To greet a girl in French, use "Bonjour" (hello/good day) for formal or general situations, "Salut" (hi/hey) for friends, or "Coucou" (hey there/hi) for very close friends, with the physical greeting "la bise" (cheek kiss) often used among friends, family, and even colleagues, varying by region.
Yes, the French say "je ne sais quoi," but it's less common in casual speech than in English, where it's used to describe an indescribable, special quality; in France, it often sounds formal or a bit old-fashioned, and they'd more likely use phrases like "un certain charme" (a certain charm) or "un petit truc en plus" (a little something extra) for that meaning. While it literally means "I don't know what," its use as a noun for a mysterious allure is largely an English adoption, though French speakers understand it and might use it in specific contexts, sometimes as a hyphenated noun "un je-ne-sais-quoi".
To respond to "Ça va?", use simple, context-dependent answers like "Ça va bien, merci, et toi/vous?" (Very well, thanks, and you?) for positive, polite replies, or "Pas mal" (Not bad), "Bof" (Meh/So-so), or even "Ça va mal" (Not well) for more nuanced feelings, often followed by asking back "Et toi?" (informal) or "Et vous?" (formal).
Here are some typical phrases used to flirt in French:
French Compliments: 8 Ways to Flatter Someone in French
Given the close nature of the French greeting with kisses, the French are generally more at ease maintaining personal space. The French may seem reserved upon first meeting. However, during subsequent meetings, touching during a conversation is acceptable and considered a sign of affection.
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) in French learning means focusing on the 20% of vocabulary, grammar, and phrases that handle 80% of everyday conversations, allowing for rapid progress and practical communication by prioritizing high-frequency words, common sentence structures, and essential situations like the bakery or doctor. Instead of learning everything, you learn the right things (like "je," "il," "elle," common verbs) to quickly become functional and build confidence in real-life French.
Just take it as a chunk: "qu'est-ce que" means "what" as an object, and "qu'est-ce qui" means "what" as a subject. '
🇫🇷 Je ne sais pas = I do not know. je = I. ne + pas = these are the negation markers in French.
16. Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup. Meaning: “Eat well, laugh often, love a lot.” “Live life to the fullest” or carpe diem (“seize the day”). Use this positive French saying to console a friend that is having a hard time.
MDR. MDR in French stands for Mort de rire. The phrase literally means “Dead from laughter” but a more appropriate translation is “laughing out loud” or the more text-friendly “LOL”.
Bonswa, on the other hand, would be used to greet someone in the afternoon and evening. Its mainland French alternative, bonsoir, literally translating to “good evening,” is only appropriate after sunset.
Je t'aime bien – I like you. Yes, it translates directly to “I love you well.” Je t'aime – I love you. This can be used with your lover, as well as with friends and family.
The Confusion of Hour and Season
Similarly, in winter, it may feel like evening comes earlier, so people might switch to “bonsoir” around 4 PM. The general rule is: “Bonjour” in the morning to late afternoon (around 5 PM). “Bonsoir” once the evening sets in and the sun begins to go down.
Yes, the French absolutely say "je voudrais" (I would like), and it's the standard, polite way to order or make requests, especially in shops and restaurants, though native speakers often use alternatives like "je vais prendre" or "je prendrai" for ordering food to sound more natural, while "je veux" (I want) is considered too direct or demanding.
The "5 to 7 rule" in France, or le cinq à sept, traditionally refers to a secret, after-work rendezvous (5 PM to 7 PM) with a lover for an illicit sexual encounter before returning home to family, but it's also used more broadly for discreet romantic meetings or even just a casual happy hour, though its meaning varies by region, with Québec using it more for social gatherings than affairs.
All the nouns ending in a double consonant + e are usually feminine. elle, enne, emme, esse, erre, ette… La pelle (shovel), une selle (saddle), la chaussette (the sock), la fillette (the little girl), La tristesse (sadness), la terre (earth), la femme (woman)…
To respond to "Ça va?", use simple, context-dependent answers like "Ça va bien, merci, et toi/vous?" (Very well, thanks, and you?) for positive, polite replies, or "Pas mal" (Not bad), "Bof" (Meh/So-so), or even "Ça va mal" (Not well) for more nuanced feelings, often followed by asking back "Et toi?" (informal) or "Et vous?" (formal).
First and foremost, the equivalent of flirting in French is Draguer.
French people say "voilà" because it's a versatile, common expression derived from "vois là" (see there), meaning "here it is," "there you go," or "ta-da," used to present something, conclude a thought, confirm an agreement, or introduce a person/idea, functioning like a verbal pointer or summary in everyday speech. It literally means "see there," but its usage is much broader, functioning as a presentative to introduce things or show completion.
The most common is to offer the right cheek for la bise. However, in some parts of France, especially in the South and South-East, we offer the left cheek first! Once the cheek is presented, how many kisses should you give? In most cases, 2 is the norm.
France is More Traditional
While casual flings are very common in the US, the French take relationships much more seriously. Some would even call this conservative. Usually, French relationships last longer, and loyalty is very important.
The French expect conversational partners to engage fully. Avoiding eye contact may look like disinterest or boredom. Looking someone in the eyes is a sign of being straightforward and trustworthy. Eye contact helps build rapport and a sense of intimacy—even in casual conversations.