Practice French on video chat: questions and phrases
To practice French on video chat, prepare simple questions about interests and agree how to address each other. Start with an introduction, ask for repetition when needed and practice making a recommendation. You do not need to share personal information to sustain several turns in French.
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Agree how to address each other first
In French, you may hear tu and vous. The choice depends on the relationship and context; in an informal conversation, ask the other person's preference. Do not interpret vous as a lack of interest.
Start with Bonjour and a clear request. If they do not want to practice, accept their answer and move on.
- Bonjour, j'apprends le français. On peut parler quelques minutes ? — Hello, I'm learning French. Can we talk for a few minutes?
- On peut se tutoyer ? — Can we use the informal tu?
- Je préfère parler de musique ou de cinéma. — I prefer talking about music or films.
Questions that invite a second answer
A question about interests allows a reason or example as a follow-up. Alternate questions with your own answers so the chat does not become an interrogation.
| Ask | Translation and follow-up |
|---|---|
| Quel film tu recommandes ? | Which film do you recommend? Follow up with Pourquoi ? — Why? |
| Qu’est-ce que tu aimes cuisiner ? | What do you like cooking? Follow up with C'est difficile ? — Is it difficult? |
| Tu préfères lire ou écouter des podcasts ? | Do you prefer reading or listening to podcasts? Add your own preference. |
Ask for repetition without leaving French
If you recognize the topic but not a word, ask for an explanation. If you do not recognize the sentence, ask for slower repetition. Check what you understood with Tu veux dire que… ? — Do you mean that…?
- Tu peux répéter plus lentement ? — Can you repeat more slowly?
- Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? — What does that mean?
- Je n'ai pas compris la dernière phrase. — I did not understand the last sentence.
Exercise: recommend something with two reasons
Choose a film or dish. Describe what you like using parce que — because. You do not need to explain the whole plot or discuss your private life.
- 1
Offer
Je recommande ce film parce qu'il est drôle — I recommend this film because it is funny.
- 2
Expand
Add a second reason with et — and. Ask for a different recommendation.
- 3
Check
Summarize their recommendation with Si j'ai bien compris… — If I understood correctly…
- 4
Say goodbye
Merci pour la conversation, à bientôt ! — Thanks for the conversation, see you soon! Save two expressions you want to repeat.
Bring your practice to notmegle
notmegle offers browser-based 1:1 video conversations for adults 18+ and requires an account. Before searching, prepare your camera and microphone, review available preferences and agree on the topic and language with your partner.
A preference does not guarantee an immediate match or establish someone's level or native-speaker status. The service does not replace lessons, assessment or a teacher. You can move on, block or report when needed.
Sources consulted
Primary sources reviewed for this guide. The consultation date appears beside each link.
- CEFR levelsCouncil of Europe · accessed on
- CEFR: companion volume and language versionsCouncil of Europe · accessed on
Frequently asked questions
Should I use tu or vous in a French conversation?
Start with a greeting and ask On peut se tutoyer ? If there is no agreement, use the other person's preferred form. These examples use tu for informal conversation.
How do I practice French if I understand more than I can say?
Choose a small task: one recommendation and two reasons. Prepare phrases to request repetition and avoid complex topics before completing this exchange.