to make a presentation in french

How to give an oral presentation in French

by Lingoda Team

Published on November 18, 2016 / Updated on November 9, 2022

Eventually in life, the time will come when you will have to present in front of a group. If you are giving a speech in a foreign language like after learning French, it can be very challenging since it often adds extra insecurity to the mix. We will give you some tips on how to give an oral presentation in French:

Preparation is key. In order to succeed in your presentation, know your topic well. You will be the expert in the classroom and realizing this will boost your self-confidence and keep your nerves under control. Remember to use technology to your advantage, visual aids (maps, photos, film clips, graphs, diagrams, and charts) can enhance a presentation, but don’t rely completely on them since it might be distracting for your audience.

Pay attention to your posture, stand straight and don’t rock back and forth on your heels, or do anything that might distract from your content. Speak in a clear, audible voice, loud enough to be clearly heard in the back row.  Never, ever mumble and be confident about your research and content.

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Tips to give an oral presentation in french.

• Structure and order . France is not an exception. Let the audience know at the start how your presentation will be structured. A brief outline will prepare them for what you are about to say.
• It’s not what you say but how you say it.  This may sound like a cliché, but it’s a general rule for life. Understand that you will probably be nervous, accept it and move on. Deep breaths will help control the speed of your speech and will give the impression that you are more confident in what you are saying. Avoid having spicy food or caffeine drinks right before and make sure your breathing pattern is normal.
• Talk! don’t read . Nobody enjoys seeing a speaker burying his or her face in a script, reading stiffly from a piece of paper. Try to talk from notes, or, if you use a written-out text, try to look down at it only occasionally. In a speech, it is crucial to be able to transmit the ideas and concepts that you have been preparing and working for so hard, so don’t worry too much about the words.
• Make eye   contact  with people seated in all parts of the room, another fundamental aspect of public speaking. Don’t be afraid of using your hands to emphasize your ideas. Sharing space with the audience can also communicate your interest in sharing your results with them, so don’t be afraid of moving around the stage to help you reach out to every corner of the room, and also cover up any nervousness you may be experiencing.
• Don’t be afraid of questions and interruptions.  Actually, this is one of the best things that can happen, because it shows that someone in the audience has engaged with what you’re saying, and, if you have the time to offer a brief response, it can actually lead to genuine progress on the point you were making. Plus, two-way conversation is always a tension-reducer.
• Always try to make an impact with your audience.  Something that they’ll remember. Finishing strong can be a good way to achieve that. Always be sure to have a compelling conclusion to your presentation in which you highlight and summarize the points you made to your audience.

Useful vocabulary for presenting in French

Introduction, expressing opinion, other expressions, ending phrases, learn french with lingoda.

You are looking for topic ideas for your French presentation? Extend your vocabulary with Lingoda! With us, you can learn French from fully qualified teachers, who will provide you with a well-rounded education, focusing not just on speech, but on reading, writing and listening as well.

With that said, one of the key benefits of learning through Lingoda is that all of our teachers are native speakers. This means that as a French language student, you will get to hear authentic French, as it is really  spoken around the world , which will prove to be beneficial when the time comes to give presentations of your own.

Lingoda’s courses offer learners complete flexibility and students can schedule as many or as few classes as they like, depending on their goals and lifestyle. The majority of classes take place in virtual classrooms, with a small number of students, although private one-to-one lessons are also available.

All of our courses are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is widely considered to be the gold standard of language frameworks. As students progress, they can also earn  official French certificates , which enjoy recognition from institutions worldwide.

Lingoda Team

This article was produced by one of the in-house Lingoda writers.

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10 Common French phrases: How to structure a speech or talk

Whether you’re giving a presentation or simply introducing yourself to a group of people, knowing how to structure a speech or talk in French can be a valuable skill.

In this lesson, we’ll go over 10 common French phrases for structuring a speech or talk.

Bonjour à tous. (Hello, everyone.)

This phrase is used to begin a speech or talk, and to greet the audience.

Je vais parler de ___. (I’m going to talk about ___.)

This phrase is used to introduce the topic or theme of the speech or talk.

Tout d’abord, je vais ___ . (First, I’m going to ___ .)

This phrase is used to introduce the first point or topic of the speech or talk.

Ensuite, je vais ___ . (Next, I’m going to ___ .)

This phrase is used to introduce the second point or topic of the speech or talk.

Après cela, je vais ___ . (After that, I’m going to ___ .)

This phrase is used to introduce the third point or topic of the speech or talk.

