French in French
How do you say French in French? Well, that depends on whether the word French is being used as a noun or an adjective!
- Vous parlez français ? - You speak French? (polite form)
- Oui, je parle français - Yes, I speak French
- Je sais parler français - I know how to speak French
- Je suis française - I am French (female talking)
- Un fromage français - A French cheese
- Marie est française - Marie is French
Resources for further reading:
Le français (the noun)
Le français is a masculine noun, and the word for the French language in French.
Remember, a noun is a naming word. In French, nouns do not change their gender based on the gender of the person talking.
So, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman you would say; - Je parle français - I speak French
Because you are talking about the French language.
français (the adjective)
When français is used as an adjective it is describing something that is French.
Remember, an adjective has to agree with the nouns/subjects that they describe. And in French you add an “e” to the end to make the adjective agree with a feminine noun/subject.
For instance, if you are a female and wish to describe yourself as being French you would say; - Je suis française - I am French (and therefore pronounce the "s")
Whereas a male would describe themselves this way; - Je suis français - I am French (and therefore not pronounce the "s")
How to say French in French: Some examples
Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record
Rocket Record lets you perfect your French pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!
As a noun
Vous parlez français ?
You speak French? (polite form)
Oui, je parle français
Yes, I speak French
Je sais parler français
I know how to speak French
As an adjective
Je suis française
I am French (female talking)
Un fromage français
A French cheese
Marie est française
Marie is French
Try some more French grammar lessons!
Marie-Claire and the Rocket French team
Make It Stick With Rocket Reinforcement
Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement activities! These activities are scientifically designed to improve your knowledge and retention of French.