Telling your name
Dire votre nom
- Tell your name and ask for the name of somebody
- Titles and ways of addressing people. (Mister, miss,...)
- Introduce yourself
- The alphabet
- pronunciation
Learn how to introduce yourself in French using polite and common expressions. This lesson covers asking and giving names, spelling your name with the French alphabet, and understanding formal and informal forms. Practice through dialogues set in offices and social settings, while exploring key grammar like the reflexive verb s'appeler and vocabulary related to people’s names.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (15) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Match each word to the appropriate category: phrases for addressing people or words to talk about people.
Formules pour s'adresser aux gens
Mots pour parler des personnes
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Identité
Identity
2
S'appeler
To be called
3
Le nom
The name
4
La fille
The girl
5
Surnom
Nickname
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- Say the full name and the last name of each person. (Say the full name and the last name of each person.)
- Play a dialogue in which you ask someone for their name and introduce yourself. (Play a dialogue in which you ask someone for their name and introduce yourself.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Le nom de famille de Heidi est Schulz. The last name of Heidi is Schulz. |
|
Le surnom de Heidi est Abuelita. The nickname of Heidi is Abuelita. |
|
Comment vous appelez-vous ? What is your name? |
|
Je m'appelle Sofia. My name is Sofia. |
|
Mon nom complet est Sofia Rossi. Mi nombre completo es Sofia Rossi. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ___ Marie et je suis ravie de vous rencontrer.
(I ___ Marie and I am delighted to meet you.)2. Comment tu ___, monsieur Dupont ?
(What is your ___, Mr. Dupont?)3. Madame, comment vous ___, s'il vous plaît ?
(Madam, what is your ___, please?)4. Je ___ mon nom et mon prénom sur ce formulaire.
(I ___ my last name and first name on this form.)Exercise 8: Introducing Yourself in a New Office
Instruction:
Verb Tables
S'appeler - To be called
Présent
- Je m'appelle
- Tu t'appelles
- Il/Elle s'appelle
- Nous nous appelons
- Vous vous appelez
- Ils/Elles s'appellent
Écrire - To write
Présent
- J'écris
- Tu écris
- Il/Elle écrit
- Nous écrivons
- Vous écrivez
- Ils/Elles écrivent
Travailler - To work
Présent
- Je travaille
- Tu travailles
- Il/Elle travaille
- Nous travaillons
- Vous travaillez
- Ils/Elles travaillent
Rencontrer - To meet
Présent
- Je rencontre
- Tu rencontres
- Il/Elle rencontre
- Nous rencontrons
- Vous rencontrez
- Ils/Elles rencontrent
Demander - To ask
Présent
- Je demande
- Tu demandes
- Il/Elle demande
- Nous demandons
- Vous demandez
- Ils/Elles demandent
Répondre - To answer
Présent
- Je réponds
- Tu réponds
- Il/Elle répond
- Nous répondons
- Vous répondez
- Ils/Elles répondent
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
S'appeler to be called Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') m'appelle | I am called |
| (tu) t'appelles | you are called |
| (il/elle/on) s'appelle | he/she/one is called |
| nous appelons | We are called |
| vous appelez | You are called |
| (ils/elles) s'appellent | they are called |
Écrire to write Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') j'écris | I write |
| tu écris | you write |
| il/elle/on écrit | he/she/one writes |
| nous écrivons | we write |
| vous écrivez | You write |
| ils/elles écrivent | They write |
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Telling Your Name: Introduction to French Self-Introduction
This beginner-level lesson helps you learn how to introduce yourself in French naturally and politely. You'll discover common phrases used to ask someone's name, respond with your own, and spell it out when needed. The lesson also explains essential vocabulary such as "madame," "monsieur," "prénom" (first name), and "nom" (last name).
Key Expressions and Pronunciation
Start by practicing simple questions and answers like "Comment tu t'appelles ?" and "Je m'appelle Marie". You will also learn how to politely ask someone’s name in formal situations, for example, "Monsieur Dupont, quel est votre prénom ?". The lesson guides you through the French alphabet and pronunciation tips to help you spell your name clearly.
Everyday Contexts and Dialogues
You will explore realistic dialogue scenarios such as meeting colleagues in an office, chatting in a café, or introducing yourself in a French class. These practical conversations demonstrate polite forms and cultural etiquette for addressing peers and superiors, e.g., using "Madame" and "Monsieur".
Grammar and Vocabulary Highlights
- Reflexive verb s'appeler (to be called): Je m'appelle, tu t'appelles.
- Verbs related to writing and asking: écrire (to write), demander (to ask), répondre (to reply).
- Words to refer to people: le garçon (the boy), la fille (the girl), le prénom (first name), le nom (last name).
Note on Differences Between English and French Introductions
In French, formal and informal speech differ significantly. For example, the informal "Comment tu t'appelles ?" corresponds to "What's your name?" in casual English, while the formal "Comment vous appelez-vous ?" is closer to "May I have your name, please?" Also, French reflexive verb usage in s'appeler is unique and essential since it expresses naming oneself, unlike English where "to call" is straightforward.
Remember to use polite address forms such as "Madame," "Monsieur," or "Mademoiselle" depending on the context. The French alphabet pronunciation requires attention to correctly spell names, which is especially useful in formal introductions and administrative settings.
By mastering these basics, you'll confidently introduce yourself and others, an essential step in any language learning journey.
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