Do you feel like you're not very natural when you speak French?
Do you feel like you don't speak like the French?
Do you feel like you sound like a robot when you speak?
Today, you will learn 10 words, 10 very small, very short words that will help you sound more natural in French. By using these words the right way, you will sound like a native French speaker.
People will think you have a very good level of French thanks to these 10 little French words.
⚠️ Please note, these 10 little words are mainly used in spoken language and in a rather informal context.
Voilà
"Voilà" can be used to present something. By starting a sentence with "voilà", we introduce new information or action:
For example: "Voilà mon cadeau pour toi"
We can also use "Voilà" to conclude an explanation or to signal the end of an action.
For example: "J'ai fini de travailler, voilà".
Au fait
(The t at the end is pronounced.)
"Au fait" is often used to introduce a new idea:
"Au fait, j'ai oublié de te dire que j'ai rencontré ton ami hier",
“Au fait” is also used for reminding someone of something.
For example: "Au fait, n'oublie pas d'acheter du lait en rentrant".
I talk more about “au fait” and “en fait” and “en effet” and their differences in this lesson: The difference between “en fait”, “au fait” and “en effet”.
Du coup
“Du coup” is used to express a consequence, logical sequence, or decision.
Something happens “DU COUP,” consequence: something else happens.
For example:
"Je suis fatigué, du coup, je vais me reposer",
"J'ai raté mon train, du coup, je suis arrivé en retard".
Bah
“Bah” is used to express various things:
- hesitation: “Bah, je sais pas.”
- surprise: "Bah, je ne m'attendais pas à ça".
- exasperation: “Bah oui, évidemment, il faut faire comme ça”.
Donc
"Donc" is used to introduce a logical consequence or a conclusion. It is used like "Du coup".
Something happens "DONC", another thing happens.
For example:
"Il pleut, donc je vais prendre mon parapluie",
"J'ai fini mes devoirs, donc je vais regarder un film".
Enfin bref
"Enfin bref" is a combination of two language tics, "enfin" and "bref", which is generally used to conclude a statement, to summarize what has been said previously, or to quickly move on to another subject.
The use of "enfin bref" often expresses a certain impatience or the desire not to dwell on a subject. You want to move on to something else.
Example: “Il ne comprenait rien du tout. Enfin bref, j'ai décidé de laisser tomber et de passer à autre chose.”
We don't want to dwell on the fact that the person didn't understand the situation and prefer to quickly move on to the next subject.
We don't want to dwell on the fact that the person did not understand the situation, and prefer to quickly move on to the next topic. In this case, we use "“Enfin bref”.
Ohlala
"Ohlala" is an expression that can be used to express various emotions such as:
- surprise: “Ohlala ! Mais il est complètement fou lui !”
- frustration: “Ohlala ! C’est difficile !”
- annoyance / exasperation: “Ohlala ! Arrête de crier !”
Hein ?
“Hein ?” is used to ask for confirmation:
"Il fait beau aujourd'hui, hein ?"
“Hein ?” here could replace “c’est vrai ?”
“Hein ?” is also used when we didn’t hear what someone said. To show that we didn't hear.
“Hein ? T’as dit quoi ?”
Bon
“Bon” is used to introduce a new idea or a new action to do:
“Bon” is used to introduce a new idea or a new action to do:
"Bon, il est temps d'aller travailler"
"Bon, n'oublie pas de m'appeler quand tu arrives".
We conclude what we were saying or doing previously to introduce a new action or idea.
Tiens
“Tiens” is used to draw the attention of the person you are talking to:
"Tiens, j'ai retrouvé cette vieille photo."
We also use “Tiens” to express surprise or astonishment:
"Tiens, je ne savais pas que tu étais là"
If you want to speak even more like the French, look more natural, download my FREE ebook “How to master spoken French ?”. This ebook will help you better understand the French and speak like them.
See you soon for new adventures, in French of course! 🇫🇷
