Who in French: Qui, Que, Dont – The Ultimate Guide

Understanding the nuances of French grammar often feels like navigating a complex maze, yet mastering its intricacies unlocks a world of eloquent expression; French pronouns, particularly qui, que, and dont, present unique challenges for learners aiming for fluency. These words serve as vital connectors in sentences, each playing a distinct role in defining relationships between people, ideas, and actions; even the Académie Française, the authoritative council on the French language, acknowledges the word who in French requires careful attention to context. Proper usage allows a speaker to move beyond basic communication and engage in sophisticated dialogue; therefore, the Rosetta Stone approach, emphasizing immersion and practical application, greatly assists in demystifying their correct usage. Mastering this aspect of French not only boosts your confidence but also enhances your appreciation of French literature and culture.

Unlocking French Fluency: Mastering Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are the unsung heroes of French grammar. They are the linguistic bridges that connect ideas, creating smoother, more sophisticated sentences. Mastering them, particularly qui, que, and dont, is not just about grammatical correctness; it’s about unlocking a higher level of fluency and natural expression in French.

But what exactly are relative pronouns? Simply put, they are words that introduce a relative clause, connecting it to a main clause. They act as substitutes for nouns or pronouns, avoiding repetition and adding depth to your sentences. Think of them as the glue that holds complex thoughts together. They allow you to say more, with fewer words, and with greater precision.

Why This Guide?

This guide is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of qui, que, and dont, the three most common and essential relative pronouns in French. Our objective is to demystify these pronouns, breaking down their usage into clear, digestible explanations.

Common Challenges, Clear Solutions

Learning French can be challenging, especially when it comes to mastering grammatical nuances like relative pronouns. Many learners struggle with distinguishing between qui, que, and dont, often confusing their roles and applications. This confusion can lead to awkward sentences and miscommunication.

This guide directly addresses these challenges. We will tackle each pronoun individually, providing numerous examples and clear explanations of their functions. We will also explore the subtle differences between them, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to use them correctly.

Our approach is simple:

• Clarity: We provide clear and concise explanations, avoiding jargon and focusing on practical application.

• Examples: We use real-world examples to illustrate how each pronoun is used in context.

• Step-by-step guidance: We break down complex concepts into manageable steps, making it easier to understand and apply.

By the end of this guide, you will have a solid understanding of qui, que, and dont, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering French relative pronouns. Prepare to transform your French from basic to brilliant.

Qui Demystified: The Essential Subject Pronoun

After our initial overview, we begin our deep dive into the core of French relative pronouns. We start with qui, arguably the most straightforward, yet utterly essential, of the trio. Understanding qui is foundational for constructing grammatically sound and natural-sounding French sentences.

Understanding Qui: The Subject’s Stand-In

Qui functions as a subject pronoun. It replaces a noun or noun phrase that acts as the subject of a verb within a relative clause. In simpler terms, qui refers to the person or thing performing the action.

Think of it as the "who" or "which" that takes the subject’s place to avoid repetition and connect related ideas. Remember, qui never changes form; it remains constant regardless of the gender or number of the noun it replaces.

Qui in Action: Examples and Analysis

Let’s solidify this with some illustrative examples. These examples show how qui seamlessly integrates into different sentence structures, maintaining clarity and flow.

• "Le livre qui est sur la table est intéressant." (The book that is on the table is interesting.)

  In this case, qui replaces "le livre" (the book), which is the subject of the verb "est" (is).

• "La femme qui parle français est ma sœur." (The woman who speaks French is my sister.)

  Here, qui replaces "la femme" (the woman), the subject performing the action of speaking French.

• "Les étudiants qui étudient beaucoup réussissent." (The students who study a lot succeed.)

  Notice that qui replaces "les étudiants" (the students), who are doing the action of studying.

These examples highlight the core function of qui: replacing the subject to create more concise and fluid sentences. Note that qui can refer to both people and things.

Context is Key: When Qui is Needed

When do you need qui? The answer lies in identifying the subject of a clause and determining if it needs a replacement to avoid redundancy or to introduce additional information.

Ask yourself: Is there a noun that is performing the action in the clause? If so, and if you want to avoid repeating that noun or add more detail about it, qui is your go-to pronoun.

Also, qui is always followed by a verb. This is a crucial point to remember when differentiating it from other relative pronouns. If you expect to see a verb directly after the pronoun, then qui is very likely the right choice. If there is anything else, then qui is the wrong pronoun.

