Basic French Politeness Vocabulary and Expressions

After you master your French survival phrases, the very next thing you need to conquer in French is politeness. Do Smile in France You may have heard that it was not OK to smile in France. I dont agree. I am Parisian born and raised, then lived 18 years in the US, then came back to France to raise my daughter among my (also French) husband family. People smile in France. Especially when they interact, ask for something, are trying to make a good impression. In a large city like Paris, smiling to everybody may make you look out of place. Especially if you are a woman and are smiling to each guy that looks at you: they may think you are flirting.   However, that doesnt mean you shouldnt smile, especially when you are talking to someone.   Lots of French students are afraid to speak French, and therefore have a very intense facial expression: its not nice. So try to relax, breathe in, and smile! Tu Versus Vous - The French You There is MUCH to say on this subject which is deeply rooted in French history. But to sum it up. Use tu with one person you are talking to: a child, a close friend, an adult in a very relaxed setting, a family member, anyone who uses tu with you (unless they are much older than you).Use vous with everybody else you are talking to. An adult you are not close to, a colleague, a person much older than you... and with a group of several people (whether you say tu or vous to them individually. The choice between tu and vous also depends on social class (this is very important and the main reason why French people use tu or vous to talk to one person), geographic region, age, and... personal preference!   Now, each time you learn a French expression using you - youll have to learn two forms. The tu one and the vous one. French Politeness Essentials Monsieur - SirMadame - Lady, MadamMademoiselle - Miss, to be used with younger (too young to be married) women When addressing someone, it is much more polite in French to follow with Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle. In English, it may be a bit over the top, depending where you come from. Not in France. Oui - Yes.Non - No.Merci - Thank you.Bonjour - hi, hello.Au revoir - Bye.Sil vous plaà ®t - please (using vous)/  Sil te plaà ®t - please (saying tu)Je vous en prie - youre welcome (using vous) / Je ten prie (saying tu)Dà ©solà ©(e) - sorryPardon - sorryComment ? - Excuse me - when you couldnt hear someone.Excusez-moi (for vous) / excuse-moi (for tu) - excuse-meÀ vos souhaits (for vous) / à   tes souhaits (for tu) - bless you (after someone sneezes) Of course, there is much more to say about French politeness. We  suggest you check out look at the  downloadable audio lesson on French Politeness to master the modern French pronunciation and all the cultural nuances linked to French politeness and greetings.