July 2008

Revise what you know with the conjugation of “savoir”

July 14, 2025July 21, 2008 by Coffee Break Languages

As we progress through our French learning journey, it’s important to review key concepts and vocabulary we’ve covered. As we do this, we will look at the conjugation of savoir, which plays a significant role in expressing knowledge or awareness.

Ready to revise what you’ve learned so far? You will see that it is quite a lot you already know, so you have many reasons to be proud of your language-learning journey!

Understanding the conjugation of “savoir”

The verb savoir means to know and is commonly used in French to express knowledge or understanding of facts, information, or how to do something. Mastering the conjugation of this verb is essential because it allows you to talk about the things you know and express awareness in various situations.

Here’s a quick look at the conjugation in the present tense:

je sais I know
tu sais you know (informal)
il/elle/on sait he/she/one knows
nous savons we know
vous savez you know (formal or plural)
ils/elles savent they know

Practical uses of “savoir”

Now that we’ve reviewed the conjugation of savoir, let’s explore how we can use this verb in real-life contexts. Whether you’re asking for directions, discussing your skills, or explaining what you know, savoir comes in handy. Here are some examples:

Je sais où est la piscine. I know where the swimming pool is.
Tu sais parler français. You know how to speak French.
Nous savons que le musée est fermé. We know that the museum is closed.

Revisiting vocabulary from past lessons

In addition to reviewing the conjugation of savoir, it’s important to refresh our memory on key vocabulary from previous lessons. Here are some useful phrases we’ve learned:

Où est la piscine ? Where is the swimming pool?
Je voudrais une chambre à deux lits. I would like a twin room.
Il fait du vent aujourd’hui. It’s windy today.

Would you like to practice your French pronunciation? In episode 30 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get a comprehensive guide to French pronunciation and also learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Asking questions using “savoir”

Another crucial aspect of using savoir is how to ask questions effectively. When you want to inquire if someone knows something, you’ll need to use the appropriate form of the verb. For example:

Sais-tu où est le restaurant ? Do you know where the restaurant is?
Savez-vous comment aller à la gare ? Do you know how to get to the train station?

Topics you can discuss now

The conjugation of savoir allows you to discuss a wide range of topics related to what you know how to do or are aware of. Here are some practical examples of sentences using savoir to describe various everyday situations you should now be able to deal with:

Je sais commander à manger au restaurant. I know how to order food at the restaurant.
Je sais demander des directions en français. I know how to ask for directions in French.
Nous savons acheter des billets de train en France. We know how to buy train tickets in France.
Elle sait réserver une chambre d’hôtel. She knows how to book a hotel room.

Revisiting what we’ve learned so far, it’s clear that mastering the conjugation of the verb savoir is essential for expressing knowledge, asking questions, and navigating everyday situations in French. By reviewing this verb and combining it with key vocabulary, you’ll be well-prepared to use savoir in different contexts and tenses.

Keep practising, and soon you’ll feel more confident using this important verb in your conversations.

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn how to get around when travelling in France? Then check the article we prepared to help you learn useful French phrases for travel!

A Flavour of German – Lesson 06

October 23, 2025July 18, 2008 by Coffee Break Languages

In lesson 6 of A Flavour of German you’ll learn phrases associated with drinking using idiomatic German.

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Learn how to ask and answer the question ‘how do you feel’ in French

July 14, 2025July 14, 2008 by Coffee Break Languages

Communicating your symptoms in another language is crucial when you’re not feeling well. Knowing how to ask ‘how do you feel’ in French and describe various symptoms can help you get the care you need, whether you’re visiting a doctor or simply explaining your discomfort to someone.

This blog post will cover essential phrases and vocabulary related to expressing aches, pains, and discomfort in French.

Asking ‘how do you feel’ in French

The phrase ‘how do you feel’ in French translates to Comment vous sentez-vous ? or Comment te sens-tu ? if you are speaking informally. These phrases are key when you need to ask someone about their well-being or when someone is inquiring about yours. If you’re the one feeling unwell, responding appropriately is important:

Je ne me sens pas bien. I don’t feel well.
Je suis malade. I am ill.
J’ai mal à la tête. I have a headache.

