French Basics: Greetings, Numbers, Seasons, Verbs, and Adjectives

A comprehensive vocabulary review of basic French greetings, self-introductions, higher numbers, seasons, months, essential verb conjugations for être and avoir, and common adjectives.

Bonjour

Greeting used to say hello during the day.

Bonsoir

Greeting used in the evening.

Salut

Informal greeting used to say either hello or goodbye.

Coucou

Friendly and informal greeting, often used between friends.

Au revoir

Expression used to say goodbye.

À bientôt

Farewell expression meaning that one will see each other soon.

Comment t’appelles-tu ?

Informal question used to ask someone their name.

Comment vous appelez-vous ?

Formal question used to ask someone their name.

Je m’appelle…

Phrase used as a response to state one's name.

Enchanté(e)

Expression used to say that one is delighted to meet someone.

Comment ça va ?

Informal question used to ask how someone is doing.

Comment allez-vous ?

Formal question used to ask how someone is doing.

soixante-dix

The number $70$ (literally 'soixante-dix').

quatre-vingts

The number $80$ (literally 'quatre-vingts').

quatre-vingt-dix

The number $90$ (literally 'quatre-vingt-dix').

Le printemps

Season of renewal, generally lasting from March to May.

L’été

Hot season, lasting from June to August.

L’automne

Harvest season, lasting from September to November.

L’hiver

Cold season, lasting from December to February.

Janvier

First month of the year.

Février

Second month of the year, often the shortest.

Mars

Third month of the year, marking the beginning of spring.

Avril

Fourth month of the year, known for its showers.

Mai

Fifth month of the year, often associated with flowering.

Être

Essential verb meaning 'to be'.

Avoir

Essential verb meaning 'to have'.

Je suis

Conjugated form of 'être' meaning 'I am'.

J’ai

Conjugated form of 'avoir' meaning 'I have'.

Nous sommes

Conjugated form of 'être' meaning 'We are'.

Nous avons

Conjugated form of 'avoir' meaning 'We have'.

Tu es

Informal conjugated form of 'être' meaning 'You are'.

Vous êtes

Formal conjugated form of 'être' meaning 'You are'.

Il/elle/on est

Third-person singular form of 'être' meaning 'He/she/one is'.

Ils/elles sont

Third-person plural form of 'être' meaning 'They are'.

Il/elle/on a

Third-person singular form of 'avoir' meaning 'He/she/one has'.

Ils/elles ont

Third-person plural form of 'avoir' meaning 'They have'.

Accord des Adjectifs

Grammar rule stating that adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they describe.

agréable(s)

Common adjective meaning 'agreeable'.

amical(e)(s)

Common adjective meaning 'friendly'.

content(e)(s)

Common adjective meaning 'happy'.

timide(s)

Common adjective meaning 'shy'.

triste

Common adjective meaning 'sad'.

élégant(e)(s)

Common adjective meaning 'elegant'.