French : Romance Language of 128 million
1. Some Basic Phrases
2. Pronunciation
3. Alphabet
4. Nouns, Articles and Demonstratives
5. Useful Words and General Vocabulary
6. Subject Pronouns
7. To Be and to Have
8. Question Words
9. Numbers / Ordinals
10. Days of the Week
11. Months of the Year
12. Seasons
13. Directions
14. Color and Shapes
15. Weather
16. Time
17. Family and Animals
18. To Know People and Facts
19. Formation of Plural Nouns
20. Possessive Adjectives
21. To Do or Make
22. Work and School
23. Prepositions and Contractions
24. Countries and Nationalities
25. Negative Sentences
26. To / In and From places
27. To Come and to Go
28. Conjugating Regular Verbs
29. Pronominal (Reflexive) Verbs
30. Irregularities in Regular Verbs
31. Past Indefinite Tense
32. Irregular Past Participles
33. Etre Verbs
34. Food and Meals
35. Fruits, Vegetables, Meats
36. To Take, Eat or Drink
37. Quantities
38. Commands
39. More Negatives
40. Holiday Phrases
French National Anthem
Canadian National Anthem
French II
41. Imperfect Tense
42. Places
43. Transportation
44. To Want, to Be Able to, to Have to
45. House
46. Furniture
47. Comparative and Superlative
48. Irregular Forms
49. Clothing
50. To Wear
51. Future Tenses
52. Preceding and Plural Adjectives
53. Adjectives: Feminine
54. Adjectives: Plurals
55. More Adjectives
56. Rendre plus Adjective
57. C'est vs. Il est
58. Sports and Hobbies
59. Nature
60. To Live
61. Object Pronouns
62. Parts of the Body
63. Asking Questions
64. Interrogative Pronouns
65. Forms of Lequel
66. Relative Pronouns
67. Demonstrative Pronouns
68. To Read, to Laugh, to Say
69. Disjunctive Pronouns
70. Y and En
71. To Write, to See, to Believe
72. Animals
73. Plaire and Manquer
74. Pluperfect
75. Indefinite Pronouns
Déjeuner du matin
Le corbeau et le renard
French III
76. Colloquial Expressions
77. False Cognates
78. More Useful Words
79. Adverbs
80. Forms of Tout
81. Passive Voice
82. Depuis, il y a, and pendant in past contexts
83. Shopping
84. Post Office and Bank
85. To Receive
86. Infinitives followed by Prepositions
87. To Follow
88. Faire Causative
89. Direct / Indirect Discourse
90. Office / School Supplies
91. Conditional Tenses
92. Parts of a Car / Gas Station
93. To Drive
94. Travelling / Airport
95. Special Uses of Devoir
96. Cosmetics / Toiletries
97. Present participle
98. Abbreviations / Slang
99. Past Infinitive
100. In the Ocean
101. To Die
102. In Space
103. Subjunctive Mood
104. Possessive Pronouns
105. Simple Past
106. Make-Believe Stuff
107. Quebec French
1. Some Basic Phrases
Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) Hello / Good day
Bonsoir / Bonne nuit (bohn-swahr/bun nwee) Good evening / Good night (only said when going to bed)
Au revoir! (ohr-vwah) Goodbye!
S'il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) Please
Merci beaucoup (mair-see boh-koo)
Je vous en prie / de rien (In Canada: Bienvenu) (zhuh voo zawn pree/duh ree-ahn/bee-awn-vuh-
Thank you very much
new) You're welcome.
Oui / non (wee/nohn) Yes / no
Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle (muh-syuh, mah-dahm, mahd-mwah-zell) Mister, Misses, Miss
Comment allez-vous? (koh-mawn tahl-ay voo) How are you? (formal)
Ça va? (sah vah) How are you? (informal)
Je vais bien (zhuh vay bee-ahn) I'm fine
Ça va bien / mal / pas mal (sah vah bee-ahn/mahl/pah mahl) I'm good / bad / not bad
Je suis fatigué(e) (zhuh swee fah-tee-gay) I'm tired
Je suis malade (zhuh swee mah-lahd) I'm sick
J'ai faim (zhay fawn) I'm hungry
J'ai soif (zhay swahf) I'm thirsty
Comment vous appelez-vous? (koh-mawn voo zah-play voo) What's your name? (formal)
Comment t'appelles-tu? (koh-mawn tah-pell tew) What's your name? (informal)
Je m'appelle... (zhuh mah-pell) I am called...
Mon nom est... (mohn nohm ay) My name is...
Vous êtes d'où? (voo zet doo) Where are you from? (formal)
Tu es d'où? (tew ay doo) Where are you from? (informal)
Où habitez-vous? (ooh ah-bee-tay voo) Where do you live? (formal)
Où habites-tu? (ooh ah-beet tew) Where do you live? (informal)
Je suis des Etats-Unis / du Canada. (zhuh swee day zay-tahz-ew-nee/dew kah-nah-dah) I am from the United States / Canada.
J'habite aux Etats-Unis / au Canada. (zhah-beet oh zay-tahz-ew-nee/ oh kah-nah-dah) I live in the U.S. / Canada.
Vous avez quel âge? (voo za-vay kell ahzh) How old are you? (formal)
Tu as quel âge? (tew ah kell ahzh) How old are you? (informal)
J'ai ____ ans. (zhay ____ awn) I am ____ years old.
Parlez-vous français?
Parles-tu anglais?
(par-lay voo frahn-say) Do you speak French? (formal)
(parl tew on-glay) Do you speak English? (informal)
Italien, Allemand, Espagnol (ee-tahl-ee-ahn, ahll-uh-mawn, es-pahn-yol) Italian, German, Spanish
Russe, Japonais, Chinois (rooss, zhah-po-neh, shee-nwah) Russian, Japanese, Chinese
Je parle... (zhuh parl) I speak...
Je ne parle pas... (zhuh nuh parl pah) I don't speak...
Je (ne) comprends (pas) (zhuh nuh com-prawn pah) I (don't) understand
Je (ne) sais (pas) (zhuhn say pah) I (don't) know
Excusez-moi / Pardonnez-moi (eg-scew-zay mwah/par-dohn-ay mwah) Excuse me / Pardon me
Je regrette / Je suis désolé(e) (zhuh re-gret/zhuh swee day-zoh-lay) I'm sorry
A tout à l'heure / A bientôt (ah too tah luhr/ah bee-ahn-toh) See you later / See you soon
Salut (sah-lew) Hi / Bye
Je t'aime (zhuh tem) I love you (singular)
Je vous aime (zhuh voo zem) I love you! (plural)
2. Pronunciation
French letter(s)
English Sound
a, à, â
ah
é, et, and final er and ez
ay
e, è, ê, ai, ei, ais
eh
i, y
ee
o
oh
o
shorter and more open than aw in bought
ou
oo
oy, oi
wah
u
ew
u + vowel
wee
c (before e, i, y)
s
ç (before a, o, u)
s
c (before a, o, u)
k
g (before e, i, y)
zh
ge (before a, o)
zh
g (before a, o, u)
g
gn
nyuh
h
silent
j
zh
qu, final q
k
r
rolled
s (between vowels)
z
th
t
x
ekss, except as s in six, dix, and soixante in liaisons, like z
Note: French pronunciation is tricky because it uses nasal sounds which we do not have in English and there are a lot of silent letters. However, if a word ends in C, R, F or L (except verbs that end in -r) you usually pronounce the final consonant. Their vowels tend to be shorter as well. The French slur most words together in a sentence, so if a word ends in a consonant that is not pronounced and the next word starts with a vowel or silent h, slur the two together as if it were one word.
More about Pronunciation
1. The "slurring" that I mentioned is called liaison. It is always made:
• after a determiner (words like un, des, les, mon, ces, quels)
• before or after a pronoun (vous avez, je les ai)
• after a preceding adjective (bon ami, petits enfants)
• after one syllable prepositions (en avion, dans un livre)
• after some one syllable adverbs (très, plus, bien)
• after est
It is optional after pas, trop fort, and the forms of être, but it is never made after et.
