Lesson 1: Basic Introductions and Greetings
Lesson Objective
- Learn basic greetings in French.
- Be able to introduce yourself.
- Learn common expressions to start a simple conversation.
1. Basic Greetings
| French | English Translation | Approximate Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / Good morning | bohn-zhoor |
| Bonsoir | Good evening | bohn-swar |
| Salut | Hi / Hello | sah-loo |
| Au revoir | Goodbye | oh ruh-vwar |
| Bonne nuit | Good night | bun nwee |
- Note: In French, Bonjour is used until about 6 PM. Bonsoir is used in the evening, and Salut is more informal.
Practice Exercise
- Repeat each greeting several times, listening to an audio track if possible.
- Imagine different scenarios where you might use each greeting (e.g., meeting someone in the morning, saying goodbye at the end of the day).
2. Introducing Yourself
| French | English Translation | Approximate Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Je m’appelle [Name] | My name is [Name] | zhuh mah-pel [Name] |
| Et vous ? | And you? (formal) | eh voo |
| Et toi ? | And you? (informal) | eh twah |
| Enchanté(e) | Nice to meet you | ahn-shahn-tay |
- Cultural Note: In French, vous is used for formal conversations or with strangers, and tu is used in familiar settings (friends, family, children).
Practice Exercise
- Complete the sentence “Je m’appelle…” with your own name.
- Practice asking someone their name: “Et vous?” or “Et toi?”
3. Useful Phrases
| French | English Translation | Approximate Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Oui | Yes | wee |
| Non | No | noh |
| S’il vous plaît | Please (formal) | seel voo pleh |
| Merci | Thank you | mehr-see |
| Excusez-moi | Excuse me / Sorry (formal) | eks-kew-zay mwah |
| Je ne comprends pas | I don’t understand | zhuh nuh kom-prah pah |
Practice Exercise
- Try combining these phrases with gestures to help you remember (e.g., nodding while saying “Merci”).
4. Listening and Repetition
- For each word or phrase, listen to a native speaker’s pronunciation (if available through an app or video).
- Repeat several times to get used to the new sounds.
5. Mini-Dialogue
Here’s a short dialogue to help you practice what you’ve learned.
Dialogue:
- Person A: Bonjour!
- Person B: Bonjour!
- Person A: Je m’appelle Alex. Et vous?
- Person B: Je m’appelle Sophie. Enchantée!
- Person A: Enchanté! Au revoir!
- Person B: Au revoir!
Exercise: Practice playing both roles to improve fluency.
6. Review and Memorization
- Review the words and phrases from this lesson by writing them down multiple times.
- Use flashcards to test your memory of the key words and expressions.
End of Lesson
Congratulations on completing your first lesson!
