Lesson 1 Flashcards
This deck covers basic pleasantries, personal pronouns, nouns, and adjectives. You will also learn the definite and indefinite articles, as well as some numbers and "être" and "avoir" in the present tense.
1
Q
Translate to French:
hello
A
bonjour
hello - bonjour. Note that bonjour literally translates to “good day.” You can use it to say “good morning” or “good afternoon” as well.
2
Q
Translate to French:
Good evening!
A
Bonsoir!
Good evening - Bonsoir. Note that bonsoir is a compound word formed from the words for “good” and “evening.” It is used instead of bonjour to greet people in the evening.
3
Q
Translate to French:
My name is Marc
A
Je m’appelle Marc
my name is - je m’appelle. This literally translates to “I call myself…”
4
Q
Translate to French:
hi/bye
A
salut
hi/bye - salut. To informally greet or say goodbye to someone at any time of day, you can say salut.
5
Q
Translate to French:
Hello (on the phone)
A
Allo
Hello - Allo. Note that allo is only said when picking up the phone.
6
Q
Translate to French:
goodbye
A
au revoir
goodbye - au revoir
7
Q
Translate to French:
yes
A
oui
yes - oui
8
Q
Translate to French:
no
A
non
no - non
9
Q
Translate to French:
What is your name?
A
Comment vous appelez-vous?
What is your name? - Comment vous appelez-vous? Note that this literally translates to “How/What do you call yourself?”
10
Q
Translate to French:
please
A
s’il vous plaît
please - s’il vous plaît. This expression literally means, “if it pleases you.” Note that with a close friend, you could say s’il te plaît.
11
Q
Translate to French:
Thank you
A
Merci
thank you - merci. Note that “no, thank you” would be non, merci.
12
Q
Translate to French:
You’re welcome
A
De rien
you’re welcome - de rien. Note that a formal alternative is je vous en prie.
13
Q
Translate to French:
Excuse me
A
Excusez-moi
excuse me - excusez-moi. Note that you could also say pardon, which translates more directly as “pardon me.”
14
Q
Translate to French:
Welcome!
A
Bienvenue!
Welcome - Bienvenue
15
Q
Translate to French:
How are you?
A
Comment ça va?
How are you? - Comment ça va? This is sometimes shortened to Ça va?
Comment allez-vous - This is mostly used as a greeting in very formal situations.
16
Q
Translate to French:
(in a formal setting) How are you?
A
Comment allez-vous?
How are you? (formal) - Comment allez-vous?
17
Q
Translate to French:
I’m fine
A
Ça va bien
I’m fine, I’m OK - Ça va bien. This translates directly to “It goes well.” Note also that bien is a common adverb – “well.”
18
Q
Translate to French:
I (would like to) introduce Jean to you
A
Je vous présente Jean
I (would like to) introduce ___ to you - Je vous présente ___
One may also say “Je (aimerais) vous présenter Jean.”
19
Q
Translate to French:
Can you help me?
A
Pouvez-vous m’aider?
20
Q
Translate to French:
Of course
A
Bien sûr
21
Q
Translate to French:
a boy
A
un garçon
Note that singular masculine nouns use the indefinite article un.
22
Q
Translate to French:
a girl
A
une fille
Note that singular feminine nouns use the indefinite article une.
23
Q
Translate to French:
the boy
A
le garçon
the (masculine) - le. Note that singular masculine nouns use the definite article le.
24
Q
Translate to French:
the girl
A
la fille
the (feminine) - la. Note that singular feminine nouns use the definite article la.
25
# Translate to French:
a _woman_
une _femme_
## Footnote
a woman - *une femme*
26
# Translate to French:
a _man_
un _homme_
## Footnote
a man - *un homme*
27
# Translate to French:
a _person_
une _personne_
## Footnote
a person - *une personne*
28
# Translate to French:
the man
*l'*homme
## Footnote
For any singular (masculine or feminine) noun starting with a vowel or a mute "h," the correct definite article is *l'* instead of *le/la*. This is called a contraction, and it also happens with words like *de* and *ne*.
