In France, a formal approach is
de rigueur (mandatory) if you want to converse with a person whom you don't know at all or very well. Don't commit a
faux pas (mistake) by addressing someone informally before you have established a strong friendship or relationship. Start and end your conversations correctly by consulting Tables
1 and
2 .
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TABLE 1
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Formal Greetings and Goodbyes
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Greeting/Goodbye in English
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French Translation
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Hello.
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Bonjour.
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Good evening.
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Bonsoir.
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Mr.
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monsieur
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Mrs.
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madame
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Miss (Ms.)
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mademoiselle
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What's your name?
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Comment vous appelez-vous?
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My name is …
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Je m'appelle …
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I'm happy to meet you.
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Je suis heureux(se) de faire votre connaissance.
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I'd like you to meet …
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Je vous présente …
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How are you?
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Comment allez-vous?
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Very well.
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Très bien.
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Not bad.
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Pas mal.
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So so.
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Comme ci comme ça.
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Goodbye.
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Au revoir.
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Good night.
|
Bonne nuit.
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TABLE 2
|
Informal Greetings and Goodbyes
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Greeting/Goodbye in English
|
French Translation
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Hi.
|
Salut.
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What's your name?
|
Tu t'appelles comment?
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My name is …
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Je m'appelle …
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Pleased to meet you.
|
Enchanté(e).
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I'd like you to meet …
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Je te présente …
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Bye.
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Salut.
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How are you?
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Ça va?
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Fine.
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Ça va.
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How's it going?
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Ça marche?
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Fine.
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Ça marche.
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What's new?
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Quoi de neuf?
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Nothing.
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Rien.
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See you soon.
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` bientôt.
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See you later.
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` tout ` l'heure.
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See you tomorrow.
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` demain.
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Note that
vous expresses “you” in formal conversation, whereas
tu expresses “you” in informal conversation.
As a sign of respect, older French women are generally referred to and addressed as
madame, despite their marital status. Because
mademoiselle is reserved for younger women, use
madame when in doubt.
After sunset,
bonsoir is used as a greeting. Use
bonne nuit if you are about to retire for the night.
French I: Verb Charts
French I: Everyday Words and Phrases
