This document provides an introduction to common French greetings and farewells. It discusses formal and informal ways to say hello in French ("Bonjour" and "Salut") and goodbye ("Au revoir", "À bientôt", etc.). It also covers how to introduce yourself and ask for someone's name. The document then explores cultural aspects of greetings in France, including the handshake and kissing cheeks. It includes examples of greetings and provides practice matching French phrases with their English translations.
3. Saying Hello
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Formal- Bonjour Informal- Salut
A formal hello can be used with anyone but
especially in business situations, on first
meetings, and to show respect. The informal
hello can be used with friends and family; it
can also be used to say good-bye.
4. Saying Good-bye
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Good-bye - Au revoir, Salut
See you soon. - À bientôt
See you tomorrow. - À demain
See you later. - À plus tard, À tout à
l’heure
All of these leave-takings can be used with
people you are familiar with; the most formal way
to say good-bye is au revoir.
5. Meeting a new person
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What is your name? – Comment vous appelez-
vous?
My name is _____. – Je m’appelle _____.
Delighted/ Nice to meet you.- Enchanté(e)
These sayings can be used when asking for someone’s
name and introducing yourself.
You will notice an e in parenthesis for “Enchanté(e).” This
deals with masculine and feminine forms. This does not
affect the pronunciation of the word.
6. French Culture
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La poignée de main – handshake La bise
– kiss
Shaking hands and kissing on the cheek are two
ways to greet a person.
In France, deciding which greeting to chose depends
on the people involved.
The way in which it is done is also specific to French
culture.
7. La poignée de main –
handshake
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Male friends will shake hands when
greeting each other.
Business associates and co-workers
will also shake hands upon meeting
and again when leaving.
A French handshake is firm but brief; it
is a single downward motion.
8. La bise – kiss
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Friends and family will exchange a kiss
on the cheek. It can be anywhere from 1
to 4. It starting on the right cheek and
alternates between cheeks.
Sometimes friends of friends will also
kiss cheeks when first meeting each
other.
How to “faire la bise”
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Practice
Matching
__1. Enchanté(e) A. What is your name
__2. Bonjour. B. Delighted/ Nice to
meet you
__3. Au revoir C. My name is
__4. Comment vous appellez-vous D. Hello
__5. Je m’appelle E. Good-bye
Put the conversation in logical order.
_____ Enchanté, Marie. Je m’appelle Marc.
_____ Bonjour. Je m’appelle Marie.
_____ Comment vous appellez-vous?
_____ Au revoir Marc.
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Practice Answers
Matching
_B_1. Enchanté(e) A. What is your name
_D_2. Bonjour. B. Delighted/ Nice to
meet you
_E_3. Au revoir C. My name is
_A_4. Comment vous appellez-vous D. Hello
_C_5. Je m’appelle E. Good-bye
Put the conversation in logical order.
_3___ Enchanté, Marie. Je m’appelle Marc.
_1___ Bonjour. Je m’appelle Marie.
_2___ Comment vous appellez-vous?
_4___ Au revoir Marc.
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Ask the Author
Hello my name is Grace Conley. I am currently a
student at Grand Valley State University. I am
majoring in French for secondary education.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to
e-mail me.
E-mail Grace