2. Sometimes the e is dropped in words and phrases, shortening the syllables and slurring more words.
• rapid(e)ment, lent(e)ment, sauv(e)tage (pronounced ra-peed-mawn, not ra-peed-uh-mawn)
• sous l(e) bureau, chez l(e) docteur (pronounced sool bewr-oh, not soo luh bewr-oh)
• il a d(e) bons copains (eel ahd bohn ko-pahn, not eel ah duh bohn ko-pahn)
• il y a d(e)... , pas d(e)... , plus d(e)... (eel yahd, pahd, plewd, not eel ee ah duh, pah duh, or plew duh)
• je n(e), de n(e) (zhuhn, duhn, not zhuh nuh or duh nuh)
• j(e) te, c(e) que (shtuh, skuh, not zhuh tuh or suh kuh - note the change of the pronunciation of the j as well)
3. In general, intonation only rises for yes/no questions, and all other times, it goes down at the end of the sentence.
4. Two sounds that are tricky to an American English speaker are the differences between the long and short u and e. The long u is pronounced oooh, as in hoot. The short u does not exist in English though. To pronounce is correctly, round your lips as if to whistle, and then say eee. The long and short e are relatively easy to pronounce, but sometimes it is difficult to hear the difference. The long e is pronounced openly, like ay, as in play. The short e is more closed, and pronounced like eh, as in bed.
6. And of course, the nasals. These are what present the most problems for English speakers. Here are the orthographical representations, and approximate pronunciations. Nasal means that you expel air through your nose while saying the words, so don't actually pronounce the n fully.
My Representation
Pronunciation
Orthographical Representation
ahn
an apple
in, im, yn, ym, ain, aim, ein, eim, un, um, en, eng, oin, oing, oint, ien, yen, éen
awn
on the desk
en, em, an, am, aon, aen
ohn
my own book
on, om
In words beginning with in-, a nasal is only used if the next letter is a consonant. Otherwise, the in- prefix is pronounce een before a vowel.
3. Alphabet
a
ah
j
zhee
s
ess
b
beh
k
kah
t
teh
c
seh
l
ell
u
ooh
d
deh
m
em
v
veh
e
uh
n
en
w
doo-blah-veh
f
eff
o
oh
x
eeks
g
zheh
p
peh
y
ee-grek
h
ahsh
q
koo
z
zed
i
ee
r
air
4. Nouns, Articles and Demonstrative Adjectives
All nouns in French have a gender, either masculine or feminine. For the most part, you must memorize the gender, but there are some endings of words that will help you decide which gender a noun is. Nouns ending in -age and -ment are usually masculine, as are nouns ending with a consonant. Nouns ending in -ure, -sion, -tion, -ence, -ance, -té, and -ette are usually feminine.
Articles and adjectives must agree in number and gender with the nouns they modify. And articles have to be expressed even though they aren't always in English; and you may have to repeat the article in some cases. Demonstratives are like strong definite articles.
Definite Articles (The)
Masculine
Feminine
Before Vowel
Plural
le lit the bed
la pommethe apple
l'oiseau the bird
les gants the gloves
Indefinite Articles (A, An, Some)
Masculine
Feminine
Plural
un lit a bed
une pommean apple
des gants some gloves
Demonstrative Adjectives (This, That, These, Those)
Masc.
Masc, Before Vowel
Fem.
Plural
ce lit this/that bed
cet oiseau this/that bird
cette pommethis/that apple
ces gants these/those gloves
If you need to distinguish between this or that and these or those, you can add -ci to the end of the noun for this and these, and -là to the end of the noun for that and those. For example, ce lit-ci is this bed, while ce lit-là is that bed.
5. Useful Words and General Vocabulary
It's / That's
c'est
say
There is/are
il y a
eel-ee-yah
There is/are
voilà
vwah-lah
Here is/are
voici
vwah-see
and
et
ay
always
toujours
too-zhoor
but
mais
may
often
souvent
soo-vawn
now
maintenant
mahnt-nawn
sometimes
quelquefois
kell-kuh-fwah
especially
surtout
sir-too
usually
d'habitude
dah-bee-tewd
except
sauf
sohf
also, too
aussi
oh-see
of course
bien sûr
bee-ahn sir
again
encore
awn-kore
so so
comme ci, comme ça
kohm see kohm sah
late
en retard
awn-ruh-tar
not bad
pas mal
pah mal
almost
presque
presk
book
le livre
leevr
friend (fem)
une amie
ew nah-mee
pencil
le crayon
krah-yohn
friend (masc)
un ami
ah-nah-mee
pen
le stylo
stee-loh
woman
une femme
ewn fawn
paper
le papier
pah-pyaya
man
un homme
ah-nohm
dog
le chien
shee-ahn
girl
une fille
feey
cat
le chat
shah
boy
un garçon
gar-sohn
Note: When il y a is followed by a number, it means ago. Il y a cinq minutes means five minutes ago.
6. Subject Pronouns
Subject Pronouns
Je
zhuh
I
Nous
noo
We
Tu
tew
You (informal)
Vous
voo
You (formal and plural)
Il Elle On
eel ell ohn
He She One
Ils Elles
eelell
They (masc.) They (fem.)
Note: Il and elle can also mean it when they replace a noun (il replaces masculine nouns, and elle replaces feminine nouns) instead of a person's name. Ils and elles can replace plural nouns as well in the same way. Notice there are two ways to say you. Tu is used when speaking to children, animals, or close friends and relativs. Vous is used when speaking to more than one person, or to someone you don't know or who is older. On can be translated into English as one, the people, we, they, or you.
7. To Be and To Have
Present tense of être - to be (eh-truh)
I am
Je suis
zhuh swee
We are
Nous sommes
noo sohm
You are
Tu es
tew ay
You are
Vous êtes
voo zett
He is She is One is
Il est Elle est On est
eel ay ell ay ohn ay
They areThey are
Ils sont Elles sont
eel sohn ell sohn
Past tense of être - to be
I was (being)
j'étais
zhay-teh
We were (being)
nous étions
ay-tee-ohn
You were (being)
tu étais
ay-teh
You were (being)
vous étiez
ay-tee-ay
He was (being) She was (being) One was (being)
il était elle était on était
ay-teh ay-teh ay-teh
They were (being)They were (being)
ils étaient elles étaient
ay-teh ay-teh
Note: Je and any verb form that starts with a vowel (or silent h) combine together for ease of pronunciation.
Future Tense of être - to be
I will be
je serai
suh-reh
We will be
nous serons
suh-rohn
You will be
tu seras
suh-rah
You will be
vous seriez
suh-ree-ay
He will be She will be One will be
il sera elle sera on sera
suh-rahsuh-rahsuh-rah
They will beThey will be
ils seront elles seront
suh-rohn suh-rohn
Note: You must use the subject pronouns; but I will leave them out of future conjugations.
Present tense of avoir - to have (ah-vwahr)
I have
j'ai
zhay
We have
avons
ah-vohn
You have
as
ah
You have
avez
ah-vay
He/she has
a
ah
They have
ont
ohn
Past tense of avoir - to have
I had
j'avais
zhah-veh
We had
avions
ah-vee-ohn
You had
avais
ah-veh
You had
aviez
ah-vee-ay
He/she had
avait
ah-veh
They had
avaient
ah-veh
Future tense of avoir - to have
I will have
j'aurai
zhoh-reh
We will have
aurons
oh-rohn
You will have
auras
oh-rah
You will have
aurez
oh-ray
He/she will have
aura
oh-rah
They will have
auront
oh-rohn
Avoir and être are used in many common and idiomatic expressions that should be memorized:
avoir chaud - to be hot avoir froid - to be cold avoir peur - to be afraid avoir raison - to be right avoir tort - to be wrong avoir faim - to be hungry avoir soif - to be thirsty avoir sommeil - to be sleepy avoir honte - to be ashamed avoir besoin de - to need avoir l'air de - to look like, seemavoir envie de - to feel like avoir de la chance - to be lucky
être de retour - to be back être en retard - to be late être en avance - to be early être d'accord - to be in agreement être sur le point de - to be about to être en train de - to be in the act of être enrhumée - to have a cold nous + être (un jour) - to be (a day)
J'ai froid. I'm cold. Tu avais raison. You were right. Il aura sommeil ce soir. He will be tired tonight. Elle a de la chance! She's lucky! Nous aurons faim plus tard. We will be hungry later. Vouz aviez tort. You were wrong. Ils ont chaud. They are hot. Elles avaient peur hier. They were afraid yesterday.
