How to Say in French ...

Word

French Equivalent

The French equivalent is either 'tout' (masculine singular), 'tous' (masculine plural), 'toute' (feminine singular) or 'toutes' (feminine plural). The singular is used if the subject is singular (e.g. 'all the time') and the plural is used for plural subjects (e.g. 'all the dogs'). These French words can be used for 'all' or for 'evenything'.

For singular masculine, plural masculine or plural mixed (e.g. a group of French men and women') this is 'français'. For single feminine it is 'française' and for feminine plural it is 'françaises'.

For some nouns, one uses 'of France' instead of 'French'. For example, the phrases 'the King of France' and the 'French king' would both be translated as 'the King of France' (le roi de France), not 'le roi française' .

Good is either 'bon' (bienne if fenimine) or 'bien', depending on how it is being used. A common explanation is that 'bon' is used in the sense of 'good' and 'bien' in the sense of 'well'. However, a detailed examination of the use of bon and bien shows that this is a simplistic and inaccurate explanation.

The term 'bien' is used for:

• A virtue (e.g. 'good and evil' ='le bien et le mal'; 'to do good' = 'faire le bien').
• A benefit (e.g. 'it is for your own good' = 'c'est pour ton bien'; 'for the good of the company' = 'pour le bien de la société')

The term 'bon' tends to be used for someting that is enjoyable (e.g. good book / weather / holiday / joke / news), prestigious (e.g. good address / marriage), favourable impression (e.g. Paris is good for shopping), tasty (e.g. to have a good taste or smell good), kind (e.g. 'a good deed' = 'une bonne action'), pleasant (e.g. 'good mood' = 'bonne humeur').

Unfortunately, the choice between 'bon' and 'bien' is often a matter of custom rather than a strict rule. So, while there are some guidelines which are fairly accurate (such as the above), perfect use is dependent on experience. For discussion, see How to Say Good in French.

When discussing language in general (e.g. the development of human language) the French word is 'langage'. If discussing a specific language  (e.g. the English language), the French word is langue (singular) or langues (plural). The word 'langue' is literally 'tongue'.

This is 'mon' for singular masculine nouns (e.g. mon chien), 'ma' for singular feminine nouns (e.g. ma maison) and 'mes' for plurals (e.g. mes enfants).

There is one exception to the above rule. If a singular feminine noun starts with a vowel or a mute h, then 'mon' is used instead of 'ma' (e.g. 'mon assiette' instead of 'ma assiette').

The French use the format je m'appelle xxx, where xxx is the name (e.g. je m'appelle John, or je m'appelle John Smith).  The literally translates as 'I call myself John', which may initially seem a strange format but it is the one which is used.

To ask someone what their name is, the format is Comment vous-appellez vous? (How do you call yourself?). One would normally use the 'vous' format with someone that one does not know, but when speaking to a child one would use the familiar format Comment t'appelles-tu?

For something which  has not been been known/seen before (e.g. a new invention) the French word is 'nouveaux' (for masculine nouns) or 'nouvelle' (for feminine nouns). 

For something which is brand new (e.g. a new dress or a new carpet), the French word is 'neuf' or 'neuve'.

This is 'seul' (masculine) or 'seule' (feminine) if used in the sense of a single item (e.g. 'only child' = 'seul enfant').

If used in the sense of 'nothing but', one sometimes uses 'que' (e.g. 'He only reads science-fiction' = 'Il ne lit que des romans de science-fiction'). Likewise if used in the sense of 'merely' (e.g. 'I only earn $10 an hour' = Je ne gagne que $10 par heure').

This is usually s'il vous plâit (formal version) or s'il te plâit (informal). In both cases, the literal translation is 'if it you pleases'. In writting, if there is insufficient room to write s'il vous plâit (e.g. on a small sign), this is often abbreviated to SVP.

If used in the sense of to 'give pleasure to' (e.g. 'it pleased him') then one conjugates 'faire plaisir', whereas if one uses in the sense of 'to please' (e.g. 'I shall do as I please') then one uses the verb 'plaire'.

A somewhat rare version is 'Je vous en prie' or je t'en en prie (literally 'I pray you'), which can be either a more formal or begging version (depending on context).

For an apology this is usually 'désolé' (e.g. 'I am sorry' = 'Je suis désolé). Likewise for sympathy (e.g. I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune).

In the sense of regretting something (e.g. I am sorry I did that), one can use the very 'regretter'. If in the sense of you do not hear or understand something (e.g. Sorry, I didn't quite hear that) one can use 'pardon'.

The simple and most common version is 'merci'. More elaborate forms include 'merci beaucoup' (thank you very much), 'merci bien' (means 'thanks a lot' and can be used sincerely or sarcastically), 'merci mille fois' (thank you a thousand times).

This is usually 'à', especially if one uses it in the sense of 'going to'.

In other senses, different words may be used. For example 'It is difficult to understand' = 'Il est difficile de comprendre'.

One could say 'vous êtes belle' (you are beautiful) to a woman or 'vous êtes beau' (you are handsome) to a man. The informal versions would use 'tu es' instead of 'vous êtes'.

In some circumstances, belle/beau would sound inappropriate and one might perfer 'joli' (attractive) instead.

The French have many ways of saying 'you are welcome':

• De rien. The literal translation is 'of nothing', but a more accurate translation is it's nothing. This is a common and informal response with friends and people you know well.
• Il n'y a pas de quoi. This translates as 'it is nothing' and is similiar in meaning to 'de rien' but is not used as often. When used, it is often shortened to 'pas de quoi'.
• Je vous en prie. The literal translation is 'I pray you'. This is relatively formal and would not be used between close friends. It is a common response in shops when you say 'merci' (thank you). Between friends one could use 'Je t'en prie', which combines the informal 'tu' used between friends with the more formal 'en prie' to convey they you appreciate their thanks and that they are truely welcome.
• C'est moi qui vous remercie. The translation is 'It is me that thanks you' and is a re. It is often used by shopkeepers since when you thank them for their service, they are thanking you for purchasing from them. It is often shortened to C'est moi.
• Avec plasir. This means 'with pleasure', as in 'I am pleased to help'. It is not quite as informal as 'de rien'.
• À votre service (formal) or à ton service (between friends). A polite and somewhat formal form that one hears occassionally, it translates as 'at your service'.

Also, see 'welcome' below.

This is 'votre nom' (formal) or 'ton nom' (informal).

To ask 'What is your name', one can use 'Comment vous appelez-vous?' (formal) or 'Comment tu t'appelles?' (familiar). Both literally translate as 'How do you call yourself?'. A direct translation of the English 'What is your name' would be 'Quoi est votre nom?' but this format of the question is not used in French and would be considered by some to be rude.

Also see 'my name is' above. 

If inthe sense of 'welcome to my home', one uses 'bienvenue'.

If used in the sense 'you are welcome', see discussion above.

The simplist form is Voulez-vous m'épouser? or Veux-tu m'épouser?

One might want to proceed this by 'I love you', see above translation of this phrase.