What you will learn today:
Basics of pronunciation and greetings
Vocabulary: Basic Greetings
Now, let’s start with some standard greetings.
Standard/ Formal Greetings
Speaking Practice 1
This speaking exercise is only supported in Chrome browsers (except on iOS). You need a microphone to answer the question. For more info regarding this Speaking Practice Exercise, read the instructions here.
Informal Greetings
However, it is a good idea to learn the various greetings and be able to say them accurately in French, especially if you will be conversing with people you do not know very well.
It is simply polite to use more formal greetings; “Salut“ is really only something you should use with friends or in informal situations — i.e., not with your boss!
Speaking Practice 2
For more info regarding this Speaking Practice Exercise, read the instructions here.
Listening and Practice
Listen to Week 1 Day 1 Track 3
• Bonjour.
• Bonsoir.
• Au revoir.
• Bonne journée.
• Bon après-midi.
• Bonne soirée.
• Bonne nuit.
After greeting someone, you may wish to continue the conversation. There are two questions you will usually ask.
Here is the first:
Asking how someone is doing
There are two ways to ask this question; your choice will depend on whether it is a formal or informal situation.
Next, you might ask the person’s name, if you do not know him or her.
Asking a Person's Name
Pronunciation
Now, let’s practice your pronunciation. Listen to the audio track (transcription below) and try to repeat the word.
Listen to Week 1 Day 1 Track 5
Hello
Good evening
Goodbye
Good night
Speaking Practice 3
For more info regarding this Speaking Practice Exercise, read the instructions here.
Greetings for Formal Situations
Informal situation (with friends)
Listen to Week 1 Day 1 Track 7
Hi Sharon, how are you?
I am good, and you?
Not bad (in French, this has a positive meaning.
Goodbye!
See you tomorrow!
Let's Practice Some More!
Speaking Practice 4
For more info regarding this Speaking Practice Exercise, read the instructions here.
A Quick Recap of this Lesson
Standard/formal French Greetings
Greetings at the end of a Conversation
Informal French Greetings
When greeting friends or people your age (or younger), you can say “Salut” which means both "Hello" and "Goodbye."
"How are you doing?" in French
Formal:
Informal:
"What's your name?" in French
Response:
« Je m'appelle …, et toi ? » (My name is ____, and you?)
Sharpen Your Knowledge with Exercises
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with the correct answer based on the dialogue in the audio track. Select from the choices provided by clicking the right word or phrase.
For example:
Sophie: _____ Monsieur.
- Bonsoir
- Hola
- Bonne nuit
- Bonjour
Exercise 2
Listen to the dialogue and try to answer the questions below.
Exercise 3
Based on the audio track and what you have learned in this lesson, fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Responses