French · Real conversations
Visiting family: French conversation practice
Thank a host and take part in a family visit. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A guest visiting a friend's or partner's family.
Goal: Thank a host and take part in a family visit.
Read the conversation
Partner
Bienvenue ! Entre et fais comme chez toi.
Show English translation
Welcome! Come in and make yourself at home.
You
Merci de m'avoir invité / invitée.
Show English translation
Thank you for having me.
Partner
Ça fait plaisir de te recevoir. Je mets la table.
Show English translation
It's lovely to have you. I'm just setting the table.
You
Je peux aider pour quelque chose ?
Show English translation
Can I help with anything?
Partner
Merci, la table est prête. Ça fait un moment qu'on n'a pas parlé de nos familles.
Show English translation
Thanks, the table is ready now. We haven't talked about our families in a while.
You
Comment va tout le monde à la maison ?
Show English translation
How is everyone at home?
Partner
Tout le monde va bien. Mes parents sont absents cette semaine.
Show English translation
Everyone is well. My parents are away this week.
You
Passe le bonjour à tes parents de ma part.
Show English translation
Please give my regards to your parents.
Partner
Je le ferai. Anna et moi, on se connaît depuis des années.
Show English translation
I will. Anna and I have known each other for years.
You
Vous vous connaissez depuis combien de temps ?
Show English translation
How long have you known each other?
Try your part first
Partner says: Welcome! Come in and make yourself at home. Your goal: Thank you for having me.
Reveal a sample reply
Merci de m'avoir invité / invitée.
Thank you for having me.
Partner says: It's lovely to have you. I'm just setting the table. Your goal: Can I help with anything?
Reveal a sample reply
Je peux aider pour quelque chose ?
Can I help with anything?
Partner says: Thanks, the table is ready now. We haven't talked about our families in a while. Your goal: How is everyone at home?
Reveal a sample reply
Comment va tout le monde à la maison ?
How is everyone at home?
Partner says: Everyone is well. My parents are away this week. Your goal: Please give my regards to your parents.
Reveal a sample reply
Passe le bonjour à tes parents de ma part.
Please give my regards to your parents.
Partner says: I will. Anna and I have known each other for years. Your goal: How long have you known each other?
Reveal a sample reply
Vous vous connaissez depuis combien de temps ?
How long have you known each other?
Make it your own
- Ask about a different relative.
- Offer to help set the table.
- Give regards to someone who is away.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
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.