Je suis en retard! I'm late! Tu étais en avance. You were early. Elle sera d'accord. She will agree. Nous sommes lundi. It is Monday. Vous étiez enrhumé. You had a cold. Ils seront en train d'étudier. They will be (in the act of) studying. Elles étaient sur le point de partir. They were about to leave. On est de retour. We/you/they/the people are back.
8. Question Words
Who
Qui
kee
What
Quoi
kwah
Why
Pourquoi
poor-kwah
When
Quand
kawn
Where
Où
ooh
How
Comment
kohn-mawn
How much / many
Combien
kohn-bee-ahn
Which / what
Quel(le)
kehl
9. Numbers / Les numéros
Zero
Zéro
zay-roh
One
Un
ahn
Two
Deux
duh
Three
Trois
twah
Four
Quatre
kat
Five
Cinq
sahn
Six
Six
seess
Seven
Sept
set
Eight
Huit
weet
Nine
Neuf
nuhf
Ten
Dix
deess
Eleven
Onze
ohnz
Twelve
Douze
dooz
Thirteen
Treize
trehz
Fourteen
Quatorze
kah-tohrz
Fifteen
Quinze
kanz
Sixteen
Seize
sez
Seventeen
Dix-sept
dee-set
Eighteen
Dix-huit
deez-weet
Nineteen
Dix-neuf
deez-nuhf
Twenty
Vingt
vahn
Twenty-one
Vingt et un
vahn tay ahn
Twenty-two
Vingt-deux
vahn duh
Twenty-three
Vingt-trois
vahn twah
Thirty
Trente
trawnt
Thirty-one
Trente et un
trawnt ay uhn
Thirty-two
Trente-deux
trawnt duh
Forty
Quarante
kuh-rawnt
Fifty
Cinquante
sank-awnt
Sixty
Soixante
swah-ssawnt
Seventy
Soixante-diz
swah-ssawnt deez
(Belgium & Switzerland)
Septante
seh-tahnt
Seventy-one
Soixante et onze
swah-ssawnt ay ohnz
Seventy-two
Soixante-douze
swah-ssawnt dooz
Eighty
Quatre-vingts
ka-truh vahn
(Belgium & Switzerland)
Huitante
weet-ahnt
Eighty-one
Quatre-vingt-un
ka-truh vahn tahn
Eighty-two
Quatre-vingt-deux
ka-truh vahn duh
Ninety
Quatre-vingt-dix
ka-truh vahn deez
(Belgium & Switzerland)
Nonante
noh-nahnt
Ninety-one
Quatre-vingt-onze
ka-truh vahn ohnz
Ninety-two
Quatre-vingt-douze
ka-truh vahn dooz
One Hundred
Cent
sawnt
One Hundred One
Cent un
sawnt ahn
Two Hundred
Deux cents
duh sawnt
Two Hundred One
Deux cent un
duh sawnt ahn
Thousand
Mille
meel
Two Thousand
Deux mille
duh meel
Million
Un million
ahn meel-ee-ohn
Note: French switches the use of commas and periods. 1,00 would be 1.00 in English. Belgian and Swiss French use septante, huitante and nonante in place of the standard French words for 70, 80, and 90. Also, when the numbers 5, 6, 8, and 10 are used before a word beginning with a consonant, their final consonants are not pronounced.
Ordinal Numbers
first
premier, première
second
deuxième
third
troisième
fourth
quatrième
fifth
cinquième
sixth
sixième
seventh
septième
eighth
huitième
ninth
neuvième
tenth
dixième
eleventh
onzième
twelfth
douzième
twentieth
vingtième
twenty-first
vingt et unième
thirtieth
trentième
Note: The majority of numbers become ordinals by adding -ième. But if a number ends in an e, you must drop it before adding the -ième. After a q, you must add a u before the -ième. And an f becomes a v before the -ième.
10. Days of the Week / Les jours de la semaine
Monday
lundi
lahn-dee
Tuesday
mardi
mahr-dee
Wednesday
mercredi
mare-kruh-dee
Thursday
jeudi
zhuh-dee
Friday
vendredi
vahn-druh-dee
Saturday
samedi
sahm-dee
Sunday
dimanche
dee-mahnsh
day
le jour
luh zhoor
week
la semaine
lah suh-men
today
aujourd'hui
oh-zhoor-dwee
yesterday
hier
ee-air
tomorrow
demain
duh-mahn
Note: Articles are not used before days, except to express something that happens habitually on a certain day, such as "on Monday." (you would use le before the day, as in "le lundi")
11. Months of the Year / Les mois de l'année
January
janvier
zhan-vee-ay
February
février
fay-vree-ay
March
mars
marz
April
avril
ah-vril
May
mai
may-ee
June
juin
zhwahn
July
juillet
zhwee-ay
August
août
oot
September
septembre
sep-tawm-bruh
October
octobre
ahk-toh-bruh
November
novembre
noh-vawm-bruh
December
décembre
day-sawm-bruh
Month
le mois
luh mwah
Year
l'an / l'année
lawn/law-nay
Note: To express in a certain month, such as "in May," use en before the month as in "en mai." With dates, the ordinal numbers are not used, except for the first of the month: le premier mai but le deux juin. Also note that days of the weeks and months of the year are all masculine and not capitalized in French.
12. Seasons / Les saisons
Summer
l'été
lay-tay
in the summer
en été
awn ay-tay
Fall
l'automne
loh-tohn
in the fall
en automne
aw noh-tohn
Winter
l'hiver
lee-vair
in the winter
en hiver
aw nee-vair
Spring
le printemps
luh prahn-tawn
in the spring
au printemps
oh prahn-tawn
13. Directions / Les directions
North
le nord
luh nor
South
le sud
luh sewd
East
l'est
lest
West
l'ouest
lwest
14. Colors and Shapes / Les couleurs et les formes
Red
rouge
roozh
square
le carré
kah-ray
Orange
orange
oh-rahnzh
circle
le cercle
sair-kluh
Yellow
jaune
zhohn
triangle
le triangle
tree-awn-gluh
Green
vert/e
vehr/t
rectangle
le rectangle
ruhk-tawn-gluh
Blue
bleu/e
bluh
oval
l'ovale
loh-vahl
Purple
pourpre violet/te
poo-pruh vee-oh-leh/lett
cube
le cube
kewb
White
blanc/he
blawn/sh
sphere
la sphère
sfair
Brown
brun/e marron
brahn/brewn mah-rohn
cylinder
le cylindre
see-lahn-druh
Black
noir/e
nwahr
cone
le cône
kohn
Pink
rose
roze
octagon
l'octogone
ok-toh-gohn
Gold
doré/e
doh-ray
box
une boîte
bwaht
Silver
argenté/e
ahr-zhawn-tay
Gray
gris/e
gree/z
Note: In French, nouns and adjectives have a gender. Ex: vert/e = vert is the masculine form of green, verte is the feminine form. Almost all adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify (except marron and orange, as well as colors that are modified with the words clair-light and foncé-dark) and most are placed after the noun. Un carré brun would be a brown square and une boîte noire would be a black box.
15. Weather / Le temps
What's the weather like?
Quel temps fait-il?
kell tawn fay-teel
It's nice.
Il fait bon.
eel fay bohn
bad
Il fait mauvais
moh-vay
cool
Il fait frais
fray
cold
Il fait froid
fwah
warm, hot
Il fait chaud
shoh
cloudy
Il fait nuageux
noo-ah-zhuh
beautiful
Il fait beau
boh
mild
Il fait doux
dooh
stormy
Il fait orageux
oh-rah-zhuh
sunny
Il fait (du) soleil
eel fay (dew) so-lay
windy
Il fait du vent
vawn
foggy
Il fait du brouillard
broo-ee-yar
snowing
Il neige
eel nezh
raining
Il pleut
pluh
freezing
Il gèle
zhell
Note: The du in "il fait (du) soleil" is optional. In Canada, du is often not said, but in France it is common.
16. Time / Le temps
What time is it?
Quelle heure est-il?
kell urr ay-teel
It is...