Pour résumer, j’ai parlé de ___. (To summarize, I talked about ___.)

This phrase is used to summarize the main points or topics covered in the speech or talk.

En conclusion, ___. (In conclusion, ___ .)

This phrase is used to wrap up the speech or talk, and to give a final statement or message.

Merci de votre attention. (Thank you for your attention.)

This phrase is used to express gratitude to the audience for listening.

Avez-vous des questions ? (Do you have any questions?)

This phrase is used to invite the audience to ask questions or seek clarification.

Je suis à votre disposition pour répondre à vos questions. (I’m available to answer your questions.)

This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker is willing and available to answer any questions or concerns the audience may have.

Learning these common French phrases for structuring a speech or talk will help you to communicate more effectively in formal settings.

Additionally, it is helpful to learn basic French vocabulary and grammar rules to build your language skills. With practice and persistence, you’ll soon be able to deliver speeches and talks with ease in French.

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LANGUAGE SKILLS FRENCH PRESENTATIONS

How to boost your presentation skills in french.

How to give a strong and effective presentation in French ?

For many of us, public speaking is a hurdle we find difficult to overcome. Add to that the fact of presenting in another language and for many it becomes a task way too daunting.

Fortunately, you can learn how to give presentations with confidence even if you have to give your presentation in French!

With these 5 tips you will impress everyone during your next presentation.

1. Lead your audience.

Your audience will be able to follow and appreciate your presentation better if you signpost throughout. Use a variety of language to introduce the topics, outline the arguments or instructional points in your presentation and in your conclusion.

Tip: Arm yourself with signposting expressions to start your presentation in French:

Par exemple : Tout d'abord, je voudrais expliquer ce qui s'est passé au cours des trois derniers mois. Je voudrais maintenant aborder mon deuxième point concernant les domaines qui nécessitent une attention et des améliorations. Passons maintenant à la mise en œuvre de nouvelles actions. Finalement, je voudrais parler de la délégation des tâches.

2. Be persuasive: use emotion.

Nobody likes to listen to a monotonous tone filled with uninteresting terms. Whether you’re winning a client or convincing an employee, get them engrossed!

TIP: Practise your intonation and use persuasive expressions!

3. Keep it informative and relevant.

When presentations and subjects go off course, you lose the attention of listeners. Don’t get side-tracked. Get straight to the point.

TIP : Find expressions that explain your point accurately! Idioms are useful in these situations, for example:

• When the meeting runs over scheduled time and you don't have much time left you could say: Je garderai ce point court car nous courons contre la montre.
• If you want to summarise a point you could say: Voilà qui conclut la ... partie de ma présentation.

4. Answer questions effectively.

The end of the presentation usually comes with some questions that need to be answered spontaneously. You'll need time to think to prepare your response.

TIP: Equip yourself with phrases that give you some time and allow you to think and formulate a good answer!

5. Stay confident and smile!

Giving presentations in your own language can be tricky enough, but having to give one in another language can be ever more daunting and will no doubt play with your confidence.

TIP : Prepare in advance, practise at least twice and don’t forget to smile! 

More tips on boosting your presentation skills? These articles might also interest you:

• Amaze your audience with your presentation skills

Do you need help with your presentation skills ?

Presenting is something you can learn  so be aware that you will become better and better at it as you gain experience.

Are your language skills the biggest obstacle to be able to present spontaneously? Then you can consult one of our language coaches on Squidll.

Together you can prepare your presentation, broaden your vocabulary, practise your text until you are confident enough to give your presentation.

Sign up on Squidll , find a coach who fits your needs and start today on Squidll.

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How to Introduce Yourself and Others in French

Perfecting Les Présentations

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When you meet French speakers , you need to know how to introduce yourself and what to say when you are introduced. French can be a bit tricky when introducing yourself or others depending on whether you know the person to whom you are making the introduction(s) or even if you have had any contact with the person. In French, those circumstances all require different introductions.

Basic Introductions

French uses the verb  se présenter, not  introduire,  meaning to introduce something into something else, which translates into English as "to insert." The most basic introduction in French, then, would be:

• Je me présente. = Let me introduce myself.

Using s’appeler is the common way of introducing yourself in French. Don’t think of it as “to name oneself” because it will only confuse you. Think of it in the context of introducing your name to someone, and link the French words to that context instead of applying a literal translation, as in:

• Je m​'appelle ... = My name is...

Use je suis with people who already know your name, such as those you have already talked to on the phone or by mail but never met in person, as in:

• Je suis... =  I am...

