General Day-to-Day Phrases Flashcards
(116 cards)
1
Q
I take
You take
He takes
A
Je prends
tu prends
il prend
2
Q
To place / to put
I put
You put
He puts
You can put over there
A
Verb = Mettre
Je mets
tu mets
il met
Tu peux mettre la-bas
3
Q
I see
You see
He sees
A
Voir
je vois
tu vois
il voit
4
Q
I hear
You hear
He hears
A
Entendre
J’entends
tu entends
il entend
5
Q
By any chance….
Use in place of “si possible….”
By any chance is it that you have a table for 2 persons?
A
par hasard = by any chance
Par hasard est ce que avez vous une table pour deux personnes?
6
Q
It has been too long …..
A
Ça fait trop longtemps
7
Q
Something special ?
Maybe something special ?
A
Quelque chose de particulier ? = something special
Can also say:
Peut-être quelque chose de spécial ?
8
Q
We (have) met them at the bar (f)
We can meet you at the bar (f)
A
nous les avons recontrés au bar
nous pouvons vous rencontrer au bar
9
Q
Let’s meet at the bar (we meet at the bar)
A
Nous rencontrons au bar
or:
Rendez-vous au bar
10
Q
It’s strong (in taste - like in a drink)
It’s not strong (in taste)
A
C’est for[t] = it’s strong (like a drink)
Ce n’est pas fort
11
Q
You are very strong
A
tu es très costaud (cost au)
12
Q
Thank you ladies (plural)
A
Merci mesdames
13
Q
I was right (you would say “I had reason” - imparfait tense)
You were right (you had reason)
He was right (he had reason)
They were right (they had reason)
I am right (I “have” reason - using avoir)
You are right
She is right
I think that I am right
A
J’avais raison
Tu avais raison
Il avait raison
Ils avaient raison
J’ai raison
Tu as raison
Elle a raison
Je pense que j’ai raison
14
Q
Too early
Too late
Am I too late / for quiche ?
I have arrived too late for the quiche ? (remember to use être)
A
Trop tôt
Trop tard
Suis-je trop tard / pour la quiche ?
Diane says just use:
Je suis arrivé en retard pour la quiche ?
15
Q
All is great
A
Tout est super (remember to pronounce the “t” as in “tout te”)
16
Q
I have already swum this morning
I have already done the gym this morning
(translated literally as above)
A
j’ai déjà nagé ce matin
J’ai déjà fait de la gym ce matin
17
Q
the storm
there is a storm
A
l’orage
il y a de l’orage
18
Q
You can go there
I went there (“I am gone there” using être and “y”)
“I am going to go there” using “y” (remember where there are 2 verbs “y” is always before the second verb)
A
Tu peux y aller
I went there = j’y suis allé
I will go there / I am going to go there = je vais y aller
19
Q
“You look like” you’re in good form/shape
A
Tu as l’air en forme
20
Q
Instead/in the place of
As in “instead of/in place of something”
A
à la place
à la place le poulet je prendrais plutôt le poisson.
I would rather take = je prendrais plutôt (literally, “I will take “instead”)
Plutôt = instead
21
Q
Phrase to use for “it’s too much…”
Literally “it’s much”
A
C’est trop
22
Q
Best way to ask someone’s name is…
A
Comment tu t’appelle ?
23
Q
It’s far
It’s a long way (it’s “a lot” far)
A
C’est loin
C’est beaucoup loin (lu a)
loin = “far”
24
Q
Coming !
I am coming / I come
A
À venir!
But Diane says just use “J’arrive” for “I’m coming”
Je veins (ve un) / Je vein (ve un) - pronounced the same
25
At this price ?
At this price ..yes/no
(Literally "at this price there")
à ce prix-là
à ce prix-là, oui/non
26
This one / That one (m + f)
These ones
Those two there (as if pointing)
celui-ci (m) / celle-ci (f) = this one, that one
(note quiche is feminine “la quiche” - so when pointing to a quiche you would say "celle-ci")
ceux-là / celles-là = these ones
So for quiche, when ordering more than one, use the feminine plural "celles-là")
ces deux là = those two there (as if pointing)
27
It's a recent discovery....