These basic phrases allow you to express discomfort and initiate a conversation about your health, which is crucial if you’re asked, ‘how do you feel’ in French.

Describing symptoms in French

Once you’ve established that je ne me sens pas bien, you’ll need to describe your specific symptoms in French. Here are some common phrases that can help you convey what you’re experiencing:

J’ai mal au dos. I have a sore back.
J’ai la nausée. I’m feeling nauseous.
J’ai vomi. I have vomited.
J’ai des frissons. I have the shivers.

Knowing these phrases can help you clearly communicate your symptoms in French, whether you’re talking to a healthcare professional or explaining your condition to someone else.

Specific ailments and complaints

In some cases, your discomfort might be due to specific ailments. Here’s how to express these more precisely:

Je ne peux pas dormir. I can’t sleep.
Je ne peux pas avaler. I can’t swallow.
Je ne peux pas respirer. I can’t breathe.

These phrases are especially important when discussing more severe symptoms in French. Being able to articulate these issues ensures that you receive the appropriate care.

Would you like to hear this vocabulary pronounced? Listen to episode 29 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast for more insights and useful phrases to help you answer the question: ‘how do you feel?’ in French.

Asking for help and remedies

When you’re not feeling well, you might need to ask for medication or remedies. Here are some useful phrases to help you do just that:

Est-ce que vous avez quelque chose pour la nausée ? Do you have something for nausea?
Est-ce que vous avez quelque chose pour la diarrhée ? Do you have something for diarrhoea?
Est-ce que vous avez quelque chose pour les coups de soleil ? Do you have something for sunburn?

These questions are essential when je ne me sens pas bien and you’re looking for relief. They allow you to inquire about available treatments or medications.

How do you feel in French: following up on symptoms

If someone asks you how you feel in French after you’ve started treatment or after some time has passed, here’s how you might respond:

Je me sens mieux. I feel better.
Ça va un peu mieux, merci. I’m feeling a little better, thank you.
Je ne me sens toujours pas bien. I still don’t feel well.

These responses help provide an update on your condition, allowing those around you to understand whether your symptoms in French have improved or if you still need assistance.

Mastering how to express je ne me sens pas bien and describing symptoms in French is crucial for anyone travelling or living in a French-speaking country. By familiarising yourself with these phrases, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any situation where you’re not feeling well.

Whether you’re responding to “how do you feel” in French or explaining your symptoms to a doctor, these phrases will help ensure that you receive the care you need. Remember to practice these phrases, so you can use them confidently if the need arises. Bon rétablissement !

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and revise what you have learned so far? Then, check the article we prepared to help you revise our French lessons 1 to 29.

‘Je ne me sens pas bien’ – Understanding aches and pains in French

July 14, 2025July 7, 2008 by Coffee Break Languages

When you’re not feeling well, being able to express your discomfort in French is essential, especially if you’re in a French-speaking country. Knowing how to say je ne me sens pas bien will help you communicate your needs more effectively.

In this blog post, we’ll cover the necessary vocabulary and phrases related to expressing that you don’t feel well in French.

Expressing general discomfort

One of the most important phrases to learn when you’re unwell is je ne me sens pas bien. This phrase directly translates to I don’t feel well in French, and it’s the perfect way to start a conversation about your symptoms with a doctor or pharmacist.

For example:

Je ne me sens pas (très) bien. I don’t feel (really) well.

Discussing how you feel

When discussing your symptoms with a healthcare professional, you might also want to describe how you’re feeling overall. Here’s how to expand on je ne me sens pas bien by providing more detail about your condition:

Je me sens fatigué(e). I feel tired.
Je me sens faible. I feel weak.
Je suis malade. I am ill.

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases? In episode 28 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into them and also learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Common aches and pains

When you need to be more specific about where you’re feeling pain, here are some essential phrases to help you describe your specific discomfort :

J’ai mal à la tête. I have a headache.
J’ai mal à la gorge. I have a sore throat.
J’ai mal au dos. I have a sore back.
J’ai mal aux pieds. My feet hurt.

