Learning The French Language

Learn How To Compare People and Things in French

2012-11-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

In English grammar there are two things called the comparative and the superlative. Do you know what these are? What English words are used for the comparative and the superlative? What grammar structures are used? Can you give some examples?

In English the comparative and superlative are used to compare people and things in relation to one another.

The words that are used for the comparative and superlative are: more, less, as…as, the most, and the least. We also sometimes add –er, or –est to a word.

For example:

Bill is smart.

John is smarter.

Phil is the smartest.

Phil studied more than Bill.

The constructions for comparison and the superlative in French are a little different.

Today we are going to learn comparison with adjectives in French.

The words for comparison are easy because they are similar to those used in time or math in French.

Do you remember what word we used for subtraction?

moins

In English, what word do we use for addition that has a symbol that looks like this +

plus

In French, what word do we use for “also” or “too”?

aussi

These are the 3 words we will use for comparison as well.

Here are our 3 comparison phrases:

Plus …que more …than

Moins…que less…than

Aussi…que as…as

Comparisons are always structured as follows:

Comparison – Adjective – Que – Thing you are

Word comparing it to

So if we wanted to say the following in French how would we do it?

Bill is smarter than Bob.

Think about it in terms of the phrases up above. Would we use: more smart than, less smart than, or as smart as - to represent the same thing?

In French, we don’t have –er we only have the option of more…than so we should use plus…que for our sentence above.

Bill est plus intelligent que Bob.

The adjective in your sentence needs to agree with the subject of the sentence.

For example:

Monique is smarter than Bill.

Monique est plus intelligente que Bill.

Try the following sentences in French:

1. French is easier than math.

2. The boy is bigger than the girl.

3. Your friends are less shy than you.

4. I am more patient than my brother.

5. Your grandparents are as strict as your parents.

1. Le français est plus facile que les maths.

2. Le garçon est plus grand que la fille.

3. Tes copains sont moins timides que toi.

4. Je suis plus patiente que mon frère.

5. Tes grands-parents sont aussi stricts que tes parents.

French Grammar : Basics About The French Nouns

2012-02-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

French nouns are either MASCULINE or FEMININE, like nouns in Spanish and many other
languages.   As in English, nouns usually add s to form the plural. However, a few nouns form the plural in other ways, For example, nouns ending in - al - change the ending to - aux (cheval (horse), chevaux (horses)).

With a masculine noun, the word for the is le (singular) and with a feminine noun it is la. If a noun begins with a vowel, the e or a is dropped and the article is thus always - l' - .

Example :

le garçon (the boy)       la fille (the girl)       l'ami (the male friend)          l'amie (the female friend)
les garçons (the boys)    les filles (the girls)   les amis (the male friends) les amies (the female friends)

If a group of friends includes both males and females, then the masculine form, les amis is always used.

Although le/la/l'/les are generally used in a similar way to the in English, there are some differences. In particular, the French words are used in general statements where the English noun would not need any article.

J'aime le fromage = I like cheese         Jacques aime la bière = Jack likes beer

The prepositions de (of, from) combines with le to form du and with les to form des. In the same way, à (to) + le is shortened to au and à + les becomes aux.

du garçon (of the boy)   au garçon (to the boy)   des garçons (of the boys)   aux garcons (to the boys)

As well as of the, du/de la/de l'/des can also mean some (e.g. du fromage = some cheese, des enfants = some children). With nouns which would be uncountable in English and also with plural nouns referring to a group of persons or objects not previously mentioned, French normally has to have the du/de la/de l'/des but in English we are free to use `some; or just to use the noun on its own. Thus:

Je mange du pain = I'm eating bread / I'm eating some bread
Il y a des filles dans la chambre = There are girls in the room / There are some girls in the room

In negative sentence, where English normally uses any instead of some, French has just de instead of
du/de la/de l'/des

Il ny a pas DE fromage = There isnt any cheese.        Il y a DU fromage = Theres some cheese.

The indefinite article (a, an) is un (masculine) before singular nouns and une before feminine ones. The use of these words is roughly similar to the English system, but there are some differences. For example, un/une is omitted when we state what someones job is:

Mon père est médecin = My father is a doctor

Colors and Shapes in French

2012-02-02T00:43:00.000-08:00

Red = rouge
Orange = orange
Yellow = jaune
Green = vert / verte
Blue = bleu / bleue
Purple = violet / violette
White = blanc / blanche
Brown = brun / brune marron
Black = noir / noire
Pink = rose
Gold = doré / dorée
Silver = argenté / argentée
Gray = gris / grise

Square = le carré
Circle = le cercle
Triangle = le triangle
Rectangle = le rectangle
Oval = l'ovale
Cube = le cube
Sphere = la sphère
Cylinder = le cylindre
Cone = le cône
Octagon = l'octogone
Box = la boîte
Light = clair / claire
Dark = foncé / foncée

Some adjectives of color do not change to agree with gender or number, such as adjectives that also exist as nouns: orange, marron, rose; and compound adjectives: bleu clair, noir foncé remain masculine even if they describe a feminine noun. Remember to place the color adjective after the noun.