C'est une découverte récente
28
...to keep the blood sugar low
...à garder la glycémie basse
29
Herbal tea
la tisane = herbal tea
30
There was
There was not
There is
There is not
There isn't anything / there is nothing (there)
There isn't someone
il y avait
il n'y avait pas
il y a
il n'y a pas
il n'y a rien là
il n'y a quelqu'un
31
They are our good friends
Ce sont nos bons amis
(Ce son no bons (pronounce s) ami)
32
He is my very good friend
You would say: “it's my very good friend”
C'est mon très bon ami
33
It’s nothing don’t worry
First:
"It's nothing..."
Then:
"....don't worry"
Ce n'est rien ne t'inquiète pas
It's nothing = ce n'est rien
Don't worry = ne t'inquiète pas ("ne tun qui et pah")
34
I hope that all is going better / in Turkey / with you
J'espère que tout (tou) va mieux en Turquie / avec toi
35
Ways to say goodbye in French.
À tout à l'heure (Ah too tah leuhr). This means “see you later.” This phrase is used if you will see the person later in the day.
À plus tard = (Ah plue tahr). This phrase also means “see you later” but is only used in more informal circumstances. You may also hear it said as “à plus” (ah plue-ss), which is just an abbreviation
À très vite = see you very soon
or:
À très bientôt = If you’re seeing the person within a matter of hours (See you very soon)
Salut = (Sah-lou). This is a very casual way of saying goodbye (or rather, "bye!") in French. Note that it also means “hi!”
À bientôt = (Ah bee yen toe). This is the general way of saying “see you soon.” You’d use it formally or casually, when you know you’ll be seeing the person soon. If you’re seeing the person within a matter of hours, you could say: À très bientôt. (See you very soon)
À tout de suite = (Ah too deh sweet). Here’s yet another way of saying “see you very soon.” The key distinction is that you’d only say it when you’re seeing the person immediately following your conversation.
À la prochaine = (Ah la prosh-enne). This phrase means “until next time” or “see you next time.” Unsurprisingly, it’s used when you’re unsure of when you’re going to see the other person again
À lundi = see you Monday etc.
À ce soir = see you this evening
À demain = see you tomorrow
Ciao = bye!
36
I love you all !
Je t'aime tous !
37
I have had
or:
I had back surgery
J'ai eu = i have had
J'ai eu une opération sur mon dos
38
However
Think... "dependent"
cependant (ce pon don)
cependant: literally something like "while this [is/was happening], meanwhile", originally with just that simple meaning, but later with the added meaning that concerns us here. Probably the same mechanism as "still"
pourtant: literally "for so much [to the contrary]" - probably the same mechanism as "even so"
toutefois: literally "every time" - maybe the same mechanism as "however"
néanmoins: literally "no less" - seems to be the same mechanism as "nevertheless" and "nonetheless"
en revanche: literally "in revenge" (though revanche is a much gentler "revenge" usually employed for games, such as a return match)
par contre: literally "by against", usually rendered in English by "in contrast", "on the other hand"
39
I am leaving / I am ready to leave now
Je m'en vais (maintenant) = I am leaving / I am ready to leave now
40
I love you all. I had fun (using "s'amuser" passé compose). However, now I am leaving. I need sleep.
Je t'aime tous. Je me suis amusé / On s'est amusé. Cependant (ce pon don) maintenant je m'en vais. J'ai besoin de sommeil (som may)
The verb 'to have fun' in French is s'amuser. If friends are leaving for a night on the town you might tell them to have fun: amusez-vous bien! ('Have fun!') Amusez-vous bien is pronounced, 'am-you-zay voo byehn.' This is the imperative form of the verb, or a command form, for the plural 'you.' It is also the form for when you are speaking with someone you would normally address as vous--the polite form of 'you.'
If you are speaking to just one friend, the expression for 'have fun!' is amuse-toi bien! This is pronounced, 'am-youz twa byehn.'
On s'est amusé = we had fun
On va s'amuser = we are going to have fun
Or just say "ca va être super"
41
It's obvious / it goes without saying
Ça coule de source !
42
Fast (nouns v actions)
Vous êtes rapides ! (nouns eg. you /car etc)
Vous marchez vite ! (actions/verbs etc.)
vous marchez vite tous les deux (you both walk fast)
43
Bon / bonne v bien (nouns v actions/verbs)
le dessert est bon (féminin: bonne)
tu nages bien
je vais bien
44
It would be better (to travel/to do/to eat)
il vaut mieux (voyager/faire/manger)
45
Is it worth it (to go there)?
"It's worth / the penalty (effort) / to go there"
The restaurant? Yes, it's worth going there.
