Language/French/Vocabulary/Be-Polite

French Vocabulary - Be Polite

Hi French learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to be polite in French. Being polite is always appreciated, and can open the doors to new friendships and opportunities. To get the most out of this lesson, make sure you know the basics of French grammar and pronunciation.

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Invariable Words & Express Surprise.

Why is Politeness Important in French Culture?

In France, being polite is a fundamental value. It is not only a way of showing respect, but it's also a way of being well-perceived by others. Politeness is part of daily life in France, and it's crucial to know how to be polite when communicating with French speakers.

To be polite, there are some simple rules to follow:

1. Use "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir" when greeting someone. 2. Address people with "Madame" or "Monsieur" when speaking to them. 3. Use "S'il vous plaît" (please) and "merci" (thank you) frequently. 4. Always apologize when you make a mistake.

By following these rules, you will show your politeness and respect for the French culture.

How to Address People Politely

Addressing people in France is essential. By using the appropriate title, you show respect and consideration towards others. Here are the most common ways to address people in French:

• "Madame" is used to address a woman, regardless of her marital status. Example:

-Person 1: Bonjour Madame! (Good morning Madam!) -Person 2: Bonjour! Comment ça va? (Good morning! How are you?)

• "Monsieur" is used to address a man, regardless of his marital status. Example:

-Person 1: Bonjour Monsieur! (Good morning Sir!) -Person 2: Bonjour. Comment allez-vous? (Good morning. How are you?)

• "Mademoiselle" is used to address an unmarried woman. However, it's not commonly used anymore as it can be seen as sexist. Nowadays, most people prefer "Madame". Example:

-Person 1: Bonjour Mademoiselle! (Good morning Miss!) -Person 2: Bonjour. Je préfère Madame en fait. (Good morning. I prefer Madame actually.)

How to Use Polite Phrases

When it comes to politeness, using the right words is crucial. Here are some polite phrases that you can use in your daily interactions:

• "Bonjour" (Good morning) is used to greet someone in the morning. Example:

-Person 1: Bonjour Marie! (Good morning Marie) -Person 2: Bonjour! (Good morning!)

• "Bonsoir" (Good evening) is used to greet someone in the evening. Example:

-Person 1: Bonsoir Marc! (Good evening Marc!) -Person 2: Bonsoir! Comment ça va? (Good evening! How are you?)

• "Au revoir" (Goodbye) is used when leaving someone. Example:

-Person 1: Au revoir Laura! (Goodbye Laura!) -Person 2: Au revoir! (Goodbye!)

• "Merci" (Thank you) is used to express gratitude. Example:

-Person 1: Merci pour votre aide! (Thank you for your help!) -Person 2: De rien. (You're welcome.)

• "Pardon" or "Excusez-moi" (Excuse me) is used to apologize or to ask for forgiveness. Example:

-Person 1: Excusez-moi, je suis en retard. (Excuse me, I'm late.) -Person 2: Ce n'est pas grave. (It's not a problem.)

• "S'il vous plaît" (Please) is used to make a polite request. Example:

-Person 1: Pouvez-vous me passer le sel s'il vous plaît? (Can you pass me the salt please?) -Person 2: Voilà. (Here you go.)

How to Ask for Permission Politely

Asking for permission in French is crucial, especially in formal situations. Here are some of the common phrases to use to ask for permission:

• "Est-ce que je peux?" (Can I?) Example:

-Person 1: Est-ce que je peux vous aider? (Can I help you?) -Person 2: Non merci, je vais bien. (No thanks, I'm fine.)

• "Puis-je?" (May I?) Example:

-Person 1: Puis-je vous poser une question? (May I ask you a question?) -Person 2: Oui, bien sûr. (Yes, of course.)

• "Je peux vous demander?" (May I ask you?) Example:

-Person 1: Je peux vous demander votre nom s'il vous plaît? (May I ask you for your name please?) -Person 2: Oui, je m'appelle Pierre. (Yes, my name is Pierre.)

How to Express Gratitude Politely

When someone helps you, it's polite to express your gratitude in French. Here are some phrases to show your appreciation:

• "Je vous remercie" (I thank you) Example:

-Person 1: Je vous remercie pour votre aide. (I thank you for your help.) -Person 2: De rien. (You're welcome.)

• "Je suis reconnaissant(e)" (I am grateful) Example:

-Person 1: Je suis reconnaissante de votre soutien. (I am grateful for your support.) -Person 2: C'est normal. (It's normal.)

• "Je suis très reconnaissant(e)" (I am very grateful) Example:

-Person 1: Je suis très reconnaissante de votre aide. (I am very grateful for your help.) -Person 2: C'était un plaisir de vous aider. (It was a pleasure to help you.)

Practice with Dialogue

Here is a dialogue to practice being polite in French:

• Person 1: Bonjour Madame! Comment allez-vous? (Good morning Madam! How are you?)
• Person 2: Bonjour! Je vais bien merci, et vous? (Good morning! I'm fine, thank you, and you?)
• Person 1: Je vais bien aussi, merci. Puis-je vous demander si vous pouvez m'aider avec ce document s'il vous plaît? (I'm fine too, thank you. May I ask you to help me with this document please?)
• Person 2: Oui, bien sûr. Je peux vous aider à traduire. (Yes, of course. I can help you with the translation.)
• Person 1: Je vous remercie beaucoup. (Thank you very much.)
• Person 2: De rien! (You're welcome!)

Conclusion

In conclusion, being polite is essential in French culture. Knowing how to address people and use polite phrases can make a big difference in your interactions with French speakers. Remember to always show respect and gratitude, and you'll find that people will be more willing to help you.

To improve your French Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Trop Cool & How to say Good Bye?.

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Sources

• French Politeness - Essential French - Lawless French Vocabulary
• Basic French Politeness Vocabulary and Expressions
• Your guide to French politeness and niceties | Talk in French