Start a French conversation.

You don’t need a brilliant opening line. A hello, one small question, and a little curiosity will give you somewhere to start.

Start with a hello that fits.

Bonjour works in a shop, at a café, or when meeting someone during the day. Salut is more casual: think friends, classmates, or someone you already know.

With someone you don’t know well, you can use vous instead of the informal tu.

Ask something easy to answer.

Match the question to where you are. A hostel common room, a classroom, and a message to a friend each give you something different to talk about. These examples use the casual tu form.

Give a little of your own answer.

A conversation feels less like an interview when you share something too. Your answer can be short. Add Et toi ? — “And you?” — to pass it back.

Have a phrase ready for getting stuck.

It’s useful to tell the other person you’re learning. You can ask for a slower pace or a repeated word without ending the conversation.

For a polite version, use Vous pouvez répéter, s’il vous plaît ?

Follow the interesting detail.

If someone mentions a trip, ask where they went. If they mention a film, ask whether they liked it. One small follow-up is enough.

You don’t have to understand every word to find one thing you want to know more about.