ça vaut la peine (penne)
ça vaut la peine y aller = it's worth going (as a statement or a question)
Ça vaut = it's worth
la peine = the effort
Le resto? Oui, ça vaut la peine y aller
46
Q. You have seen your sister ?
A. Yes, I have seen her
Q. You have spoken to your sister ?
A. Yes, I have spoken "to her"
À + person
Q. Tu as vu ta soeur ?
A. Oui, je l’ai vu (le, la, les…)
Q. Tu as parlé à ta soeur ?
A. Oui, je lui ai parlé (lui, leur…)
47
Using "En", and "Y"
A, Y, and En are pronouns that replace previously mentioned nouns, quantity of nouns, things and places.
En
About something, of something, some of something…
Q. Tu veux de la tisane ?
A. J’en veux = I want "some" / nous en voulons = we want "some".
Q. Tu parles de ta soeur ?
A. Oui, j’en parle = Yes, I talk some
Q. Vous voulez du café?
A. Oui, J'en veux = I want some
Or negative:
Je n'en veux pas = I do not want some
----
Y
Place OR à + thing
Q. Tu vas chez ta soeur ?
A. Oui, j’y vais = Yes, I am going there
Q. Tu vas à la banque ?
A. Oui, j’y vais = Yes, I am going there
Q. Tu vas en France ?
A. Oui, j’y vais = Yes, I am going there
Q. Tu penses à acheter une voiture?
A. Oui, j’y pense = Yes, I'm thinking about it
Q. Vous allez à la plage?
A. Oui, j'y vais = Yes I am going there
Here Y replaces "à la plage".
48
No, I am not going there
First - "I am going there" using "y". Then add the negative.
Non, je n'y vais pas (I am not going there).
49
We are not going there this evening (i)
On n'y va pas ce soir
50
We are not going there today
On n'y va pas aujourd-hui
51
We are not going there ever / never
On n'y va jamais
52
We won't be going back (“returning”) there again / no more (note: we will return is "nous retournerons")
I won't be going back (“returning”) there “again / no more”
I won't be going back (“returning”) there “ever”
I will return is “je retournerai”
Nous n'y retournerons plus (plu)
je n'y retournerai plus (plu)
je n'y retournerai jamais
53
We won't be eating there again / no more
(note: we will eat is "nous mangerons")
I will not be eating there again
Nous n'y mangerons plus (plu)
Je n'y mangerai plus (plu)
54
We are going to eat it
On va le manger
55
I'm coming (Diane says use this)
j'arrive
56
I'm waiting
I'm waiting for you / I wait for you (f)
j'attends
Je vous attends
57
It's great to be alive !
c'est super d'être en vie !
58
There is nothing better !
First say "there is (nothing)"
Then "better"
There is nothing better than St Barts!
Il n’y a rien de mieux !
Il n'y a rien de mieux que St Barts !
59
Let's hope… (“provided that…)
Let's hope that it lasts
**also** you could say:
"Let's enjoy it while it lasts"
Pourvu que (let's hope... / provided that...)
ça dure = it lasts
Pourvu que ça dure
Profitons-en tant ("tont") de ça dure = "Let's enjoy it while it lasts"
"While it lasts" = tant ("tont") de ça dure
60
...to a friend
for a friend....no problem
à un ami (ah un ami)
pour un ami...pas de problem
61
Let's meet up (we see each other) tomorrow at 8am at the beach
When should we meet ?
note: se voir = to meet up
On se voit demain à 8h à la plage
On se voit quand ?
62
Tipping in France:
You say: "You can give 20 Euros tip"
Tu peux donner 20 euros de pourboire
de pourboire = a tip
63
life is beautiful / great
la vie est belle / super !
64
I couldn’t hear it
I couldn't see it
Using "I can not"
Je n’ai pas pu l’entendre = I couldn’t hear it
Je n'ai pas pu le voir = I couldn't see it
65
Let the party start !
“Que la fête commence” = Let the party start
66
I am used to it...
(I have the habit)
j’ai l’habitude
67
spoon
a teaspoon
a tablespoon
cuillère (cui y èr)
une cuillère à café
une cuillère à soupe
68
Using "se rencontrer" = to meet each other (for the first time)
We have already met before
We have already met last year
We have already met last week
On s’est déjà rencontrés avant
or:
Nous nous sommes déjà rencontrés
On s’est déjà rencontrés l'année dernière
On s’est déjà rencontrés la semaine dernière
69
All the day
Remember "day" feminine.