29
# Translate to French:
an _American_ boy
un garçon _américain_
## Footnote
American (masculine adj.) - *américain*. Unless otherwise noted, adjectives are presented by default in their singular, masculine forms. Adjectives usually come after the nouns they modify. Note also that for the noun "an American," the translation would be capitalized: *un Américain*.
30
# Translate to French:
an _American_ girl
une fille _américaine_
## Footnote
American (feminine adj.) - *américaine*. Adjectives agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Here, the adjective's gender is feminine to match the gender of the noun. This is normally done by adding an "e" at the end, which causes the final consonant to be pronounced audibly.
31
# Translate to French:
a _happy_ boy
un garçon _heureux_
## Footnote
happy - *heureux*. Remember that most descriptive adjectives are placed after the nouns they modify. There are some exceptions, which we will learn about elsewhere.
32
# Translate to French:
the _happy_ girl
la fille _heureuse_
## Footnote
happy (feminine) - *heureuse*. Note that for adjectives ending with an "x," the ending in the singular feminine form changes to *-se*, where the "s" is pronounced audibly.
33
# Translate to French:
_the_ women
_les_ femmes
## Footnote
the (plural) - *les*. Note that the definite article for plural nouns, regardless of gender, is *les*. Note also that the plural is formed most often by adding an "s" to the end of the word in question.
34
# Translate to French:
_some_ boys
_des_ garçons
## Footnote
some (plural) - *des*. The indefinite article for plural nouns, regardless of gender, is *des*. Also note how the plural "s" added to the noun is not pronounced audibly.
35
# Translate to French:
(some) _happy_ women
des femmes _heureuses_
## Footnote
happy (plural feminine) - *heureuses*. Remember that adjectives must agree in number and gender with the nouns they modify. For adjectives ending with an "x," in the plural feminine form the ending changes to *-ses*.
36
# Translate to French:
the boys _and_ the girls
les garçons _et_ les filles
## Footnote
and - *et*. Note that for the vast majority of French words ending in "t," the "t" is not pronounced.
37
# Translate to French:
a man _or_ a woman
un homme _ou_ une femme
## Footnote
or - *ou*
38
# Translate to French:
a student
un élève
## Footnote
a student - *un élève*. The feminine form of this noun is the same: *une élève*. For a university or graduate student, use *étudiant*.
39
# Translate to French:
the students
le*s é*lèves
## Footnote
Note the pronunciation of the "s" in *les* here. When a word ending with a normally silent consonant is followed by a word beginning with a vowel or mute "h," the normally silent consonant is pronounced. This is called a *liaison*.
40
# Translate to French:
a _pretty_ girl
une _jolie_ fille
## Footnote
pretty (adj.) - *joli*. Note that the singular feminine form is *jolie*. Adjectives dealing with beauty typically precede the nouns they modify.
41
# Translate to French:
to be
être
## Footnote
to be - *être*. Note that *être* is an irregular verb, as are the majority of the most commonly used verbs in French.
42
# Translate to French:
The _girl is_ pretty
La _fille est_ jolie
## Footnote
(he/she/it) is - *est*. *Est* is the third-person singular in the present tense of the verb *être*.
43
# Translate to French:
The man is _sad_
L'homme est _triste_
## Footnote
sad - *triste*
44
# Translate to French:
_He_ is happy
_Il_ est heureux
## Footnote
he - *il*
45
# Translate to French:
_She_ is pretty
_Elle_ est jolie
## Footnote
she - *elle*
46
# Translate to French:
He is _rich_
Il est _riche_
## Footnote
rich - *riche*. Note that the feminine form is the same.
47
# Translate to French:
She is _very_ rich
Elle est _très_ riche
## Footnote
very - *très*
48
# Translate to French:
The boy is _cute_
Le garçon est _mignon_
## Footnote
cute - *mignon*
49
# Translate to French:
The girl is _cute_
La fille est _mignonne_
## Footnote
cute (feminine) - *mignonne*. Note the singular feminine form of *mignon*. For any masculine form ending in "n" or "l," the feminine form doubles that consonant before adding an "e."