If you don't know the person or have never spoken to him on the phone or contacted him by email or mail, use  je m’appelle,  as noted previously.

Introducing by Name

There are also distinctions between formal and informal introductions, as well as singular versus plural introductions, as noted in the tables in this and the subsequent section.

Meeting People

In French, when you are meeting people , you have to be careful about using the correct gender , as well as whether the introduction is formal or informal, as in these examples.

French Names

Nicknames — or  un surnom in French — are much less common in this Romance language than in American English, but they are not unheard of. Often, a longer first name will be shortened, such as  Caro  for Caroline or  Flo  for Florence. 

Cheek Kissing and Other Greetings

Cheek kissing  is certainly an accepted form of greeting in France, but there are strict (unwritten) social rules to follow. Cheek kissing is generally OK, for example, but not hugging. So, it's important to learn not only the words that go with cheek kissing — such as  bonjour  (hello) — but also the social norms that are expected when greeting someone in this manner. There are also other ways to say " hello " and ask " How are you? " in French.

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DialoguE French Public Speaking programmes are designed to provide you with the key skills, tools and terminology to operate in an international public speaking environment. Whether you need assistance with writing speeches in French or need to expand your knowledge of Public Speaking Techniques, DialoguE and its team of specialist French Public Speaking trainers are uniquely placed to assist you.

French Public Speaking Topics available include, for example: Skills required to achieve mastery of public speaking and power presentations with the help of role-playing.

By the end of the French Public Speaking course you will be able to:

• structure the presentation and link the various parts
• use key language and a variety of rhetorical techniques
• prepare and incorporate visual aids
• send a clear, strong message
• give presentations
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How to present yourself during a french interview

When you're seeking employment, it's crucial to understand how to present yourself professionally in French. Whether it's during an interview, a conference, or a meeting, you must be able to discuss about yourself, your skills, your motivations, and goals. This is an opportunity to make a favorable impression on a potential employer and position yourself as the ideal candidate for the job. Here's a guide to some key phrases and examples to use during a professional presentation in French.

The initial interaction with the recruiter: "Parlez-moi de vous"

The first interaction with the recruiter is important. Your presentation, even if it’s brief, should capture your audience's attention and establish your credibility. The commonly asked first question is "Parlez-moi de vous." Introduce yourself with simple sentences (name, age, current position). For example, you can use the following phrases for self-introduction:

• Bonjour, je m'appelle (...) et je suis (...) = Hello, my name is (...) and I am (...).
• J'ai obtenu mon diplôme de (...) il y a (...) ans en (...) = I graduated from (...) (...) years ago with a degree in (...).
• J'ai travaillé en tant qu'(...) pendant (...) ans chez (...). = I worked as (...) engineer for (...) years at (...).

Example: “Bonjour. Je m'appelle James et j'ai 38 ans. J’ai obtenu mon diplôme de Harvard il y a quatorze ans en ingénierie. J'ai travaillé en tant qu'ingénieur pendant douze ans chez Microsoft”

Discussing your work experience and skills

The second part of your presentation should demonstrate that you possess the skills and qualities required for the position. You should really read thorough the job description to tailor your responses according to the required skills. Highlight experiences relevant to the position you're interested in and use professional vocabulary. Also, don't forget to conduct some research on the company to distinguish yourself from other candidates.

• J’ai de l’expérience dans le domaine de/du (...) = I have experience in the field of (...).
• Par exemple, dans mon poste actuel, je suis responsable de (...) = For example, in my current position, I am in charge of (...).
• Cela montre que je suis (...) = This shows that I am (...).
• J’ai d’excellentes compétences en (…) = I have great (…) skills.
• Au cours de ma carrière, j’ai énormément appris sur (…) = During my career, I learned a lot about (…)

Example: “J’ai de l’expérience dans le domaine de la technologie de l'information (IT). Par exemple, dans mon poste actuel, je suis responsable de la gestion des réseaux informatiques. Cela montre que je suis responsable et capable de gérer les urgences. J’ai d’excellentes compétences en résolution de problèmes. Au cours de ma carrière, j’ai énormément appris sur la programmation.”

Presenting your strengths and weaknesses

It's very likely that the recruiter will ask you the inevitable question about strengths and weaknesses: “Quels sont vos qualités? Et quels sont vos défauts?” How you respond can significantly influence the recruiter's opinion. It's important to prepare for this question and answer it spontaneously. Be honest and focus on your interlocutor's expectations.

What are your strengths?

