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<div class="pg_page_title">French Vocabulary - Be Polite</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">French Vocabulary - Be Polite</div>


Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/french French] learners! 😊<br>In this lesson, we will focus on French vocabulary related to politeness. Politeness is an essential part of French culture, and mastering it will help you communicate effectively with native speakers. Let's get started!
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/french French] learners! 😊<br>In this lesson, you will learn how to be polite in French. Mastering polite expressions is an essential step towards improving your communication skills in French. It will open doors to a wide range of opportunities, help you connect better with French people, and create positive relationships. Furthermore, it enhances your credibility and professionalism both in personal and professional situations.  


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== Expressing Politeness ==
== Why is Politeness Important in French? ==
In French, there are various ways to express politeness. The most common one is to use the formal form when addressing someone you don't know, someone you respect, or someone who is older than you. The formal form uses the polite pronoun "vous" instead of the informal pronoun "tu."
Unlike some languages where the rules of politeness can be more fluid, in French, politeness is a balance between respect and formality. Even in everyday interactions, using polite expressions helps to show that you respect the people around you.
Additionally, in France, being polite is a cultural expectation. So, if you want to make a good impression and be well-received by French speakers, perfecting polite expressions is a must!
 
== Politeness Strategies in French ==
In French, there are several strategies to convey politeness. One of them is the use of the phrase “s'il vous plaît” (Please) at the end of a sentence. This expression is very powerful and can completely change the tone of your request depending on the situation.  
 
=== Basic Politeness Expressions ===
Here are some basic polite expressions in French:


Here are some examples:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Expressing Politeness
|+ Basic Politeness Expressions
|Vous parlez français ? (voo paar-leh frahn-say)
! French !! IPA !! English Translation
|Do you speak French? (formal)
|-
| Bonjour || bɔ̃ʒuʁ || Hello
|-
|-
|Tu parles français ? (too paar-leh frahn-say)
| S'il vous plaît || si vu plɛ || Please
|Do you speak French? (informal)
|-
|-
|Comment allez-vous ? (com-mohn tah-lay voo)
| Merci || mɛʁsi || Thank you
|How are you? (formal)
|-
|-
|Comment vas-tu ? (com-mohn vah too)
| De rien || də ʁjɛ̃ || You're welcome
|How are you? (informal)
|-
| Excusez-moi || ɛkskyze mwa || Excuse me
|-
| Au revoir || o ʁəvwaʁ || Goodbye
|}
|}


It's important to note that in some situations, it's appropriate to use the informal form even with people you don't know. This is particularly true in casual settings, such as at a party or with friends of friends.  
=== Formal Politeness Expressions ===
In addition to the basic expressions, there are more formal ways of expressing politeness.
 
For example, when you meet someone for the first time, it is polite to say, “enchanté(e)” (Nice to meet you). On more formal occasions, you might say, “Je suis ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance” (I am pleased to make your acquaintance).
 
Here are some more formal polite expressions:


== Saying "Please" and "Thank You" ==
Another important aspect of French politeness is saying "please" and "thank you." Here are some useful words and expressions:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Saying "Please" and "Thank You"
|+ Formal Politeness Expressions
|s'il vous plaît (seel voo pleh)
! French !! IPA !! English Translation
|Please
|-
|-
|merci (mehr-see)
| Bonjour, Monsieur/Madame || bɔ̃ʒuʁ məsjø/madam || Hello, Sir/Madam
|Thank you
|-
|-
|je vous en prie (juh voo zahn pree)
| Comment allez-vous? || kɔmɑ̃ tale vu || How are you? (formal)
|You're welcome (formal)
|-
|-
|de rien (duh ree-ahn)
| Je vous présente... || ʒə vu pʁezɑ̃t || Let me introduce you to...
|You're welcome (informal)
|-
| Je vous en prie || ʒə vu ɑ̃ pʁi || You're welcome (formal)
|-
| Pardon || paʁdɔ̃ || Pardon me (formal)
|}
|}


It's common to use "s'il vous plaît" when making a request or asking for something. For example:
=== Expressions for Apologizing ===
* Pourriez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ? (poor-ree-yay voo may-day, seel voo pleh) - Could you help me, please? (formal)
Inevitably, we all make mistakes. The following expressions will come in handy when you need to apologize:
 
When someone does something for you, you can thank them using "merci." For example:
* Merci beaucoup pour ton aide ! (mehr-see boh-koo poor tohn aid) - Thank you very much for your help! (informal)


