How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 French words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this French vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

French vocabulary: greetings and polite phrases

Hello, thank you, please, sorry, see you soon: the polite French phrases for greeting, thanking and starting a conversation.

Here are 100 French words on “Politeness and small talk”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 39 words

French	English
après vous	after you
santé	cheers
bonne chance	good luck
bonne nuit	good nightWhen parting to go to sleep
au revoir	goodbye
bon anniversaire	happy birthday
bonne année	happy New Year
bonne soirée	have a good eveningWhen leaving someone early in the evening
bonjour	helloGreeting on arrival, during the day
salut	hiInformal greeting
comment dit-on	how do you say
je ne sais pas	I do not know
je ne comprends pas	I do not understand
ça ne fait rien	it does not matter
bon courage	keep it up
faites comme chez vous	make yourself at home
puis-je vous aider	may I help you
non	no
pas de problème	no problem
il n’y a pas de quoi	not at all
bien sûr	of course
d’accord	okay
un instant	one moment
à tout à l’heure	see you shortly
à bientôt	see you soon
tant mieux	so much the better
désolé	sorryApology
merci	thank you
c’est dommage	that is a pity
faire connaissance	to get acquainted
présenter	to introduce
se présenter	to introduce oneself
à la prochaine	until next time
attention	watch out
que signifie	what does it mean
quoi de neuf	what is new
avec plaisir	with pleasureEnthusiastic acceptance
oui	yes
de rien	you are welcomeEveryday use

Level 2: medium 35 words

French	English
excuse	apology
meilleurs vœux	best wishes
conversation	conversation
pourriez-vous	could you
discussion	discussion
parlez-vous anglais	do you speak English
bon appétit	enjoy your meal
excusez-moi	excuse me
adieu	farewell
suivez-moi	follow me
bon rétablissement	get well soon
bonsoir	good eveningGreeting on arrival, from late afternoon onwards
poignée de main	handshake
bon week-end	have a good weekend
aidez-moi	help me
je voudrais	I would like
présentation	introduction
invitation	invitation
joyeux Noël	merry Christmas
plus lentement	more slowly
tant pis	never mind
s’il vous plaît	please
ravi de faire votre connaissance	pleased to meet you
reproche	reproach
merci infiniment	thanks a million
c’est gentil	that is kind
s’excuser	to apologise
aborder quelqu’un	to approach someone
saluer	to greet
inviter	to invite
souhaiter	to wish
accueil	welcomeNoun, the act of receiving someone
quel dommage	what a shame
comment vous appelez-vous	what is your name
je vous en prie	you are welcomeFormal register

Level 3: hard 26 words

French	English
permettez-moi	allow me
silence gêné	awkward silence
entrez	come in
consolation	comfort
compliment	compliment
encouragement	encouragement
vouvoiement	formal address
salutation	greeting
allô	helloOn the phone, when picking up
patientez	hold on
malpoli	ill mannered
malentendu	misunderstanding
toutes mes condoléances	my condolences
enchanté	nice to meet you
veuillez patienter	please hold on
formule de politesse	polite formula
poliment	politely
politesse	politeness
répétez	repeat
grossièreté	rudeness
asseyez-vous	sit down
féliciter	to congratulate
déranger	to disturb
interrompre	to interrupt
faire la bise	to kiss on the cheek
tutoyer	to use informal address

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 French words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this French vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.