Il est...
eel ay
one o'clock
une heure
oon urr
two o'clock
deux heures
duh zurr
noon
midi
mee-dee
midnight
minuit
meen-wee
a quarter after three
trois heures et quart
twa zurr ay car
one o'clock sharp
une heure précise
oon urr pray-sees
four o'clock sharp
quatre heures précises
ka-truh urr pray-sees
twelve thirty
midi (minuit) et demi
meee-dee (meen-wee) ay duh-mee
six thirty
six heures et demie
see zurr ay duh-mee
a quarter to seven
sept heures moins le quart
set urr mwahn luh car
five twenty
cinq heures vingt
sank urr vahn
ten fifty
onze heures moins dix
ohnz urr mwan dees
in the morning/AM
du matin
doo mah-tahn
in the afternoon/PM
de l'après-midi
duh lah-pray mih-dee
in the evening/PM
du soir
doo swahr
Note: Official French time is expressed as military time (24 hour clock.)
17. Family and Animals / La famille et les animaux
Family
la famille
fah-mee
Relatives
des parents
pahr-awn
Grand-parents
les grands-parents
grawn-pahr-awn
Parents
les parents
pahr-awn
Mom
la mère, maman
mehr, ma-ma
Stepmother/Mother-in-Law
la belle-mère
bell-mehr
Dad
le père, papa
pehr, pa-pa
Stepfather/Father-in-Law
le beau-père
boh-pehr
Daughter
la fille
fee
Son
le fils
feess
Sister
la soeur
sir
Half/Step Sister
la demi-soeur
duh-mee-sir
Sister-in-Law
la belle-soeur
bell-sir
Stepdaughter/Daughter-in-Law
la belle-fille
bell-fee
Brother
le frère
frehr
Half/Step Brother
le demi-frère
duh-mee-frehr
Brother-in-Law
le beau-frère
boh-frair
Stepson/Son-in-Law
le beau-fils
boh-feess
Twins (m)
les jumeaux
zhoo-moh
Twins (f)
les jumelles
zhoo-mell
Uncle
l'oncle
ohnk-luh
Aunt
la tante
tawnt
Grandmother
la grand-mère
grawn-mehr
Grandfather
le grand-père
grawn-pehr
Cousin (f)
la cousine
koo-zeen
Cousin (m)
le cousin
koo-zahn
Wife
la femme
fawn
Husband
le mari
mah-ree
Woman
la femme
fawn
Man
l'homme
ohm
Girl
la fille
fee
Boy
le garçon
gar-sohn
Niece
la nièce
nee-ess
Nephew
le neveu
nuh-vuh
Grandchildren
les petits-enfants
puh-tee-zawn-fawn
Granddaughter
la petite-fille
puh-teet fee
Grandson
le petit-fils
puh-tee feez
Distant Relatives
des parents éloignés
pahr-awn zay-lwawn-yay
Single
célibataire
say-lee-bah-tair
Married
marié(e)
mah-ree-ay
Separated
séparé(e)
say-pah-ray
Divorced
divorcé(e)
dee-vor-say
Widower / Widow
veuf / veuve
vuhf / vuhv
Dog
le chien / la chienne
shee-ahn / shee-enn
Cat
le chat / la chatte
shah / shaht
Puppy
le chiot
shee-oh
Kitten
le chaton
shah-tohn
Pig
le cochon
koh-shohn
Rooster
le coq
kohk
Rabbit
le lapin
lah-pahn
Cow
la vache
vahsh
Horse
le cheval
chuh-val
Duck
le canard
kah-nahr
Goat
la chèvre
shev-ruh
Goose
l'oie
lwah
Sheep
le mouton
moo-tohn
Lamb
l'agneau
lon-yoh
Donkey
l'âne
lon
Mouse
la souris
soo-ree
18. To Know People and Places
connaître-to know people (koh-net-truh)
savoir-to know facts (sahv-wahr)
connais
koh-neh
connaissons
koh-nezz-ohn
sais
say
savons
sah-vohn
connais
koh-neh
connaissez
koh-nezz-ay
sais
say
savez
sav-ay
connaît
koh-neh
connaissent
koh-nezz
sait
say
savent
sahv
Note: Connaître is used when you know people or places, savoir is used when you know facts. When savoir is followed by an infinitive it means to know how.
Je connais ton frère. I know your brother. Je sais que ton frère s'appelle Jean. I know that your brother is named John. Connaissez-vous Grenoble? Do you know (Are you familiar with) Grenoble? Oui, nous connaissons Grenoble. Yes, we know (are familiar with) Grenoble. Tu sais où Grenoble se trouve. You know where Grenoble is located. Ils savent nager. They know how to swim.
19. Formation of Plural Nouns
To make a noun plural, you usually add an -s. But there are some exceptions:
Sing.
Plural
If a noun already ends in an -s, add nothing.
bus
le bus
les bus
If a noun ends in -eu or -eau, add an x.
boat
le bateau
les bateaux
If a masculine noun ends in -al or -ail, change it to -aux.
horse
le cheval
les chevaux
Some nouns ending in -ou add an -x instead of -s.
knee
le genou
les genoux
There are, of course, some weird exceptions: un oeil (eye) - des yeux (eyes); le ciel (sky) - les cieux (skies); and un jeune homme (a young man) - des jeunes gens (young men).
20. Possessive Adjectives
Masc.
Fem.
Plural
My
mon (mohn)
ma (mah)
mes (may)
Your
ton
ta
tes
His/Her/Its
son
sa
ses
Our
notre (noh-truh)
notre
nos (noh)
Your
votre
votre
vos
Their
leur (luhr)
leur
leurs (luhr)
Note: Possessive pronouns go before the noun. When a feminine noun begins with a vowel, you must use the masculine form of the pronoun for ease of pronunciation. Ma amie is incorrect and must be mon amie, even though amie is feminine.
C'est ma mère et mon père. This is my mother and my father. Ce sont vos petits-enfants? These are your grandchildren? Mes parents sont divorcés. My parents are divorced. Sa grand-mère est veuve. His grandmother is a widow. Notre frère est marié, mais notre soeur est célibataire. Our brother is married, but our sister is single. Ton oncle est architecte, n'est-ce pas? Your uncle is an architect, isn't he? Leurs cousines sont hollandaises. Their cousins are Dutch.