== Making Apologies ==
Sometimes, you may need to apologize in French. Here are some useful words and expressions:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Making Apologies
|+ Expressions for Apologizing
|pardon (pahr-dohn)  
! French !! IPA !! English Translation
|Sorry / pardon me
|-
| Je suis désolé(e) || ʒə sɥi dezɔle || I am sorry
|-
|-
|excusez-moi (ex-koo-say mwa)
| Je m'excuse || ʒə mɛkskyz || I apologize
|Excuse me / I'm sorry (formal)
|-
|-
|je suis désolé(e) (juh swee day-zoh-ley)
| Veuillez m'excuser || vøtez mɛkskyze || Please excuse me (formal)
|I'm sorry (informal)
|}
|}


When you accidentally bump into someone, you can say "pardon." For example:
=== Expressions for Giving Compliments ===
* Pardon, je ne t'avais pas vu(e). (pahr-dohn, juh nuh tah-vay pah voo) - Sorry, I didn't see you. (informal)
Who doesn't like getting compliments? Here are some French expressions to help you express appreciation:


If you need to interrupt someone, you can say "excusez-moi." For example:
* Excusez-moi de vous déranger, mais pourriez-vous m'indiquer le chemin ? (ex-koo-say mwa duh voo day-rahn-jay, moo poor-ree-yay voo man-dee-kay luh sheh-mahn) - Excuse me for bothering you, but could you tell me the way? (formal)
== Polite Expressions ==
Lastly, here are some other polite expressions you may encounter:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Polite Expressions
|+ Expressions for Giving Compliments
|s'il vous plaît / s'il te plaît (seel voo/teh pleh)
! French !! IPA !! English Translation
|Please (formal/informal)
|-
|à votre santé / à la vôtre (ah voh-truh sahn-tay/ah la voh-truh)
|Cheers (formal)
|-
|-
|à bientôt (ah byahn-toh)  
| Vous êtes très élégant(e) || vu zɛtʁ tʁɛz‿eleɡɑ̃ || You look very elegant
|See you soon
|-
|-
|au revoir (oh reh-vwahr)
| Vous avez un grand talent || vu zave zœ̃‿ɡʁɑ̃ talɑ̃ || You have a great talent
|Goodbye (formal)
|-
|-
|salut (sah-luu)
| J'aime beaucoup votre style || ʒɛm boku votʁə stajl || I really love your style
|Hi / Bye (informal)
|}
|}


When you are out for drinks with colleagues or friends, you can raise your glass and say "à votre santé" or "à la vôtre" for a formal cheers. For a more informal setting, you can simply say "salut."
=== A Dialogue to Practice Polite Expressions ===
Here is an example dialogue to help you practice using polite expressions:
* Person 1: Bonjour, comment allez-vous? (Hello, how are you?)
* Person 2: Bonjour, je vais bien, merci et vous? (Hello, I'm fine, thank you. And you?)
* Person 1: Très bien, merci. Je vous présente mon ami, Pierre. (Very well, thank you. Let me introduce you to my friend, Pierre.)
* Person 2: Enchanté, Pierre. (Nice to meet you, Pierre.)
* Pierre: Enchanté(e) également. (Nice to meet you as well.)


Here's an example dialogue to illustrate how to use some of the expressions we covered:  
== Conclusion ==
* Person 1: Excusez-moi, est-ce que vous parlez anglais ? (ex-koo-say mwa, ess-kuh voo par-lay ahn-glai) - Excuse me, do you speak English? (formal)
Now that you have learned some basic polite expressions in French, it is essential to practice them regularly to fully incorporate them into your communication style. You can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website to find native French speakers and engage in conversations with them. Remember, being polite is not only valued in French culture but can also immediately enhance your image as a French speaker both personally and professionally.  
* Person 2: Oui, je parle anglais. (wee, juh par-luh ahn-glai) - Yes, I speak English.
* Person 1: Pourriez-vous m'indiquer où se trouve la gare ? (poor-ree-yay voo man-dee-kay ooh suh troov lah gahr) - Could you tell me where the train station is? (formal)
* Person 2: Bien sûr, la gare se trouve au bout de la rue à gauche. (bee-ahn soor, lah gahr suh troov oh boo duh lah roo ah gohsh) - Of course, the train station is at the end of the street on the left.
* Person 1: Merci beaucoup ! (mehr-see boh-koo) - Thank you very much!
* Person 2: De rien. À bientôt ! (duh ree-ahn. Ah byahn-toh) - You're welcome. See you soon!


