PERSONAL INFORMATION - FRENCH VOCABULARY TESTING GUIDE 

 149 cards | 25 sub-topics | all 4 skills tested

INTRODUCTION


In this vocabulary section, we will be learning how to ask for and share personal information in French.


Have you ever met someone from another country, a French tourist, for example,  and thought to yourself "Oh, if only I knew how to ask her about her personal interests?" or "How could I tell her to call me by my sweet-sounding nickname?" (hehe, I believe everyone has a sweet-sounding nickname or should invent one if none exists yet).

 

I don't know about you but there is nothing more annoying than the feeling of being stuck when trying to answer or ask a question in another language. Unfortunately being stuck happens more often than not to most French beginner learners because they still haven't developed or practiced enough the basic vocabulary expressions necessary to conduct a simple discussion. Making what's called "small talk" for just isn't their strong suit. 

 

If you recognize yourself in this situation, I have some good news for you. Learning how to make "small talk" in French (or any other foreign language for that matter) is actually easier than you might think because there's only a limited number of questions within any topic you can ask someone for the first time to get the ball rolling..


I have compiled below ten most talked-about topics used in initial encounters between strangers, be it at work, at a social gathering or during a romantic date. These topics range from being able to say your name, address and age to talking about your marital status or job, etc. I hope you will enjoy studying these French expressions and use them the next time you meet a French-speaking person.

 

Now, let's study the most common questions and answers used when sharing personal your information. 

1. YOUR NAME

1.1 Glossary: Name types

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

1. le nom (de famille)

Last/Family name; Surname

Mon nom de famille est Thompson./ My family name is Thompson.

2. le prénom

First/Given name

J'ai changé de prénom./ I have changed my first name.

3. le surnom

Nickname; Petname; Alias

Je trouve ce surnom ridicule./ I find this nickname ridiculous.

4. s'appeler

To be called... (e.g. Your name is...)

Notre bébé va s'appeler Dorian./ Our baby will be called Dorian.

5. se nommer

To be named... (e.g. Your name is... )

Ce jeune homme se nomme Julien./ This young man is named Julien.

1.2 Conjugation - "s'appeler" [present simple]

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

6. je m'appelle...

My name is... 

Je m'appelle Herman Koutouan./ My name is Herman Koutouan.

7. tu t'appelles...

Your name is...

Tu t'appelles Charlotte?/ Your name is Charlottes?

8.il/elle s'appelle...

His/Her name is...

Cette fille s'appelle Julie./ This girl's name is Julie.

9. nous nous appelons...

Our name(s) is/are...

Nous nous appelons les Aigles./ Our name is the Eagles.

10. vous vous appelez...

Your name(s) is/are...

Je sais que vous vous appelez Steve et Adèle./ I know your names are Steve and Adele.

11.ils/elles s'appellent...

Their name(s) is/are...

Ces garçons s'appellent Chris et Damien./ These boys' names are Chris and Damien.

1.3 Using gender titles for names

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

12. monsieur, messieurs

Mister/Sir; Gentlemen

Je vous remercie, messieurs, pour l'invitation./ I thank you, gentlemen, for the invitation.

13. madame; mesdames

Madam/Ma'am; Ladies

Madame Durban vient d'arriver./ Mrs Durban just arrived.

14. mademoiselle; mesdemoiselles

Miss; Ladies

J'ai parlé de vous à mademoiselle Collin./ I spoke to Mrs. Collin about you.

1.4 Dialog simulator: Practice asking/giving a name

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

french self-introduction

15.Comment t'appelles-tu?/ What is your name?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

french self-introduction

16.Comment tu t'appelles?/ What is your name?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

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17.Comment est-ce que tu t'appelles?/ What is your name?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

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18.Tu t'appelles comment?/ What is your name?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

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19.Comment vous appelez-vous?/ What is your name (formal)?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

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20.Comment vous vous appelez?/ What is your name (formal)?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

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21.Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez?/ What is your name (formal)?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

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22.Vous vous appelez comment?/ What is your name (formal)?

Je m'appelle Damien/ My name is Damien.

