Learning French

post-it with Merci Beaucoup! written on it

Learning French: Common courtesies

Good manners are always important for good communication, whatever language it is you’re speaking, and whoever it is you’re addressing. With that in mind, our next French conversation blog looks at those common courtesies that feature in so many of our everyday interactions. Please In most cases, you would use… Read More
a man and woman greeting in the street

Salut! Meeting and greeting in French

Conversational French Creating a good first impression is important, so you’ll want to say hello to people properly. It’s not just about what you say, though, it’s making sure you know the correct etiquette when meeting people. French people are quite formal when initially introduced, shaking hands upon meeting and… Read More
a black board with je suis, tu es written on it

Understanding French verb tenses

One of the most challenging parts of learning a foreign language is getting to grips with all the different verb tenses. Verb tenses explain when events happen, whether in the past, present or future. In this short article, we will explain and provide some examples of the most common tenses… Read More
picture showing an open book with français written and white symbols shown on the blue background

Verb Tables for the 50 Most Common French Verbs

CollinsDictionary.com now has full verb conjugation tables for over 5,000 French verbs. There are links below to Verb conjugation tables for 50 of the most common French verbs, or you can search all French verb tables here. Search Collins French Verb Tables Enter the root form of the verb, for… Read More
man giving a woman directions on a street

Learning French: Understanding what’s being said

Learning a new language involves mastering lots of skills, and often our understanding of what’s being said comes before our ability to be able to speak the language and become confident enough to contribute to the conversation. However, there will likely be times when you might have a problem understanding… Read More
a tabby cat yawning in amongst bushes

French Expressions : Cats, Cockroaches and Buttered Spinach

Expressions. Idioms. Aphorisms. Whatever you call them, they add spice to any conversation. Tossing a few French idioms into your tête-à-tête adds that je ne sais quoi that makes learning a new language so much fun. Use French expressions correctly and you build rapport with your French-speaking friends. You… Read More
Paris with Eiffel Tower, wifi symbols indicating connectivity

Social Networking in French

Social networking in French is one of the easiest, most fun and trendiest ways of learning the language while making friends in French-speaking countries. As of September 2011, 82 percent of internet users worldwide had used a social network. Almost 20 percent of time spent on the internet is spent… Read More
woman texting on a pink phone, sitted at table at a cafe, with a coffee

Texting in French

Texting your French contacts regularly is a great way to learn the language while making friends and building your social network. Textos The purpose of text messages – called textos in French – is to communicate in writing via your mobile phone while using as few… Read More
airmail envelope with French stamp, and I Love Paris on the front

French Letter Writing

In our world of instant messaging, texting, tweeting and social media, letter writing may seem hopelessly old-fashioned. As American comedian Steven Wright puts it, “I stayed in a really old hotel last night. They sent me a wake-up letter.” For centuries, though, letter writing was an art form and an… Read More
collinsdictionary