'''French''' (''français'') is a Romance language originating in [[France]] but spoken in many other parts of the Europe including [[Luxembourg]], Southern [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]] and [[Brussels]]) and Western [[Switzerland]]. In North America, French is spoken primarily in [[Quebec]] and [[New Brunswick]], but is present in almost every other province in [[Canada]]. The majority of Quebec is Francophone and the only bilingual province in Canada is New Brunswick. Although Canada is a bilingual nation, French is spoken by a minority of citizens in all the other provinces and territories. It is also found in parts of the [[United States]], primarily in the state of [[Louisiana]] and the northern part of the states of [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Vermont]]. Other countries speaking French include former French colonies in [[North Africa]] and [[West Africa]]; in [[Haiti]], [[Martinique]] and [[Guadeloupe]] in the Caribbean; in [[French Guiana]] in [[South America]]; in [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]] in [[Southeast Asia]]; in [[Tahiti]] and numerous other islands in the [[Indian Ocean]] and in [[Oceania]]. It has long been the language of international diplomacy and communication, and although largely supplanted by English since World War II, it remains ''de rigueur'' (of obligatory requirement) for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. It is also an official language of the UN and the EU.
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'''French''' (''français'') is a Romance language originating in [[France]] but spoken in many other parts of the Europe including Southern [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]] and [[Brussels]]), Western [[Switzerland]], [[Monaco]] and [[Luxembourg]]. In North America, French is spoken primarily in [[Quebec]] and [[New Brunswick]], but is present in almost every other province in [[Canada]]. Although Canada is a bilingual nation, French is spoken by a minority of citizens in all the other provinces and territories. It is also found in parts of the [[United States]], primarily in the state of [[Louisiana]] and the northern part of the states of [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Vermont]]. Other countries speaking French include former French colonies in [[North Africa]] and [[West Africa]]; in [[Haiti]], [[Martinique]] and [[Guadeloupe]] in the Caribbean; in [[French Guiana]] in [[South America]]; in [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]] in [[Southeast Asia]]; in [[Tahiti]] and numerous other islands in the [[Indian Ocean]] and in [[Oceania]]. It has long been the language of international diplomacy and communication, and although largely supplanted by English since World War II, it remains ''de rigueur'' (of obligatory requirement) for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. It is also an official language of the UN and the EU.
There are many differences between French spoken in Québec and that spoken in France. One is state and one is king french. The two main differences are that Québec has retained many 18th & 19th century French words, while French spoken in France has incorporated many English words. Furthermore, aside from Europe & Québec, many French-speaking regions have incorporated many local words or formed a distinctive dialect/language known as creole.
There are many differences between French spoken in Québec and that spoken in France. One is state and one is king french. The two main differences are that Québec has retained many 18th & 19th century French words, while French spoken in France has incorporated many English words. Furthermore, aside from Europe & Québec, many French-speaking regions have incorporated many local words or formed a distinctive dialect/language known as creole.
Revision as of 23:11, 11 July 2012
French speaking areas
French (français) is a Romance language originating in France but spoken in many other parts of the Europe including Southern Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels), Western Switzerland, Monaco and Luxembourg. In North America, French is spoken primarily in Quebec and New Brunswick, but is present in almost every other province in Canada. Although Canada is a bilingual nation, French is spoken by a minority of citizens in all the other provinces and territories. It is also found in parts of the United States, primarily in the state of Louisiana and the northern part of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Other countries speaking French include former French colonies in North Africa and West Africa; in Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean; in French Guiana in South America; in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Southeast Asia; in Tahiti and numerous other islands in the Indian Ocean and in Oceania. It has long been the language of international diplomacy and communication, and although largely supplanted by English since World War II, it remains de rigueur (of obligatory requirement) for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. It is also an official language of the UN and the EU.
There are many differences between French spoken in Québec and that spoken in France. One is state and one is king french. The two main differences are that Québec has retained many 18th & 19th century French words, while French spoken in France has incorporated many English words. Furthermore, aside from Europe & Québec, many French-speaking regions have incorporated many local words or formed a distinctive dialect/language known as creole.
Francophonie can help you locate French-speaking regions.
Like that of English, unlike almost all the other Romance languages, French spelling is not very phonetic. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. In general, it's not impossible to sound out words, but suffice it to say that many experienced non-native French speakers(and even some native speakers) mispronounce words often.
One thing to note is that final consonants of a word are usually dropped: allez (go) is pronounced ahl-AY, not ahl-AYZ; tard (late) is pronounce tar, not tard. But if the next word begins with a vowel, the consonant may be pronounced; this is called liaison. A final 'e' is also usually silent if the word has more than one syllable.
Stress is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable.
