken , but you should be able to figure it out based on the context. In addition, bien que   and  quoique can be used interchangeably. Just another opportunity for you to diversify.

Je mangerai une autre tranche quoique je n’aie pas faim. (I will eat another slice even though I’m not hungry.)

Translation: So

Subjunctive-friendly?  Not even close.

There is so much to say about this little word.  Donc   is one of the holy grails of French filler words , one of the little idiosyncrasies of French speech that you’ll pick up while in France and carry with you, smiling, forever.

They use it both in the “correct” fashion, showing causation, as well as how we use it in English: “So, here’s the thing.” “So, I was heading to the store.” “So… So… So…” Remember  donc.  Cherish it. Can you tell this is my favorite French transition word?

Je veux que tu la goûtes, donc je garde une part. (I want for you to taste it, so I’m saving a piece.)

Translation: In fact

You have no excuses for not remembering this one. It’s spelt and sounds similar to the English definition. Use this phrase before emphasizing an important conclusion or key point.

En fait, l’année dernière j’ai gagné une competition. (In fact, last year I won a competition.)

Translation: However, nonetheless

Subjunctive-friendly?  No! No!

Cependant   is actually an adverb, but it still functions as a transition word. Use it at the beginning of a sentence to point out an opposition or contradiction.  Pourtant   is a close cousin, but it’s a little more nuanced, as it indicates that one thing happened when another one was expected to.

Cependant , j’aime un bon gâteau de temps en temps. (However, I enjoy a nice cake from time to time.)

Translation: On the other hand, in opposition

Subjunctive-friendly?  Mais non ! 

The definition is close to  cependant , but provides a little clearer contrast. Those make for two great transition words when you’re writing essays in French or can’t decide which type of pie is better.

Une tarte aux pommes est classique. Par contre , une tarte aux tomates est bonne pour le petit-déjeuner, le déjeuner et le dîner. (An apple pie is classic. On the other hand, a tomato pie is good for breakfast, lunch and dinner.)

Translation: Also

Subjunctive-friendly?  Jamais  (never).

Need to add something that you forgot before? These two are good ways to vary your language and avoid using  aussi   (also) at every turn.  En plus   is common in conversation, and it, as well as  en outre ,  is often a better alternative to  aussi  in written French.

En outre , il faut choisir un bon parfum de glace pour accompagner la tarte. (Also, one must choose a good ice cream flavor to go with the pie.)

Translation: For me

Subjunctive-friendly?  Stop asking. It’s another “no.”

Here are two phrases to use when you want to put emphasis on “me! me! me!”  Pour moi   is a good way to order at a restaurant , and  pour ma part   is best for stating opinions.

Pour moi/ma part , je préfère la tarte au citron. (For me, I prefer lemon pie.)

Translation: In my opinion

Subjunctive-friendly?  This is the last time I’m saying it…nope.

But when you really want to make it all about you and your opinions, this is the best phrase. To qualify a statement as an opinion, or before you go on a rant about something you’re passionate about, this is a great transitional phrase to use and abuse!

À mon avis , tous ces phrases sont ridicules! (In my opinion, all of these sentences are ridiculous!)

Gauging your knowledge with a few quizzes before you delve into any topic is always a good idea. You may even get a little confidence boost when you realize that you already know a sizable handful of transition words!

• Check out this quiz  from Quizlet.
• This one makes noise when you click on words.
• And for a challenge, this fill-in-the-blank quiz is the ticket.

Authentic French movies, TV shows and videos are another great place to look and listen for transition words. You’ll hear how they’re used naturally by real French speakers , which is invaluable to incorporating them into your own French.

Practice makes perfect, so get out your pens and paper, and start on those French sentences ! Try writing a paragraph that uses four or five transition words .

If you’re more into immersion-based learning , make sure to include appropriate transition words when writing emails to your pen pals, writing entries in your French journal or even in text messages with another French-speaking friend.

The subjunctive is nothing to fear, but sometimes it can be difficult to integrate into the French you actually use.

