French

General

à and le together usually combine to au.

When referring to parts of your body, French usually uses the definite article rather than a possessive pronoun.

Grammar terms

Reflexive verb: Verb where the subject and the object are the same, e.g. se lever - to get up.

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 to mean good morning or good afternoon.

Salut - Hi/bye (informal).

Bienvenue - Welcome.

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

À plus tard - See you later.

À demain - See you tomorrow.

À bientôt - See you soon.

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).

Difference between je veux (I would like) and j'ai envie de (I have a desire for, but possibly more colloquial French).

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).