You are at a casual networking event or a new workplace where French is spoken. You want to introduce yourself, say where you are from, and ask a colleague a few polite questions without sounding too formal or too casual. This page helps you practise a short spoken introduction and handle the moment when someone asks you a question back. You will use phrases such as Bonjour, je m'appelle... and Vous venez d'où ? from the supplied lessons, and you will work on keeping the conversation going with one or two follow-up questions.
Prepare a short, polite self-introduction
Start by choosing a greeting that fits the setting. Bonjour is safe with new colleagues and strangers. If the other person says Salut first, you can switch to Salut, but let them set the tone. Then give your name: Je m'appelle... or Moi, c'est... Add where you are from: Je viens du Canada or Je viens de Montréal. Remember that countries often need an article: du for masculine, de la for feminine, and de or d' for cities. Finish with one interest: J'aime beaucoup cuisiner or J'adore la randonnée. Keep the whole introduction to three or four short sentences so you can say it smoothly. Practise it aloud until you can say it without reading. Record yourself once and listen for clear endings on viens and m'appelle.
Handle the question back without freezing
The harder turn comes when the other person asks you a question you did not prepare, such as Vous faites quoi dans la vie ? or Vous venez d'où ? If you need a moment, use a short filler like Alors... or Eh bien... and then answer with a simple sentence. For example, if they ask where you are from, say Je viens de... and add a city if you want. If they ask what you do, you can say Je travaille dans... or Je suis étudiant. If you do not understand, it is fine to say Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter ? Then answer the part you did catch. After answering, ask a similar question back: Et vous ? or Et vous, vous venez d'où ? This keeps the exchange balanced and gives you time to breathe. Practise this pattern: answer, then return the question.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Salut !
Hi! / Hey!
sa-LÜ
Ça va ?
How's it going? / You okay?
sa VA
Quoi de neuf ?
What's up? / What's new?
kwa də NÖF
Coucou !
Hey there! / Hi!
ku-KU
Salut, moi c'est Alex.
Hi, I'm Alex.
sah-LOO, mwah say ah-LEKS
Je viens du Canada.
I'm from Canada.
zhuh vyen dew kah-nah-DAH
Je viens de Montréal.
I'm from Montreal.
zhuh vyen duh mon-ray-AL
J'adore la randonnée.
I love hiking.
zhah-DOR lah rahn-doh-NAY
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Salut ! Ça va ?
Hey! How's it going?Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ?
I'm doing well, thanks. And you?Ça va. Quoi de neuf ?
I'm good. What's up?Pas grand-chose. On se voit plus tard ?
Not much. See you later?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
First meeting at a coworking space
You are at a coworking space in Montreal. A person sitting nearby says Bonjour and introduces themselves as Camille. They seem friendly and are about your age. You want to introduce yourself politely but not too formally.
Your task: Say aloud a short introduction in French. Include: a greeting, your name, where you are from, and one activity you like. Use Bonjour, je m'appelle... or Moi, c'est... Then say Je viens de... and J'aime beaucoup... or J'adore... Speak in full sentences, not just words.
Coffee break with a new colleague
It is your second day at a workplace where French is common. During a coffee break, a colleague named Alex says Bonjour and asks Vous venez d'où ? You want to answer and then ask about their role, using polite vous forms.
Your task: Answer Alex's question with Je viens de... and add a city if you can. Then ask Alex one polite question about work or daily life. Use a question from the lesson, such as Vous faites quoi dans la vie ? or Où habitez-vous ? Say your question clearly with the polite vous form.
Community event introduction
You are at a local community event in a French-speaking area. A volunteer named Léa greets you with Salut, ça va ? You want to respond casually but still be polite, and then ask about her connection to the event.
Your task: Respond to Léa's greeting with Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ? Then introduce yourself casually: Moi, c'est... and say where you are from. Add one thing you like doing. Then ask Léa one question about herself, such as Tu viens d'où ? or Tu aimes quoi ?
Common questions
Should I use tu or vous with new colleagues in a French-speaking workplace?
Start with vous unless the other person is clearly your age and uses tu first. In many workplaces, people switch to tu after a few conversations, but vous is the safer polite choice at first. If someone says On peut se tutoyer, you can switch.
What if I do not understand a question during a work conversation?
It is fine to ask for repetition. Say Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter ? or Excusez-moi, je n'ai pas compris. Then answer the part you understood. You can also ask them to speak more slowly: Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?
Sources and further reading
- french: greet friends casuallyChecked September 2026
- french: introduce yourself sociallyChecked September 2026
- french: ask basic personal questionsChecked September 2026
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