If you’re still a beginner, no worries here. Many of the above words and phrases don’t require the subjunctive mood. On the other hand, you always could take the opportunity to learn about this ultra-useful and fun French staple .

Listening to French teachers and instructors helps boost your knowledge of French connectors and ensures you correctly learn them. For a great introduction to French transition words, check out the video below.

French instructor Kritika takes you through some common transition vocabulary and even tests your knowledge at the end with a fun fill-in-the-blank activity!

Enfin,  you’re well-equipped to speak like a pro, write like an essayist and understand all the details in the French literature you’re devouring.

While there are far more transition words than those listed, knowing the basics will do wonders for your fluency.

Choppy French no more!

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101+ Common French Phrases And Sentences You Need To Know

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to common French phrases ! 

Whether you are a beginner learning French or an advanced speaker looking to expand your vocabulary, this article is for you. Inside, you will find over 101 essential French phrases that are commonly used in everyday conversation. 

We have included the English translations and explanations of when to use each phrase, so you can quickly and easily incorporate them into your own French language skills.

From greetings and introductions to small talk and basic phrases for travel, this article covers all the essential French phrases you need to know.

So get ready to impress your French-speaking friends and colleagues with your fluency and ease in the language!

Table of Contents :

Common French Phrases For Greetings

Here are some common French phrases for greetings:

• Bonjour! (Hello!)
• Salut! (Hi!)
• Comment ça va? (How are you?)
• Comment allez-vous? (How are you?)
• Enchanté(e). (Nice to meet you.)
• Je suis heureux(se) de vous rencontrer. (I’m happy to meet you.)
• Comment êtes-vous arrivé(e) ici? (How did you get here?)
• Comment s’est passée votre journée? (How was your day?)
• Comment ça va aujourd’hui? (How are you today?)
• Comment ça s’est passé? (How did it go?)

It’s also common to use handshakes or kisses on the cheeks as a greeting in France, depending on the context and the level of familiarity with the person you are greeting.

Common French Phrases To Express Feelings

Here are some common French phrases for expressing feelings:

• Je suis triste. (I am sad.)
• Je suis en colère. (I am angry.)
• Je suis heureux(se). (I am happy.)
• Je suis fatigué(e). (I am tired.)
• Je suis stressé(e). (I am stressed.)
• Je suis déçu(e). (I am disappointed.)
• Je suis excité(e). (I am excited.)
• Je suis content(e). (I am content.)
• Je suis inquiet(e). (I am worried.)
• Je suis ravi(e). (I am delighted.)

It’s also common to use body language and facial expressions to convey emotions in French. For example, you might raise your eyebrows to show surprise, or frown to show disapproval.

Common French Phrases To Ask For Direction

Here are some common French phrases you can use to ask for directions:

• “Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m’indiquer la direction de (place/building)?” – Excuse me, could you tell me the direction of (place/building)?
• “Comment puis-je me rendre à (place)?” – How can I get to (place)?
• “Où se trouve (place)?” – Where is (place) located?
• “Est-ce que je dois prendre le métro/bus/tramway pour aller à (place)?” – Do I need to take the subway/bus/tram to get to (place)?
• “Y a-t-il un plan de la ville disponible?” – Is there a city map available?
• “Pouvez-vous m’indiquer sur la carte comment me rendre à (place)?” – Can you show me on the map how to get to (place)?

Common French Phrases For Travel

Here are some common French phrases that might be useful when traveling in France:

• Où se trouve la gare? (Where is the train station?)
• Où puis-je trouver un hôtel? (Where can I find a hotel?)
• Où puis-je trouver un restaurant? (Where can I find a restaurant?)
• Où puis-je trouver une banque? (Where can I find a bank?)
• Où puis-je trouver un bureau de poste? (Where can I find a post office?)
• Où puis-je trouver un supermarché? (Where can I find a supermarket?)
• Où puis-je trouver un médecin? (Where can I find a doctor?)
• Où puis-je trouver un pharmacien? (Where can I find a pharmacy?)
• Où puis-je trouver un coiffeur? (Where can I find a hairdresser?)
• Pouvez-vous me montrer sur une carte? (Can you show me on a map?)