Highlight qualities related to the job you're applying for. Even though this exercise is challenging, don't be overly modest. Here are some examples of qualities to emphasize during an interview:

• Organisé(e) = Organized
• Ambitieux(se) = Ambitious
• Créatif(ve) = Creative
• Discipliné(e) = Disciplined
• Flexible = Flexible
• Curieux(se) = Curious
• Empathique = Empathetic
• De bonne humeur = Good-tempered
• Aimable = Kind
• Serviable = Helpful
• Rigoureux(se) = Rigorous
• Compréhensif(ve) = Understanding

Here are some examples of phrases to present your qualities in different contexts:

• “Mon souci du détail est une force essentielle, garantissant constamment un travail de haute qualité.” = “My attention to detail is a key strength, consistently delivering high-quality work.”
• "Je suis connu(e) pour mon adaptabilité.” = “I'm known for my adaptability”
• "J'apporte une attitude positive à chaque projet.” = “I bring a positive mindset to every project”
• “Avec un fort sens de l'initiative, j'identifie proactivement les opportunités.” = “With a strong sense of initiative, I proactively identify opportunities”
• “Mes solides compétences en organisation se sont manifestées dans ma capacité à gérer plusieurs tâches simultanément” = “My strong organizational skills have been evident in my capacity to manage multiple tasks”

What are your weaknesses?

Flaws are natural, and everyone has them. However, be honest during the job interview and opt for real flaws:

• Distrait = Distracted
• Autoritaire = Authoritarian
• Sensible = Sensitive
• Indécis(e) = Indecisive
• Distrait(e) = Thoughtless / absent-minded
• Étroit(e) d'esprit / Têtu(e) = Narrow-minded / Stubborn
• Susceptible = Touchy
• Difficulté à gérer le stress = Struggling under pressure
• Bavard(e) = Talkative

You can also counterbalance your weaknesses with a positive statement, for example:

• “Je suis bavard(e) mais je sais quand il est temps de travailler.”= “I'm talkative but I know when it's time to work”
• “Je suis stressé(e) sous pression mais j'ai récemment commencé des cours de yoga.” = “I am struggling under pressure but I've recently started yoga classes”
• “Je suis naturellement timide donc je dois faire beaucoup d'efforts pour m'exprimer.” = “I am naturally shy so I have to make a big effort to speak up”

Don't hesitate to ask questions about the company and the position

When your presentation is finished and your interlocutor has asked their questions, you can in turn ask questions about the position and the company to demonstrate your interest and motivation.

For example, you can ask the following questions:

• “À quoi ressemble une journée type dans votre entreprise?” = “What does a typical day at your company look like?”
• “Quelle est l'ambiance de travail?” = “What's the working atmosphere like?”
• “How does the integration process work?” = “Comment fonctionne le processus d'intégration?”
• “Organisez-vous des activités de renforcement d'équipe?” = “Do you organize team-building activities?”
• “Est-ce un nouveau poste?” = “Is this a new position?”
• “Quelles sont les prochaines étapes du processus de recrutement?” = “What are the next steps in the recruitment process?”

Concluding the interview

When the job interview is about to end, don't hesitate to ask the recruiter if they have any further questions. If they don’t, you can then thank them for the time they've spent with you.

• “Avez-vous d'autres questions?” = “Do you have any other questions?”
• “Merci beaucoup d'avoir pris le temps de me rencontrer aujourd'hui!” = “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today!”

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Se presenter.

Se presenter - a lesson on how to present yourself in French and a worksheet to practise the topic.  Salut à tous! Bienvenue à The Languages Kitchen. Sur ce site, vous pouvez apprendre de nouvelles langues dans une manière simple et relaxant.  À la fin de cette leçon, vous apprendrez à répondre aux questions suivantes: Quel est votre nom? Quel âge avez-vous? Où habitez-vous? Quel est votre travail?

Salut, je m'appelle Claire. J'ai 33 ans. J'habite en Angleterre. Je suis professeur de langues étrangères.

Hello, my name is Claire. I am 33 years old. I live in England. I am a foreign languages teacher.

Je m'appelle Claire, j'ai 33 ans et je suis de Malte.

J'habite en Angleterre pendant 7 ans.        

Je suis professeur de langues étrangères.

I am Claire, I'm 33 years old and I am from Malta.                                    

I have lived in England for the past 7 years.

I am a foreign languages teacher.

This above is an introduction to today's lesson - Introducing oneself. The first part shows basic information whilst the second-row boxes have a more in-depth description of myself. We'll be focusing on the basics of this first lesson.