Family words in French

2012-01-26T00:42:00.000-08:00

Family = la famille
Relatives = des parents
Parents = les parents
Grandparents = les grands-parents
Mom = la mère / maman
Stepmother/Mother-in-Law = la belle-mère
Dad = le père / papa
Stepfather/Father-in-Law = le beau-père
Daughter = la fille
Son = le fils
Sister = la sœur
Half/Step Sister = la demi-sœur
Sister-in-Law = la belle-sœur
Stepdaughter/Daughter-in-Law = la belle-fille
Brother = le frère
Half/Step Brother = le demi-frère
Brother-in-Law = le beau-frère
Stepson/Son-in-Law = le beau-fils
Twins (masc.) = les jumeaux
Twins (fem.) = les jumelles
Uncle = l'oncle
Aunt = la tante
Niece = la nièce
Nephew = le neveu
Grandchildren = les petits-enfants
Granddaughter = la petite-fille
Grandson = le petit-fils
Godfather = le parrain
Godmother = la marraine
Godson = le filleul
Goddaughter = la filleule
Distant Relative = sdes parents éloignés
Single = célibataire
Married = marié(e)
Separated = séparé(e)
Divorced = divorcé(e)
Widower = veuf
Widow = veuve

Dog = le chien / la chienne (m) / (f)
Cat = le chat / la chatte (m) / (f)
Puppy = le chiot
Kitten = le chaton

( yes they are part of the family :p )

First French Phrases / French Survival Phrases

2012-01-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome = Bienvenue

Hello = Salut / Bonjour / Allô? (on phone)

How are you? = Ça va? / Comment ça va? / Comment allez-vous?

I'm fine, thanks. And you? = Ça va bien, merci. Et toi/vous?

Long time no see Ça fait longtemps ! = Ça fait longtemps qu'on s'est pas vu !

What's your name? = Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez ? Comment vous appelez-vous ? (Formal or Plural) / Comment t'appelles-tu ? / Comment tu t'appelles ? (informal or singular)

My name is ... = Je m'appelle ...

Where are you from? = D'où êtes-vous ? D'où venez-vous ? (formal) / Tu viens d'où ? Tu es d'où ? (informal)

I'm from ... = Je viens de ... Je suis de ...

Pleased to meet you = Enchanté(e) / Je suis enchanté(e)

Good morning = Bonjour

Good afternoon = Bonjour / Bon après-midi

Good evening = Bonsoir

Good night = Bonne nuit (going to bed)

Goodbye = Au revoir / À bientôt

Good luck = Bonne chance !

Cheers/Good health! = Santé ! À votre santé !

Have a nice day = Bonne journée !

Bon appetit = Bon appétit !

Bon voyage = Bon voyage !

I don't understand = Je ne comprends pas

Please speak more slowly = Est-ce que vous pourriez parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît?

Please say that again = Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? / Pourriez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?

Please write it down = Pourriez-vous me l'écrire ? (frm) Pourriez-vous me l'écrire, s'il vous plait ? (frm)

Auriez-vous l'obligeance de me l'écrire, s'il vous plait ? (vfrm)

Do you speak French? = Vous parlez français? / Parlez-vous français? / Est ce-que vous parlez français? (frm)
/ Tu parles français? Parles-tu français? / Est ce-que tu parles français? (inf)

Yes, a little = Oui, un peu / Oui, un petit peu

How do you say ... in French? = Comment dit-on ... en français ?

Excuse me = Excusez-moi ! Pardon ! Pardonnez-moi !

How much is this? = C'est combien ? Ça fait combien ? Ça coûte combien ?

Sorry = Désolé ! Je suis désolé ! Excusez-moi ! Je m'excuse !

Pardon ! = Oh, pardon, excusez-moi ! Je vous demande pardon

Thank you = Merci / Merci beaucoup
Thank you Response = De rien / Il n'y a pas de quoi / Je vous en prie / À votre service

Where's the toilet? = Où sont les toilettes ?

This gentleman/lady will take care of you = Ce monsieur / cette dame va s'occuper de vous

Would you like to dance with me? = Voudriez-vous danser avec moi? / Voulez-vous dancer avec moi?

I love you = Je t'aime, Je t'adore (as a friend/)

I like you = Je t'aime bien / Je t'apprécie

Get well soon = Remets-toi vite / Guéris vite / Soigne-toi bien / Bon rétablissement / J'espère que tu iras mieux très vite

Leave me alone! = Laisse-moi tranquille ! (inf) Laissez-moi tranquille ! (frm)

Help! = Au secours ! À l'aide !

