Learning a new language like French can be a blast most of the time. But other times it can feel like all the vocabulary and nouns and verbs are for nothing.

Languages are learned because they are meant to be spoken, and when you have been working on your French skills, you want to be able to have a conversation with new acquaintances on your travels or workplace.

This is why we’ve put together a list of our favorite French conversation topics for beginners. You can use it to learn more about the French culture, language, and more!Ready to begin?

Let's start with...
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1. What are your favorite foods?

Translation: Quels sont vos aliments préférés?

We all have to eat, and the French are some of the best cooks in the world. Also, asking about food says a lot about a culture and what is important to a society. You might also learn some new, important vocabulary words that will help you the next time you go to a restaurant and you are looking for the local specialties.
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2. What music do you like?

Translation: Quelle musique aimes-tu?

Music is a universal conversation topic—all cultures have it, and the French have contributed in many ways to different genres throughout history. You might hear of some bands that you know and others might be new to you, but it is a topic almost everyone can contribute to—and you’ll get some interesting answers!
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3. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Translation: As-tu des freres ou des soeurs?

Everyone likes to talk about their families and how they fit within them. Asking about a sibling can bring about a number of stories and encourage your new friend to tell you more about his or her childhood. If your new buddy is an only child, ask about cousins or some friends and see what he or she says.

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4. What is your favorite TV show?

Translation: Quelle est votre émission de télévision préférée?

With services like Netflix and Hulu, there is a big chance that you will have watched some of the same shows as your conversational pal has. From there, you can talk about favorite episodes, characters, and who ended up dying at the end of the season. Games of Thrones is always a good show to throw out there to start a fun French conversation!
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5. What languages do you speak?

Translation: Quelles langues parles-tu?

If you’re chatting with a new friend, it’s likely that they also speak another language—or at least know some vocabulary. Asking about which languages he or she has learned can help you find common ground so you know you have something you can relate to. You never know, you might have found a tutor for another language you’re interested in.
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6. What are your favorite apps?

Translation: Quelles sont vos applications préférées?

In this day and age, we all have our favorite apps that we choose to go to. Whether you are a photo-junkie or you like keeping up with your friends on Snapchat, you can learn a lot about a person by the different social media platforms he or she uses. Who knows? You might also end up connecting with him or her.
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7. What is your favorite place?

Translation: Quel est votre endroit préféré?

Asking which places feel the most like home can help you to connect with fellow travelers. Whether your new friend’s favorite spot is his or her hometown or somewhere far away, you can get an idea of who a person is and what is important to him or her. It’s also likely that as a traveler, you’ll have some places to share, as well.
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8. Do you like to read?

Translation: Aimez-vous lire?

Reading is a pastime that many share. If you are looking for new ways to practice your language skills or some new titles to read, this can be a great question to ask. Your new acquaintance might be able to give you a hand on which books can tell you the most about his or her culture.
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9. What do you like to do in your free time?

Translation: Qu'aimez-vous faire?

Hobbies are a great way to connect with other people and to learn a lot about them. Almost everyone has something to do during the time he or she isn’t working or studying. You can also learn a lot about a certain culture by what the people do during the weekends and vacations.  

Don’t forget to ask about what fun activities are available near the spot you’re visiting.

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10. Do you have any pets?

Translation: Avez-vous des animaux domestiques?

Pets are members of the family, and people love to talk about pets much as they love to talk about children. You might also want to talk about which types of pets your new friend has and how long he or she has had them. In different cultures, you’re bound to get a variety of answers. Depending on where you are in a French-speaking country, you could get almost any answer!
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11. What is your favorite drink?

Translation: Qu'aimeriez-vous boire?

In France, knowing which wine to drink is an important part of the cultural values. Whether you have met your new pal at a bar or you want to go out for drinks later, asking the question can introduce a whole new host of topics. This can be a great opportunity to learn more about your friend—and to get an idea of what to order next from the menu.
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12. What is your dream job?

Translation: Quel est le travail de tes rêves?

Whether your new acquaintance is working the job he or she wants to, this can be a fun way to learn more about him or her. Finding out someone’s goals, hopes, and dreams can help you discover new information about the society he or she lives in. You might also learn about something that you have in common. Maybe you both want to travel the world!
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13. Who is your favorite actor/actress?

Translation: Qui est votre acteur/actrice préféré?

Movies are an excellent conversation starter and a great way to talk about the differences between cultures. Some cultures like specific traits in its celebrities or people, and you can see how that affects which actors or actresses are famous in a certain area. It’s also a great way to talk about the newest films and which ones you are planning to see in theaters.
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14. What superpower do you want?

Translation: Quelle superpuissance voulez-vous?

Let’s face it: we would all love to discover that we have some sort of ability that never dreamed of. You might want to fly, but your new amie thinks that becoming invisible is the way to go. These details can say a lot about a person—even if he or she is not fully willing to let you know that this is the superpower he or she has chosen.
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15. Are you dating anyone?

Translation: Est-ce que tu sort avec quelqu'un?

Whether you plan on getting a number or you just want to see what dating culture is like in a French-speaking country, most people will be happy to tell you about their significant others—or the reason they don’t have one. Dating is a universal topic that can get you talking about the difference between cultures and how finding a partner can be difficult no matter where you are from.
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16. What would you change about yourself and why?

Translation: Que changeriez-vous de vous-même et pourquoi?

We all have strengths and weaknesses, and most people try to overcome the challenges that they face. You might also want to let your acquaintance know that you are facing your weakness and that there are things you want to share about yourself, as well. Knowing you are not facing your demons alone can be an important part of making new friends.
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17. What games do you like to play?

Translation: Quels jeux aimez-vous jouer?

Most of us have a game or two we like to play with friends or family. It might be a game of Monopoly or going outside and enjoying a round of catch. Maybe your new friend is a big soccer fan and you can relate. You might also learn something about the customs of the culture you are visiting and why that area plays a particular game. You might be surprised to learn that games aren’t just for fun in many different societies!
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18. Do you want to meet again?

Translation: Voulez-vous vous retrouver?

Had a fun time with your new friend? Want to see him or her again? Asking when you are going to meet up in the future can assure that you’ll get to have a chance to talk about new topics of conversation later. After all, making new friends is one of the best parts of traveling the world and learning a new language!

We hope this helps you find some things to talk about the next time you journey to a French-speaking country!

Which of these French conversation topics will you use in your next interaction?

Let us know below!