So, now that you know a little bit more about myself, let's get on to learning how to ask someone else this information. We'll start with saying good morning/good evening and how to ask and answer for someone's name.

Bonjour, tu t'appelles comment? Je m'appelle Claire. Et toi, tu t'appelles comment? Je m'appelle Mathieu.

Good morning, what is your name? My name is Claire. And you, what is your name? My name is Mathieu.

Bonsoir, je suis Mme. Grech. Et vous, quel est votre nom? ....................................................

Good evening, I am Ms. Grech. And you (polite form), what is your name? ............................................................................

Bonsoir, je suis Claire. Et toi, tu t'appelles comment? .......................................................

Good evening, I am Claire. And you (informal), what is your name? ............................................................................

Step 2 is asking for someone's age.

Quel âge avez-vous? J'ai 33 ans. Et vous, quel est votre âge? ..................................................

What is your age? I am 33 years old. And you (formal), what is your age? ................................................................

Quel âge as-tu? J'ai 33 ans. Et toi, quel est ton âge? ..................................................

What is your age? I am 33 years old. And you (informal), what is your age? ................................................................

Step 3 is asking where someone lives.

Où habitez-vous? J'habite en Angleterre. Et vous, où habitez-vous? ...............................................

Where do you live? I live in England. And you (formal), where do you live? ......................................................................

Où habites-tu? J'habite en Angleterre. Et toi, où habites-tu? ...............................................

Where do you live? I live in England. And you (informal), where do you live? ........................................................................

Step 4 is asking what is the job someone does.

Que faites-vous comme travail? Je suis professeur de langues. Et vous, quel est votre travail? ......................................................

What do you do for work? I am a languages teacher. And you (formal), what is your job? ...............................................................

Que fais-tu comme travail? Je suis professeur de langues. Et toi, quel est ton travail? ......................................................

What do you do for work? I am a languages teacher. And you (informal), what is your job? ...................................................................

Following these short examples above, the following worksheet is an extension with more examples and some parts for you to practice the language.

Claire Grech

Claire is a foreign languages teacher with a passion for food and travel. She started The Languages Kitchen to combine all these elements and now regularly posts new recipes and lessons!

Tapenade provençale: un hors d’œuvre simple et délicieux

Salade niçoise, you may also like, les jours de la semaine, les adjectifs de personnalité, les mois de l’année, l’imparfait de l’indicatif, les nombres ordinaux, l’heure, le présent de l’indicatif irrégulier, les numéros cardinaux (partie 2), article et genre de noms, à la boutique de vêtements.

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DELF A1- A2 Production Orale: How to introduce yourself in french

How do you present yourself in french? What are the key french verbs and vocabulary you will need to effectively present yourself? What should you talk about? These and other questions will be covered in the following tutorial.  In addition we will listen to a sample dialogue introducing themselves.

In the Production orale section of your DELF A1 you are expected to do a guided interview or “ Entretien dirigé ” which will last about 1 minute. It entails replying to questions from the examiner about you ( se presenter) , your family, your tastes or activities, in other words personal information and relationships.

Key french verbs to use for presenting yourself

The key french verbs you need to know for this section of your exam are:

• etre  – to be  –
• habiter – to live –
• parler – to speak –
• s’appeler – to be called –
• avoir – to have –

Tips on answering questions about yourself:

Answer in full sentences and include some details where possible. Make sure to show how well you can use the past tenses, the future as well as give your opinion. Here is a break down of what you could speak about:

What is your full name : Bonjour, je m’appelle…………………………………. Where do you live : J’habite ………………………………………………….……………………………………… What is your telephone number : Mon numéro de téléphone est le …………………… When and where were you born : Je suis né le…………………………….à……………………………… How old are you : J’ai …………ans. What is your nationality: Je suis …………………………………………………… What is your civil status ( are you married, single etc) : Je suis …………………………………………… Do you have any children : J’ai ………enfants. What is your profession: Je suis …………………………………………………. What do you like to do in your free time : J’aime ………………………………………………….. J’aime ………………………………………………….. J’aime …………………………………………………..

expressions to introduce yourself

Bonjour, je m’appelle…………………………………. J’habite ………………………………………………….……………………………………… Mon numéro de téléphone est le …………………… Je suis né le…………………………….à……………………………… J’ai …………ans. Je suis …………………………………………………… Je suis …………………………………………… J’ai ………enfants.Je suis …………………………………………………. J’aime ………………………………………………….. J’aime …………………………………………………..J’aime …………………………………………………..