Remember, practicing with native speakers is the best way to improve your French politeness skills. You can find native speakers on [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/french/question questions]! Don't forget to check out the [Language/French/Vocabulary|Vocabulary] page for more French words and expressions.  
<hr>➡ 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. 😎


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


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Revision as of 14:40, 2 March 2023

French-Language-PolyglotClub.png
French Vocabulary - Be Polite

Hi French learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to be polite in French. Mastering polite expressions is an essential step towards improving your communication skills in French. It will open doors to a wide range of opportunities, help you connect better with French people, and create positive relationships. Furthermore, it enhances your credibility and professionalism both in personal and professional situations.

Why is Politeness Important in French?

Unlike some languages where the rules of politeness can be more fluid, in French, politeness is a balance between respect and formality. Even in everyday interactions, using polite expressions helps to show that you respect the people around you. Additionally, in France, being polite is a cultural expectation. So, if you want to make a good impression and be well-received by French speakers, perfecting polite expressions is a must!

Politeness Strategies in French

In French, there are several strategies to convey politeness. One of them is the use of the phrase “s'il vous plaît” (Please) at the end of a sentence. This expression is very powerful and can completely change the tone of your request depending on the situation.

Basic Politeness Expressions

Here are some basic polite expressions in French:

Basic Politeness Expressions
French IPA English Translation
Bonjour bɔ̃ʒuʁ Hello
S'il vous plaît si vu plɛ Please
Merci mɛʁsi Thank you
De rien də ʁjɛ̃ You're welcome
Excusez-moi ɛkskyze mwa Excuse me
Au revoir o ʁəvwaʁ Goodbye

Formal Politeness Expressions

In addition to the basic expressions, there are more formal ways of expressing politeness.

For example, when you meet someone for the first time, it is polite to say, “enchanté(e)” (Nice to meet you). On more formal occasions, you might say, “Je suis ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance” (I am pleased to make your acquaintance).

Here are some more formal polite expressions:

Formal Politeness Expressions
French IPA English Translation
Bonjour, Monsieur/Madame bɔ̃ʒuʁ məsjø/madam Hello, Sir/Madam
Comment allez-vous? kɔmɑ̃ tale vu How are you? (formal)
Je vous présente... ʒə vu pʁezɑ̃t Let me introduce you to...
Je vous en prie ʒə vu ɑ̃ pʁi You're welcome (formal)
Pardon paʁdɔ̃ Pardon me (formal)

Expressions for Apologizing

Inevitably, we all make mistakes. The following expressions will come in handy when you need to apologize:

Expressions for Apologizing
French IPA English Translation
Je suis désolé(e) ʒə sɥi dezɔle I am sorry
Je m'excuse ʒə mɛkskyz I apologize
Veuillez m'excuser vøtez mɛkskyze Please excuse me (formal)

Expressions for Giving Compliments

Who doesn't like getting compliments? Here are some French expressions to help you express appreciation:

Expressions for Giving Compliments
French IPA English Translation
Vous êtes très élégant(e) vu zɛtʁ tʁɛz‿eleɡɑ̃ You look very elegant
Vous avez un grand talent vu zave zœ̃‿ɡʁɑ̃ talɑ̃ You have a great talent
J'aime beaucoup votre style ʒɛm boku votʁə stajl I really love your style

A Dialogue to Practice Polite Expressions

Here is an example dialogue to help you practice using polite expressions:

  • Person 1: Bonjour, comment allez-vous? (Hello, how are you?)
  • Person 2: Bonjour, je vais bien, merci et vous? (Hello, I'm fine, thank you. And you?)
  • Person 1: Très bien, merci. Je vous présente mon ami, Pierre. (Very well, thank you. Let me introduce you to my friend, Pierre.)
  • Person 2: Enchanté, Pierre. (Nice to meet you, Pierre.)
  • Pierre: Enchanté(e) également. (Nice to meet you as well.)

Conclusion

Now that you have learned some basic polite expressions in French, it is essential to practice them regularly to fully incorporate them into your communication style. You can also use the Polyglot Club website to find native French speakers and engage in conversations with them. Remember, being polite is not only valued in French culture but can also immediately enhance your image as a French speaker both personally and professionally.

➡ 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. 😎



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