Learn to speak French with confidence—the easy way
French For Dummies gives you an immersive look into the foundations of the French language. The trusted Dummies language learning method is quick and practical, so you'll know what to say and do when traveling to a French-speaking country or interacting with French speakers in your community. You'll learn the basics of French grammar and pronunciation, and then you'll explore common phrases you'll need in everyday situations. Total beginners and those with some prior knowledge of français can get ready to study, work, or travel abroad—or integrate French into your everyday life—fast and easy. Make small talk, understand common expressions, navigate business settings, ask for directions, go to the doctor, and beyond, with this essential resource.
- Learn how the French language works—grammar, pronunciation, and important constructions
- Build your vocabulary and learn common expressions you’ll hear while abroad
- Brush up your conversation skills with authentic dialogues, plus follow along with online audio
- Get practice reading, writing, and speaking French, so you’re ready to communicate effectively
With French For Dummies, students, travelers, and business professionals can gain the confidence to converse in French.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
Foolish Assumptions 3
Icons Used in This Book 4
Beyond the Book 5
Where to Go from Here 5
Part 1: Getting Started with French 7
Chapter 1: The French You Already Know 9
Checking Out the French You’re Familiar With 10
Friendly allies — bons alliés 10
Close look-alikes 12
False friends — faux amis 13
Borrowed English words 14
Noting Idioms and Popular Expressions 16
Chapter 2: Laying the Foundation: Basic French Grammar 19
Discovering the Key Parts of Speech 19
Using nouns to name things 20
Keeping an eye on articles 22
Meeting subject pronouns face to face 24
Getting descriptive with adjectives 27
Getting creative with adverbs 30
Cavorting with Verbs 30
Regular verbs 31
Irregular verbs 33
Expressing Action or Being with Verb Tenses 34
Speaking in the present 35
Livin’ in the past 35
Peeking into the future 39
Chapter 3: Getting Started with Pronunciation and Basic Expressions 43
Sounding Out the French Alphabet 44
Uttering Vowel and Consonant Sounds 44
The vowel sounds 45
Consonants 47
The mute h and the aspirate h 48
Don’t stress; intone instead 49
Clarifying Accents, Liaisons, and Elisions 49
The five French accents 49
The liaison 50
The elision 51
Greetings: Formal and Friendly 52
Addressing someone formally or informally 52
Saying hello and goodbye 53
Introducing yourself and others 54
Asking Basic Yes or No Questions 56
Informal and formal ways to ask questions 56
Asking and Replying to “How Are You?” 57
Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers, Dates, and Times Straight 63
Counting Your Lucky Stars: Numbers 63
Counting up to 20 64
Counting higher than 20 65
Discovering ordinal numbers 67
Approximating quantities 68
Using the Calendar and Dates 68
Recounting the days of the week 69
Knowing the names of the months 69
Setting specific dates 70
Remembering the seasons 71
Telling Time in French 72
Using the 12-hour clock 73
Using the 24-hour routine 74
Chapter 5: Talking about Your Home, Family, and Daily Routine 79
Discussing Where You Live with the Verb Habiter 79
Identifying rooms in the house 80
le salon (the living room) 80
la cuisine (the kitchen) 81
la chambre (the bedroom) 82
la salle de bains (the bathroom) 82
Discussing Daily Routine with Reflexive Verbs 85
Three squares a day, French-style 87
Setting the table 89
Eating and drinking with the verbs manger, prendre, and boire 90
Using faire, passer, and other verbs to take charge of chores 92
Giving orders by using the command form 93
Using Possessive Adjectives to Introduce Your Family Members 96
Part 2: French in Action 101
Chapter 6: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 103
Asking Who, What, Why, and More 103
Using key question words 104
Saying the magic words: Polite expressions 105
Stating Your Preferences 107
Talking about Your Livelihood 108
Chatting about the Weather 111
Deciding to Keep in Touch 114
Texting Friends and Loved Ones 115
Chapter 7: Asking Directions and Finding Your Way 119
Asking and Answering “Where?” Questions 119
Asking questions with “où,” plus the verbs “être” and “se trouver” 120
Answering questions with “à” 120
Using “voici” and “voilà” 121
Getting specific with prepositions 122
Getting and Giving Directions 125
Using direct commands to give directions 125
Softening commands with “il faut” 126
Expressing distances in time and space 127
Going north, south, east, and west 128
Checking directions or your location 130
Knowing what to say if you don’t understand 130
Chapter 8: Bon Appétit ! Dining Out and Going to the Market 135
Dining Out 135
Using the conditional verb form to make a request 136
Perusing the menu 139