21. To Do or Make
Faire-to do, make (fair)
fais
fay
faisons
fezz-ohn
fais
fay
faites
fett
fait
fay
font
fohnt
Faire is used in expressions of weather (il fait beau) and many other idiomatic expressions: faire de (a sport) - to play (a sport) faire le sourd / l'innocent - to act deaf / innocent faire le (subject in school) - to do / study (subject) faire le ménage - to do the housework faire la cuisine - to do the cooking faire la lessive - to do laundry faire la vaisselle - to do the dishes faire une promenade - to take a walk faire une voyage - to take a trip faire les courses - to run errands faire des achats - to go shopping faire de l'exercice - to exercise faire attention - to pay attention faire la queue - to stand in line
22. Work and School
Masculine
Feminine
architect
l'architecte
lar-shee-tekt
l'architecte
lar-shee-tekt
accountant
le comptable
kohn-tahbl
la comptable
kohn-tabl
judge
le juge
zhoozh
la juge
zhoozh
business peron
l'homme d'affaires
lohn dah-fehr
la femme d'affaires
fahn dah-fehr
baker
le boulanger
boo-lawn-zhay
la boulangère
boo-lawn-zhay
hair dresser
le coiffeur
kwah-fur
la coiffeuse
kwah-fur
computer programmer
le programmeur
proh-grah-mur
la programmeuse
proh-grah-mur
secretary
le secrétaire
suk-ray-tehr
la secrétaire
suk-ray-tehr
electrician
l'électricien
ay-lehk-tree-see-ahn
l'électricien
ay-lehk-tree-see-ahn
mechanic
le mécanicien
may-kah-nee-syahn
la mécanicienne
may-kah-nee-syenn
cook
le cuisinier
kwee-zee-nyay
la cuisinière
kwee-zee-nyay
salesperson
le vendeur
vawn-dur
la vendeuse
vawn-dur
fire fighter
le pompier
pohn-pyay
le pompier
pohn-pyay
plumber
le plombier
plohn-byay
le plombier
plohn-byay
librarian
le bibliothécaire
bee-blee-oh-teh-kehr
la bibliothécaire
bee-blee-oh-teh-kehr
police officer
l'agent de police
lah-zhawnd poh-leess
l'agent de police
lah-zhawnd poh-leess
reporter
le journaliste
zhoor-nah-leest
la journaliste
zhoor-nah-leest
factory worker
l'ouvrier
loov-ree-ay
l'ouvrière
loov-ree-ay
banker
le banquier
bahn-kee-ay
la banquière
bahn-kee-ay
lawyer
l'avocat
lah-voh-kah
l'avocate
lah-voh-kah
postal worker
le facteur
fah-tur
la factrice
fah-tur
carpenter
le charpentier
shar-pawn-tyay
le charpentier
shar-pawn-tyay
engineer
l'ingénieur
lahn-zhay-nyur
l'ingénieure
lahn-zhay-nyur
doctor
le médecin
mayd-sawn
la médecine
mayd-sawn
nurse
l'infirmier
lahn-feer-myay
l'infirmière
lahn-feer-myay
pharmacist
le pharmacien
fahr-mah-see-ahn
le pharmacienne
fahr-mah-see-ahn
psychologist
le psychologue
psee-koh-lohg
la psychologue
psee-koh-lohg
dentist
le dentiste
dawn-teest
la dentiste
dawn-teest
veterinarian
le vétérinaire
vay-tay-ree-nehr
la vétérinaire
vay-tay-ree-nehr
taxi driver
le chauffeur de taxi
shoh-furd tahk-see
le chauffeur de taxi
shoh-furd tahk-see
writer
l'écrivain
lay-kree-vahn
l'écrivaine
lay-kree-vahn
teacher
l'instituteur
lahn-stee-tew-tur
l'institutrice
lahn-stee-tew-tur
professor
le professeur
proh-fuh-sur
le professeur
proh-fuh-sur
student
l'étudiant
lay-tew-dee-awn
l'étudiante
lay-tew-dee-awnt
Note: Notice that some professions are always masculine, even if the person is a woman. There are also words that are always feminine (such as la victime) even if the person is a man.
Math
les mathématiques
maht-ee-mah-teek
Algebra
l'algèbre
lal-zheb
Calculus
le calcul
kahl-kool
Geometry
la géométrie
zhay-oh-may-tree
Economics
les sciences économiques
see-awns ay-kon-oh-meek
Foreign Languages
les langues étrangères
lawn zay-trawn-zhair
Linguistics
la linguistique
lahn-gee-steek
Literature
la littérature
lee-tay-rah-tur
Philosophy
la philosophie
fee-loh-soh-fee
Psychology
la psychologie
p-see-kol-oh-zhee
Political Science
les sciences politiques
see-awns poh-lee-teek
History
l'histoire (f)
ees-twahr
Geography
la géographie
zhay-oh-grahf-ee
Physics
la physique
fees-eek
Biology
la biologie
bee-ol-oh-zhee
Chemistry
la chimie
shee-mee
Zoology
la zoologie
zoh-ol-oh-zhee
Botany
la botanique
boh-tah-neek
Art
les arts
zahr
Music
la musique
mew-zeek
Dance
la danse
dahns
Drawing
le dessin
duh-sahn
Painting
la peinture
pahn-tur
Computer Science
l'informatique
ahn-for-mah-teek
Technology
la technologie
teck-no-loh-zhee
Physical Education
l'éducation physique (f)
lay-dew-kah-see-ohn fee-zeek
Notice that you do not use an indefinite article before professions, unless they are preceded by an adjective.
Qu'est-ce que vous faites dans la vie? What do you do for a living? Je suis avocate. I am a lawyer. (fem.) Je suis professeur. I am a professor. Je suis étudiant. I am a student (masc.) Où est-ce que vous faites les études? Where do you study? Je vais à l'université de Michigan. I go to the university of Michigan. Je fais mes études à l'université de Toronto. I study at the University of Toronto. Qu'est-ce que vous étudiez? What do you study?
Quelles matières étudiez-vous? What subjects do you study? J'étudie les langues étrangères et la linguistique. I study foreign languages and linguistics. Je fais des mathématiques. I study/do math. Ma spécialization est la biologie. My major is biology.
23. Prepositions and Contractions
among
parmi
par-mee
at / to / in
à
ah
at the house of
chez
shay
between
entre
on-truh
for
pour
poohr
from / of / about
de
duh
in
dans
dawn
on
sur
sir
with
avec
ah-veck
without
sans
sawn
Prepositional Contractions
à + le = au
oh
at / to / in the
à + les = aux
oh
at / to / in the (pl.)
de + le = du
dew
of / from / about the
de + les = des
day
of / from / about the (pl.)
In: Dans vs. En Dans is used to show the time when an action will begin, while en shows the length of time an action takes.
Je pars dans quinze minutes. I'm leaving in 15 minutes. Il peut lire ce livre en une demi-heure. He can read this book in a half hour.
With: Avec vs. De vs. A vs. Chez Avec implies doing something or going along with someone; de is used in phrases of manner and in many idiomatic expressions; à is used when referring to someone's attributes; and chez is used to mean "as far as (person) is concerned." To describe the way a person carries him/herself, no extra word is used.
Je vais en France avec ma soeur. I'm going to France with my sister. Elle me remercie d'un sourire. She thanks me with a smile. L'homme aux cheveux roux est très grand. The man with the red hair is very tall. Chez cet enfant, tout est simple. With this child, everything is simple. Il marche, les mains dans les poches. He walks with his hands in his pockets.
24. Countries and Nationalities / Les pays and les nationalités
France
la France
frahns
français/e
frawn-say/sez
Switzerland
la Suisse
sweess
suisse
sweess
Italy
l'Italie
lee-tah-lee
italien/ne
ee-tahl-ee-awn/enn
Germany
l'Allemagne
lahl-mawn-yuh
allemand/e
ahl-mawn/d
Spain
l'Espagne
leh-spawn-yuh
espagnol/e
es-pan-yohl
Belgium
la Belgique
bell-zheek
belge
belzh
Netherlands
les Pays-Bas
pay-ee-bah
hollandais/e
oh-lawn-day/dehz
China
la Chine
sheen
chinois/e
sheen-wah/wez
Great Britain
la Grande-Bretagne
grahnd bruh-tawn-yuh
britannique
bree-tahn-eek
England
l'Angleterre
lawn-gluh-tair
anglais/e
an-glay/ez
Russia
la Russie
roo-see
russe
rewss
Poland
la Pologne
poh-lohn-yuh
polonais/e
poh-lon-ay/ez
Canada
le Canada
kah-nah-dah
canadien/ne
kah-nah-dee-awn/enn
Mexico
le Mexique
meks-eek
mexicain/e
mek-see-kahn/enn
Japan
le Japon
zhap-ohn
japonais/e
zhah-poh-nay/nez
Portugal
le Portugal
pore-tew-gahl
portugais/e
por-tew-gay/gez
Brazil
le Brésil
bray-zeel
brésilien/ne
bray-zeel-ee-awn/enn
United States
les États-Unis
ay-tah-zew-nee
américain/e
ah-may-ree-kahn/kenn
Sweden
la Suède
soo-ed
suèdois/e
soo-ed-wah/wez
Norway
la Norvège
nor-vehzh
norvègien/ne
nor-vehzh-ee-awn/enn
Finland
la Finlande
feen-lahnd
finlandais/e
feen-lan-day/dez
Denmark
le Danemark
dahn-mark
danois/e
dahn-wah/wez
Greece
la Grèce
grehs
grec/grecque
grek
Austria
l'Autriche
loh-treesh
autrichien/ne
oh-trees-ee-awn/enn
Australia
l'Australie
loh-strah-lee
australien/ne
oh-strahl-ee-awn/enn
Africa
l'Afrique
lah-freek
africain/e
ah-free-kahn/kenn
India
l'Inde
lahnd
indien/ne
ahn-dee-ahn/enn
Ireland
l'Irlande
leer-lawnd
irlandais/e
eer-lahn-day/dez
Note: When the nationalities are used as adjectives, they must agree with the subject of the verb (masculine vs. feminine, and singular vs. plural.) The extra ending shown above is added to signify a feminine subject. To make them plural, just add an -s (unless it already ends in an -s, then add nothing.) The masculine forms of the nationalities are also used to signify the language. And the definite article is not used before a language when it follows the verb parler (to speak.)
