Unit 23 Guidebook: talk to someone formally
KEY PHRASES
Talk to someone formally
Vous venez d'Italie ?
Do you come from Italy?
Do you come from Italy?
Bonne journée, Monsieur.
Have a good day, sir.
Have a good day, sir.
Quelle est votre destination, Madame ?
What is your destination, ma'am?
What is your destination, ma'am?
Voulez-vous manger ici ?
Do you want to eat here?
Do you want to eat here?
Excusez-moi, j'ai une question.
Excuse me, I have a question.
Excuse me, I have a question.
Je ne sais pas, Mademoiselle.
I don't know, miss.
I don't know, miss.
TIP
Good day, sir!
There are two ways to say you in French! In general, you use tu in friendly conversations or with kids. You can use vous to address more than one person, but also in formal situations or with adults you don't know.
Tu aimes le vin ?
Do you like wine?
Do you like wine?
Madame, voyagez‑vous avec votre fille ?
Ma'am, are you traveling with your daughter?
Ma'am, are you traveling with your daughter?
Madame, voulez‑vous du café ?
Ma'am, do you want some coffee?
Ma'am, do you want some coffee?
TIP
Which what is which?
To ask a what or which question, you'll use quel if the noun is masculine and quelle if it's feminine.
Quel train va à Paris ?
Which train is going to Paris?
Which train is going to Paris?
Quelle est votre profession ?
What is your profession?
What is your profession?
Quel est votre bagage ?
Which is your luggage?
Which is your luggage?
Quelle est votre destination ?
What is your destination?
What is your destination?
Quelle est la nationalité de Paul ?
What is Paul's citizenship?
What is Paul's citizenship?