Vocabulary: countries, nationalities and greetings

French-speaking countries, other countries and continents, nationalities and languages, and everyday greetings.

Practise this lesson free (8 questions)

Countries and continents

French is spoken in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Quebec in Canada, and many countries in Africa.
FrenchEnglish
la FranceFrance
la BelgiqueBelgium
la SuisseSwitzerland
le CanadaCanada
le QuébecQuebec
le Royaume-Unithe United Kingdom
l'Angleterre (f)England
l'Écosse (f)Scotland
le pays de GallesWales
l'Irlande (f)Ireland
l'Espagne (f)Spain
l'Allemagne (f)Germany
les États-Unis (m)the United States
l'Europe (f)Europe
l'Afrique (f)Africa

Nationalities and languages

No capital letters for nationality adjectives or languages: Il est français. Il parle anglais. People as nouns do take one: les Français.
FrenchEnglish
français(e)French
anglais(e)English
britanniqueBritish
écossais(e)Scottish
gallois(e)Welsh
irlandais(e)Irish
espagnol(e)Spanish
allemand(e)German
italien(ne)Italian
belgeBelgian
suisseSwiss
canadien(ne)Canadian
américain(e)American
francophoneFrench-speaking

Greetings and social phrases

Use tu with friends and family; use vous with adults you do not know and with more than one person.
FrenchEnglish
bonjourhello, good morning
bonsoirgood evening
bonne nuitgood night
saluthi, bye (informal)
au revoirgoodbye
à bientôtsee you soon
à plus tardsee you later
ça va?how are you?
enchanté(e)pleased to meet you
bienvenuewelcome
désolé(e)sorry
excusez-moiexcuse me
s'il vous plaîtplease (polite)
de rienyou're welcome
Worked example

Translate: My cousin is Belgian and she speaks French and German.

  1. My cousin (female) = ma cousine
  2. Belgian = belge (same for both genders, no capital)
  3. French and German = français et allemand

Answer: Ma cousine est belge et elle parle français et allemand.

Key idea

La France, la Belgique, la Suisse, le Canada, le Québec, le Royaume-Uni, l'Écosse, le pays de Galles, les États-Unis, l'Afrique. Français(e), anglais(e), britannique, écossais(e), gallois(e), belge, suisse, canadien(ne), francophone: no capitals. Bonjour, bonsoir, salut, à bientôt, enchanté(e), désolé(e), de rien.

Common mistakes
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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. What does l'Allemagne (f) mean?

    1. Switzerland
    2. Wales
    3. Germany
    4. the United Kingdom
    Show the answer

    Answer: Germany

    L'Allemagne = Germany.

  2. Which is the French for "Switzerland"?

    1. l'Allemagne (f)
    2. le pays de Galles
    3. la Suisse
    4. l'Afrique (f)
    Show the answer

    Answer: la Suisse

    Switzerland = la Suisse.

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Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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