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French Introduction to French Syllabus

The Introduction to French syllabus for French in full: 2 chapters and 6 topics, every one listed below, plus 50 Introduction to French flashcards with answers.

2Chapters
6Topics
50Flashcards

Introduction to French syllabus: all 2 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Understanding the French Alphabet

     3 topics
    • Learn the pronunciation of each letter
    • Practice the French accents
    • Familiarize with the French phonetic system

  2. Basic French Greetings and Expressions

     3 topics
    • Learn common greetings
    • Practice polite expressions
    • Use greetings in simple conversations

French Introduction to French flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. How many letters are in the French alphabet, and does it use the same set as English?

    The French alphabet has 26 letters, the same Latin letters as English. The difference lies in pronunciation and the use of diacritical marks (accents).

  2. How is the letter 'e' pronounced when it has no accent and stands at the end of a word?

    An unaccented final 'e' is usually silent (e.g., 'tasse'). Elsewhere it often sounds like a soft 'uh' schwa (e.g., 'le').

  3. How is the French letter 'h' pronounced?

    The letter 'h' is always silent in French. It is never aspirated as a sound, though it can be 'aspirate h' (blocking liaison) or 'mute h' (allowing liaison) grammatically.

  4. How is the letter 'r' pronounced in standard French?

    The French 'r' is a guttural sound produced at the back of the throat (uvular), not the rolled or retroflex 'r' of English or Spanish.

  5. How are the letters 'ou' pronounced together in French?

    'ou' is pronounced like the English 'oo' in 'food' (a close back rounded vowel), as in 'vous' (you).

  6. What sound does the letter combination 'ch' make in French?

    'ch' is pronounced 'sh' (like English 'shoe'), as in 'chat' (cat), not 'ch' as in 'church'.

  7. How is the letter 'j' pronounced in French?

    French 'j' makes a soft 'zh' sound (like the 's' in 'measure'), as in 'jour' (day).

  8. What is the pronunciation of the letter 'g' before 'e' or 'i' versus before 'a', 'o', 'u'?

    Before 'e' or 'i', 'g' is soft ('zh', as in 'girafe'). Before 'a', 'o', 'u', it is hard ('g' as in 'gare').

  9. How is the letter 'c' pronounced before different vowels?

    Before 'e' or 'i', 'c' is soft ('s', as in 'ciel'). Before 'a', 'o', 'u', it is hard ('k', as in 'car').

  10. What are the five accent marks used in French?

    The five accents are: accent aigu (é), accent grave (è, à, ù), accent circonflexe (ê, â, î, ô, û), tréma/diaeresis (ë, ï, ü), and cédille (ç).

  11. What does the accent aigu (´) do, and on which vowel does it appear?

    The accent aigu appears only on 'e' (é) and gives it a closed sound like 'ay' in 'day', as in 'été' (summer).

  12. What sound does the accent grave (`) give to 'e', and what is its role on 'a' and 'u'?

    On 'è' it gives an open 'eh' sound (as in 'père'). On 'à' and 'ù' it does not change pronunciation but distinguishes words (e.g., 'a' vs 'à', 'ou' vs 'où').

  13. What is the function of the accent circonflexe (ˆ)?

    The circumflex often marks a historically dropped letter (usually 's', e.g., 'forêt' from 'forest'). It can lengthen or change vowel quality and sometimes distinguishes homophones (e.g., 'sur' vs 'sûr').

  14. What does the cédille (ç) indicate?

    The cédille under a 'c' (ç) makes it soft ('s' sound) before 'a', 'o', or 'u', as in 'français' and 'garçon'. It is never used before 'e' or 'i'.

  15. What does the tréma (¨) signify when placed over a vowel?

    The tréma indicates that a vowel is pronounced separately from the preceding vowel rather than blended, as in 'naïf' (na-eef) and 'Noël' (No-el).

  16. What is a nasal vowel in French, and give an example?

    A nasal vowel is produced by letting air flow through the nose, occurring when a vowel is followed by 'm' or 'n' in the same syllable. Example: 'bon' (good), 'vin' (wine), 'blanc' (white). The 'n'/'m' itself is not fully pronounced.

  17. What is 'liaison' in French phonetics?

    Liaison is the pronunciation of a normally silent final consonant when the next word begins with a vowel or mute 'h'. Example: 'les amis' is pronounced 'lay-zami'.

  18. What is 'élision' in French?

    Élision is the dropping of a final vowel (usually 'e' or 'a') before a word starting with a vowel or mute 'h', marked by an apostrophe. Example: 'le ami' becomes 'l'ami'; 'je ai' becomes 'j'ai'.

  19. Which final consonants are most often silent in French, and which are more often pronounced?

    Final consonants are usually silent (e.g., the 's' in 'Paris', 't' in 'chat'). The consonants in the word 'CaReFuL' (c, r, f, l) are more often pronounced at the end of words.

  20. How is the nasal sound in 'an', 'en' pronounced compared to 'on'?

    'an' and 'en' produce the same open nasal sound (as in 'blanc', 'temps'), while 'on' produces a rounded nasal sound (as in 'bon'). They are distinct nasal vowels.

Show the other 30 Introduction to French flashcards

  1. What sound do the letters 'oi' make in French?

    'oi' is pronounced 'wa' (like 'wah'), as in 'moi' (me) and 'trois' (three).

  2. What sound does 'eu' make in French?

    'eu' is a rounded front vowel with no exact English equivalent, roughly like the 'u' in 'burn' without the 'r'. Examples: 'deux' (two), 'peu' (little).

  3. How are the combinations 'au' and 'eau' pronounced?

    Both 'au' and 'eau' are pronounced like a closed 'o' (as in 'boat'). Example: 'eau' (water), 'chaud' (hot).

