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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to FrenchPod101.com’s “Le français en 3 minutes”. The fastest, easiest, and most fun way to learn French.
Salut, je m'appelle Isabelle. Enchantée. Hi, I'm Isabelle. Nice to meet you.
In this series, we’re going to learn basic French expressions. It’s super easy and it only takes three minutes!
In this lesson, you’re going to learn how to introduce yourself in French. There are only two sentences you need to do it, but first it is important to clarify that in French there is a difference between the formal and the informal language.
Let’s first see how French people introduce themselves in an *informal* situation.
Salut, je m'appelle Isabelle. Enchantée de te rencontrer. Hi, I’m Isabelle. Nice to meet you.
[slowly] Salut je m'appelle Isabelle. Enchantée de te rencontrer.
Start by saying: Salut, je m'appelle... then, say your name. name). Salut, je m'appelle Isabelle. Finally, say Enchantée de te rencontrer.
Salut, je m'appelle Isabelle. Enchantée de te rencontrer.
And now let’s see the same sentence in formal speech,
Bonjour, je m'appelle Isabelle Durand. Je suis enchantée de vous rencontrer. Good morning, I’m Isabelle Durand. Nice to meet you.
[slowly] Bonjour, je m'appelle Isabelle Durand. Je suis enchantée de vous rencontrer.
So, what has changed from the previous introduction?
Let’s take a look at close look at these together.
Salut has been substituted with the formal greeting bonjour, French for "good day."
Je m'appelle Isabelle has not been changed; je m'appelle stands in both cases for "I am," however during a formal self introduction we also say our last name, so I said Isabelle Durand. Here, you would say your full name.
Finally, pay attention to the ending: we went from TE rencontrer to VOUS rencontrer. What is changing is the French word for “you.” In a formal sentence, we use the more polite word “vous.”
One more time: The informal way to introduce yourself in French is Salut je m'appelle Isabelle. Enchantée de te rencontrer.
The formal way to introduce yourself is
Bonjour, je m'appelle Isabelle Durand. Je suis enchantée de vous rencontrer.
Now it’s time for Isabelle’s Insights.
When you introduce yourself, it's a good habit to shake hands in France and, if you are not sure whether to use enchantée de te rencontrer or enchantée de vous rencontrer just say simply enchantée, as I said at the beginning of this lesson.
If you use the correct sentence with French people, they’re definitely going to be impressed!
Do you know how we say “thank you” in French? You’ll learn how to say this and many other words in the next lesson. A bientôt pour la prochaine leçon! See you then!

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