Chapter 1: The Essentials of Basic Communication – La Conversation
GREETINGS
It is a special thing to be able to properly greet someone in another language. It is usually the first step when learning, and it can feel so empowering.
As you begin this exciting part of your learning experience, try to keep this quote in mind:
“Avoir une autre langue, c'est posséder une deuxième âme”
(“To have another language is to possess a second soul")
Charlemagne
Learning a language gives you an opportunity to explore new sides of yourself you did not know existed. So when you are afraid of pronouncing something wrong or worried how you will be perceived, just think of this as an opportunity to become the French version of you!
These are some French greetings to get you started:
Hellos:
Listen to Track 13:
Bonjour - Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon
Salut - Hello (informal)
Bonsoir - Good evening
Bonne nuit - Good night
Goodbyes:
Listen to Track 14:
Au revoir - Goodbye
Salut - Goodbye (informal)
Bonne journée - Have a good day
À bientôt - See you soon
À plus tard - See you later
À plus - See you
À demain - See you tomorrow
How are you?
Listen to Track 15:
Formal:
Comment allez vous?
Informal:
Ça va?
Comment ça va?
Comment va-tu?
Tu vas bien?
La Réponse Affirmative (Positive response)
Listen to Track 16:
Ça va! - I'm well! (informal)
Ça va (très) bien! - I'm (very) well! (standard)
Je vais (très) bien. - I am (very) well, thank you. (formal)
La Réponse Négative (Negative Response)
Listen to Track 17:
Ça va pas. - Not well. (informal)
Non, ça ne va pas bien. - No, I'm not well. (standard)
Non, je ne vais pas bien. - No, I am not well. (formal)
Comme ci, comme ça. - I'm so-so.
La Réponse Négative (Negative Response)
Listen to Track 18:
Je me présente. - Let me introduce myself.
Je m'appelle _______. - My name is _______.
Mon prénom est... - My first name is...
Je suis... - I am...