Sample speaking topic and questions will include:

Talk about yourself :.

• how to ask for someone’s name in french : Comment vous vous appelez?
• Quelle est votre nationalité ?
• Vous avez quel âge?
• Quelle est la date de votre anniversaire?
• Qu’est-ce que vous as fait pour fêter votre anniversaire l’année dernière?

(1) Listen to the following two audios files where two people introduce themselves

Here is a example of someone presenting themselves.

Je m’appelle Sandra, je suis americaine et je suis célibataire. J’ai 31 ans et je travaille pour une banque. Je n’ai pas d’animal. J’aimerais avoir un chien,mais mon appartement est trop petit. Mon pays préféré, c’est l’Irlande, mais pour les vacances, je préfère l’Italie. Je ne suis pas sportive mais j’aime le foot à la télé. Mon objet préféré : mon téléphone ! Il est tout le temps avec moi. J’aime lire les auteurs français, (en anglais) et japonais. J’écoute surtoutde la musique du monde et mon fi lm préféré c’est Avatar ! Je n’aime pas les grenouilles, mais j’adore la tartifl ette !  

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23 Key French Transition Words

The French language has quite the catalog of transition words to help hold it all together.

Not only do they keep you from sounding robotic, but they’re also the key to writing effective essays, understanding the literature you’re reading and improving your comprehension and conversation .

Here are 23 French transition words that you can start integrating into your sentences.

Tying It All Together: 23 Transition Words for Seamless French

1. d’abord, 5. ainsi que, 6. après que, 7. avant que, 8. bien que, 10. parce que/car, 11. pour que, 12. quoi que, 13. tant que, 14. comme / puisque, 15. lorsque / quand, 16. quoique, 18. en fait, 19. cependant, 20. en revanche / par contre, 21. en plus / en outre, 22. pour ma part / pour moi, 23. à mon avis, how to integrate french transition words into your diet, get your feet wet with quizzes, extract transition words from real french materials, write your own beautiful sentences, use transition words with the subjunctive, listen to french instructors online, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Translation: First of all

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nah.

When you think “transition word,” this may be what you’re thinking. To start with the basics, here’s one of the first transition words you likely learned in French class. It’s best at the beginning of sentences, when giving directions or when recounting a series of events.

D’abord , il faut réchauffer le four. (First of all, you must preheat the oven.)

Translation: Next

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nuh-uh.

An easy way to remember this one (yet another in the series of your basic transition words), is that la  suite   is the sequel or “the next one” in French. It’s a useful piece of vocab when delving into French book series and films, and this transition word is obviously useful for continuing a series of events or directions you may be giving.

Ensuite , je prépare la tarte aux cerises. (Next, I prepare the cherry pie.)

Translation: Then

Subjunctive-friendly?  Not this one, either.

Then, you’ve got  puis .  If you’re unfamiliar with this one, just know that it’ll come up a lot in literature and conversation. It’s a very useful transition word to have under your belt. Puis  proves to be a good fallback word to have when some of the more specific transition words slip your mind.

Puis, je coupe les pêches. (Then, I cut the peaches.)

Translation: Finally

Subjunctive-friendly?  Pas du tout  (not at all).

In our  d’ abord, ensuite, puis  sequence, we end with  enfin .  This useful word is not only used as a transition to mark  la fin (the end) of something, but is also an interjection—a filler word, if you will.

It can mean “well,” “all in all,” “I mean” or “at least.” It’s a multi-edged sword. Use it as a transition to an end or to make your conversational French more authentic.

Enfin, on mange tout. (Finally, we eat everything.)

Translation:  As well as

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nope!

Getting into some more advanced vocabulary now, this means “just as.” This conjunction is useful when elaborating on something you’re already discussing. It can also be used with a different meaning of “just as,” as in “It went just as I thought.”

Je voudrais une tarte aux pommes ainsi que deux boules de glace. (I would like apple pie as well as two scoops of ice cream.)

Translation:  After/when

Subjunctive- friendly?  Technically, no, but French speakers tend to use the subjunctive after it regardless. So go ahead and get the extra practice.

Bet you’re wondering what the difference is between  a près que   and that old favorite  a près . Après  is a preposition , and  ap rès que  is a compound conjunction . All that means is you use the latter when it’s followed by a verb (like in the example). If you wanted to start a sentence with “after,” then you would use the preposition:

Après , on va partir. (After, we’re going to leave.)

Remember that the  que   helps link the clauses, and you should be good to link the night away.

Je vais dormir  après que je mange toute cette tarte. (I’m going to sleep after I eat all this pie.)

