You don't need a big vocabulary to start talking — you need a handful of phrases you can say with confidence. Here are five that will carry you through your first real conversation in French. Say each one out loud a few times; the goal is to use them, not just recognise them.
- Bonjour ! — bon-ZHOOR — Hello / Good day. The all-purpose greeting; use it with everyone.
- Comment ça va ? — koh-mahn sah VAH — How are you? Reply with Ça va bien, merci (I'm well, thanks).
- Je m'appelle… — zhuh mah-PELL — My name is… Follow it with Et vous ? (And you?).
- S'il vous plaît / Merci — seel voo PLEH / mair-SEE — Please / Thank you. Politeness opens every door in France.
- Je ne comprends pas — zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah — I don't understand. Add Pouvez-vous répéter ? (Can you repeat?).
Five phrases won't make you fluent — but they'll get you into a conversation, and conversation is where French actually sticks. The fastest way to make these automatic is to say them to a real French speaker who answers back, corrects you gently, and pulls you into your first proper exchange.
