Polite Words — Merci & Pardon
Today's goal: thank someone, respond to thanks, apologise, and ask politely — all in French. These words make every conversation sound kind and confident.
Today's mini polite exchange
Read it on paper first. Then practise it out loud — try both roles.
Word bank
- Merci = Thank you
- Merci beaucoup = Thank you very much
- De rien = You're welcome
- Avec plaisir = With pleasure / My pleasure
- Pardon = Sorry / Excuse me
- Je suis désolé(e) = I'm sorry
- S'il vous plaît = Please (formal — to an adult)
7 words today. You already know s'il te plaît (informal) from Lesson 03 — s'il vous plaît is the polite version you use with adults.
Warm-Up
Do this on paper before anything else.
Write on paper
- Copy Merci. then Merci beaucoup. — 3 times each.
- Copy De rien. then Avec plaisir. — 2 times each.
- Copy Pardon. then Je suis désolé(e). — 2 times each.
- Copy S'il vous plaît. — 3 times. Now write S'il te plaît. — spot the one word that changes!
Tip: te = one friend. vous = an adult or a group. Same idea, different respect level.
Say it aloud
Read each pair together — they go with each other in a real conversation.
Two Polite Moments
Both scenes show how these words work in real life. Read the bubbles in order.
Practice
Print and do these on paper first. Then repeat on screen.
Match
Tap a French word, then tap its English meaning.
Build the sentence
Drag the words into the correct order.
Put the conversation in order
Drag each line into the numbered slot where it belongs. When you are done, check whether the conversation flows naturally.
Quick Check
Choose the best French response for each situation.
1. Your classmate gives you a pencil. What do you say?
2. Your friend thanks you. What do you say back?
3. You bump into someone in the corridor. What do you say first?
4. You want to ask an adult teacher for help. Which phrase do you use?
5. Someone says "Pardon" to you after bumping into you. What is the kindest reply?
6. What is the difference between Merci and Merci beaucoup?
7. Which two phrases are both ways to say "you're welcome" in French?
Write it yourself
Translate each situation into French. Try from memory first — only check the word bank if you are really stuck.
1. Your friend holds the door for you. How do you thank them warmly?
2. Someone thanks you. What do you say back?
3. You step on someone's foot by accident. What do you say immediately?
4. You broke something by accident and feel genuinely bad. What do you say?
Speaking Practice
Practise on your own while your teacher speaks with another student.
My mini script
Read both roles out loud. Then swap and read it again.
Voice tip: smile on Avec plaisir — it sounds genuinely warm.
Audio practice
Press Play, listen, then try to write the word or phrase you hear in your Writing Space. Check the word bank if you need help.
Game Time
Flip the cards to match all 7 pairs. When you find a match, use the French phrase in a sentence out loud — that is the rule!