50
# Translate to French:
The boy is _funny_
Le garçon est _drôle_
## Footnote
funny - *drôle*. Note that the singular feminine form would remain *drôle*. *Marrant* also works as a translation for "funny."
51
# Translate to French:
The girl is _funny_
La fille est _drôle_
## Footnote
funny - *drôle*. Note that the singular masculine form would remain *drôle*. *Marrant* also works as a translation for "funny."
52
# Translate to French:
The person is _attractive_
La personne est _attrayante_
## Footnote
attractive - *attirant*. Note that *attirant* has a slightly stronger emphasis on physical/sexual attraction than its English equivalent "attractive."
53
# Translate to French:
The girl is _strong_
La fille est _forte_
## Footnote
strong - *fort*. Note that the singular feminine form is *forte*.
54
# Translate to French:
The man is _poor_
L'homme est _pauvre_
## Footnote
poor - *pauvre*
55
# Translate to French:
The girl is rich _but_ the boy is poor
La fille est riche _mais_ le garçon est pauvre
## Footnote
but - *mais*
56
# Translate to French:
The person is _ugly_
La personne est _laid_
## Footnote
ugly - *laid*. Note that *laid* only applies to people, so it is common to use *moche*, which applies to both people and things.
57
# Translate to French:
_It's_ cool!
_C'est_ cool!
## Footnote
it is, that is - *c'est*. Note that *cool* comes from English, and that an alternative is *sympa*.
58
# Translate to French:
I
je
## Footnote
I - *je*
59
# Translate to French:
_I am_ a student
_Je suis_ un étudiant
## Footnote
I am - *je suis*. *Suis* is the first-person singular in the present tense of the verb *être*, or "to be." For professions or occupations, you can skip using the indefinite article *un/une*: *je suis étudiant*.
60
# Translate to French:
I am _with_ Julie
Je suis _avec_ Julie
## Footnote
with - *avec*
61
# Translate to French:
I am sorry
Je suis désolé
## Footnote
I'm sorry - *je suis désolé*. If the speaker were female, it would be *je suis désolée*.
62
# Translate to French:
you
tu (informal/singular), vous (formal/plural)
## Footnote
you - *tu, vous*. The personal pronoun *tu* is typically used to address a single friend or child. Meanwhile, *vous* is used either to formally address one person or to address a group of people ("you all").
63
# Translate to French:
(to a close friend) _You are_ cute
_Tu es_ mignon
## Footnote
you are - *tu es*. *Es* is the second-person singular in the present tense of the verb *être*, or "to be."
64
# Translate to French:
(to several people) _You are_ funny
_Vous êtes_ drôles
## Footnote
you (many of you) are - *vous êtes*. *Êtes* is the second-person plural in the present tense of the verb *être*. Note that in this case, the adjective takes the plural masculine form.
65
# Translate to French:
(to a group of women) You are _cute_
Vous êtes _mignonnes_
## Footnote
Note the use of the plural feminine form of the adjective, *mignonnes*. If there were at least one male member of the group being addressed, you would use *mignons*.
66
# Translate to French:
(to a male superior) You are rich
Vous êtes rich*e*
## Footnote
you (formal) are - *vous êtes*. Note that, although the verb is conjugated in the second-person plural, the adjective is singular (and masculine), as in this case you are formally addressing only one (male) person.
67
# Translate to French:
The _child_ is sad
L'_enfant_ est triste
## Footnote
a child - *un enfant*. Note that an informal alternative is *gosse*, which is masculine.
68
# Translate to French:
Jean is a _naughty_ child
Jean est un _méchant_ enfant
## Footnote
bad, naughty - *méchant*
69
# Translate to French:
He is a _good_ child
C'est un _bon_ enfant
## Footnote
good (adj.) - *bon*. Adjectives dealing with goodness (right and wrong) are often placed before the nouns they modify. Also note how *il est* is replaced by *c'est* here, because the noun that follows has been modified.
70
# Translate to French:
Albert is a _young_ man
Albert est un _jeune_ homme
## Footnote
young (adj.) - *jeune*. Note that adjectives dealing with age are often placed before the nouns they modify.