It’s also helpful to know some basic French words and phrases related to transportation, such as “metro” (subway), “bus” (bus), and “taxi” (taxi).

Common French Phrases For Tourist

Here are some common French phrases you can use as a tourist:

• “Où puis-je trouver un guide touristique?” – Where can I find a tourist guide?
• “Quels sont les endroits à ne pas manquer dans cette ville?” – What are the must-see places in this city?
• “Où puis-je trouver un hôtel pas cher?” – Where can I find a cheap hotel?
• “Où puis-je trouver un bon restaurant pas cher?” – Where can I find a good, cheap restaurant?
• “Où puis-je acheter des billets pour les attractions touristiques?” – Where can I buy tickets for the tourist attractions?
• “Pouvez-vous me conseiller un bon endroit pour faire du shopping?” – Can you recommend a good place for shopping?
• “Où puis-je trouver une banque/une poste?” – Where can I find a bank/post office?

Common French Phrases For Beginners

Here are some common French phrases that might be helpful for beginners:

• Bonjour (bohn-zhoor): Hello
• Comment ça va? (kohm-tah vah): How are you?
• Je m’appelle… (zhuh mah-pell): My name is…
• Enchanté(e) (ahN-shahnt-ay): Nice to meet you
• Je ne parle pas français très bien. (zhuh nuh pahl pah frah-sey tray byehN): I don’t speak French very well.
• Où sont les toilettes? (oo sohN lay twah-leht): Where are the restrooms?
• Je voudrais un verre d’eau, s’il vous plaît. (zhuh voo-dray aN vehr doh, seel voo play): I would like a glass of water, please.
• Combien ça coûte? (kohm-byehN sah koot): How much does it cost?
• Je ne comprends pas. (zhuh nuh kohm-prehN pah): I don’t understand.

Common French Phrases For School

Here are some common French phrases that you might use in a school setting:

• Bonjour! – Hello!
• Comment ça va? – How are you?
• Je m’appelle… – My name is…
• Je viens de… – I come from…
• Je suis désolé(e) – I’m sorry
• Je ne parle pas français – I don’t speak French
• Où est la salle de bain? – Where is the bathroom?
• Où est la bibliothèque? – Where is the library?
• Quelle heure est-il? – What time is it?
• Je suis en classe de… – I’m in (grade) class

Common French Phrases For Shopping

Here are some common French phrases that you might use while shopping:

• Je voudrais acheter… (I would like to buy…)
• Combien coûte-t-il? (How much does it cost?)
• Avez-vous autre chose de la même taille? (Do you have anything else in the same size?)
• Est-ce que je peux essayer ça? (Can I try this on?)
• Je prendrai ça. (I’ll take this.)
• Je paierai en espèces. (I’ll pay in cash.)
• Je paierai avec ma carte de crédit. (I’ll pay with my credit card.)
• Je voudrais un sac s’il vous plaît. (I would like a bag, please.)

It’s also helpful to know how to say the numbers in French, as you might need to specify the quantity or size of something you’re buying. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10:

1 – un

2 – deux

3 – trois

4 – quatre

5 – cinq

6 – six

7 – sept

8 – huit

9 – neuf

10 – dix

Common French Phrases About Love

Here are some common French phrases related to love:

• Je t’aime. (I love you.)
• Tu es la personne la plus importante dans ma vie. (You are the most important person in my life.)
• Je suis amoureux(se) de toi. (I am in love with you.)
• Tu es tout ce dont j’ai besoin. (You are all I need.)
• Tu me manques. (I miss you.)
• Tu es ma moitié. (You are my other half.)
• Tu es mon âme sœur. (You are my soulmate.)
• Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi. (I can’t live without you.)
• Tu es mon tout. (You are my everything.)
• Je tiens à toi plus que tout au monde. (I care about you more than anything in the world.)

