French

General

à and le together combine to au.

Useful phrases

J'aime lire, et toi? - I like to read, and you?

Greetings and goodbyes

Bonjour - Literally 'good day', but is used as a general greeting.

Salut - Hi/bye (informal).

Bienvenue - Welcome.

Enchanté - Nice to meet you. Slightly formal, most people would just say bonjour.

Likes and dislikes

When saying what objects you like and dislike in French, include the definite article. For example, j'aime le chocolat is I like chocolate, even though it literally translates as I like the chocolate (which implies the existence of a particular chocolate to be liked).

Jobs

When saying what you do for a living in French, omit the indefinite article. For example, je suis professeur is I am a teacher, even though it literally translates as I am teacher. Je suis un professeur is incorrect.

Flirting

Je ne suis pas saoul, je suis juste ivre de vous: I'm not drunk, I'm just intoxicated by you.

Tu me plais: I like you.

Tu es mannequin ?: Are you a model?

Je suis tombé amoureux de toi: I have fallen in love with you.

Vous venez ici souvent ?: Do you come here often?

Voulez-vous danser avec moi ?: Do you want to dance with me?

Faux pas

Avoid the following, lest you commit a faux pas:

• Using the informal tu/toi with someone you don't know well. Always use vous, or say on peut se tutoyer (we can use the informal 'you').
• Using jouir (to enjoy). Depending on context it does not mean 'enjoy' but 'enjoy amorous activities' (is the polite way of putting it).
• Using putain. It is generally used to express frustration but depending on context it can be translated as swearing.
• Watch out for translating to be literally from English. For example, je suis chaud does not mean I am hot but I am horny. J'ai chaud is more appropriate (literally I have heat).