2. YOUR ADDRESS

2.1 Glossary: Variants for the word [Address]

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

23.

le lieu de résidence

Place of residence

Mon lieu de résidence a changé./ My place of residence has changed.

24.

le domicile

Home; Address; Dwelling

La soirée a lieu à mon domicile./ The party is taking place at my home.

25.

la maison

house / home

Vous avez une très belle maison./ ou have a very beautidul house.

26.

les coordonnées

Phone number + Address

Voilà mes coordonnées!/ Here's my address and phone number.

27.

donner ses coordonnées

Giving one's phone number and address

Donne-moi tes coordonnées s'il te plaît./ Give me your address and phone number please.

28.

l'adresse

Address

Quelle est votre adresse?/ What is your address?

29.

habiter une maison

Living in a house

Ma grand-mère habite une maison près de chez nous./ My grandmother lives in a house next to us.

30.

habiter à (+ nom de ville)

Living in (+ city name)

Dylan habite à San Francisco./ Dylan lives in San Francisco.

2.2 Dialog simulator: Practice asking/saying where -x- lives

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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31. Où habites-tu?/ Where do you live (informal)?

J'habite une maison pas loin d'ici./ I live in a house not far from here.

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32. Où tu habites?/ Where do you live (informal)?

J'habite une maison pas loin d'ici./ I live in a house not far from here.

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33. Où est-ce que tu habites?/ Where do you live (informal)?

J'habite à Montréal./ I live in Montreal.

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34. Tu habites où?/ Where do you live (informal)?

J'habite ce quartier./ I live in this neighborhood.

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35. Où habitez-vous?/ Where do you live (formal)?

J'habite ce quartier./ I live in this neighborhood.

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36. Où vous habitez?/ Where do you live (formal)?

J'habite ce quartier./ I live in this neighborhood.

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37. Où est-ce que vous habitez?/ Where do you live (formal)?

J'habite ce quartier./ I live in this neighborhood.

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38. Vous habitez où?/ Where do you live (formal)?

J'habite ce quartier./ I live in this neighborhood.

3. YOUR PHONE NUMBER

3.1 Glossary: Number and phone calling

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

39.

le numéro de téléphone

Phone number

Ce numéro de téléphone est le bon./ This phone number is the correct one.

40.

appeler

To call (on the phone); To phone

Je vais appeler maman demain./ I'm going to call mother tomorrow

41.

rappeler

To call back

Tu dois rappeler ce client immédiatement./ You must call back this client immediately.

42.

être bien au... (+numéro de tél)

To have reached... (+ phone number)

Allo, oui, vous êtes bien au 00-00-001./ Hello, you've reached 00-00-01.

43.

ne pas être disponible (en ce moment)

Not being available (at the moment)

Je ne suis pas disponible en ce moment. Veuillez laisser un message./

3.2 Dialog Simulator: Phone call phrases

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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44. Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?/ What is your phone number (informal)?

Mon numéro de téléphone, c'est le 00-01-02-03./ My phone number is 00-01-02-03.

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45. Quel est votre numéro de téléphone?/ What is your phone number (formal)?

Mon numéro de téléphone, c'est le 00-01-02-03./ My phone number is 00-01-02-03.

4. YOUR MARITAL STATUS Marital Status

4.1 Glossary: Marital status phrases

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

46.

la situation de famille

Marital status

Veuillez indiquer votre situation de famille./ Please indicate your marital status.

47.

célibataire

Single

Je suis célibataire./ I am single.

48.

marié(e)

Married

Vous êtes mariée?/ Are you married? (said to a woman)

49.

divorcé(e)

Divorced

Non, je suis divorcée./ I am divorced.

50.

séparé(e)

Separated

Et moi, je suis séparé depuis deux ans./ And I have been separated for two years.

51.

veuf (-ve)

Widower; Widow

Cet homme est veuf./ This man is a widower.

4.2 Union and separation verbs

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

52.

se marier

To get married

Je vais me marier avec Lucie./ I am going to get married to Lucie.