Describing pain in different parts of the body

In addition to the phrases above, you might need to describe pain in other areas of your body. Here’s how to talk about these when je ne me sens pas bien doesn’t fully explain the extent of your pain:

J’ai mal au ventre. I have a stomachache.
J’ai mal à la poitrine. I have chest pain.
J’ai mal à l’oreille. I have an earache.
Mon genou me fait mal. My knee hurts.

Asking for help

If you’re feeling unwell and need assistance, here’s how you can ask for help:

Pouvez-vous m’aider ? Je ne me sens pas bien. Can you help me? I don’t feel well.
Je dois voir un médecin. I need to see a doctor.

Knowing how to express that je ne me sens pas bien is a vital skill for anyone travelling or living in a French-speaking country. By understanding and using these phrases, you’ll be better equipped to communicate your aches and pains effectively, ensuring you receive the care you need.

Remember, the phrase I don’t feel well in French is just the starting point — being able to describe specific symptoms and ask for help will make a significant difference in your comfort and well-being.

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn about symptoms in French? Then check the article we prepared to help you talk about aches and complaints in French.

A Flavour of German – Lesson 05

August 29, 2018July 4, 2008 by Coffee Break Languages

In lesson 5 of A Flavour of German you’ll learn some interesting idiomatic German phrases to describe being angry.

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Exchanging money in French: essential phrases and vocabulary

July 14, 2025July 1, 2008 by Coffee Break Languages

Travelling in a French-speaking country often involves handling financial transactions, and knowing how to exchange money in French is a critical skill. Whether you’re converting currency, withdrawing funds, or dealing with banks, understanding key phrases and banking terms in French can make the process smoother.

In this blog post, we’ll explore essential vocabulary and phrases for exchanging money in French.

Understanding the basics of exchanging money

When you need to exchange money in a French-speaking country, you might start with a phrase like:

Je dois changer de l’argent. I need to change some money.
Je voudrais changer de l’argent, s’il vous plaît. I would like to change some money, please.

These phrases are fundamental when you walk into a bank or a currency exchange office. The word argent refers to money in general, but it can also mean silver, so context is essential.

Specifying the amount to exchange

When you’re ready to exchange money in French, the agent will ask you how much you need and you’ll need to specify the amount you want to convert. Here’s a question the agent might ask and how you can answer that:

Combien voulez-vous changer ? How much do you want to exchange?
Je voudrais changer cent dollars en euros. I would like to exchange one hundred dollars into euros.

It’s important to use je voudrais I would like instead of je veux I want to make your request more polite.

Essential banking terms in French

When dealing with banks, knowing some banking terms in French will be very useful. Here are a few key phrases:

retired to withdraw – Often used when you need to take money out of your account.
signer to sign – You may be asked to sign documents when exchanging large amounts of money.
un distributeur de billets ATM, cash machine – This is where you can withdraw money directly.

For example:

Je voudrais retirer deux cents euros. I would like to withdraw 200€.
Où dois-je signer ? Where must I sign?

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases to talk about money in French? In episode 27 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into them and also learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Converting different currencies

If you need to exchange specific amounts, it’s crucial to know how to articulate this in French:

Je voudrais changer cinq cents dollars en francs suisses. I would like to change $500 into Swiss francs.
Je voudrais deux cents livres en euros. I would like to change £200 into euros.

Practical tips for exchanging money

In addition to knowing the phrases, here are some practical tips when exchanging money in French:

Carry identification: you might be asked to show ID when exchanging money.

- Est-ce que je peux voir votre carte d’identité ? Can I see your ID?
- Voici mon passeport. Here is my passport.

Check for nearby ATMs: sometimes, you might prefer to withdraw money directly from an ATM.

- Est-ce qu’il y a un distributeur de billets près d’ici ? Is there an ATM near here?

Understand fees: ask about any fees associated with the exchange or withdrawal.

Ça coûte combien ? How much does it cost?

Exchanging money in a French-speaking country can be a straightforward process if you’re equipped with the right vocabulary and phrases. By understanding these essential banking terms in French and how to use them, you can confidently manage your finances while travelling.

Whether you’re changing dollars into euros or withdrawing funds from an ATM, this guide will ensure you handle your money in French with ease. Bonne chance !

Do you want to continue improving your French skills and learn how to express that you have a sore back? Then check the article we prepared to help you talk about your aches and pains in French.