What to Learn First in French?

Introduction

Learning French can be an exciting journey, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This article will guide you through the essential elements to focus on when beginning your French language adventure. By prioritizing these key aspects, you’ll build a strong foundation for further learning and gain confidence in your French skills.

Basic Pronunciation and Alphabet

Mastering French pronunciation from the start is crucial for effective communication and building confidence in speaking.

French Alphabet

The French alphabet is similar to English, with a few key differences:

• 26 letters, same as English
• Special characters: é, è, ê, ë, â, à, ô, ï, ü, ç
• Pronunciation differences: ‘h’ is usually silent, ‘r’ is pronounced in the back of the throat

Essential Pronunciation Rules

• Silent letters: Many final consonants are not pronounced (e.g., “petit” is pronounced “puh-tee”)
• Accent marks: Change the sound of vowels (e.g., “é” in “café” is pronounced like “ay”)
• Liaisons: Connecting words in speech (e.g., “les enfants” is pronounced “lay-zon-fon”)

Greetings and Basic Phrases

Being able to introduce yourself and engage in simple conversations is essential for building confidence and making connections.

Greetings and Farewells

French	English
Bonjour	Hello
Salut	Hi
Au revoir	Goodbye
À bientôt	See you soon

Introducing Yourself

• “Je m’appelle…” (My name is…)
• “Je suis…” (I am…)
• “Enchanté(e)” (Nice to meet you)

Basic Courtesy Phrases

• “S’il vous plaît” (Please)
• “Merci” (Thank you)
• “De rien” (You’re welcome)
• “Excusez-moi” (Excuse me)

Numbers and Telling Time

Being able to count and tell time is fundamental for everyday interactions and transactions.

Numbers 1-100

• 1-20: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix, onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, vingt
• Tens: vingt, trente, quarante, cinquante, soixante, soixante-dix, quatre-vingts, quatre-vingt-dix
• Practice tip: Learn numbers in groups (1-10, 11-20, tens, etc.)

Telling Time

• “Quelle heure est-il?” (What time is it?)
• “Il est…” (It is…)
• Time-related phrases:
• “du matin” (in the morning)
• “de l’après-midi” (in the afternoon)
• “du soir” (in the evening)

Basic Vocabulary

Building a foundation of essential words will help you understand and express basic ideas.

Days of the Week and Months

• Days: lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi, dimanche
• Months: janvier, février, mars, avril, mai, juin, juillet, août, septembre, octobre, novembre, décembre

Colors and Shapes

• Colors: rouge, bleu, vert, jaune, noir, blanc, gris, rose, violet, orange, marron
• Shapes: cercle, carré, triangle, rectangle, ovale

Family Members and Relationships

• Immediate family: mère (mother), père (father), frère (brother), sœur (sister)
• Extended family: grand-mère (grandmother), grand-père (grandfather), tante (aunt), oncle (uncle), cousin(e) (cousin)

Simple Grammar Structures

Understanding basic grammar will help you form sentences and express yourself more clearly.

Subject Pronouns

French	English
Je	I
Tu	You (informal)
Il/Elle	He/She
Nous	We
Vous	You (formal/plural)
Ils/Elles	They

Present Tense of Common Verbs

Focus on learning the present tense conjugations of these essential verbs:

• Être (to be)
• Avoir (to have)
• Aller (to go)
• Faire (to do/make)
• Parler (to speak)

Basic Sentence Structures

1. Affirmative: Subject + Verb + Object
   Example: “Je parle français.” (I speak French.)
2. Negative: Subject + ne + Verb + pas + Object
   Example: “Je ne parle pas anglais.” (I don’t speak English.)
3. Interrogative: Est-ce que + Subject + Verb + Object?
   Example: “Est-ce que vous parlez français?” (Do you speak French?)

Conclusion

By focusing on these fundamental aspects of French, you’ll build a strong foundation for further learning:

• Basic pronunciation and alphabet
• Greetings and essential phrases
• Numbers and telling time
• Core vocabulary
• Simple grammar structures

Remember to practice regularly and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. With consistent effort, you’ll soon find yourself able to engage in basic French conversations and ready to tackle more advanced topics.

Bonne chance et bon apprentissage! (Good luck and happy learning!)