A comprehensive guide to French introduction vocabulary and phrases, including greetings, self-introductions, and polite expressions for starting conversations.
Learning how to introduce yourself and others is a fundamental part of French conversation. This guide covers essential vocabulary and phrases for greetings, sharing personal information, and starting conversations politely.
Greetings
French introductions usually begin with a greeting. Here are some common ways to say hello and start a conversation in French.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / Good morning | Bonjour, comment ça va ? | Hello, how are you? |
| Salut | Hi | Salut, tu vas bien ? | Hi, are you doing well? |
| Bonsoir | Good evening | Bonsoir, comment s'est passée ta journée ? | Good evening, how was your day? |
___, tu vas bien ?
What is a casual way to say 'Hi' in French?
Salut
'Salut' is an informal greeting similar to 'Hi.' 'Bonjour' and 'Bonsoir' are more formal, and 'Coucou' is very casual.
Introducing Yourself
Once you've greeted someone, you can introduce yourself with these simple phrases.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je m'appelle... | My name is... | Je m'appelle Marie. | My name is Marie. |
| Moi, c'est... | I'm... | Moi, c'est Paul. | I'm Paul. |
| Je suis... | I am... | Je suis étudiant(e). | I am a student. |
Asking Someone’s Name
To keep the conversation going, you can ask for the other person's name.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comment tu t'appelles ? | What's your name? (informal) | Comment tu t'appelles ? | What's your name? |
| Comment vous appelez-vous ? | What's your name? (formal) | Comment vous appelez-vous ? | What's your name? |
| Quel est ton prénom ? | What's your first name? | Quel est ton prénom ? | What's your first name? |
___ ?
What is the formal way to ask 'What’s your name?' in French?
Comment vous appelez-vous
'Comment vous appelez-vous ?' is the formal or plural form, using 'vous' instead of 'tu.' It's polite in strangers or elders.
Saying Where You’re From
Sharing your hometown or country is a common part of introductions.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je viens de... | I come from... | Je viens de Paris. | I come from Paris. |
| Je suis de... | I'm from... | Je suis de Belgique. | I'm from Belgium. |
| J'habite à... | I live in... | J'habite à Lyon. | I live in Lyon. |
Talking About Your Age
Age is sometimes shared in introductions, especially among peers.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| J'ai... ans | I am... years old | J'ai 25 ans. | I am 25 years old. |
| Quel âge as-tu ? | How old are you? (informal) | Quel âge as-tu ? | How old are you? |
| Quel âge avez-vous ? | How old are you? (formal) | Quel âge avez-vous ? | How old are you? |
Talking About Your Job or Studies
It’s common to mention what you do for work or study during introductions.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je travaille comme... | I work as... | Je travaille comme professeur. | I work as a teacher. |
| Je suis... | I am... | Je suis ingénieur. | I am an engineer. |
| J'étudie... | I study... | J'étudie la médecine. | I study medicine. |
Simple Conversation Starters
These phrases help keep the conversation moving after introductions.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanté(e) | Nice to meet you | Enchantée, Pierre. | Nice to meet you, Pierre. |
| Ça fait longtemps ? | Has it been a long time? | Ça fait longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas vus. | It's been a long time since we've seen each other. |
| Tu fais quoi dans la vie ? | What do you do for a living? (informal) | Tu fais quoi dans la vie ? | What do you do for a living? |
Polite Expressions for Introductions
Using polite phrases makes a good impression during introductions.
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanté(e) de faire votre connaissance | Nice to meet you | Enchanté de faire votre connaissance. | Nice to meet you. |
| Ravi(e) de vous rencontrer | Pleased to meet you | Ravie de vous rencontrer. | Pleased to meet you. |
| Merci de me recevoir | Thank you for having me | Merci de me recevoir. | Thank you for having me. |
___.
How do you say 'Thank you for having me' politely in French?
Merci de me recevoir
'Merci de me recevoir' is a polite way to thank someone for hosting or receiving you, often used in formal contexts.
Summing Up
Here is a quick summary of essential phrases for French introductions:
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Bonjour / Salut | Hello / Hi |
| Je m'appelle... | My name is... |
| Comment tu t'appelles ? | What's your name? (informal) |
| Je viens de... | I come from... |
| J'ai... ans | I am... years old |
| Je travaille comme... / J'étudie... | I work as... / I study... |
| Enchanté(e) | Nice to meet you |
With these phrases, you’ll be able to confidently introduce yourself and start a conversation in French.
Flashcards (1 of 31)
- English Translation: Hello / Good morning
- English Example: Hello, how are you?
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
