General conversation

Here are some common French phrases for general conversation with people you already know.

Asking how someone is

Comment vas-tu?How are you? (familiar)
Comment ça va?How's it going?
Ça va?How's it going?
Très bien, merciI'm fine, thanks
Ça va, merciI'm OK, thanks
Pas mal, merciNot too bad, thanks
Pas très bienNot so well
Et toi?And you?

Asking what someone is or has been doing

Tu fais quoi?What are you up to? (familiar)
Qu'est-ce que tu deviens?What have you been up to? (familiar)
J'ai beaucoup travailléWorking a lot
J'ai beaucoup travaillé sur mes coursStudying a lot
J'ai été très occupéI've been very busy (said by a man)
J'ai été très occupéeI've been very busy (said by a woman)
Comme d'habitudeSame as usual
Pas grand-choseNot much
Je viens de rentrer …I've just come back from …
du MarocMorocco
de FranceFrance
des États-Unisthe US

Asking where someone is

Où es-tu?Where are you? (familiar)
Je suis …I'm …
à la maisonat home
au travailat work
en villein town
à la campagnein the countryside
aux magasinsat the shops
dans le trainon a train
chez Julienat Julian's

Asking about someone's plans

Tu as des projets pour cet été?Do you have any plans for the summer? (familiar)
Qu'est-ce que tu as de prévu pour …?What are you doing for …? (familiar)
PâquesEaster
le nouvel anNew Year
NoëlChristmas
sound

Sound is available for all the French phrases on this page — simply click on any phrase to hear it.

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