By Biodun Adekoya
Welcome to our Next learning edition!
Speaking French starts with a simple “Bonjour”, but what comes next? Introducing yourself! Whether you’re meeting new people, making friends, or networking professionally, a confident introduction sets the tone.
Have you ever felt nervous when speaking French? Maybe you hesitated, unsure of what to say. Good news—you won’t have to feel that way again!
Today, I’ll show you how to introduce yourself naturally and confidently in French. No awkward moments, no hesitation—just smooth, fluent introductions.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to:
Say your name and ask for someone else’s
Mention where you’re from
Talk about your profession
Respond confidently in any introduction
Are you ready to sound like a pro? Let’s get started!
1. Saying Your Name
• Je m’appelle… (zhuh mah-pehl…) – My name is…
• Example: Je m’appelle Marie. (My name is Marie.)
• Moi, c’est… (mwa say…) – I’m… (casual)
• Example: Moi, c’est David. (I’m David.)
2. Asking for Someone’s Name
• Comment tu t’appelles ? (koh-mah(n) tu tah-pehl ?) – What’s your name? (informal)
• Comment vous appelez-vous ? (koh-mah(n) voo zah-peh-lay voo ?) – What’s your name? (formal)
3. Saying Your Age (Optional)
• J’ai 20 ans. (zhay vahn ah(n)) – I am 20 years old.
• Tu as quel âge ? (tu ah kel ahzh ?) – How old are you? (informal)
• Quel âge avez-vous ? (kel ahzh ah-vay voo ?) – How old are you? (formal)
4. Saying Where You Are From
• Je viens du Nigeria. (zhuh vyah(n) du nee-zheh-ree-ah) – I come from Nigeria.
• Je suis nigérian(e). (zhuh swee nee-zheh-rya(n)) – I am Nigerian.
• Tu es d’où ? (tu eh doo ?) – Where are you from? (informal)
• D’où venez-vous ? (doo vuh-nay voo ?) – Where are you from? (formal)
5. Talking About Your Occupation
• Je suis étudiant(e) en… (zhuh swee e-tu-dyah(n) ah(n)…) – I am a student in…
• Example: Je suis étudiant(e) en français. (I am a French student.)
• Je travaille comme… (zhuh tra-vah-yuh kohm…) – I work as…
• Example: Je travaille comme enseignant. (I work as a teacher.)
6. Introducing Someone Else
• Voici… (vwah-see…) – Here is…
• Example: Voici mon ami Paul. (Here is my friend Paul.)
• Je vous présente… (zhuh voo pray-zahnt…) – I introduce to you…
• Example: Je vous présente Sarah. (I introduce to you Sarah.)
7. Saying “Nice to Meet You”
• Enchanté(e) ! (ahn-shahn-tay !) – Nice to meet you!
• (Add an extra “e” for females, but the pronunciation stays the same.)
8. Responding to “How Are You?”
• Comment ça va ? (koh-mah(n) sah vah ?) – How’s it going?
• Ça va bien, merci ! (Sah vah byah(n), mehr-see !) – I’m good, thank you!
• Et vous ? / Et toi ? (Ay voo ? / Ay twa ?) – And you? (formal/informal)
9. Talking About What You Like
• J’aime… (zhem…) – I like…
• Example: J’aime la musique. (I like music.)
• Je n’aime pas… (zhuh nem pah…) – I don’t like…
• Example: Je n’aime pas le football. (I don’t like football.)
10. Wrapping Up a Conversation
• À bientôt ! (ah byah(n)-too !) – See you soon!
• Au revoir ! (oh ruh-vwahr !) – Goodbye!
• Bonne journée ! (bun zhoor-nay !) – Have a great day!
Practice Time!
Now it’s your turn! Introduce yourself in the comments using this format:
“Bonjour ! Je m’appelle ___. Je viens de ___. Je suis ___.”
Let’s practice together! À bientôt ! (See you soon!)