71
# Translate to French:
I am a _small_ boy
Je suis un _petit_ garçon
## Footnote
small - *petit*. *Un petit garçon* also translates to "a short boy." Note that adjectives dealing with size are often placed before the nouns they modify.
72
# Translate to French:
(to a close friend) You are a _tall_ man
Tu es un homme _grand_
## Footnote
tall (person) - *grand*. When associated with objects, *grand* generally means "big." *Grand* is an adjective whose meaning depends on its placement around the noun.
73
# Translate to French:
a _tall_ man; a _great_ man
un homme _grand_; un _grand_ homme
## Footnote
The meaning of the adjective *grand* depends on its placement around the noun, particularly if the noun is a person. Placed after the noun, adjectives like this often have a literal meaning (size/height in this case). Placed before the noun, they take on a figurative meaning (historical greatness in this case).
74
# Translate to French:
a _poor_ woman; an _unfortunate (poor)_ woman
une femme _pauvre_; une _pauvre_ femme
## Footnote
Note how the placement of *pauvre* can alter its meaning. Used after the noun, it literally means "poverty-stricken." Placed before the noun, it takes on a more figurative meaning.
75
# Translate to French:
The (male) student is _beautiful_
L'étudiant est _beau_
## Footnote
beautiful - *beau*. Note that the plural masculine form is *beaux*.
76
# Translate to French:
a beautiful (male) student
un _bel_ étudiant
## Footnote
Note that *beau* is changed to *bel* before masculine nouns beginning with a vowel or a mute "h."
77
# Translate to French:
The _sporty_ boy is rich
Le garçon _sportif_ est riche
## Footnote
Note that the singular feminine form is *sportive*. While there is no perfect English equivalent, *sportif* means someone who enjoys and plays sports. It is both a noun and an adjective.
78
# Translate to French:
The boy is _brave_
Le garçon est _courageux_
## Footnote
brave - *courageux*
79
# Translate to French:
The girl is _humble_
La fille est _humble_
## Footnote
humble - *humble*
80
# Translate to French:
She is _smart_
Elle est _intelligente_
## Footnote
smart - *intelligent*
81
# Translate to French:
He is _dumb_
Il est _bête_
## Footnote
dumb - *bête*. Note that *stupide* or *idiot* could work as alternatives.
82
# Translate to French:
The woman is _bright_
La femme est _brillante_
## Footnote
bright - *brillant*. Note that *brillant* can mean both "smart" and "shiny." Here we are of course addressing a person's intelligence.
83
# Translate to French:
The man is _muscular_
L'homme est _musclé_
## Footnote
muscular - *musclé*. Note that the singular feminine form is *musclée*. This adjective comes from the noun *muscle*, obviously meaning "muscle."
84
# Translate to French:
(to a close female friend) You are _beautiful_
Tu es _belle_
## Footnote
beautiful (feminine) - *belle*
85
# Translate to French:
You (informal) are _gorgeous_
Tu es _magnifique_
## Footnote
gorgeous - *magnifique*. *Superbe* and *splendide* also translate to "gorgeous." All three adjectives can convey greatness as well as good looks.
86
# Translate to French:
(to a female superior) You are _well-dressed_
Vous êtes _bien habillée_
## Footnote
well-dressed - *bien habillé*. We will learn more about adverbs like *bien* elsewhere.
87
# Translate to French:
he, she, one
il, elle, on
## Footnote
Note that in French, *on* is a neuter impersonal pronoun meaning "one": "One should respect the king" -- *On devrait respecter le roi*.
88
# Translate to French:
we
on (third-person singular), nous (first-person plural)
## Footnote
we - *on, nous*. The first-person plural pronoun *nous* is the literal translation of "we." However, in informal speech, Francophones frequently use the third-person singular pronoun *on* to mean "we." Recall that *on* is technically an impersonal subject pronoun that translates to "one."
