How to Make Small Talk in French
Having a short conversation in French is exactly the same as in English. Talk about familiar topics like jobs, sports and kids – just say it in French! Small talk describes brief conversations you have with people you don’t know well. Small talk is where friendships are made. If you know how to have a short conversation in French, you will be able to “break the deadlock” and get to know some of the people you meet during your trip.
Small talk generally consists of greetings, introductions, and descriptions of personal information and interests. If you are able to keep on your own in each of these areas, you will be able to handle most small conversation situations.
Greetings and introductions
Although the French are often more formal than we are in America, you don’t have to wait to get to know someone. Walk up to someone and say hello (greetings or good morning).
Introductions don’t have to be complicated or stifling. The following phrases are all you need to start a conversation.
Je m’appelle . . . (My name is . . .)
Comment vous appelez-vous? (What’s your name? [Formal])
Je vous présente Fabienne, ma femme. (Let me introduce you my wife, Fabienne).
Greetings and introductions are usually accompanied by a Comment allez-vous? (How are you? [Formal]) There are many possible responses, but the most common would be to say I’m doing well (Ça va bien) or I’m so-so (Je vais comme-ci, comme-ça.).
Personal information
After the necessary introductions, small talk is really just a question of asking the other person questions about themselves and sharing information about yourself. The following phrases will come in handy when you’re chitchatting with someone new.
Je suis de . . . (I am from . . .)
D’où venez-vous? (Where are you from? [Formal])
Quel est votre métier? (What is your profession? [Formal])
Quel âge avez-vous? (How old are you? [Formal])
Où habitez-vous? (Where do you live? [Formal])
Je suis étudiant/étudiante. (I’m a student. [M/F])
Combien d’enfants avez-vous? (How many children do you have?)
J’ai trois enfants. (I have three children.)
Personal Interests
Many friendships are forged on the bond of common interests. You can use the following phrases to compare interests when making small talk.
Qu’est-ce que tu aimes faire pour t’amuser? (What do you like to do for fun? [Informal])
À quoi joues-tu? (What do you play? [Informal])
Je joue au golf. (I play golf.)
Je joue au football. (I play soccer.)
Je joue au football américain. (I play football.)
Je joue au tennis. (I play tennis.)
Je suis un grand supporter de sport. (I’m a big sports fan.)
That’s it. By mastering these simple sentence structures, you’ll soon be able to make small talk with everyone you meet.