Que Exposed: Mastering the Direct Object Pronoun

After demystifying qui, the subject pronoun, we turn our attention to que. Que often presents a slightly steeper learning curve for French students. It is because its function is more nuanced and its direct English equivalent isn’t always a perfect match. However, mastering que is crucial for building more complex and sophisticated sentences. It will bring your French closer to that of a native speaker.

Understanding Que as a Direct Object Pronoun

Que functions as a direct object pronoun. This means it replaces a noun that receives the action of the verb directly. It answers the questions "what?" or "whom?" regarding the verb’s action.

Think of it this way: the subject performs the action, and the direct object receives the action. Que steps in to take the place of that receiver.

Examples of Que in Action

Let’s solidify this concept with several examples:

• Original Sentence: Je lis le livre. (I am reading the book.)

• With Que: Je le lis. (I am reading it.) Here, le (the masculine form of que – it changes depending on gender/number) replaces le livre (the book). The book is what I am reading.

  Notice that the le is placed before the verb "lis".

• Original Sentence: Elle regarde la télé. (She is watching TV.)

• With Que: Elle la regarde. (She is watching it.)

  Here, la (the feminine form of que) replaces la télé (TV). She is watching TV, so TV receives the action.

• Original Sentence: Nous mangeons les pommes. (We are eating the apples.)

• With Que: Nous les mangeons. (We are eating them.)

  Here, les (the plural form of que) replaces les pommes (the apples). The apples are receiving the eating.

Que and English Pronouns: A Comparative View

To further clarify que‘s role, let’s compare it to English direct object pronouns. Que functions similarly to "it," "him," "her," or "them" when these pronouns act as direct objects.

• Je vois Marie. Je la vois. (I see Marie. I see her.)
• Il achète le journal. Il le achète. (He buys the newspaper. He buys it.)
• Nous invitons les Dupont. Nous les invitons. (We invite the Duponts. We invite them.)

However, there’s a key difference. In French, que (in its various forms) almost always precedes the verb.

Contraction of Que

One more important point: when que is followed by a vowel or a silent "h", it contracts to qu’.

For example:

• J’aime la glace. becomes Je l’aime. (I like it).
• Il regarde l’homme. becomes Il l’aime. (He likes him).

This contraction is essential for smooth pronunciation and is a common feature of French grammar.

Decoding Dont: Possession, Prepositions, and More

After demystifying que, the direct object pronoun, we turn our attention to dont.

Dont often presents a slightly steeper learning curve for French students because its function is more nuanced and its direct English equivalent isn’t always a perfect match.

However, mastering dont is crucial for building sophisticated sentences and expressing complex relationships between ideas.

This section aims to unravel the complexities of dont, revealing its multifaceted nature and equipping you with the knowledge to use it confidently.

Dont: More Than Just "Whose"

At its core, dont is a relative pronoun that serves several essential functions. While often translated as "whose" to indicate possession, dont‘s utility extends far beyond this simple equivalence.

It acts as a substitute for de + [noun], where de indicates a relationship such as possession, origin, source, or subject of a verb.

Understanding this fundamental principle is key to unlocking dont‘s versatility.

Expressing Possession with Dont

One of the most common uses of dont is to express possession. In this context, it functions similarly to "whose" in English, indicating that something belongs to someone or something.

For example:

• "Voici la femme dont je connais le frère." (Here is the woman whose brother I know.)

In this sentence, dont replaces "de la femme," indicating that the brother belongs to the woman.

The subtle difference lies in the grammatical structure. French uses dont to avoid repeating "de la femme" and to connect the two clauses seamlessly.

Dont and Prepositions: A Deeper Dive

Dont‘s power truly shines when it replaces a noun that follows the preposition de.

This is where many learners stumble, as the connection isn’t always immediately obvious.

Consider these examples:

• "C’est un sujet dont je voudrais parler." (This is a subject that I would like to talk about.)

  • Here, dont replaces "de ce sujet," because we say "parler de quelque chose" (to talk about something).

• "La maison dont je rêve est très grande." (The house that I dream of is very big.)

  • Here, dont replaces "de la maison," because we say "rêver de quelque chose" (to dream of something).

Notice how the preposition de is intrinsically linked to the verb in each sentence. Understanding which verbs require de is crucial for using dont correctly.

Verbs Followed by "de": A Cheat Sheet

Certain verbs frequently require the preposition de. Recognizing these verbs will significantly improve your ability to use dont accurately. Here are a few common examples:

• Parler de (to talk about)
• Avoir besoin de (to need)
• Se souvenir de (to remember)
• Rêver de (to dream of)
• Être fier de (to be proud of)
• Dépendre de (to depend on)

Distinguishing Dont from Other Possession Indicators

While dont expresses possession, it’s important to distinguish it from other ways to indicate possession in French.

