Telling your name

Introduction to Introducing Yourself in French

This lesson is designed for beginners (A1 level) learning how to introduce themselves in French. It covers essential vocabulary and expressions related to telling your name, asking someone else's name, and writing your name properly. You'll also get familiar with the French alphabet and pronunciation basics to help you communicate clearly.

Key Expressions for Introducing Yourself

To present yourself and ask about others' names, practice these common expressions:

• Comment tu t'appelles ? (What is your name?)
• Je m'appelle Marie, et toi ? (My name is Marie, and you?)
• Mon prénom est Pierre et mon nom de famille est Martin. (My first name is Pierre and my last name is Martin.)
• Madame, pouvez-vous écrire votre nom, s'il vous plaît ? (Madam, could you please write your name?)

The Verb S'appeler (To Be Called)

This reflexive verb is essential when saying your name. Its conjugation in present tense is:

• je m'appelle
• tu t'appelles
• il/elle/on s'appelle
• nous nous appelons
• vous vous appelez
• ils/elles s'appellent

Remember to always use the reflexive pronoun matching the subject.

Useful Verbs: Parler and Écrire

Besides introducing yourself, you'll often speak (parler) and write (écrire) names. Their present tense conjugations are:

• parler: je parle, tu parles, il/elle/on parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils/elles parlent
• écrire: j'écris, tu écris, il/elle/on écrit, nous écrivons, vous écrivez, ils/elles écrivent

Important Vocabulary and Phrases

Grouping your vocabulary helps organize your learning:

• Forms of address: Monsieur, Madame, La fille, Le garçon
• Personal information: Le prénom (first name), Le nom (last name), Je m'appelle (My name is), Mon nom est… (My name is…)

The French Alphabet and Pronunciation

Understanding the French alphabet is key when spelling your name. For example, "Je m'appelle Lucie, ça s'écrit L-U-C-I-E." Practice saying each letter to improve pronunciation and clarity.

Contextual Dialogues for Practice

You will see examples of polite and natural exchanges in various situations, like meeting colleagues or at a hotel reception:

• Bonjour, je m'appelle Monsieur Dupont.
• Enchantée, Monsieur Dupont. Je suis Madame Lefèvre.
• Comment vous appelez-vous ?

Comparison Between English and French Introductions

In English, to ask someone's name, you say "What is your name?" In French, the informal "Comment tu t'appelles ?" is used for friends or peers, using the reflexive verb s'appeler. Formal situations use "Comment vous appelez-vous ?" noting the subject-verb inversion. Unlike English, French includes polite titles like Monsieur, Madame, and Mademoiselle depending on formality and gender.

Key phrases include:

• Je m'appelle... – I am called...
• Comment tu t'appelles ? – What is your name? (informal)
• Comment vous appelez-vous ? – What is your name? (formal)
• Mon prénom est... – My first name is...
• Mon nom de famille est... – My last name is...

Pay attention to verb conjugations and the use of reflexive pronouns to sound natural.