Starting a conversation in French is easy if you know some common phrases. Here are some important phrases to help you talk with others.

Greetings

When you start a conversation, it’s nice to say hello. Here are some friendly greetings:

• Bonjour! (Hello! / Good morning!)
• Bonsoir! (Good evening!)
• Salut! (Hi! - informal)

Asking How Someone Is

After saying hello, it’s polite to ask how the other person is doing. You can use these phrases:

• Comment ça va? (How’s it going?)
• Comment allez-vous? (How are you? - formal)
• Ça va bien, merci. Et vous? (I’m doing well, thank you. And you?)

Common Questions to Start a Conversation

Asking questions is a great way to keep talking. Try these:

• D'où viens-tu? (Where are you from? - informal)
• Où habitez-vous? (Where do you live? - formal)
• Qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie? (What do you do for a living? - informal)
• Quel est ton passe-temps préféré? (What is your favorite hobby? - informal)

Responding to Questions

When someone asks you a question, you can reply like this:

• Je viens de Paris. (I’m from Paris.)
• J'habite à Lyon. (I live in Lyon.)
• Je suis étudiant(e). (I am a student.)
• Mon passe-temps préféré est la lecture. (My favorite hobby is reading.)

Polite Expressions

Being polite is important when you speak French. Here are some polite phrases to use:

• S'il vous plaît. (Please.)
• Merci. (Thank you.)
• De rien. (You're welcome.)
• Excusez-moi. (Excuse me.)

Keeping the Conversation Going

To make the conversation more interesting, show that you care. Use these phrases:

• Vraiment? (Really?)
• C'est intéressant! (That’s interesting!)
• Et toi/vous? (And you?)

Tips for Pronunciation

How you say the words is important in French. Practice these sounds:

• “r” is made from the back of your throat, like in "Paris."
• “ou” in "vous" sounds like "oo" in "food."
• “é” in "café" sounds like "ay."

Listening Skills

To get better, listen to simple conversations. Pay attention to common phrases and how they are said. Regular practice will help you get better at talking.

In short, if you learn these simple phrases and expressions, you can start and keep conversations in French. Practicing talking and listening will help you become more fluent.