Lesson 2: Greetings, Politeness & Tu/Vous

Memorise these high-frequency phrases; they appear in almost every beginner conversation.

Essential phrases

FrenchEnglishNotes
BonjourHello / Good morningFormal & neutral until evening
BonsoirGood evening
SalutHi / ByeInformal
Au revoirGoodbye
Merci (beaucoup)Thank you (very much)
S’il vous plaîtPlease (formal)vous form
S’il te plaîtPlease (informal)tu form
Oui / NonYes / No
Je m’appelle…My name is…
Comment allez-vous ?How are you? (formal)
Comment ça va ?How are you? (neutral/informal)
Ça va bien, merci.I’m fine, thanks.

Tu vs Vous

French distinguishes informal tu and formal/plural vous. Use vous with strangers, older people, and in professional settings until invited to use tu.

Exercises

  1. Write a 4-line dialogue: greeting + name + “how are you?” + reply + goodbye. Use both formal and informal versions.
  2. Listen to a short beginner dialogue (BBC Ma France or French in Action episode 1) and tick every phrase you recognise.
  3. Record yourself saying the table above; compare with native audio.

📝 Quiz — Greetings & Politeness

1. Which form is more formal?

Show answer

b) Comment allez-vous ? (vous form).

2. You meet a stranger who is older than you. Which is safer?

Show answer

b) Use vous with strangers and older people until invited to use tu.

Role-play exercise

Write and then act out two short dialogues (4–6 lines each):

  1. Formal: meeting a teacher or hotel receptionist.
  2. Informal: meeting a classmate of your age.

Include: greeting → name → “how are you?” → reply → goodbye.

Video practice — Watch the opening episodes of French in Action or BBC Ma France and shadow (repeat immediately after) the greetings.