Toute la journée
70
Thats how we like it (we like it like that (i))
On l’aime comme ça
71
nothing special
rien de spécial = nothing special
72
How I ask for "one more" or "no more" / drink / bread etc (like a local :-))
How I ask for "one more" or "no more" / drink / bread etc (like a local :-))
One more, please / no more
A drink : Un autre SVP
Some bread : Encore du pain SVP
The waiter is serving you more of sth that you don't want
C’est bon, merci (it's like saying "It's good / fine, thanks)
Un de plus - pronounce plussssss it's like saying "one more")
I would like more bread = Je voudrais plusssss de pain, s’il vous plaît
I don’t want anymore bread = je veux plus (u) de pain, merci
73
Using: s’entraîner = to train (oneself) "son train eh"
I train (myself) at the Zion gym
I train (myself) at the Zion and Form Fitness gym. At both.
I préfère to train (myself) in the morning
je m’entraîne (mon tren) à la Zion gym
je m’entraîne (mon tren) à la Zion et Form Fitness gym. Les deux.
Je préfère m’entraîner le matin
74
Reflexive verb for "to fall asleep" ?
I fall asleep
You fall asleep
You fall asleep when?
I fell asleep (passe composé / reflexive verb using être)
s’endormir = to fall asleep ("son dorm ear")
je m'endors
tu t'endors
tu t'endors quand?
Note:
passe composé = je me suis endormi / tu t’es endormi
75
Using "se coucher" / aller au lit = to go to bed
I go to bed at 9pm
I am going to bed
I went to bed
se coucher / aller au lit = to go to bed
je me couche à 9h
je vais me coucher / Je vais au lit à 9 h
je me suis couché
76
There is
There was
Il y a
Il y avait / Il y a étais
77
I am going to eat it
je vais le manger
78
"I would prefer" rather to eat at the house this evening
Je préférerais plutôt manger à la maison ce soir
79
**Using "..rais" (for "would / could")**
I would wait
I would eat
I would like
I could
I should
I would do
I would be / I will be (like in "I will be outside").
----
**Using "rai" for "will"**
I will wait
I will eat
I will do
----
**Using "ras" for "will"**
you will wait
you will wait for me
**Using "..rais" (for "would / could")**
J’ attenderais = I would wait
Je mangerais = I would eat
Je voudrais = I would like
Je pourrais = I could
Je devrais = I should / I must
Je ferais = I would do
Je serais = I would be / I will be
----
**Using "rai" for "will"**
Je attenderai = I will wait
Je mangerai = I will eat
Je ferai = I will do (je ferai de mon mieux = I will do my best)
____
**Using "ras" for "will"**
Tu attendras = you will wait
On attendras
Tu m’attendras = you will wait for me
80
the taste is very strong
le goût (goo) est tres fort (for)
81
at the moment / right now
en ce moment
82
Common restaurant phrases:
I will (am going to) take...
I haven’t chosen yet (I have not "still" chosen)
One more minute, please (one minute "still" please)
What is it that you recommend?
What is today’s special?
Je vais prendre...
Je n’ai pas encore choisi
Une minute encore, s’il vous plaît
Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ?
Quelle est la spécialité du jour ?
83
Navigating menus:
The menu
The main dish
The dish of the day
The cheese plate
For the starter, I would like...
For the main dish, I am going to take...
For the dessert, I would like...
La carte - menu
Le plat (pla) principal
Le plat du jour
Le fromage
When ordering, you should use:
En entrée, je voudrais...
Pour le plat, je vais prendre...
En dessert, je voudrais - (For the dessert, I would like)
84
Ordering wine:
Do you have the wine list please ?
Do you serve wine by the glass ?
Do you have half-bottles of wine ?
What are your (wine / food) suggestions ?
Which wine do you recommend / in order / to go / with / this dish ?
Est-ce que vous avez la carte des vins s’il vous plait ?
Est-ce que vous servez du vin au verre ?
Est-ce que vous avez des demi-bouteilles ?
Quelles sont vos suggestions pour le vin ?
Quel vin est-ce que vous recommendez pour aller avec ce plat?
85
Asking how to cook steak / meat:
Rare
Medium
Well done
Rosé - Rare
À point - Medium (a pwa)
Bien cuit – Well done (bien coo oui)
86
take good care of yourself (phrase)
prends bien soin de toi
87
Get well
Bon rétablissement
88
By any chance, is it possible (if possible) to make a burger ?
par hasard si possible de faire une burger
89
Who knows ?
He knows
He knew
You knew
Who knows ? = Qui sait ?
