French · Real conversations

Visiting family: useful French phrases

Thank a host and take part in a family visit.

Start with the essentials

Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.

Family
la famille
Family
Mother
la mère
Mother
Father
le père
Father
Make yourself at home
fais comme chez toi
Make yourself at home

Make the conversation more specific

Useful French expressions for visiting family
What you want to say	French
Family	la famille Family
Mother	la mère Mother
Father	le père Father
Make yourself at home	fais comme chez toi Make yourself at home
Thank you for having me.	Merci de m'avoir invité / invitée. Show English translation Thank you for having me.
Can I help with anything?	Je peux aider pour quelque chose ? Show English translation Can I help with anything?
How is everyone at home?	Comment va tout le monde à la maison ? Show English translation How is everyone at home?
Please give my regards to ...	Passe le bonjour à … de ma part. Show English translation Please give my regards to …
How long have you known each other?	Vous vous connaissez depuis combien de temps ? Show English translation How long have you known each other?

Read the other side of the exchange

Partner
Bienvenue ! Entre et fais comme chez toi.
Welcome! Come in and make yourself at home.
You
Merci de m'avoir invité / invitée.
Thank you for having me.
Partner
Ça fait plaisir de te recevoir. Je mets la table.
It's lovely to have you. I'm just setting the table.
You
Je peux aider pour quelque chose ?
Can I help with anything?

Visiting family 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.