Translation:  Before

Subjunctive-friendly?  Yes, and don’t you forget it!

Similar to  a près que,  this conjunction is not to be confused with its definition without  que.  The same distinction can be made— avant   being the preposition in this case and avant que   the compound conjunction.

Je vais finir la tarte avant que je nettoie la cuisine. (I’m going to finish the pie before I clean the kitchen.)

Translation:  Although/even though

Subjunctive-friendly?  Oh, most definitely.

Careful not translate this one to “good that.” This conjunctive phrase is great for showing contrast and adding “conditions” to things, even though you have to know your subjunctive to use it.

Il m’a donné une tarte aux pêches bien que j’aie commandé une tarte aux pommes! (He gave me peach pie even though I ordered an apple pie!)

Translation: As soon as

Subjunctive-friendly?  Never, ever.

This is usually followed by not the subjunctive, but by a future tense! Makes sense considering the context. This is a great conjunctive phrase to use when making threats, lofty goals and uncertain plans. Très useful.

Dès que la tarte arrive, je vais la détruire. (As soon as the pie arrives, I will destroy it.)

Translation: Because

Subjunctive-friendly?  No.

You’re likely familiar with  parce que ,  and maybe less so with car .  There are some slight distinctions to keep in mind for you nit-picky French speakers out there:  Car  leans slightly more towards “since” or “for.” 

Parce que  is a little stronger when used in speech. They both mean essentially the same thing, but it’s good to know both of them to add variety to your French conversation.

J’aime les tartes plus que les gâteaux parce que (car) la croûte est magnifique. (I like pies more than cakes because the crust is magnificent.)

Translation: So that

Subjunctive-friendly?  You better believe it!

Oh, isn’t it great when such a useful conjunction takes the subjunctive? Well, sure it is! That’s how you get practice.  Pour   means for, but for translation purposes, “so that”   makes more sense when using this phrase.

Je fais une tarte pour que  tu aies quelque chose à manger ce soir. (I’m making a pie so that you have something to eat tonight.)

Translation: No matter what

Subjunctive-friendly?  Yes…yet again!

I bet your mind is reeling with how much better your French will sound once you get this one down. No matter what the medium is, it’s useful.

But you may be noticing an interesting trend: A word that you’re well-versed in (bien, quoi, pour) , when   added to our favorite little word  que,  can bring out a completely different definition. Keep this in your mental notebook when you read these phrases or hear them spoken!

Quoi que ma mère fasse en cuisine, c’est délicieux. (No matter what my mom makes in the kitchen, it’s delicious.)

Translation: As long as

Subjunctive-friendly?  No, you’re safe on this one.

What’s  tant   mean anyway? Funny you should ask, because this here is yet another example of fun words being transformed by their trusty sidekick  que. Tant  by itself means “so much or many,” or can be used to express an indefinite quantity.

If you apply that definition back to this transitional phrase, then you can see something of a rough translation that matches “as long as.” But as long as you remember the definition, you’ll be good to go.

Tant que cette tarte est là, je serai tenté de la manger. (As long as this pie is here, I will be tempted to eat it.)

Translation: Since

Subjunctive-friendly?  No and no.

Even though the definition is the same on these two, there is a slight distinction. Comme is useful for showing both the cause and result in a sentence, whereas puisque just gives an explanation.

Comme also likes to hang around at the beginning of sentences, whereas  puisque can go in the middle if it so pleases. This distinction will help you sound extra-super pro!

Comme j’ai mangé trop de tarte, je ne peux pas manger mes légumes. (Since I ate too much of the pie, I can’t eat my vegetables.)

Puisque je l’ai fait, je goûte en premier. (Since I made it, I’ll taste [it] first.)

Translation: When

Subjunctive-friendly?  Sadly, no.

These are interchangeable when talking about time, though lorsque is a formal upgrade of quand . Gauge the situation when you pick. They both have their own special purpose as well: Quand can mean “whenever,” and lorsque can mean “whereas.”

  Je cuisinais quand/ lorsque   tu es arrivé. (I was cooking when you arrived.)

Translation: Even though

Subjunctive-friendly?  You better believe it.

Okay, I’ll admit…it does get a bit confusing here. We just did  quoi que , meaning “no matter what,”   and now we’ve got the same thing minus the space in between and all of a sudden it means “even though”?

These sound the same when spoken , but you should be able to figure it out based on the context. In addition, bien que   and  quoique can be used interchangeably. Just another opportunity for you to diversify.