25. Negative Sentences
To make sentences negative, simply put ne and pas around the verb. In spoken French, however, the ne is frequently omitted, but it cannot be omitted in written French. And when you are replying "yes" to a negative question, you use si and not oui.
Je suis du Canada. I am from Canada. Je ne suis pas du Mexique. I am not from Mexico. Je suis française. I am French (feminine.) Je ne suis pas suisse. I am not Swiss. (masculine or feminine)
Il est australien. He is Australian. Elle n'est pas danoise. She is not Danish. Elles sont des Etats-Unis. They are from the United States. Ils ne sont pas du Portugal. They are not from Portugal. Je parle chinois et japonais. I speak Chinese and Japanese. Je ne parle pas suèdois. I don't speak Swedish. Vous n'êtes pas du Brésil? You aren't from Brazil? Si, nous sommes du Brésil. Yes, we are from Brazil.
26. To / In and From places, cities, and countries
Places
Cities
Countries
Masc.
au
du
à
de
au
du
Fem.
à la
de la
à
de
en
de
Vowel
à l'
de l'
à
d'
en
d'
Plural
aux
des
aux
des
aux
des
If the name of a country, continent, island, state or province ends with an e, the gender is feminine. If it ends in anything else, it is masculine. The exceptions are le Cambodge, le Maine, le Mexique, le Zaïre and le Mozambique. Some cities have an article as well, such as La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans).
Prepositions with American States
To / In
From
Feminine
en
de
Islands
à
de / d'
Masc. w/ Vowel
en / dans l'
d' / de l'
Masc. w/ Consonant
dans le
du
Californie, Caroline du Nord / Sud, Floride, Géorgie, Louisiane, Pennsylvanie, and Virginie are the feminine states. The exception to the masculine beginning with a consonant rule is Texas: in / to Texas is au Texas.
27. To Come and to Go
Venir-to come (vuh-neer)
Aller-to go (ah-lay)
viens
vee-ahn
venons
vuh-nohn
vais
vay
allons
ah-lohn
viens
vee-ahn
venez
vuh-nay
vas
vah
allez ah-lay
vient
vee-ahn
viennent
vee-enn
va
vah
vont
vohn
Other verbs that are conjugated like venir: tenir - to hold, devenir - to become, obtenir - to get, revenir - to come back.
Je viens des Etats-Unis. I come from the United States. Il tient un crayon. He's holding a pencil. Nous allons en Espagne. We're going to Spain. Tu ne vas pas au Brésil cet été. You're not going to Brazil this summer.
Aller + an infinitive means "going to do something." Ils vont aller en Angleterre. They are going to go to England. Elle va parler russe. She's going to speak Russian. Je vais devenir professeur. I'm going to become a professor.
Aller is also used idiomatically when talking about health. Comment vas-tu? How are you? Je vais bien. I'm fine.
Venir de + an infinitive means "to have just done something." Il vient d'aller à la Finlande. He just went to Finland. Vous venez de manger une pomme. You just ate an apple.
28. Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Indicative Tense
Verbs in French end in -er, -re, or -ir. The verb before it is conjugated is called the infinitive. Removing the last two letters leaves you with the stem (aimer is the infinitive, aim- is the stem.) The present indicative tense indicates an ongoing action, general state, or habitual activity. Besides the simple present tense (I write, I run, I see); there are two other forms of the present tense in English: the progressive (I am writing, I am running, etc.) and the emphatic (I do write, I do run, etc.) However, these three English present tenses are all translated by the present indicative tense in French.
To conjugate verbs in the present tense, use the stem and add the following endings.
-er
-re
1st -ir
2nd -ir*
-e
-ons
-s
-ons
-is
-issons
-s
-ons
-es
-ez
-s
-ez
-is
-issez
-s
-ez
-e
-ent
-
-ent
-it
-issent
-t
-ent
Sample Regular Verbs
aimer -to like, love
vendre - to sell
j'aime
zhem
aimons
em-ohn
vends
vawn
vendons
vawn-dohn
aimes
em
aimez
em-ay
vends
vawn
vendez
vawn-day
aime
em
aiment
em
vend
vawn
vendent
vawn
finir - to finish
partir - to leave
finis
fee-nee
finissons
fee-nee-sohn
pars
pahr
partons
pahr-tohn
finis
fee-nee
finissez
fee-nee-say
pars
pahr
partez
pahr-tay
finit
fee-nee
finissent
fee-neess
part
pahr
partent
pahrt
Regular verbs
-er
-re
aimer
em-ay
to like, love
vendre
vawn-druh
to sell
chanter
shahn-tay
to sing
attendre
ah-tawn-druh
to wait for
chercher
share-shay
to look for
entendre
awn-tawn-druh
to listen
commencer
koh-mawn-say
to begin
perdre
pair-druh
to lose
donner
dohn-nay
to give
répondre (à)
ray-pohn-druh (ah)
to answer
étudier
ay-too-dee-ay
to study
descendre
deh-sawn-druh
to go down
fermer
fehr-may
to close
1st -ir
habiter
ah-bee-tay
to live
bâtir
bah-teer
to build
jouer
zhoo-ay
to play
finir
fee-neer
to finish
manger
mawn-zhay
to eat
choisir
shwa-zeer
to choose
montrer
mohn-tray
to show
punir
poo-neer
to punish
parler
par-lay
to speak
remplir
rawn-pleer
to fill
penser
pawn-say
to think
obéir (à)
oh-bay-eer (ah)
to obey
travailler
trah-vy-yay
to work
réussir
ray-oo-seer
to succeed
trouver
troo-vay
to find
guérir
gay-reer
to cure, heal
Note: If a verb is followed by à (like répondre) you have to use the à and any contractions after the conjugated verb. Ex: Je réponds au téléphone.
* The 2nd -ir verbs are considered irregular sometimes because there are only a few verbs which follow that pattern. Other verbs like partir are sortir (to go out), dormir (to sleep), mentir (to lie), sentir (to smell, feel) and servir (to serve.)
29. Pronominal (Reflexive) Verbs
These verbs are conjugated like normal verbs, but they require an extra pronoun before the verb. Most indicate a reflexive action but some are idiomatic and can't be translated literally. The pronouns are:
me
nous
te
vous
se
se
Some Pronominal Verbs
s'amuser
to have fun
se reposer
to rest
se lever
to get up
se souvenir de
to remember
se laver
to wash (oneself)
s'entendre bien
to get along well
se dépêcher
to hurry
se coucher
to go to bed
se peigner
to comb
se brosser
to brush
s'habiller
to get dressed
se maquiller
to put on makeup
se marier
to get married
se casser
to break (arm, leg, etc.)
Note: When used in the infinitive, such as after another verb, the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject of the sentence. Je vais me coucher maintenant. I'm going to go to bed.
Sample Irregular Pronominal Verb
s'asseoir - to sit down
je m'assieds
mah-see-ay
nous nous asseyons
noo-zah-say-ohn
tu t'assieds
tah-see-ay
vous vous asseyez
vous-zah-say-yay
il s'assied
sah-see-ay
ils s'asseyent
sah-say-ee
30. Irregularities in Regular Verbs
1. Verbs that end in -ger and -cer: The nous form of manger isn't mangons, but mangeons. The e has to stay so the g can retain the soft sound. The nous form of commencer isn't commencons, but commençons. The c must have the accent (called a cedilla) under it to make the c sound soft.
manger-to eat
commencer-to begin
mange
mawnzh
mangeons
mawn-zhohn
commence
koh-mawnz
commençons
koh-mawn-sohn
manges
mawnzh
mangez
mawn-zhay
commences
koh-mawnz
commencez
koh-mawn-say
mange
mawnzh
mangent
mawnzh
commence
koh-mawnz
commencent
koh-mawnz
2. Verbs that add or change to an accent grave: Some verbs add or change to an accent grave (è) in all the forms except the nous and vous.