89
# Translate to French:
_We are_ women
_On est_ des femmes. / _Nous sommes_ des femmes
## Footnote
we are - *on est, nous sommes*. Note that while *nous sommes* is more literal, *on est* is much more commonly used in conversation to mean "we are."
90
# Translate to French:
We are _sociable_
Nous sommes _sociables_
## Footnote
sociable - *sociable*. Note the plural form of this adjective, since the subject is plural.
91
# Translate to French:
they
ils (masc.), elles (fem.)
## Footnote
they - *ils, elles*
92
# Translate to French:
_They (women) are_ beautiful
_Elles sont_ belles
## Footnote
they are - *ils/elles sont*. *Sont* is the third-person plural in the present tense of the verb *être*, or "to be."
93
# Translate to French:
They (male) are _fit_
Ils sont _athlétiques_
## Footnote
fit, athletic - *athlétique, en forme*
94
# Translate to French:
a big _house_
une grande _maison_
## Footnote
a house - *une maison*. *La maison*, which translates to "the house," usually signifies one's "home."
95
# Translate to French:
the children
les _enfants_
## Footnote
children, kids - *enfants*. Note that saying *les enfants* can connote "(the) kids" in the same way that a mother would call out to her own children.
96
# Translate to French:
The children are _great_
Les enfants sont _super_
## Footnote
super, great - *super*. Note that *super* can be used on its own: for example, "Great!" can be translated as *Super*! It is used informally, and is also a rare invariable adjective, meaning it does not change in gender or number.
97
# Translate to French:
He is _nice_
Il est _sympa_
## Footnote
likable, nice, cool - *sympa*. This is a shortened, informal form of the adjective *sympathique*. Another way of saying "nice" is *gentil*.
98
# Translate to French:
I am lost
Je suis perdu
## Footnote
I am lost - *je suis perdu*. If the speaker were female, it would be *je suis perdue*.
99
# Translate to French:
It's a small _table_
C'est une petite _table_
## Footnote
a table - *une table*
100
# Translate to French:
Food is ready/Dinner is served!
À table!
## Footnote
food is ready/dinner is served - *à table*. This is a typical French expression, used to call children to the table for a meal. The literal translation is "at the table!"
101
# Translate to French:
Enjoy your meal
Bon appétit
## Footnote
Enjoy your meal - *Bon appétit*. This translates directly to "good appetite."
102
# Translate to French:
a friend
un ami
## Footnote
a friend - *un ami*. Note that you can also use *copain*, the feminine form of which is *copine*.
103
# Translate to French:
He is Monsieur Martin*'s* student
C'est un élève _de_ Monsieur Martin
## Footnote
of, from - *de*. Note that this translates directly to "He is a student of Monsieur Martin."
104
# Translate to French:
She is _from_ Paris
Elle est _de_ Paris
## Footnote
from - *de*. The preposition *de* is very common in French, and can sometimes mean "with," "about," or "for" as well.
105
# Translate to French:
to have
avoir
## Footnote
to have - *avoir*. Note that *avoir* is an irregular verb.
106
# Translate to French:
_I have_ a French friend
_J'ai_ un ami français
## Footnote
I have - *j'ai*. *Ai* is the first-person singular in the present tense of the verb *avoir*, or "to have." Note that the personal pronoun *je* changes to *j'* because the verb begins with a vowel.
107
# Translate to French:
_He has_ a child
_Il a_ un enfant
## Footnote
he/she/one has - *il/elle/on a*. *A* is the third-person singular in the present tense of the verb *avoir*.
108
# Translate to French:
I have a _boyfriend_
J'ai un _petit ami_
## Footnote
a boyfriend - *un petit ami*. This translates directly as "little friend." Note that in a familiar context, you can also use *copain*.
109
# Translate to French:
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix
110
# Translate to French:
eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty
onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, vingt
111
# Translate to French:
(to a close friend) _You have_ three children
_Tu as_ trois enfants
## Footnote
you (a close friend) have - *tu as*. *As* is the second-person singular in the present tense of the verb *avoir*.
112
# Translate to French:
_We have_ a big house
_Nous avons/On a_ une grande maison
## Footnote
we have - *on a, nous avons*. *Avons* is the first-person plural in the present tense of the verb *avoir*, while *a* is the third-person singular.