Possessive adjectives (mon, ton, son, etc.) and possessive pronouns (le mien, le tien, le sien, etc.) also denote ownership. However, they are used in different contexts.

Dont connects two clauses, replacing a noun that is possessed. Possessive adjectives modify nouns directly, while possessive pronouns replace entire noun phrases.

For example:

• "La voiture dont il a besoin est rouge." (The car that he needs is red.) (Dont connects two clauses)
• "C’est ma voiture." (This is my car.) (Possessive adjective modifying a noun)
• "La voiture rouge est la mienne." (The red car is mine.) (Possessive pronoun replacing a noun phrase)

Mastering Dont: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Identify the relationship: Does the sentence express possession or a relationship involving the preposition de?
2. Locate the noun replaced: Determine which noun is being replaced by dont.
3. Ensure the de connection: Confirm that the noun being replaced would logically follow the preposition de in the sentence.
4. Practice, practice, practice: The key to mastering dont lies in consistent practice and exposure to various examples.

By understanding the nuances of dont and practicing its usage, you’ll significantly enhance your French grammar and express yourself with greater precision and elegance.

Choosing the Right Pronoun: A Practical Decision Guide

After demystifying dont, we turn our attention to the practical application of choosing between qui, que, and dont.

This isn’t about rote memorization; it’s about understanding the underlying grammatical mechanics at play.

The goal? To develop a confident, intuitive sense for selecting the correct pronoun. Let’s dive into a step-by-step process.

The Pronoun Selection Flow: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selecting the correct relative pronoun involves a logical process of elimination and identification. This step-by-step approach will guide you.

Step 1: Identify the Antecedent

The antecedent is the noun that the relative pronoun refers to and replaces. This is your starting point. Ask yourself: What is the pronoun standing in for?

For example, in the sentence "The book that I read was fascinating," the antecedent of "that" is "book."

Step 2: Analyze the Clause Containing the Relative Pronoun

This is where the grammatical detective work begins. Focus on the clause introduced by the potential relative pronoun. What grammatical role does the antecedent play within that clause?

Is it the subject performing the action? Is it the direct object receiving the action? Or is it related to the clause through a preposition or indicating possession?

Step 3: Applying the Qui, Que, Dont Test

Now that you understand the antecedent’s role in the relative clause, you can apply the following rules:

• If the antecedent is the subject of the verb in the relative clause, use qui. This means the antecedent is doing the action.
• If the antecedent is the direct object of the verb in the relative clause, use que. This means the antecedent is receiving the action directly.
• If the antecedent is related to the relative clause via the preposition de or expresses possession, use dont. This is the most nuanced case.

Real-World Examples: Putting the Process into Action

Let’s walk through some examples to illustrate how this decision-making process works in practice.

Example 1: Qui in Action

"The woman who is speaking is my teacher."

• Antecedent: "The woman"
• Clause: "who is speaking"
• Analysis: "The woman" is the subject of the verb "is speaking." Therefore, qui is the correct choice.

Example 2: Que in Action

"The movie that I saw was amazing."

• Antecedent: "The movie"
• Clause: "that I saw"
• Analysis: "The movie" is the direct object of the verb "saw." I saw the movie. Therefore, que is the correct choice (note that "that" translates to que in this case).

Example 3: Dont in Action

"The book whose author I admire is a classic." ("Le livre dont j’admire l’auteur est un classique.")

• Antecedent: "The book"
• Clause: "whose author I admire"
• Analysis: The author belongs to the book. Dont indicates possession or a relationship expressed with de.

Mastering the Nuances: The Key to Fluency

Identifying the antecedent and understanding the structure of the relative clause are crucial. But remember, language is dynamic.

Practice is key to truly mastering the nuances of qui, que, and dont. With each sentence you analyze, you’ll build a stronger, more intuitive understanding.

Embrace the challenge, and soon you’ll navigate these pronouns with confidence and precision.

Avoid These Pitfalls: Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

After arming ourselves with the knowledge of qui, que, and dont, it’s time to proactively address the common errors that often trip up French learners.
These mistakes aren’t signs of failure; rather, they’re invaluable learning opportunities.
By understanding these pitfalls, you’ll strengthen your command of French and refine your ability to express yourself with accuracy and confidence.

The Qui/Que Conundrum: Subject vs. Object

One of the most frequent errors is confusing qui and que.
This often stems from a direct, and incorrect, translation from English.

Remember: qui acts as the subject of the verb in the relative clause, while que functions as the direct object.