Placing your order 144
Paying the bill 148
Finding the restrooms 148
Going to the Market 149
Making purchases with the verbs “acheter” and “vendre” 149
Specifying how much you want 151
Shopping at neighborhood food shops 153
Chapter 9: Shopping Made Easy 157
Going Shopping 157
Shopping for clothes, item by item 158
Navigating your way around 160
Getting assistance 161
Finding the right fit 162
Pointing items out with “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” 166
Moving on to demonstrative pronouns 167
Choosing the right fabric and color 168
Making Comparisons: Good, Better, Best, and More 171
Chapter 10: Going Out on the Town 179
Going Out with the Verb “Sortir” 179
Using Pronominal Verbs and Having Fun with “S’amuser” 180
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 182
Visiting museums and art galleries 183
Spending an evening at the theater 184
Heading to the movies 187
Going to concerts 190
Enjoying the nightlife 192
Making Plans with Friends 193
Asking a friend to go out 193
Accepting and declining invitations 194
Chapter 11: Recreation and the Outdoors 197
Playing Sports 197
Using “faire” for individual sports 198
Using “jouer” for team sports 200
Going Downhill — or Cross-Country — Skiing 203
Going to the Beach 205
Setting Up Camp 208
Enjoying Quieter Pursuits 211
Having fun with board games 211
Reading with the verb “lire” 212
Chapter 12: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunicating 215
Getting Around — and Along — at the Office 215
Working remotely or hybrid style 217
Using the computer and the Internet 218
Sending an e-mail 219
Sending mail the old-fashioned way 219
Making Appointments and Minding Business Hours 220
Making a Cellphone Call 223
Part 3: French on the Go 227
Chapter 13: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land 229
Getting Current with Currency 229
Getting familiar with euros and cents 230
Going to the Bank 232
Getting — and requesting — assistance 232
Exchanging money 233
Making change 234
Using Credit or Debit Cards and ATMs 235
Saying that You Can, Want, or Have to Do Something 236
Using Disjunctive Pronouns 237
Chapter 14: Planning a Trip 241
Where Do You Want to Go? 241
Using geographical prepositions 242
Making plans with the future tense 248
Getting Ready for Your Trip 250
Introducing the indirect object pronouns 253
Securing passports and visas 253
Packing your suitcases with your belongings: Using possessive adjectives 254
Chapter 15: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More 257
Getting through the Airport 257
Finding your way around the airport 258
Up, up, and away — on the plane 258
Going through customs 259
Navigating Buses, Trains, and Subways 262
Boarding the bus 263
Using the subway 265
Getting around by train 268
Getting Around by Car 272
Hailing a taxi 272
Arranging a car service 272
Driving in a foreign land 275
Deciphering road signs 279
Chapter 16: Finding a Place to Stay 283
Finding Accommodations 283
Making reservations 285
Specifying the kind of room you want 286
Asking about the price 287
Checking Into Your Lodging 288
Using direct object pronouns 289
Filling out a registration form 290
Asking for towels and other essentials 292
Checking Out of Your Lodging 293
Chapter 17: Handling Emergencies 297
Getting Help Fast 297
Finding Medical Services 298
Talking with doctors when you’re ill or injured 299
Undergoing a medical examination 303
Going to a pharmacy for minor ailments and medications 306
Braving the dentist 307
Handling Legal Matters 308
Talking to the police 308
Getting legal help 312
Part 4: the Part of Tens 315
Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Pick Up French Quickly 317
Label Things in Your House 317
Write Your Shopping Lists in French 318
Listen to French Music or Podcasts 318
Watch French Movies 318
Tune in to TV5 Monde 319
Read French Publications 319
Take a Class 319
Join a French Association 319
Go Online to Find Topics That Interest You — in French 320
Connect with Language Learning Apps 320
Chapter 19: Ten Things Never to Say in French 321
Using “Tu” When You Mean “Vous” 321
Using “Bonne Nuit !” for Goodbye 322
Using “Garçon” or “Porteur” to Address Service Staff 322
Saying “Je Suis Excité(e)” to Indicate Excitement 322
Saying “Je suis chaud(e)/froid(e)” to Say You’re Hot or Cold 323
Saying “Je Suis Plein/e” to Mean You’re Full 323
Using “de la Glace” to Request Ice 323
Using “Je Suis Ans” to Tell Your Age 324
Asking for Change with “J’ai Besoin de Change” 324
Using the Verb “Visiter” in Reference to People 324
Chapter 20: Ten Favorite French Expressions 325
“À mon avis” 325
“C’est pas vrai !” 325
“Avec plaisir” 326
“Bon appétit !” 326
“C’est génial” 326
“À votre santé !” 326
“À vos souhaits !” 326
“Quelle horreur !” 327
“À bientôt” 327
“Pas mal” 327
Part 5: Appendixes 329
Appendix A: French-English Mini-Dictionary 331
Appendix B: Verb Tables 359
Appendix C: Answer Key 375
Index 379