For many French words, it is impossible to write something which, when pronounced as English, sounds like the French word. Use the transliteration as a guide to liaison and the French spelling to pronounce the vowels.
Vowels
Vowels in French can have accent marks, which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (ou, meaning or, and où, meaning where, are pronounced the same). The only really important one is é, which is always pronounced "ay", and changes the meaning of the word.
a, à, â
like "a" in "father"
e
in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like "a" in "about", sometimes not pronounced at all, sometimes like "é" or "è"
é, è, ê, ai, -er, -es, -ez
é is towards "e" in "set" or "ay" in "day", and è is more nasal, like the a in "cake" in English, except without the "y" sound at the end. They are not equivalent and they make very distinct sounds.
i, î
like "ee" in "see" but shorter and tenser
o, ô, au, eau
generally like "oa" in "boat" or "aw" in "law", can be considered equivalent
u, ù
like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to say "oo" as in "soon" but try to say "ee") - uu in transcriptions
ou
like "oo" in "food", but a pure vowel
y
like "ee" in "see" ; also sometimes used as a consonant, pronounced the same as in English (in 'yes' for example).
eu
between "ew" in "dew" and "ur" in "burp"; written eu in transcriptions
Semi-vowels
oi
like "wa" in "walk"
oui
like "wee" in "week"
ui
like "wee" in "week", but with a French u instead of the w
œ
a bit like "eu" but more "open". The distinction between œ and "eu" is very subtle and often irrelevant.
Consonants
Note: Most final consonants are silent except for c, q, f, l, and r (except in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives). Note that the plural ending "-ent" for verbs is never pronounced, though it is pronounced in other words.
b
like "b" in "bed"
c
like "k" in "kill" (before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonent), like "s" in "sun" (before "e", "i", and "y")
ç
like "s" in "sun" (this letter can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u")
d
like "d" in "death" (but a bit heavier than in English, and pronounced on the tongue)
f
like "f" in "fun"
g
like "g" in "go" (before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonent), like "g" in "sabotage" (before "e", "i" and "y").
gu
like "g" in "goose" (before "e", "i", "y")
gn
like "ny" in "canyon". This is particularly difficult when followed by oi, as in baignoire (beh-NYWAR) "bathtub".
h
usually silent, but may sometimes prevent a liaison with the former word
j
like "g" in "sabotage"
k
like "k" in "kill" (not native to French)
l, ll
like "l" in "like"; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (pronounced ee-yuh)
m
like "m" in "me"
n
like "n" in "nurse" (but see Nasals below)
p
like "p" in "push" (unaspirated like the t)
q(u)
most of the time like "k" in "kill" (not like "qu" in "quick"); in some words like "qu" in "quick" (generally before an "a") or the same but with a French u (generally before an "i")
r
guttural; kind of like coughing up a hairball (similar to a German "ch")
s
like "s" in "sun"; like "z" in "zero" (between two vowels)
ch
like "sh" in "bush"; sometimes like "k" in "kill" (in words of Greek origin mostly)
t, th
like "t" in "take" (unaspirated, it should sound dry and on the tongue, like that of a Spanish speaker)
v
like "v" in "value"
w
only in foreign words, mostly like "w" in "wise" and sometimes like "v" in "value" (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!)
x
either ks (like "x" in "exit") or gz
z
like "z" in "zero"
ph
like "f" in "fun" and like "ph" in "Philadelphia"
Nasals
an, en, em
nasal a (not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: emmental is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound)
on
nasal o - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound
in, ain
nasal è
un
nasal eu (sometimes pronounced the same as 'in')
oin
nasal "wè" (thus, coin is a nasalised "cwè")
Diphthongs
ail
like "i" in "fight"
ill
either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (ville is veel, fille is fiy)
Exceptions
When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: énergumène, (rowdy character), réunion (meeting).
A diaeresis (") may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: maïs (Indian corn or maize).
In the combinations "gue" and "gui", the "u" should not be pronounced: it is there only to force the prononciation of "g" as in "go". If the "u" is pronounced, a diaeresis is added on the 2nd vowel : aiguë (sharp).
In the combination "geo", the "e" should not be pronounced, it is only there to force the prononciation of "g" as in "sabotage" (in the case the "e" should be pronounced, it is indicated with an accent mark as in géologie).
Note you should not pronounce the "G" where "NG" is used in the prononciation hint.
Phrase list
Basics
Common signs
OPEN
Ouvert
CLOSED
Fermé
ENTRANCE
Entrée
EXIT
Sortie
PUSH
Poussez
PULL
Tirez
TOILET
Toilette
MEN
Hommes
WOMEN
Femmes
FORBIDDEN
Interdit, Défendu
Hello. (formal)
Bonjour. (bong-ZHOOR)
Hello. (informal)
Salut. (sah-LUU)
How are you?
