Below are some common French interjections and their English equivalents.
| French Interjection | English Equivalent | Usage Example (French) | Usage Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ah ! | Ah! | Ah ! Je comprends maintenant. | Ah! I understand now. |
| Oh là là ! | Oh dear! / Wow! | Oh là là ! C’est compliqué. | Oh dear! This is complicated. |
| Hé ! | Hey! | Hé ! Attends-moi ! | Hey! Wait for me! |
| Zut ! | Darn! / Shoot! | Zut ! J’ai oublié mes clés. | Darn! I forgot my keys. |
| Ouf ! | Phew! | Ouf ! C’est fini. | Phew! It’s over. |
| Eh bien ! | Well! | Eh bien ! Quelle surprise ! | Well! What a surprise! |
| Ah bon ? | Really? | Ah bon ? Je ne savais pas. | Really? I didn’t know. |
| Bravo ! | Bravo! / Well done! | Bravo ! Tu as réussi. | Bravo! You succeeded. |
| Bof | Meh / So-so | Bof, ça va. | Meh, it’s okay. |
| Hélas ! | Alas! | Hélas ! Il est trop tard. | Alas! It is too late. |
These interjections are often followed by an exclamation mark (!) in French, similar to English usage. They can stand alone or be inserted into sentences to convey the speaker’s emotion.
Are French interjections ever used in formal writing?
They are mainly used in spoken and informal written French.
Interjections are typically reserved for casual conversation, dialogue, and informal writing.
Which French interjection would you use to say “Well!” before making a comment or expressing surprise?
Eh bien !
“Eh bien !” is used to introduce a statement, show surprise, or signal a change of topic, similar to “Well!” in English.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English Equivalent: Ah!
- Usage Example (English): Ah! I understand now.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
