French for Gringos
A daily French course for English speakers headed to France and Québec — travel phrases, pronunciation, and cultural notes, one lesson at a time.
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French For Gringos Lesson 3 Numbers 120 2026 10 04
Lesson 3: Numbers 1–20 1–5: un uh(n), deux duh (silent x), trois trwah, quatre kah-truh, cinq sah(n)k (nasal + k) 6–10: six sees, sept seht, huit weet (w sound), neuf nuhf, dix dees (z sound) 11–15: onze oh(n)z (nasal), douze dooz, treize trehz, quatorze kah-tohrz, quinze kah(n)z (nasal) 16–20: seize sehz, dix-sept dee-seht, dix-huit dee-zeweet (liaison: z flows in), dix-neuf dee-znuhf, vingt vah(n) (nasal, silent t) Pronunciation tips: nasal vowels marked (n), silent final letters, liaison explained Demo dialogue: buying three croissants for nine euros at a Provence market Cultural note: phon
French For Gringos Lesson 2 Courtesy Essentials 2026 10 04
Lesson 2: Courtesy essentials s'il vous plaît (please): seel voo pleh; say after every request merci (thank you): mehr-see; not like English mercy; soft throat r de rien (you're welcome): duh ree-ah(n); literally "of nothing"; nasal ending pardon (sorry/pardon): pahr-doh(n); bump-into or didn't-hear situations excusez-moi (excuse me): ehk-skew-zay mwah; getting past someone, flagging a waiter à vos souhaits (bless you): ah voh sweh; for sneezes, works in France and Québec Demo dialogue: ordering a croissant at a Lyon bakery Cultural note: service compris — tip already included; merci with eye
French For Gringos Lesson 1 Greetings Introductions 2026 10 04
Lesson 1: Greetings & Introductions bonjour (hello/good day): boh(n)-zhoor; nasal vowel tip, soft j like measure bonsoir (good evening): boh(n)-swahr; use after ~6pm; soft final r salut (hi, casual): sah-loo; silent t; silent final letters rule je m'appelle (my name is): zhuh mah-pell; soft zh like garage comment ça va (how are you?): koh-mah(n) sah vah; answer ça va enchanté (nice to meet you): ah(n)-shah(n)-tay; two nasals; written form differs by gender, sounds same au revoir (goodbye): oh ruh-vwahr; swallowed re Demo dialogue: arriving at a Paris café, introducing names Cultural note: bonj