  4. What sound does 'gn' make in French?

    'gn' is pronounced like the 'ny' in 'canyon' (a palatal nasal), as in 'montagne' (mountain) and 'agneau' (lamb).

  5. What sound do 'ai' and 'ei' typically make?

    Both are pronounced as an open 'eh' sound (like 'e' in 'bed'), as in 'maison' (house) and 'neige' (snow).

  6. Where does word stress typically fall in French?

    French stress is even and light, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable of a word or rhythmic group, unlike English which stresses varied syllables.

  7. What is the standard French greeting used at any time of day, and what does it literally mean?

    'Bonjour' is the standard daytime greeting. It literally means 'good day' and is used to say hello during the day.

  8. What greeting is used in the evening, and what does it mean?

    'Bonsoir' is used in the evening/at night. It literally means 'good evening'.

  9. How do you say 'good night' in French, and when is it used?

    'Bonne nuit' means 'good night' and is used specifically when someone is going to bed, not as a general evening greeting.

  10. What is the informal way to say 'hi' or 'bye' in French?

    'Salut' is an informal greeting meaning both 'hi' and 'bye', used among friends, family, and peers.

  11. How do you say 'goodbye' formally in French, and what does it literally imply?

    'Au revoir' means 'goodbye'. It literally implies 'until we see each other again'.

  12. What does 'À bientôt' mean?

    'À bientôt' means 'see you soon'.

  13. How do you ask 'How are you?' formally versus informally in French?

    Formal/polite: 'Comment allez-vous?' Informal: 'Comment vas-tu?' or casually 'Ça va?' (How's it going?).

  14. How do you respond to 'Ça va?' when you are doing well?

    You reply 'Ça va bien, merci' (I'm doing well, thank you) or simply 'Ça va' (I'm fine). You can add 'Et toi?' / 'Et vous?' (And you?).

  15. What is the difference between 'tu' and 'vous' when addressing someone?

    'Tu' is the informal 'you' for friends, family, children, and peers. 'Vous' is the formal or plural 'you', used for strangers, elders, superiors, or addressing more than one person. This distinction is called 'tutoiement' vs 'vouvoiement'.

  16. How do you say 'please' in French, formally and informally?

    Formal: 's'il vous plaît' (using 'vous'). Informal: 's'il te plaît' (using 'te'). Both literally mean 'if it pleases you'.

  17. How do you say 'thank you' and 'thank you very much' in French?

    'Merci' means 'thank you'. 'Merci beaucoup' means 'thank you very much'.

  18. How do you respond to 'merci' (you're welcome) in French?

    Common responses are 'De rien' (it's nothing), 'Je vous en prie' (formal), or 'Je t'en prie' (informal). 'Avec plaisir' (with pleasure) is also used.

  19. How do you say 'excuse me' and 'I'm sorry' in French?

    'Excusez-moi' (formal) or 'Excuse-moi' (informal) means 'excuse me'. 'Pardon' means 'sorry/pardon', and 'Je suis désolé(e)' means 'I am sorry'.

  20. How do you say 'yes' and 'no' in French?

    'Oui' means 'yes' and 'Non' means 'no'. 'Si' is a special 'yes' used to contradict a negative question or statement.

  21. How do you introduce yourself by name in French?

    'Je m'appelle...' (literally 'I call myself...') followed by your name, e.g., 'Je m'appelle Marie'. Alternatively, 'Je suis...' (I am...).

  22. How do you ask someone's name formally and informally in French?

    Formal: 'Comment vous appelez-vous?' Informal: 'Comment tu t'appelles?' Both mean 'What is your name?'

  23. How do you say 'Nice to meet you' in French?

    'Enchanté' (said by a male) or 'Enchantée' (said by a female), literally 'enchanted'. A fuller version is 'Enchanté(e) de faire votre connaissance'.

  24. How do you ask 'Where are you from?' and answer it in French?

    Ask: 'D'où venez-vous?' (formal) or 'D'où viens-tu?' (informal). Answer: 'Je viens de...' followed by the place, e.g., 'Je viens de France'.

  25. How do you politely ask 'Do you speak English?' in French?

    'Parlez-vous anglais?' (formal) or 'Tu parles anglais?' (informal).

  26. How do you say 'I don't understand' and 'I don't know' in French?

    'Je ne comprends pas' means 'I don't understand'. 'Je ne sais pas' means 'I don't know'.

  27. How do you wish someone a good day when leaving?

    'Bonne journée' means 'have a good day'. In the evening you would say 'Bonne soirée' (have a good evening).

  28. How do you say 'welcome' (as in greeting an arriving guest) in French?

    'Bienvenue' means 'welcome'. A fuller phrase is 'Soyez le bienvenu' / 'Soyez la bienvenue'.

  29. In a simple polite exchange, how would you greet a shopkeeper and ask for something?

    Begin with 'Bonjour', then state your request politely: 'Bonjour, je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît' (Hello, I would like a coffee, please). Saying 'Bonjour' first is essential politeness in French.

  30. What phrase means 'See you tomorrow' and 'See you later' in French?

    'À demain' means 'see you tomorrow' and 'À plus tard' (or casually 'À plus') means 'see you later'.

French Introduction to French FAQ

What is in the French Introduction to French syllabus?

French Introduction to French is split into 2 chapters: Understanding the French Alphabet and Basic French Greetings and Expressions. Together they contain 6 topics.

How many chapters are in French Introduction to French?

2 chapters, containing 6 topics. The largest chapter is Understanding the French Alphabet, with 3 topics.

Are there flashcards for French Introduction to French?

Yes — a 50-card Introduction to French deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.