French · Chapter 4 · Lesson 16 · Phrase session
Merci, pardon, s'il vous plait
The six that cost nothing and buy more goodwill than any amount of grammar.
Why these go together
French politeness is less optional than English politeness. Walking into a shop without bonjour is not brusque, it is rude, and the correction is one word. These six are the ones whose absence gets noticed.
Merci beaucoup.
Thank you very much.
S'il vous plaît.
Please.
Literally: if it pleases you
Je suis désolé.
I am sorry.
Bonne nuit.
Good night.
Comment allez-vous ?
How are you?
Literally: how do you go
Très bien, merci.
Very well, thank you.
Matching
0/6Match each phrase to what it means.
Fill in the blank
0/6Put the missing word back.
Merci . (Thank you very much.)
S'il vous . (Please.)
Je suis . (I am sorry.)
Bonne . (Good night.)
Comment -vous ? (How are you?)
Très , merci. (Very well, thank you.)