French · Real conversations
French conversation practice
Build an exchange from the words you know. These French guides give you useful replies, complete dialogues, and practical ways to sound appropriate in everyday situations.
Rehearse an everyday situation
- A2
Repairing a conversation
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
- A1
Meeting people
Start a friendly exchange and find a connection.
- A2
Making plans
Agree on a place, a time, and who is coming.
- A2
Changing plans
Explain a change and offer a clear next step.
- A2
Visiting family
Thank a host and take part in a family visit.
- A2
Expressing preferences
Explain what you would enjoy and make a joint choice.
- A1
Cafés
Order a drink and clarify a small detail.
- A2
Restaurant problems
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
- A2
Train journeys
Check a route, a platform, and a connection.
- A2
Local transport
Find the right route and the right stop.
- A2
Hotels
Manage a stay and explain a room request.
- A2
Shopping and returns
Explain a return and check the available options.
- A1
Markets and groceries
Buy a quantity and ask about a product.
- A2
Payments
Clarify a payment, a receipt, or a refund.
- B1
Housing
Ask about rent and arrange a practical repair.
- A2
Sharing a home
Share chores, supplies, and a household cost.
- A2
Appointments and pharmacies
Arrange a visit and clarify medicine instructions.
- A2
Accessibility needs
Explain a practical access or communication need.
- B1
Work updates
Explain progress and agree on a priority.
- B1
Meetings
Clarify a process and agree on next steps.
- A2
Study
Follow a lesson and ask for useful study help.
- A2
Calls and messages
Handle a short call and confirm a message.
- A2
Outdoor plans
Check a route and agree on a sensible outdoor plan.
- B1
Support and boundaries
Show care while being clear about your limits.
What do I say back?
- Respond to hello
- Respond to how are you?
- Respond to nice to meet you
- Respond to what's up?
- Respond to long time no see
- Respond to goodbye
- Respond to see you later
- Respond to thank you
- Respond to an apology
- Respond to an invitation
- Respond to an offer of help
- Respond to an offer of food or drink
- Respond to a compliment about appearance
- Respond to a compliment about ability
- Respond to congratulations
- Respond to happy birthday
- Respond to good luck
- Respond to get well soon
- Respond to an expression of sympathy
- Respond to bad news
- Respond to i miss you
- Respond to are you okay?
- Respond to what are your weekend plans?
- Respond to what do you do for work?
- Respond to where are you from?
- Respond to where do you live?
- Respond to what would you prefer?
- Respond to a request for a favor
- Respond to a request for your opinion
- Respond to a suggestion
- Respond to a helpful correction
- Respond to a disagreement
Say it naturally
- Ask for a favor
- Request service
- Clarify a meaning
- Ask someone to repeat
- Express a preference
- Decline an offer
- Decline an invitation
- Disagree politely
- Correct someone gently
- Apologize for inconvenience
- Thank a host
- Suggest a plan
- Change a plan
- End a conversation
- Express uncertainty
- Say you do not know
- Express disappointment
- Express enthusiasm
- Set a boundary
- Give gentle feedback
- Ask for a progress update
- Ask for more time
- Offer help
- Show empathy
Start with the words for your situation: browse focused French phrase collections.
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