Common French Phrases In A Restaurant

Here are some common French phrases you might use while dining in a restaurant:

• “Je voudrais réserver une table pour ce soir/demain soir/à midi” – I would like to reserve a table for tonight/tomorrow night/at noon.
• “Je voudrais une table pour deux/trois/quatre personnes, s’il vous plaît” – I would like a table for two/three/four people, please.
• “Je voudrais un menu en français/anglais, s’il vous plaît” – I would like a menu in French/English, please.
• “Je voudrais commander (dish), s’il vous plaît” – I would like to order (dish), please.
• “Est-ce que vous avez des plats sans gluten/vegan/végétariens?” – Do you have any dishes that are gluten-free/vegan/vegetarian?
• “Pouvez-vous me recommander un bon vin?” – Can you recommend a good wine?
• “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” – The bill, please.
• “Est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes de crédit?” – Do you accept credit cards?

Common French Phrases In Conversations

Here are some common French phrases that are useful for having conversations:

• Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît? (Can you repeat that, please?)
• Je ne comprends pas. (I don’t understand.)
• Je parle un peu de français. (I speak a little French.)
• Je ne parle pas français très bien. (I don’t speak French very well.)
• Je suis désolé(e), je ne parle pas français. (I’m sorry, I don’t speak French.)
• Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire? (What does that mean?)
• Qu’est-ce qui se passe? (What’s happening?)
• Qu’est-ce que vous faites dans la vie? (What do you do for a living?)
• Quels sont vos loisirs? (What are your hobbies?)
• Quelle est votre profession? (What is your profession?)

It’s also important to remember to use polite phrases and gestures when having conversations in French, such as “s’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci” (thank you).

In conclusion, the article “101+ Common French Phrases” provides a comprehensive list of useful phrases for learners of the French language.

It covers a wide range of topics, including greetings, polite expressions, travel phrases, and everyday conversation.

By learning these phrases, students can improve their communication skills and feel more confident when interacting with native French speakers. 

The article also includes helpful pronunciation tips and notes on when to use certain phrases, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their French language skills.

Overall, this article is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to learn more about French language and culture.

Raphaël Pesquet

Bonjour, my name is Raphaël Pesquet. I was born, raised and I still live in France ( in a small village near Paris ) !

I currently teach French online and have helped over 250 students become fluent in French … and my goal is to help more than 100,000 people discover the French language and its culture !

Killer French Essay phrases

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• Top 132+ French Slang Words and Phrases To Blend in With Locals

French is a global language, with a variety of dialects spoken around the world. When you’re first learning French, learning expressions beyond standard vocabulary is a good idea so that you can communicate with ease. Recognizing a variety of French slang can open up tons of opportunities to enjoy French movies and television , songs, social media posts, and conversations in real life.

Table of Contents

Genre and other french slang for everyday conversations .

Like any casual and spontaneous speech, spoken French is riddled with filler sounds and words similar to  “like” or “um” in English. Though perhaps looked down upon in formal public speaking, these words serve to maintain the listener’s attention while the speaker is hesitating to search for a word or complete a thought. You can sound more French if you include some of these words!

The word genre (“like”) is a common filler word, similar to the English “like.” It can also be used alone to mean “I don’t believe you!” 

• Ça coute cher, genre quinze dollars. = It’s expensive, like 15 dollars. 

Pote and other slang for friends

While un ami/une amie (a friend) is the standard French word for “friend,” you’re likely to hear other French slang words in casual speech or television, such as pote (friend, mate, buddy, pal) and its variations. 

• Voici ma pote, Camille. = This is my friend Camille. 

Most of these words have a masculine form and a feminine form so that they follow French gender rules . 

Ça roule and other greetings

While a polite, standard Comment ça va ? (How is it going?) could work in nearly any situation, it’s fun to mix up your greetings, especially with friends. Here are some greetings you may hear in more casual speech like some French slang phrases. Like French idioms , they aren’t translated word for word. Many could translate to something like “What’s up?”

• Eh, salut ! Ça roule ? = Hey, hi. How’s it going?
• Ça roule ! = It’s going! 