53.

s'unir

To get united/married

Paul et Marie vont s'unir devant la tour Eiffel./ Paul and Mary will get married in front of the Eiffel Tower.

54.

se fiancer

To get engaged

Suzanne et moi allons nous fiancer./ Susan and I are getting engaged.

55.

vivre ensemble

To live together; To move in together

Julie et moi vivons ensemble depuis deux ans./ Julie and I have been living together for two years.

56.

divorcer

To divorce

Hélène veut divorcer./ Helen wants to divorce.

4.3 Variants for the word "partner"

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

57.

le mari

Husband

Michel est le mari de Pauline./ Michel is Pauline's husband.

58.

la femme

Wife

Pauline est la femme de Michel./ Pauline is Michel's wife.

59.

le/la petit(e) ami(e)

Boyfriend/Girlfriend

Julie a un petit ami./ Julie has a boyfriend.

60.

le copain/ la copine

Boyfriend/Girlfriend

Ta copine est vraiment sympa!/ Your girlfriend is really cool!

61.

le/la concubin(e)

Domestic partner

Mon concubin s'appelle Claude./ My domestic partner's name is Claude.

4.4 Dialog Simulator: Marital status

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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62. Quelle est ta situation de famille?/ What is your marital status? (informal)

Je suis divorcé/ marié/ célibataire, etc../ I am divorced/ married/ single, etc. .

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63. Quelle est votre situation de famille?/ What is your marital status? (formal)

Je suis divorcé/ marié/ célibataire, etc../ I am divorced/ married/ single, etc. .

5. YOUR SEX (GENDER)

5.1 Glossary: Sex and gender types

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

64.

le sexe masculin

Male (sex)

Je suis une personne de sexe masculin./ I am a male (person).

65.

le sexe féminin

Female (sex)

Je suis une personne de sexe féminin./ I am a female (person).

66.

transgenre; transsexuel(le)

Transgender

Laura s'identifie comme transgenre./ Laura identifies as transgender.

5.2 Dialog Simulator: Identifying your sex

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FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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67. Quel est ton sexe?/ What is your sex /gender(informal)?

Je suis de sexe masculin./ I am a male.

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68. Quel est votre sexe?/ What is your sex /gender (formal)?

Je suis de sexe féminin./ I am a female.

6. YOUR AGE

6.1 Glossary: Common age phrases

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

69.

avoir (nombre) ans

Being (number) years old

J'ai trente-huit ans./ I am 38 years old.

70.

être âgé(e) de... (nombre) ans

Being (number) years old

Je suis âgé de trente-huit ans./ I am 38 years old.

71.

...moins âgé(e)...

Younger than

Je suis moins âgé que toi./ I am younger than you.

72.

...plus âgé(e)...

Older than

Je suis plus âgé que toi./ I am older than you.

73.

avoir le même âge

Being the same age; Being as old as

J'ai le même âge que toi./ I am the same age as you.

74. être du même âge

Being the same age; Being as old as

Je suis du même âge que toi./ I am the same age as you.

75. être mineur(e)

Being a minor

Je suis encore mineur./ I am still a minor.

76. être majeur(e)

Being adult; Being over the age of majority

Je suis maintenant majeur./ I am an adult now.

6.2 Dialog Simulator: How old are you?

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

77. quel âge as-tu?/ How old are you (informal)?

J'ai vingt-quatre ans./ I am 24 years old.

78. quel âge est-ce que tu as?/ How old are you? (informal/est-ce que)

J'ai vingt-quatre ans./ I am 24 years old.

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79. tu as quel âge?/ How old are you? (informal)

J'ai vingt-quatre ans./ I am 24 years old.

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80. quel âge avez-vous?/ How old are you (formal)?

J'ai vingt-quatre ans./ I am 24 years old.

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81. quel âge est-ce que vous avez?/ How old are you? (formal)

J'ai vingt-quatre ans./ I am 24 years old.

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82. vous avez quel âge?/ How old are you (formal)?

J'ai vingt-quatre ans./ I am 24 years old.

7. YOUR RELIGION

7.1 Glossary: Common faiths

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

83. catholique

Catholic

Mon ami Julien est catholique./ My friend Julien is a Catholic.