Comment allez-vous ? (koh-mahn t-AH-lay VOO) formal; Comment vas-tu? (koh-mahng va TUU) informal; Comment ça va ? (koh-mahn sah VAH) informal
Fine, thank you.
Bien, merci. (byang, merr-SEE)
What is your name?
Comment vous appelez vous ? (koh-mahn vooz AP-lay VOO?); lit. "How do you call yourself?"
soixante-dix (swah-sahnt-DEES) or septante (sep-TAHNGT) in Belgium and Switzerland
80
quatre-vingt (kaht-ruh-VIHN); huitante (weet-AHNT) in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva); octante (oct-AHNT) in Switzerland
90
quatre-vingt-dix (katr-vihn-DEES); nonante (noh-NAHNT) in Belgium and Switzerland
100
cent (sahn)
200
deux cent (deu sahng)
300
trois cent (trrwa sahng)
1000
mille (meel)
2000
deux mille (deu meel)
1,000,000
un million (ung mee-LYOHN) (treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be un million d'euros.
number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
numéro _____ (nuu-may-ROH)
half
demi (duh-MEE), moitié (mwah-tee-AY)
less
moins (mwihn)
more
plus (pluus) / no more : plus (pluu) so this time, the "S" is mute
Time
now
maintenant (ment-NAHN)
later
plus tard (plew TAHR)
before
avant (ah-VAHN)
after
après (ah-PREH)
morning
le matin (luh mah-TAN)
in the morning
au matin ("oh mah-TAN"); dans la matinée (dahn lah mah-tee-NAY)
afternoon
l'après-midi (lah-preh-mee-DEE)
in the afternoon
à l'après-midi (ah lah-preh-mee-DEE)
evening
le soir (luh SWAHR)
in the evening
dans la soirée (dahn lah swah-RAY); au soir (oh SWAHR)
night
la nuit (lah NWEE)
in the night
à la nuit (ah lah NWEE)
Clock time
(Note on time: the French use the 24 hour clock, with midnight being 0h00 (note that, except on digital clocks, the in France an 'h' is used as a seperator between hours and minutes as opposed to a colon in many other countries). However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood.
hour
heure (er)
minute
minute (mee-NUUT)
From 1-30 past the hour / ___ plus ___
[hour] + plus (pluu') + [number]
Example: 10h20 dix heure plus vignt (deez er pluu VAGN)
For 1-29 until the hour / __ 'til ___
[next hour] + moins (mwan)
quarter
quart/le quart (KAHR/luh KAHR)
7h15 = sept heures et quart (set er eh luh KAHR)
16h45 = dix sept heures moins le quart (deez SET er mwan luh KAHR)
half-past : demie (duh-MEE); demi (after midnight or noon, duh-MEE)
10h30 = dix heure et demie (deez er eh duh-MEE)
one o'clock AM, 1h00
une heure du matin (uun er duu ma-TAN)
two o'clock AM, 2h00
deux heures du matin (dooz er duu ma-TAN)
noon, 12h00
midi (mee-DEE)
one o'clock PM, 13h00
treize heure (traiyz er)
une heure de l'après-midi (uun er duh la-preh-mee-DEE)
two o'clock PM, 14h00
quatorze heure (KAH-torz er)
deux heures de l'après-midi (duz er duh la-preh-mee-DEE)
six o'clock PM, 18h00
dix-huit heure (deez-weet ER)
six heures du soir (sees er dew SWAR)
half past seven, 19h30
sept heures et demi (SET er eh duh-MEE)
dix-neuf heures trente (DEE-znuf er TRAHNT)
midnight 0h00
minuit (mee-NWEE)
Duration
_____ minute(s)
_____ minute(s) (mee-NUUT)
_____ hour(s)
_____ heure(s) (er)
_____ day(s)
_____ jour(s) (zhoor)
_____ week(s)
_____ semaine(s) (suh-MEN)
_____ month(s)
_____ mois (mwa)
_____ year(s)
_____ an(s) (ahng), année(s) (ah-NAY)
daily
quotidienne (ko-tee-DYEN)
weekly
hebdomadaire (eb-doh-ma-DAIYR)
monthly
mensuel (mang-suu-WEL)
yearly
annuel (ah-nuu-WEL)
Days
today
aujourd'hui (oh-zhoor-DWEE)
yesterday
hier (yare)
tomorrow
demain (duh-MAN)
this week
cette semaine (set suh-MEN)
last week
la semaine dernière (lah suh-MEN dehr-NYAIR)
next week
la semaine prochaine (lah suh-MEN pro-SHEN)
Note: French calendars normally start on Monday.