He knows = il sait
He knew = Il a su
You knew = tu as su
90
There you go !
Et voilà !
91
Phrase for: It's just the way it is... (same as ..."it's like that")
C’est comme ça = It is just the way it is
92
Using s'amuser (reflective verb "to get fun")
I had fun
We had fun
We had a lot of fun (not using "beaucoup")
Have fun !
I had fun = je me suis amusé
We had fun = On s’est amusés (on set amusé - roll over the t into the a of amusés) 
We had a lot of fun = On s’est bien amusés (on set)
Have fun ! = Amusez-vous bien ! / éclatez-vous bien !
93
Using "habitude" for “habit”
I am used to … (“I have the habit of…”)
It is not (the) usual
Usually
Like usual / the usual (as when asking for something you always get)
J’ai l’habitude de …. = I am used to …
Ce n’est pas l’habitude = it is not usual
d’habitude = usually
comme d'habitude
94
To struggle (to get over sth / recover / have trouble with) = avoir du mal (à + verbe)
I have trouble understanding the waiter because he has a strong accent
I have trouble concentrating without coffee
I have trouble training (myself) in the evening
I have trouble hearing the French correctly
I have trouble eating later
I have trouble working in the morning
J’ai du mal à comprendre le serveur parce qu’il a un accent fort
J’ai du mal à me concentrer sans café = I have trouble concentrating without coffee
J'ai du mal à m'entraîner le soir
J'ai du mal à entendre les Français correctement.
J'ai du mal à manger plus tard
J'ai du mal à travailler le matin
95
Using: découvrir = to discover
I want to discover the eastern region of the island
This is a recent discovery
I would discover
I should/must discover
découvrir = to discover
je veux découvrir la région est de l’île = I want to discover the eastern region of the island
C’est une découverte récente = This is a recent discovery
I would discover = Je découvrirais
I should discover = Je devrais découvrir
96
I understand everything/all that ("what") you say
Je comprends ("J'ai compris") tout ce que tu dis
97
Two ways to say:
How are you going ?
Comment allez-vous ?
Or
Comment ça va ?
98
your son
your daughter
ton fils (feece)
ta fille (feee)
99
It's well noted, I'll do my best! Thank you !
Note - I will do =
C'est bien noté, je ferai le maximum ! Merci à vous !
Je ferai = I will do
Je ferais = I would do
Je serais = I would be
Je serai = I will be
je ferai de mon mieux / je ferai le maximum
100
No problem (at all) Craig, it happens 🙂 really no worries. You can reschedule this class to another day
Pas de problème du tout Craig, ça arrive 🙂 vraiment pas de souci. Tu peux reprogrammer cette classe à un autre jour
Ça arrive = it happens
101
It happens !
Ça arrive
102
What is his name ?
What is her name ?
("name" is masculine)
Quel est "son" nom
103
My son
Your son
Our son
Our sons
Mon fils (feece)
Ton fils
Notre fils
Nos fils
104
your daughter
my daughter
our daughter
Our daughters
ta fille (feee)
ma fille
notre fille
Nos filles
105
It looks great
ça a l'air super
106
Everyone says that
Everyone says that it's great
Tout le monde dit ça
Tout le monde dit que c'est génial
107
I think so
je pense qui oui
108
Everybody wants more....money
Tout le monde veut plus d'argent
109
There is some...
There are (is) not some / not any of the quiche ?
There is some more (again / still) of the quiche ?
Il y en a...
Il ne'y en a pas de la quiche ?
il y en a encore de la quiche ?
110
I would prefer rather (instead) the fish please
I prefer to take...
I would prefer rather (instead) to eat at home this evening
Je préférerais plutôt le poisson svp
je préfère prendre...
Je préférerais plutôt manger à la maison ce soir
111
what is it that would make today amazing / formidable ?
qu'est-ce qui rendrait aujourd’hui formidable ?
note: qu'est-ce qui, when using this phrase, it will ALWAYS be followed by a verb whereas qu'est-ce que will be followed USUALLY by a noun or other subject
112
For us all….(for we all)
pour nous tous
113
What is it that you have been doing ?
(like asking someone about their training or health)
qu'est-ce que tu as fait
note: qu'est-ce qui, when using this phrase, it will ALWAYS be followed by a verb whereas qu'est-ce que will be followed USUALLY by a noun or other subject
114
I will (am going to) try again
Je vais réessayer
115
Try again
Réessayer
116
Maybe try again
Peut être réessayer
