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🆅 Politesse – Being polite in French

Sois poli en toutes circonstances pour te faire des amis français


Be polite in all circumstances to make French friends

How to be polite in French

A1

Vocabulary

< 5 minutes

Écrit par / Written by: Anthony Lucas

Dernière révision / Last update: 10 April 2024

Oh mon Dieu ! Oh my God! Be aware that learning how to be polite in French is so important! Even if you are polite with French people, it doesn’t mean they will be nice with you, but at least you will have tried your best!

➡️ Please say Bonjour and S’il vous plaît to French people so you won’t get shot!


How to be polite in French: say MERCI

Thank you for saying thank you 😁

From the French series Simon

🇫🇷 Simon est une série télévisée d’animation française mettant en scène le quotidien de Simon, petit lapin de 5-6 ans.


🇬🇧 Simon is a French animated TV series featuring the daily life of Simon, a little rabbit aged 5-6.

🇫🇷 French🇬🇧 English
mercithanks, thank you
merci beaucoupthanks a lot
de rienyou are welcome
(usual form)
Je vous en prie.you are welcome
(formal)

How to be polite in French: say S’IL VOUS PLAIT

Please say please! 🙏🏼

🇫🇷 French🇬🇧 English
s’il te plaîtplease
(informal and singular)
s’il vous plaîtplease
(formal or plural)

Should you use “tu” or “vous” when saying please? To know more, have a look at the lesson Tu or Vous: which “you” should you choose

🇫🇷 Les Français peuvent être assez intolérants quant au manque de politesse. Certaines personnes peuvent même refuser de vous servir si vous ne dites pas au moins bonjour !


🇬🇧 The French can be quite intolerant of rudeness. Some people may even refuse to serve you if you don’t at least say hello!

How to be polite in French when asking for a coffee

Asking for a coffee in France the right way

How to be polite in French: say DÉSOLÉ(E)

Have you unintentionally bumped into someone in the street? Step on someone’s toes in the underground? The word désolé is the word you need to know 😔

🇫🇷 French🇬🇧 English
désolé / je suis désolé
(man speaking)

désolée / je suis désolée
(woman speaking)
sorry / I am sorry

From the movie Despicable Me

🇫🇷 Un des deux réalisateurs du film Moi, moche et méchant est français. Il s’agit de Pierre Coffin. Il est connu pour être la voix des Minions.


🇬🇧 One of the two directors of Despicable Me is French. His name is Pierre Coffin. He is best known for being the voice of the Minions.

How to be polite in French: say PARDON

Do you need to call the waiter at the restaurant? Or attract someone’s attention? Here are the two options:

🇫🇷 French🇬🇧 English
pardonpardon me
excusez-moiexcuse me

À RETENIR

WORTH REMEMBERING

Being polite is NOT an option with French people!

Memorise all this vocabulary, you won’t regret it 😌

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