84. protestant(e)

Protestant

Mon amie Catherine est protestante./ My friend is a Protestant.

85. juif(-ive)

Jewish

Rebecca est juive./ Rebecca is Jewish.

86. musulman(e)

Muslim

Mon ami Moussa est musulman./ My friend Moussa is a Muslim.

87. chrétien(enne)

Christian

Mon amie Alice est chrétienne./ My friend Alice is a Christian.

88. bouddhiste

Buddhist

Je suis bouddhiste./ I am a buddhist.

89. athée

Atheist

Je suis athée./ I am an Atheist.

7.2 Dialog Simulator: Being of a religious faith

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FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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90. De quelle religion es-tu?/ Which religion are you (informal)?

Je suis bouddhiste./ I am a Buddhist.

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91. De quelle religion est-ce-que tu es?/ Which religion are you (informal)?

Je suis musulman./ I am a Muslim.

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92. Tu es de quelle religion?/ Which religion are you (informal)?

Je suis catholique./ I am a Catholic.

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93. De quelle religion êtes-vous?/ Which religion are you (formal)?

Je suis bouddhiste./ I am a Buddhist.

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94. De quelle religion est-ce-que vous êtes?/ Which religion are you (formal)?

Je suis juive./ I am Jewish.

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95. Vous êtes de quelle religion?/ Which religion are you (formal)?

Je suis protestant./ I am a Protestant.

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96. Quelle est ta religion?/ What is your religion (informal)?

Je suis athée./ I am an Atheist.

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97. Quelle est votre religion?/ What is your religion (formal)?

Je suis athée./ I am an Atheist.

8. YOUR OCCUPATION

8.1 Glossary: Work words and phrases

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FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

98. le travail

Work

Ce travail est facile./ This job is easy.

99. le boulot

Job / Work (informal)

J'ai trouvé du boulot dans une petite boîte./ I found a job in a small business.

100. avoir du travail

Having work (to do)

Désolé les amis, j'ai du travail ce soir./ Sorry pals, I have work to do this evening.

8.2 Dialog Simulator: What do you do?

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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101. Où travailles-tu?/ Where do you work (informal)?

Je travaille à IBM./ I work at IBM.

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102. Où est-ce que tu travailles?/ Where do you work (informal)?

Je travaille à IBM./ I work at IBM.

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103. Tu travailles où?/ Where do you work (informal)?

Je travaille à IBM./ I work at IBM.

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104. Où travaillez-vous?/ Where do you work (formal)?

Je travaille à IBM./ I work at IBM.

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105. Où est-ce que vous travaillez?/ Where do you work (formal)?

Je travaille à IBM./ I work at IBM.

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106. Vous travaillez où?/ Where do you work (formal)?

Je travaille à IBM./ I work at IBM.

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107. Que fais-tu dans la vie?/ What do you do for a living (informal)?

Je suis vétérinaire./ I am a vet.

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108. Qu'est-ce-que tu fais dans la vie?/ What do you do for a living (informal)?

Je suis enseignant./ I am a teacher.

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109. Tu fais quoi dans la vie?/ What do you do for a living (informal)?

Je suis enseignant./ I am a teacher.

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110. Que faites-vous dans la vie?/ What do you do for a living (formal)?

Je suis plombier./ I am a plumber.

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111. Qu'est-ce-que vous faites dans la vie?/ What do you do for a living (formal)?

Je suis avocate./ I am a (female) lawyer.

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112. Vous faites quoi dans la vie?/ What do you do for a living (formal)?

Je suis ingénieur./ I am an engineer.

9. YOUR LANGUAGE(S)

9.1 Conjugation: Verb "parler" - Simple present

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

113. je parle

I speak

Je parle français./ I speak French

114. tu parles

You speak

Tu parles bien l'espagnol./ You speak Spanish well.

115. il/elle parle

He/She speaks

Elle parle trois langues./ She speaks three languages.

116. nous parlons

We speak

Nous parlons des langues différentes./ We speak different languages.