acheter-to buy
espérer-to hope
j'achète
zhah-shet
achetons
ahsh-tohn
j'espère
zhess-pehr
espérons
ess-pay-rohn
achètes
ah-shet
achetez
ahsh-tay
espères
ess-pehr
espérez
ess-pay-ray
achète
ah-shet
achètent
ah-shet
espère
ess-pehr
espèrent
ess-pehr
3. Verbs that are conjugated as -er verbs: Some -ir verbs are conjugated with -er endings. For example: offrir-to offer, give, ouvrir-to open, couvrir-to cover, découvrir-to discover and souffrir-to suffer.
offrir-to offer
j'offre
zhaw-fruh
offrons
aw-frohn
offres
aw-fruh
offrez
aw-fray
offre
aw-fruh
offrent
aw-fruh
4. Verbs that end in -yer: Change the y to an i in all forms except the nous and vous. Examples: envoyer-to send (awn-vwah-yay), nettoyer-to clean (nuh-twah-yay), essayer-to try (ess-ah-yay)
envoyer-to send
j'envoie
zhawn-vwah
envoyons
awn-vwah-yohn
envoies
awn-vwah
envoyez
awn-vwah-yay
envoie
awn-vwah
envoient
awn-vwah
5. Verbs that double the consonant: Some verbs, such as appeler-to call (ahp-lay), and jeter-to throw (zheh-tay) double the consonant in all forms except the nous and vous.
appeler-to call
j'appelle
zhah-pell
appelons
ahp-lohn
appelles
ah-pell
appelez
ahp-lay
appelle
ah-pell
appellent
ah-pell
31. The Past Indefinite Tense or Passé Composé You have learned the present indicative so far, which expresses what happens, is happening, or does happen now; but if you want to say something happened, or has happened, you have to use the passé composé. The passé composé is used for actions that happened only once, a specified number of times or during a specified period of time, and as a result or consequence of another action. All you need to learn are the past participles of the verbs.
Regular Verbs: Formation of the Past Participle
-er
-é
-re
-u
-ir
-i
Then conjugate avoir and add the past participle:
J'ai aimé le concert.
I liked the concert.
Tu as habité ici?
You lived here?
Il a répondu au téléphone.
He answered (or has answered) the telephone.
Nous avons fini le projet.
We finished (or have finished) the project.
Elles ont rempli les tasses.
They filled (or have filled) the cups.
To make it negative, put the ne and pas around the conjugated form of avoir.
Je n'ai pas aimé le concert.
I didn't like the concert.
Il n'a pas répondu.
He didn't answer (or hasn't answered) .
Elles n'ont pas rempli les tasses.
They didn't fill (or haven't filled) the glasses.
32. Irregular Past Participles
avoir
to have
eu (ew)
had
ouvrir
to open
ouvert (oo-vehr)
opened
connaître
to know
connu
known
offrir
to offer
offert
offered
croire
to believe
cru
believed
pouvoir
to be able to
pu
was
able to
devoir
to have to
dû
had to
prendre
to take
pris (pree)
taken
dire
to tell
dit
said
apprendre
to learn
appris
learned
écrire
to write
écrit
written
comprendre
to understand
compris
understood
être
to be
été
been
surprendre
to surprise
surpris
surprised
faire
to do, make
fait
made
recevoir
to receive
reçu (reh-sew)
received
lire
to read
lu
read
rire
to laugh
ri
laughed
mettre
to put
mis (me)
put
savoir
to know
su
known
permettre
to permit
permis
permitted
voir
to see
vu
seen
promettre
to promise
promis
promised
vouloir
to want
voulu (voo-lew)
wanted
33. Etre Verbs
Sixteen "house" verbs and all pronominal verbs are conjugated with être, and they must agree in gender and number with the subject. The house verbs are:
aller-to go
sortir-to go out
venir-to come
mourir-to die
arriver-to arrive
partir-to leave
devenir-to become
monter-to go up
entrer-to enter
tomber-to fall
revenir-to come back
rester-to stay
rentrer-to return home
naître-to be born
passer-to go by (pass)
descendre-to go down
Most have regular past participles, except venir-venu, devenir-devenu, revenir-revenu, mourir-mort, and naître-né. And five of these verbs, monter, descendre, sortir, rentrer, and passer can sometimes be conjugated with avoir if they are used with a direct object. Elle a rentré le livre à la bibliothèque. She returned the book to the library.
Conjugation of an être verb
Je suis resté(e)
Nous sommes resté(e)s
Tu es resté(e)
Vous êtes resté(e)(s)
Il est resté
Ils sont restés
Elle est restée
Elles sont restées
You add the e for feminine and s for plural. Vous can have any of the endings.
Conjugation of a Pronominal Verb
Je me suis amusé(e)
Nous nous sommes amusé(e)s
Tu t'es amusé(e)
Vous vous êtes amusé(e)(s)
Il s'est amusé
Ils se sont amusés
Elle s'est amusée
Elles se sont amusées
There are only two cases with pronominal verbs where the past participle does not agree: 1. When the pronominal verb is followed by a direct object. Compare: Elles se sont lavées, but elles se sont lavé les mains. 2. With verbs where the reflexive pronoun is an indirect object, such as se parler, se demander, se dire, s'écrire, se sourire, and se téléphoner. Ils se sont téléphoné.
34. Food and Meals / La Nourriture et Les Repas
Breakfast
le petit déjeuner
puh-tee day-zhew-nay
Lunch
le déjeuner
day-zhew-nay
Dinner
le dîner
dee-nay
Cup
la tasse
tahss
Slice
la tranche
trawnsh
Bowl
le bol
bohl
Glass
le verre
verr
Salt and Pepper
le sel et le poivre
luh sell ay luh pwahv-ruh
Fork
la fourchette
foor-shett
Spoon
la cuillère
kwee-yehr
Knife
le couteau
koo-toh
Plate
l'assiette (f)
ah-syett
Napkin
la serviette
ser-vyett
Ice cream
la glace
glahss
Juice
le jus
zhew
Fruit
le fruit
fwee
Cheese
le fromage
froh-mawzh
Chicken
le poulet
poo-lay
Egg
l'oeuf (m)
luff
Cake
le gâteau
gah-toh
Pie
la tarte
tart
Milk
le lait
leh
Coffee
le café
kah-fay
Butter
le beurre
burr
Water
l'eau
loh
Ham
le jambon
zham-bohn
Fish
le poisson
pwah-sohn
Tea
le thé
tay
Salad
la salade
sah-lahd
Jam
la confiture
kon-fee-chur
Meat
la viande
vee-awnd
French fries
les frites (f)
freet
Beer
la bière
bee-ehr
Wine
le vin
vahn
Sugar
le sucre
soo-kruh
Soup
le potage
poh-tawzh
35. Fruits, Vegetables and Meat
fruit
un fruit
fwee
corn
le maïs
mah-eez
apple
une pomme
pohm
cucumber
un concombre
cohn-cohn-bruh
apricot
un abricot
ah-bree-koh
eggplant
une aubergine
oh-behr-zheen
banana
une banane
bah-nahn
lettuce
la laitue
leh-tew
blueberry
une myrtille
meer-tee
mushroom
un champignon
shahm-pee-nyohn
cherry
une cerise
suh-reez
onion
un oignon
wawn-yohn
coconut
une noix de coco
nwah duh koh-koh
peas
les pois
pwah
date
une date
daht
pepper
un piment
pee-mawn
fig
une figue
feeg
potato
une pomme de terre
pohm duh tehr
grape
un raisin
reh-zahn
pumpkin
une citrouille
see-troo-ee
grapefruit
un pamplemousse
pahm-pluh-moos
rice
le riz
reez
lemon
un citron
see-trohn
spinach
des épinards
ay-pee-nar
lime
un limon
lee-mohn
squash
une courge
koorzh
melon
un melon
mel-ohn
tomato
une tomate
to-maht
olive
une olive
oh-leev
turnip
un navet
nah-vay
orange
une orange
oh-ranzh
zucchini
des courgettes
koor-zhett
peach
une pêche
pesh
meat
une viande
vee-awnd
pear
une poire
pwahr
bacon
du lard, du bacon
lar, bah-kohn
pineapple
un ananas
ah-nah-nah
beef
le bifteck
beef-teck
plum
une prune
prewn
chicken
un poulet
poo-lay
prune
un pruneau
proo-noh
duck
un canard
kah-nar
raisin
un raisin sec
reh-zahn sek
goat
une chèvre
shev-ruh
raspberry
une framboise
frwahm-bwahz
ham
le jambon
zhahm-bohn
strawberry
une fraise
frez
lamb
l'agneau
awn-yoh
watermelon
une pastèque
pah-stek
liver
le foie
fwah
vegetable
une légume
leh-goom
meatballs
des boulettes de viande
boo-lett duh vee-awnd
artichoke
un artichaut
ar-tee-sho
pork chop
une côtelette de porc
kote-lett duh pork
asparagus
des asperges
ahs-pehrzh
rabbit
un lapin
lah-pahn
beet
une betterave
bett-rahv
T-bone steak
une côte de boeuf
kote duh buf
broccoli
le brocoli
broh-coh-lee
sausage
la saucisse
so-seess
cabbage
un chou
shoo
turkey
une dinde
dahnd
carrot
une carotte
cah-roht
veal
le veau
voh
cauliflower
un chou-fleur
shoo-flir
venison
un chevreuil
shuv-ruh-ee
celery
un céléri
say-lay-ree
36. To Take, Eat or Drink
Prendre-to take, eat or drink (prawn-druh)
Boire-to drink (bwahr)
prends
prawn
prenons
pruh-nohn
bois
bwah
buvons
bew-vohn
prends
prawn
prenez
pru-nay
bois
bwah
buvez
bew-vay
prend
prawn
prennent
prenn
boit
bwah
boivent
bwahv
Other verbs that are conjugated like prendre: apprendre - to learn, comprendre - to understand and surprendre - to surprise.