Je mangerai une autre tranche quoique je n’aie pas faim. (I will eat another slice even though I’m not hungry.)

Translation: So

Subjunctive-friendly?  Not even close.

There is so much to say about this little word.  Donc   is one of the holy grails of French filler words , one of the little idiosyncrasies of French speech that you’ll pick up while in France and carry with you, smiling, forever.

They use it both in the “correct” fashion, showing causation, as well as how we use it in English: “So, here’s the thing.” “So, I was heading to the store.” “So… So… So…” Remember  donc.  Cherish it. Can you tell this is my favorite French transition word?

Je veux que tu la goûtes, donc je garde une part. (I want for you to taste it, so I’m saving a piece.)

Translation: In fact

You have no excuses for not remembering this one. It’s spelt and sounds similar to the English definition. Use this phrase before emphasizing an important conclusion or key point.

En fait, l’année dernière j’ai gagné une competition. (In fact, last year I won a competition.)

Translation: However, nonetheless

Subjunctive-friendly?  No! No!

Cependant   is actually an adverb, but it still functions as a transition word. Use it at the beginning of a sentence to point out an opposition or contradiction.  Pourtant   is a close cousin, but it’s a little more nuanced, as it indicates that one thing happened when another one was expected to.

Cependant , j’aime un bon gâteau de temps en temps. (However, I enjoy a nice cake from time to time.)

Translation: On the other hand, in opposition

Subjunctive-friendly?  Mais non ! 

The definition is close to  cependant , but provides a little clearer contrast. Those make for two great transition words when you’re writing essays in French or can’t decide which type of pie is better.

Une tarte aux pommes est classique. Par contre , une tarte aux tomates est bonne pour le petit-déjeuner, le déjeuner et le dîner. (An apple pie is classic. On the other hand, a tomato pie is good for breakfast, lunch and dinner.)

Translation: Also

Subjunctive-friendly?  Jamais  (never).

Need to add something that you forgot before? These two are good ways to vary your language and avoid using  aussi   (also) at every turn.  En plus   is common in conversation, and it, as well as  en outre ,  is often a better alternative to  aussi  in written French.

En outre , il faut choisir un bon parfum de glace pour accompagner la tarte. (Also, one must choose a good ice cream flavor to go with the pie.)

Translation: For me

Subjunctive-friendly?  Stop asking. It’s another “no.”

Here are two phrases to use when you want to put emphasis on “me! me! me!”  Pour moi   is a good way to order at a restaurant , and  pour ma part   is best for stating opinions.

Pour moi/ma part , je préfère la tarte au citron. (For me, I prefer lemon pie.)

Translation: In my opinion

Subjunctive-friendly?  This is the last time I’m saying it…nope.

But when you really want to make it all about you and your opinions, this is the best phrase. To qualify a statement as an opinion, or before you go on a rant about something you’re passionate about, this is a great transitional phrase to use and abuse!

À mon avis , tous ces phrases sont ridicules! (In my opinion, all of these sentences are ridiculous!)

Gauging your knowledge with a few quizzes before you delve into any topic is always a good idea. You may even get a little confidence boost when you realize that you already know a sizable handful of transition words!

• Check out this quiz  from Quizlet.
• This one makes noise when you click on words.
• And for a challenge, this fill-in-the-blank quiz is the ticket.

Authentic French movies, TV shows and videos are another great place to look and listen for transition words. You’ll hear how they’re used naturally by real French speakers , which is invaluable to incorporating them into your own French.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Practice makes perfect, so get out your pens and paper, and start on those French sentences ! Try writing a paragraph that uses four or five transition words .

If you’re more into immersion-based learning , make sure to include appropriate transition words when writing emails to your pen pals, writing entries in your French journal or even in text messages with another French-speaking friend.

The subjunctive is nothing to fear, but sometimes it can be difficult to integrate into the French you actually use.

If you’re still a beginner, no worries here. Many of the above words and phrases don’t require the subjunctive mood. On the other hand, you always could take the opportunity to learn about this ultra-useful and fun French staple .

Listening to French teachers and instructors helps boost your knowledge of French connectors and ensures you correctly learn them. For a great introduction to French transition words, check out the video below.

French instructor Kritika takes you through some common transition vocabulary and even tests your knowledge at the end with a fun fill-in-the-blank activity!

Enfin,  you’re well-equipped to speak like a pro, write like an essayist and understand all the details in the French literature you’re devouring.

While there are far more transition words than those listed, knowing the basics will do wonders for your fluency.

Choppy French no more!

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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