113
# Translate to French:
_You guys/You all have_ two houses
_Vous avez_ deux maisons
## Footnote
you (many of you) have - *vous avez*. *Avez* is the second-person plural in the present tense of the verb *avoir*.
114
# Translate to French:
the _sugar_
le _sucre_
## Footnote
sugar - *le sucre*
115
# Translate to French:
the _money_
l'_argent_
## Footnote
money - *l'argent*. This masculine word literally means "silver."
116
# Translate to French:
the _soup_
la _soupe_
## Footnote
soup - *la soupe*
117
# Translate to French:
We have _(some)_ soup
Nous avons _de la_ soupe
## Footnote
*De la* is a partitive article, formed by pairing *de* with the appropriate definite article. Partitive articles indicate a part of something (like soup) that can't necessarily be counted. In English, we use words like "some" or "any," but often omit them. In French, they are necessary: you cannot say *avoir soupe* or *avoir la soupe*; the *de* is required.
118
# Translate to French:
We have _(some)_ sugar
On a _du_ sucre
## Footnote
*Du* is the partitive article for masculine singular nouns. It replaces the construction *de le* (*de* + proper definite article). If you said *On a le sucre*, the meaning would be different: "We have the sugar."
119
# Translate to French:
I have _(some)_ money
J'ai *de l'*argent
## Footnote
Here, *de l'* replaces what would have been *du*; you cannot say *du argent* because *argent* begins with a vowel.
120
# Translate to French:
The rich woman has (some) _gold_
La femme riche a de _l'or_
## Footnote
gold - *l'or*. *Or* is a masculine noun. Because *or* begins with a vowel, the contracted construction *de l'* must be used.
121
# Translate to French:
I have friends
J'ai _des_ amis
## Footnote
The partitive article for plural nouns is the plural indefinite article *des*. This replaces *de les*. Here you are essentially saying, "I have some friends."
122
# Translate to French:
She is _classy_
Elle _a de la classe_
## Footnote
(to be) classy - *avoir de la classe*. This literally translates as "to have class." Note that you cannot say *avoir classe* or *avoir la classe*; the partitive *de* is necessary.
123
# Translate to French:
_They have_ class
_Ils ont_ de la classe
## Footnote
they have - *ils/elles ont*. *Ont* is the third-person plural in the present tense of the verb *avoir*.
124
# Translate to French:
I am 14 years old
J'ai 14 ans
## Footnote
I am X years old - *j'ai X ans*. Note that in French, the verb *avoir*, "to have," is used to give one's age instead of *être*, "to be." This directly translates to "I have X years."
125
# Translate to French:
I have a _girlfriend_
J'ai une _petite amie_
## Footnote
a girlfriend - *une petite amie*. In a familiar context, you can also use *copine*.
126
# Translate to French:
to arrive
arriver
## Footnote
to arrive - *arriver*. The first-person singular form of this verb in the present, *j'arrive*, is commonly used as an expression to say "I'm on my way!"
127
In French, most adjectives are placed after the noun they modify. However, which kinds of adjectives are often placed before the noun?
Adjectives that deal with:
* Beauty
* Rank
* Age
* Goodness
* Size
## Footnote
You can remember these with the acronym BRAGS.
128
Name the personal pronouns in French:
* I
* you
* he/she
* we
* you all
* they
* je
* tu/vous
* il/elle
* on/nous
* vous
* ils/elles
129
# Translate to French:
TO BE (*être*):
* I am
* you are
* he/she is
* we are
* you (all) are
* they are
ÊTRE:
* je suis
* tu es
* il/elle/on est
* nous sommes
* vous êtes
* ils/elles sont
130
# Translate to French:
TO HAVE (*avoir*):
* I have
* you have
* he/she has
* we have
* you (all) have
* they have
AVOIR:
* j'ai
* tu as
* il/elle/on a
* nous avons
* vous avez
* ils/elles ont
131
Pronounce the letters in the French alphabet.
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z