117. vous parlez

You (sir)/You (all) speak

Excusez-moi, vous parlez le français?/ Excuse me, do you speak French?

118. ils/elles parlent

They speak

Ils parlent bien l'anglais./ They speak English well!

9.2 Dialog Simulator: What do you speak?

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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119. Parles-tu l'anglais?/ Do you speak English (informal)?

Oui, je parle l'anglais./ Yes, I do.

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120. Est-ce que tu parles l'anglais?/ Do you speak English (informal)?

Oui, je parle l'anglais./ Yes, I do.

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121. Tu parles l'anglais?/ Do you speak English (informal)?

Oui, je parle l'anglais./ Yes, I do.

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122. Parlez-vous l'anglais?/ Do you speak English (formal)?

Oui, je parle l'anglais./ Yes, I do.

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123. Est-ce que vous parlez l'anglais?/ Do you speak English (formal)?

Oui, je parle l'anglais./ Yes, I do.

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124. Vous parlez l'anglais?/ Do you speak English (formal)?

Oui, je parle l'anglais./ Yes, I do.

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125. Combien de langues est-ce que tu parles?/ How many languages do you speak (informal)?

je parle trois langues./ I speak three languages.

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126. Combien de langues est-ce que vous parlez?/ How many languages do you speak (formal)?

je parle trois langues./ I speak three languages.

10. YOUR ORIGIN

10.1 Glossary: Origin words and phrases

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

127. être de... (+ lieu d'origine)

Being from... (+ place of origin)

Je suis de la Martinique./ I am from Martinique.

128. venir de... (+ lieu d'origine)

Coming from... (+ place of origin)

Marco vient de l'Italie./ Marco comes from Italy.

129. avoir le mal du pays

Being homesick

Ma camarade Lucie a le mal du pays./ My friend Lucie is homesick.

130. la ville natale

Hometown

J'ai construit une école dans ma ville natale./ I have built a school in my hometown.

131. le pays

Country

Je visite un nouveau pays chaque année./ I visit a new country every year.

10.2 Conjugation - Venir (de) - Simple present

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

132. je viens (de)

I come (from)

je viens d'un pays lointain./ I come from a far-away country

133. tu viens (de)

You come (from)

Tu viens du Maroc./ You come from Morocco.

134. il/elle vient (de)

He/She comes (from)

Charlotte vient de la Bretagne./ Charlotte comes from Brittany.

135. nous venons (de)

We come (from)

nous venons de la zambie./ We come from Zambia.

136. vous venez

(de)

You (sir)/You (all) come (from)

Nous ne savons pas d'où vous venez./ We don't know where you come from.

137. ils/elles viennent (de)

They come (from)

Elles viennent de la Suisse./ They come from Switzerland.

10.3 Dialog Simulator: Where you are from

french-english-vocabulary-translation

FRENCH

ENGLISH

SENTENCE EXAMPLES TO PRACTICE

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138. — D’où viens-tu?/ Where do you come from (informal)?

Je viens du Japon./ I come from Japan.

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139. — D’où est-ce que tu viens?/ Where do you come from (informal)?

Je viens du Japon./ I come from Japan.

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140. — Tu viens d'où?/ Where do you come from (informal)?

Je viens du Japon./ I come from Japan.

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141. — D’où venez-vous?/ Where do you come from (formal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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142. — D’où est-ce que vous venez?/ Where do you come from (formal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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143. — Vous venez d'où?/ Where do you come from (informal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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144. — De quel pays viens-tu?/ Which country do you come from (informal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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145. — De quel pays est-ce que tu viens?/ Which country do you come from (informal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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146. — Tu viens de quel pays?/ Which country do you come from (informal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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147. — De quel pays venez-vous?/ Which country do you come from (formal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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148. — De quel pays est-ce que vous venez?/ Which country do you come from (formal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

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149. — Vous venez de quel pays?/ Which country do you come from (formal)?

Je viens de la France./ I come from France.

We have now completed our 10-point self-introduction. By now, you should be able to answer these basic questions very easily. If you have any comment or question, I'll be happy to help. Just post them below in the comment area. 


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