other random words and grammar rules Flashcards
use of Salut
informal means both hello and goodbye
often used between young people.
use on monsieur and madame
more frequently used than Mr or mrs
use of Mademoiselle
less frequently used nowadays especially girls over 25
use of (y) =u
use of (u) = ou
Pronunciation of u and ou in French
The sounds [y] and [u] are very frequent in French. Roughly speaking, they correspond to the French spellings ‘u’ and ‘ou’.
It is important to be able to make the distinction between them, in both listening and speaking. Make sure you listen to the tracks above and repeat as many times as necessary. You may need quite a lot of practice to be able to master saying them yourself. Note that:
. the sound [y] - usual spelling u - is pronounced with closely rounded, protruding lips, while the tip of your tongue is raised at the front of your mouth. (You might find it helpful to practise by saying ‘oo’, then switch to ‘ee’ without changing your lip position.)
. the sound [u] - usual spelling ou - is pronounced with the same lip position, but with the middle part of your tongue raised at the back of your mouth.
Try saying them one after the other and note the changing position of your tongue.
Words you’ve already met in which each one occurs are as follows:
. [y]: tu, salut, rue, vue, nu, du, bu, su
. [u]: vous, nous, tout, doux, bout, sous, bonjour
How to say your age
j’ai (avoir - to have) + number + ans
Tu as quel âge?
Vous avez quel âge?
Where you come from and where you live
what happens to de before a?
Je suis de Madrid I am from
Je viens de Paris I come from
Je suis originaire d’Alger I come from (originate from)
de before a vowel d’Alger
j’habite à Bâle - I live in Basel
Je viens de Manchester , mais j’habite à Bâle en Suisse.
Preposition from with place names
Je viens de Manchester, mais j’habite à Bâle
Masculine or feminine
Dictionary:
NM = nom masculin
NF = nom féminine
Le or La
If a noun starts with a vowel then Le La become L’
L’Algérie
Most countries ending in E are feminine.
La Suisse, La Roumanie, L’Angleterre
Exception. Le Cambodge, Le Mexique
Few are masculine plural:
Les États-Unis, Les Pays-Bas
Counry Names
Le Congo, Le Maroc
La France, La Belgique
Country in or live in:
Feminine countries use: en
La France - J’habite en France
Masculine countries use: au
Le Quebec - J’habite au Québec
If plural: J’habite aux Seychelles
saying where you are born
Je suis né/née en France
Je suis né/née au Maroc
Je suis né/née aux États-Uni
saying where you are traveling to
Je vais en France
Je vais au Maroc