Fire! = Au feu !

Stop! = Arrêtez ! Stop!

Call the police! = Appelle la police ! (inf) Appelez la police ! (frm)

Welcome to our website : Learn French With Us

2012-01-05T00:37:00.000-08:00

Hello :)

Congratulations! You've decided to get to grips with the French Language. We are here to help you, by giving you simple tips and lessons about basic French and also by reviewing and recommending several solutions to learn the French language.

About us

Learning French Language is a website made by two passionate people. Mrs Roberts (a native speaker of English) graduated in French and Spanish from the Manchester Metropolitan University, she also studied French Linguistics at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon III in France, and Mr Martin ( a native speaker of French) is graduated from Nice Business School, has got a good international experience.
We enjoyed working together over a couple of years, teaching French to foreigners willing to learn French as a foreign language.

We wanted to build a website that would give simple content to get the basics of French vocabulary, grammar, conjugation and pronunciation but also helping learners to find appropriate methods to learn the french language with the modern digital tools and software.

Top 10 Reasons why you should start learning French

2011-08-06T02:14:00.000-07:00

1) Knowing French will allow you not simply to function however to compete easily within the global economy of the future. In lots of European countries, a 2nd language is introduced in primary school including a third language in middle school. International job applicants which can be proficient in at least two languages will be at a special advantage in the worldwide market. If you learn French, you are able to be a part of communications and deals happening daily in French everywhere in the world.

2) Proficiency in French will significantly improve your possibilities of being accepted into the university and to graduate school In many scientific fields at the graduate level, many institutions require reading knowledge of French or German to ensure that scholars manage to execute research. France continues to be a leader and pioneer in science and technology. Civil engineering (the tunnel between UK and France, the TGV -fastest train, the Concorde), medicinal technologies(the isolation of the HIV virus) and telecommunications (the Minitel with more than 20,000 on-line services and micro-chip telephone cards) are merely a small amount of areas in which the French play a leadership role. Learning about French can open the doors to graduate school and also to important organisations.

3) Speaking French will raise your job chances and salary potential. Knowledge of an additional language is essential in over 60 professions. French companies have a lot of subsidiaries all over the world and France is among the largest recipients of Foreign investment. France is actually a world leader in the development of modern telecommunications, a market with explosive development potential. The European Union, the second biggest trading block in the world recognized French as an official language. Think about the many job openings in the commercial airlines, trading companies, giant pharmaceutical industry, energy, gas, electricity industry and other international corporations. The french language is also a very useful language if you are thinking about working in international relations or in the United Nations (in which French is the second most commonly used language, after English).

4) Learning French boosts your appreciation of other people and their cultures. French is the 1st or second language in more than forty countries used by 250 million people around the world, on every continent. Because French is a foreign language of choice for so many people on this planet, learning about French will also improve your chances of communicating in a non-English speaking country. You could use French in order to develop international friendships, in addition to to communicate via the Internet.

5) The french language opens up a whole world of sports events to enthusiasts. French is definitely an official language utilized to announce events, winners, and medals for the Olympic Games. Soccer, Canadian hockey and baseball games in French, Auto races (Le Mans and Monte Carlo), horse racing (Longchamps), tennis tournaments and the Tour de France engage fans around the world. When you know French, the international world of sports is simply open to you.

6) Knowing The french language will strengthen your vocabulary in English because some 40 to 50% of English vocabulary comes from The french language. The study of French will also transform your grammar skills. As you develop greater skills in French, additionally you develop your skills in English.

7) Discovering a new language, like French springs up your critical and creative thinking skills It should also increase your problem-solving skills and improve your memory, self-discipline, and self-esteem. As progress is very easy to measure, you can rapidly take pride in your new abilities. Knowing French can help you attain a volume of important life skills.

8) Making use of French enhances your travel opportunities abroad, to the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Africa and beyond. After the U.S, France is the second most visited tourist destination in the world. Paris was recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top ten global cities. When you talk The french language, it is possible to be an educated tourist, ask for directions, get your own hotel room, tell a French friend about your own nation or meet and have a valuable relationship easily with French speak people.

9) French is the language of culture, opening your door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, and cinema. As you quickly realize if you consider the foreign film sections of your local video store, France is one of the most prolific producers of international films. The Cannes International Film Festival annually attracts the attention of the world when the finest films, directors and celebrities are named. When you understand The french language you don’t need to look at subtitles to really enjoy a French film.

10) French is the language of many excellent literary masterpieces. People around the globe are familiar with Les Miserables, The Three Musketeers, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, The Little Prince, and The Stranger. As a matter of fact, France has won more Nobel Prizes for literature compared to any country. The French are also admired for their great philosophers, such as Descartes and Pascal, Rousseau, Voltaire, Camus and Sartre. If you read French, you can enjoy these works and authors in an original version.