French · Everyday Verbs
"to speak" in French: parler
parler
To speak in French is parler. Je parle, tu parles, il/elle parle cover the present. Parler français means to speak French. Vous parlez anglais ? is the polite question.
Language exchange
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How to pronounce parler
Say it
par-LAY
/paʁ.le/
Parler is par-LAY. Parle sounds like parl. Soft French r. Final -er of the infinitive is the ay sound of many regular -er verbs.
"to speak" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| parler | to speak / to talk Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| je parle / tu parles | I speak / you speak Present forms with tu. | Present forms with tu. |
| parler français | to speak French No article before the language in this pattern. | No article before the language in this pattern. |
| parler à / avec | to speak to / with À for addressing; avec for with someone. | À for addressing; avec for with someone. |
How to use parler in real life
- 1Language exchange
Je parle un peu français.
I speak a little French.
Un peu softens the claim.
- 2Polite question
Vous parlez anglais ?
Do you speak English?
Vous for strangers.
- 3Phone call
Je parle à ma mère.
I'm speaking to my mother.
Parler à + person.
Mistakes English speakers make with parler
Incorrect: Je parle le français. (as default)
Correct: Je parle français.
Languages usually omit the article after parler: parler français, parler anglais.
Incorrect: Je suis parler.
Correct: Je parle.
Conjugate parler; do not add être before the infinitive.
Good to know
Asking Vous parlez anglais ? remains a polite opener in tourist areas. Many French people appreciate even a short French greeting before you switch languages.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking language at a hotel desk
ChatPal
Bonjour ! Vous parlez français ?
Hello! Do you speak French?
You
Oui, je parle lentement, mais je parle.
Yes, I speak slowly, but I speak.
ChatPal
Très bien. On parle français alors.
Very good. We'll speak French then.
You
Parfait. Je parle avec plaisir.
Perfect. I'm happy to speak.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to speak" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to speak" in French
Do I say parler français or parler le français?
Usually parler français without the article.
Parler à or parler avec?
Parler à someone addresses them; parler avec stresses conversation with them.
How do I say I speak a little?
Je parle un peu français.
Is parler regular?
Yes—an -er verb. Present: je parle, tu parles, il parle, nous parlons…
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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