Note: When you want to say "I am having wine," the French translation is "Je prends du vin." You must use de and le, la, l', or les and the proper contractions (called partitives) because in French you must also express some. So "je prends de la bière" literally means "I am having some beer" even though in English we would usually only say I am having beer.
Manger is a regular verb meaning "to eat," but manger is used in a general sense, such as Je mange le poulet tous les samedis. I eat chicken every Saturday. Boire is literally the verb to drink and is also used in a general sense only. Je bois du vin tout le temps. I drink wine all the time.
37. Quantities
assez de
enough (of)
un morceau de
a piece of
une douzaine de
a dozen of
une assiette de
a plate of
un peu de
a little (bit) of
un paquet de
a packet of
beaucoup de
a lot of
une tasse de
a cup of
un panier de
a basket of
une boîte de
a box of
une tranche de
a slice of
une poignée de
a handful of
une bouteille de
a bottle of
trop de
too much, many
plus de
more
un kilo de
a kilo of
un verre de
a glass of
un bouquet de
a bunch of
Note: With quantities and negatives, you never use partitives. The construction is always de or d' + noun.
Je voudrais prendre du fromage, mais pas de fruit. I would like to have some cheese, but no fruit. Il prend de la viande. He is eating some meat. Nous prenons du riz et du brocoli. We are having some rice and broccoli. Il y a trop de lait dans la tasse. There is too much milk in the cup. Je voudrais un morceau de tarte. I would like one piece of pie. Est-ce que je peux prendre un verre de vin? May I have a glass of wine? Je prends du vin. I'm drinking some wine. Je ne prends pas de vin. I am not drinking any wine.
38. Commands
Use the vous, tu and nous forms for commands.
Vous form
Polite and Plural
Same as verb form
Restez!
Stay!
Tu form
Familiar
Same as verb form, but drop -s for -er verbs
Regarde!
Watch!
Nous form
Let's...
Same as verb form
Allons!
Let's go!
Note: With using pronominal verbs as commands, the pronoun is placed after the verb connected by a hyphen. Tu te dépêches becomes Dépêche-toi! And in negative commands, the pronoun precedes the verb, as in Ne nous reposons pas.
Irregular Command Forms
être (be)
avoir (have)
savoir (know)
tu
sois
swah
tu
aie
ay
tu
sache
sahsh
nous
soyons
swah-yohn
nous
ayons
ay-yohn
nous
sachons
sah-shohn
vous
soyez
swah-yay
vous
ayez
ay-yay
vous
sachez
sah-shay
Ne sois pas méchant à ta soeur! Don't be mean to your sister! N'ayez pas peur! Don't be afraid! Sachez les mots pour l'examen demain! Know the words for the exam tomorrow!
39. More Negatives
ne...plus
no longer
ne...jamais
never
ne...rien
nothing
ne...aucun(e)
not a single one
ne...que
only
ne...personne
nobody
ne...ni...ni
neither...nor
ne...nulle part
nowhere
The negatives are used exactly like ne...pas; but que in ne...que is placed directly before the noun it limits. Rien and personne may be used as subjects: Personne n'est ici. Aucun(e) by definition is singular, so the verb and nouns must also be changed to the singular. With ni...ni, all articles are dropped except definite articles. Je n'ai ni caméra ni caméscope, but Je n'aime ni les chats ni les chiens.
Il n'aime plus travailler. He no longer likes to work. (Or: He doesn't like to work anymore) Nous ne voulons faire des achats que lundi. We want to go shopping only on Monday. Elle ne déteste personne. She hates no one. (Or: She doesn't hate anyone.)
Negatives with Passé Composé 1. Ne...pas, ne...plus, ne...jamais, and ne...rien Ne comes before auxiliary verb, and the other part is between auxiliary and past participle. Nous n'avons rien fait. We did nothing. Vous ne vous êtes pas ennuyés. You were not bored.
2. Ne...personne, ne...aucun, ne...ni...ni, ne...nulle part, and ne... que Ne comes before the auxiliary verb, but the other part is after the past participle. Il n'a écouté personne. He listened to no one. Il n'a fait aucune faute. He made not a single mistake.
* Use of ne ... pas de: In negative sentences, the partitives and indefinite articles become de before the noun (unless the verb is être, then nothing changes.) Partitive: Je prends du pain et du beurre. I'm having some bread and butter. Negative: Je ne prends pas de pain ou de beurre. I am not having any bread or butter. Indefinite: J'ai un chien. I have a dog. Negative: Je n'ai pas de chien. I don't have a dog. Verb is être: C'est une chatte brune. It's a brown cat. Negative: Ce n'est pas une chatte brune. It's not a brown cat.
40. Holiday Phrases
Merry Christmas
Joyeux Noël
zhoy-uh no-ell
Happy New Year
Bonne Année
bun ah-nay
Happy Thanksgiving
Bonne Action de grâces
bun ak-see-ohn de grahss
Happy Easter
Joyeuses Pâques
zhoy-uhss pawk
Happy Halloween
Bonne Halloween
bun ah-loh-ween
Happy Valentine's Day
Bonne Saint-Valentin
bun sahnt-val-awn-tahn
Happy Birthday
Bon Anniversaire
bohn ahn-nee-vair-sair
The French National Anthem: La Marseillaise
by Claude-Joseph Rouget de L'isle
Allons enfants de la Patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé. Contre nous, de la tyrannie, L'étendard sanglant est levé, l'étendard sanglant est levé. Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces farouches soldats. Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras égorger vos fils, vos compagnes. Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons.
Amour sacré de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs. Liberté, liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs; Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents; Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire! Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons.
Ye sons of France, awake to glory, Hark, hark, what myriads bid you rise: Your children, wives and grandsires hoary, Behold their tears and hear their cries, see their tears and hear their cries! Shall hateful tyrants mischief breeding with hireling hosts, a ruffian band Affright and desolate the land, while peace and liberty lie bleeding? To arms, to arms, ye brave! Th'avenging sword unsheathe! March on! March on! All hearts resolved on victory or death.
O sacred love of france, undying, Th'avenging arm uphold and guide Thy defenders, death defying, Fight with Freedom on their side. Soon thy sons shall be victorious When the banner high is raised; And thy dying enemies, amazed, Shall behold thy triumph, great and glorious. To arms, to arms, ye brave! Th'avenging sword unsheathe! March on! March on! All hearts resolved on victory or death.
Translation by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1st verse) and Mary Elizabeth Shaw (2nd verse) (This is not a literal translation.)
The Canadian National Anthem: O Canada
O Canada, terre de nos aïeux, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux. Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix. Ton histoire est une épopée Des plus brillants exploits. Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
