December 21, 2022

[Alexander Mendes, Ph.D.](https://blog.duolingo.com/author/alexander-mendes/)

# 4 French phrases that will make you sound like a local

You may have heard these common French phrases before—here's how they’re really used.

Putting your thoughts together in a different language can be daunting. But with a few go-to words you can better tackle different situations in your new language. Here are some new ways to use common French phrases—you'll soon be using French like a local!

## Bonjour

This essential greeting means more than just “good day”—use it to acknowledge someone before _every_ interaction!

**Use it to:** express greetings and acknowledgements, make introductions

**Examples:**

- _Bonjour ! Comment allez-vous ?_ (Hello! How are you?)
- _Oui, bonjour !_ (Yes, hello!)
- _Bonjour, Madame._ (Hello, ma’am.)
- _Bonjour, c’est moi._ (Hello, it’s me.)

**But wait, there’s more!** [Entire books](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250130273/thebonjoureffect?ref=blog.duolingo.com) have been written on the importance of making sure to say _bonjour_ at the beginning of any interaction! It serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the person you're talking to and for them to acknowledge you back. Always start with _Bonjour !_ and let the conversation flow from there!

## S’il vous plaît

This is the complicated-looking, three-syllable French phrase to say “please.” (There is also an informal version, _s’il **te** plaît.)_

**Use it to:** make requests, express yourself politely

**Examples:**

- _Un café crème, s’il vous plaît._ (A coffee with cream, please.)
- _S’il vous plaît, excusez-moi._ (Please, excuse me.)
- _Oui, s’il vous plaît._ (Yes, please.)
- _Celui-là, s’il vous plaît._ (That one, please.)

**But wait, there’s more!** _S’il vous plaît_ has been adopted in English in the acronym RSVP, which stands for _répondez s’il vous plaît_ (respond please). _S’il vous plaît_ literally means "if it pleases you" and uses an [indirect object pronoun](https://blog.duolingo.com/direct-indirect-objects-spanish/) ( _vous_ or _te_). You can even use it by itself when trying to get someone’s attention: _S’il vous plaît !_ (Ahem!)

## Moi aussi

This useful phrase can help you express agreement or consensus, and it literally means "me too."

**Use it to:** respond to requests, share your opinion or preference

**Examples:**

- _Oui, moi aussi, j’y vais._ (Yes, I’m leaving as well.)
- _Vous aimez le chocolat ? Moi aussi !_ (Do you like chocolate? Me too!)
- _Mon frère déteste ce fromage, et moi aussi._ (My brother hates that cheese, and me too!)
- _Un verre de vin pour moi aussi._ (A glass of wine for me as well.)

**But wait, there’s more!** This phrase uses the stressed pronoun _moi._ This category of [pronouns](https://blog.duolingo.com/what-are-pronouns/) is used in French after prepositions (like in _pour moi,_ "for me"), in affirmative commands ( _Regarde-moi !_ "Look at me!), and to show emphasis ( _Moi, je préfère l'éte,_ "Me, I prefer summer"). Some other pronouns in this category are _toi_ (you), _lui_ (him), and _eux_ (them)—so you can also say _toi aussi_ (you too), _lui aussi_ (him too), and _eux aussi_ (them too)!

## Maintenant

This word can seem intimidatingly long ( [and nasal!](https://blog.duolingo.com/how-to-pronounce-french/)), but it's actually very useful in everyday conversation to say “now.”

**Use it to:** refer to time in the present moment

**Examples:**

- _Le cours commence maintenant._ (The class is beginning now.)
- _Maintenant, s’il vous plaît._ (Now, please.)
- _Je préfère le faire maintenant._ (I prefer to do it now.)
- _On y va maintenant !_ (Let’s go now!)

**But wait, there’s more!** When speaking slowly, with careful pronunciation, or to emphasize what you're saying, _maintenant_ is pronounced with three syllables: main-te-nant. But in quick, everyday conversation, you’ll often hear it pronounced with just two: maint-nant. The unstressed “e” in the middle of the word is sometimes referred to as [a schwa](https://blog.duolingo.com/what-is-a-schwa/) or _e muet_ (mute e) and is skipped over in certain words and contexts.

## Au revoir… for _maintenant !_

Use these words to start finding your confidence in French! You can find more ways to use them as you spot them in your Duolingo lessons. And as always, stay tuned for more blog posts to maximize your français!