Monday
lundi (luhn-DEE)
Tuesday
mardi (mahr-DEE)
Wednesday
mercredi (mehr-kruh-DEE)
Thursday
jeudi (juh-DEE)
Friday
vendredi (vahn-druh-DEE)
Saturday
samedi (sahm-DEE)
Sunday
dimanche (dee-MAHNSH)
Colors
Note: Like other romance languages, nouns in french are either "masculine" or "feminine" and adjectives vary accordingly.
black
noir/noire (nwahr)
white
blanc/blanche (blahng/blahnsh)
gray
gris/grise (gree/greez)
red
rouge (roozh)
blue
bleu/bleue (bluh)
yellow
jaune (zhawn)
green
vert/verte (verre/vehrt)
orange
orange (oh-RAHNZH)
purple
violet/violette (vee-oh-LEH/vee-oh-LET)
brown
brun/brune (bruh/bruhn); marron (MAH-rohn)
Transportation
Bus and Train
How much is a ticket to _____?
Combien coûte le billet pour _____? (kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor)
One ticket to _____, please.
Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (ung bee-YEH poor ____ seel voo pleh)
Where does this train/bus go?
Où va ce train/bus? (OO va suh trahn/buus?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?
Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (OO eh luh trahn/buus poor ____)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?
Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____? (suh trahn/buus sah-reh-tuh-TEEL ah _____)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
Quand part le train/bus pour _____? (kahn par luh trahn/buus poor _____)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?
Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____? (kahn suh trahn/buus ah-ree-vuh-RAH ah _____)
the/this shuttle
la/cette navette (lah/set nah-VET) (also means a tatting shuttle)
Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (zhuh voo-DREH ung plah ah-VEK _____)
chicken
(du) poulet (duu poo-LEH)
beef
(du) boeuf (duu BUFF)
deer
du cerf (dü SEHR)
fish
du poisson (duu pwa-SONG)
salmon
du saumon (duu saw-MONG)
tuna
du thon (duu TONG)
whiting
du merlan (duu mehr-LANG)
cod
de la morue (duh lah moh-RUU)
seafood
des fruits de mer (deh frwee duh MEHR); literally: "fruits of the sea"
dulse
de la dulse (duh lah DUULS)
lobster
du homard (duu oh-MAR), de la langouste (duh lah lan-goost) (rock lobster)
clams
des palourdes (deh pah-LOORD)
oysters
des huîtres (dez WEETR)
mussels
des moules (deh MOOL)
snails
des escargots (dez es-car-GOH)
frogs
des grenouilles (deh gruh-NOOEY)
ham
du jambon (duu zhahng-BONG)
pork
du porc/cochon (dü POHR/dü coh-SHONG). cochon is much less formal.
boar
du sanglier (dü sahng-GLYAY)
sausage
des saucisses (deh saw-SEESS)
cheese
du fromage (duu froh-MAHZH)
eggs
des oeufs (dehz UH)
one egg
un oeuf (un UF)
salad
une salade (uun sah-LAHD)
(fresh) vegetables
des légumes (frais) (deh lay-guum FREH)
(fresh) fruit
des fruits (frais) (frwee (freh))
bread
du pain (pang)
toast
rôtis (roh-TEE)
coffee
café (kah-FAY)
tea (drink)
thé (tay)
juice
jus (zhuu)
(bubbly) water
eau gazeuse (oh gah-ZUHZ)
water
eau (oh)
Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (OH doo roh-bee-NEH) or ask for a carafe of water "une carafe d'eau" (OON cahr-AHF doh).
Je n'ai fait rien de mal. (zhuh nay fay ree-AHN duh MAL)
It was a misunderstanding.
C'est une erreur. (say uhn air-ehur)
Where are you taking me?
Où m'emmenez-vous? (ooh mehm-en-EH voo)
Am I under arrest?
Suis-je en état d'arrestation? (SWEE zhuh ahn EH-tah dahr-es-tash-ON)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m)
Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (zhuh swee uhn see-twa-YAHN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f)
Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/anglaise/canadienne. (zhe s'wee oon see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-KEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ/ka-na-DYEN)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate.
Je veux parler à l'ambassade ou le consulat américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (ZHUH vuh pahr-LEUR ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo KAHN-sul-aht a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN)
I want to talk to a lawyer.
Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-caht) ("avocat" also means "avocado" but people don't normally talk to avocados!)
Can I just pay a fine now?
Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende? (poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND)
[offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine?
Acceptez-vous ceci au lieu de mon amende? (accept-eh voo suh-see oh lee-YUH duh mon deh-MAND)
Note: Only consider attempting this in third world countries. DO NOT try to do this in France or Canada as it will get you in worse trouble!
This is a guide phrasebook. It covers all the major topics for traveling without resorting to English. But please Plunge forward and help us make it a star!