Bouffer and other slang verbs for everyday actions

One of the most common French verbs beginners learn is manger (to eat), but in many contexts the slang term bouffer (to eat/to stuff oneself) may pop up. The more common an activity, the more likely there is to be a variety of French slang words to express it.

• À quelle heure on bouffe ? = What time are we eating?
• J’sais pas, mais j’ai un creux ! = I dunno, but I’m feeling peckish. 

Here are a few French slang verbs to recognize and connect to the essential French words you already know. 

Fric and other French slang words for money 

A slang word for money in French is du fric . The standard term argent (money) came from the word for “silver” originally. Many of the slang terms for money and currency draw from historical names for coins or currencies as well. These French slang phrases can help you talk about money—or the lack thereof.

• Tu me prêtes dix balles ? Je n’ai pas un sou . = Can you lend me ten bucks? I don’t have a single penny.
• Moi non plus, j’suis fauché . = Me neither, I’m broke. 

Type and more slang for people 

You can use the term type (guy) to casually refer to a “guy,” especially if you don’t know him.

• Il y avait un type dans mon siège. = There was a guy in my seat. 

Some slang words for people come from terms of endearment or common professions. These are all French nouns since they refer to people.

Rigolo and other French slang descriptions

Rigolo (fun/funny/amusing) is one of many Slang French adjectives and expressions that can help you describe and react in interesting ways. 

• Il y avait beaucoup d’activités et objets rigolos dans le musée pour enfants. = There were lots of activities and funny things in the children’s museum. 

These French slang words can help you be more expressive and dramatic. 

Boulot and other nouns and ideas

You can use boulot (job/work/effort) to talk about your employment or the concept of working hard. Many day-to-day places, things, and ideas have a French slang word to spice up your conversation about regular life. 

• J’ai beaucoup de boulot cette semaine. = I have a lot of work this week. 

Instead of trying to translate English to French slang words or phrases, where meaning might be completely lost, learn to recognize French slang in context and try them out when you’re confident of their meaning. 

>>Learn specific vocabulary from French dialects around the world to fit in with the locals!

Levels and types of French slang

French vocabulary and phrases that are not considered standard or grammatically “correct” are abundant and fall into several categories. While some slang is simply considered familier (colloquial) and can be used without shame in casual speech, others can be vulgaire (vulgar/offensive). 

When you translate English to French slang phrases, the impact of offensiveness and meaning can be lost. For example, in Canadian French , some of the strongest curse words translate to seemingly inoffensive religious words, such as “chalice” or “tabernacle.” 

If you’re concerned about being appropriate but want to try out a slang word you’ve learned, consult a resource or a trusted French speaker. In a word list or dictionary such as Le Robert French dictionary , you may see a helpful description next to the word, such as familier (familiar) or vulgaire (vulgar). French speakers may use terms like gros mot (a “bad word”) or a juron (swear/cuss word) to explain that a word isn’t appropriate. 

Since language can shift over time, some slang words become vieilli (old-fashioned) over time, and words that used to be tabou (taboo) can gradually become more accepted. It can be really helpful to have a trusted French-speaker as a friend who can explain a slang word or expression and guide you. Our French tutors at Rosetta Stone can help you integrate the use of French slang into your vocabulary successfully.

Speak French with confidence with support from Rosetta Stone

French slang reflects the language that people use in real life, so it’s important to be comfortable with learning new words and meanings. Slang differs from standard French in that it can vary between regions, time periods, and contexts. You’ll never be bored when you’re learning French. 

Every exposure to real life language, including French slang words and phrases, will help you participate in French culture and conversations. When those doubts arise, such as whether a French slang word is appropriate to use, or whether it means what you think it means, you can safely return to the standard French you can learn with Rosetta Stone . Bring your questions to a live lesson or a tutor for additional help, and understanding French slang will be du gâteau (a piece of cake). 

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Jamie Edwards

Jamie Edwards is a Spanish and French teacher who loves learning and writing about both Spanish and French. Her “places to explore” list never gets shorter because she always wants to return! Her sights are set on Scotland and Italy next.

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