Incorrect: La femme que parle français est ici. (The woman who speaks French is here.)
Correct: La femme qui parle français est ici.

Why? Because qui is needed to introduce parle, as la femme is the subject performing the action of speaking French.

Incorrect: Le livre qui j’ai lu était passionnant. (The book that I read was fascinating.)
Correct: Le livre que j’ai lu était passionnant.

Here, que is needed because le livre is the direct object of the verb ai lu (I read).

Ask yourself: Is the relative pronoun replacing a subject or an object?
Answering this crucial question will steer you toward the correct choice.

The Tricky Territory of Dont: When "Of Which" Isn’t Enough

Dont often presents a unique challenge.
Its versatility, while powerful, can also be confusing if not understood properly.
Remember that dont replaces de + noun, indicating possession or originating from something.

A common error is using de qui when dont is the correct choice.
This is especially true when describing possession.

Incorrect: C’est la maison de qui le toit est rouge. (That’s the house of which the roof is red.)
Correct: C’est la maison dont le toit est rouge.

Dont elegantly replaces de la maison in this context.

Another frequent error is forgetting that dont cannot directly follow a preposition.

For example, you can’t say "l’homme dont à qui j’ai parlé."
If a preposition is required, you’ll likely need lequel, laquelle, or lesquel(le)s.

Incorrect: La table dont sur laquelle j’ai posé mon livre. (The table on which I put my book.)
Correct: La table sur laquelle j’ai posé mon livre.

English Interference: Translation Traps

English grammar, though related, can often mislead you when choosing French relative pronouns.
Avoid directly translating word-for-word. Instead, focus on the grammatical function of the pronoun within the French sentence.

For instance, English often omits the relative pronoun altogether.

"The book I read was good" doesn’t explicitly include "that" or "which."

In French, however, you must include the relative pronoun.
Never omit qui, que, or dont.

Prepositions: A Subtle But Crucial Distinction

The presence of prepositions can significantly impact your choice of relative pronoun.
While dont can replace de + noun, other prepositions require different structures.

When dealing with prepositions like à, sur, avec, etc., you’ll generally use lequel, laquelle, lesquels, or lesquelles instead of dont.

Incorrect: L’homme dont je travaille avec. (The man with whom I work.)
Correct: L’homme avec lequel je travaille.

Practice and Patience: Your Best Allies

Mastering French relative pronouns takes time and dedicated practice.
Don’t be discouraged by initial mistakes.
Each error is a stepping stone towards greater understanding.

Regularly review grammar rules, analyze example sentences, and, most importantly, practice using qui, que, and dont in your own writing and speaking.

With persistence and a mindful approach, you’ll overcome these common pitfalls and achieve fluency in French.

Practice Makes Perfect: Test Your Understanding with Exercises

After arming ourselves with the knowledge of qui, que, and dont, it’s time to proactively address the common errors that often trip up French learners. These mistakes aren’t signs of failure; rather, they’re invaluable learning opportunities. By understanding these pitfalls, you’ll strengthen your grasp of French relative pronouns.

Now, it’s time to actively engage with the language. This section provides a range of carefully designed exercises to solidify your understanding. Consider this your interactive French relative pronouns workshop.

Sharpening Your Skills: Exercise Types and Structure

We will now move from theory to application. The exercises are structured to progressively build your confidence.

Each exercise focuses on a specific pronoun. You will encounter fill-in-the-blanks, sentence construction, and error correction tasks.

These activities are designed to reinforce your understanding of qui, que, and dont in diverse contexts. Our aim is to cultivate a deeper practical understanding of each pronoun.

Mastering the Fundamentals: Qui, Que, and Dont Focused Exercises

Let’s begin with exercises focusing on the core function of each pronoun. We’ll explore their specific grammatical roles.

1. Qui Exercises (Subject Focus): These exercises present sentences where you need to identify the subject being replaced and correctly insert qui. The goal is to solidify your ability to recognize subject pronouns in context.
2. Que Exercises (Direct Object Focus): Que takes center stage in this section. Exercises will ask you to identify direct objects and use que appropriately. This strengthens your grasp of object-pronoun replacement.
3. Dont Exercises (Possession & Preposition Focus): The dont exercises tackle both possession and prepositional relationships. These exercises hone your understanding of its multifaceted role.

Diving Deeper: Combined Usage and Contextual Challenges

Once you’re comfortable with individual pronoun usage, we’ll integrate all three. This is where things get interesting.

These exercises simulate real-world language scenarios. They require you to analyze sentence structure and choose the correct pronoun.

Complex Sentences and Decision-Making

Expect more complex sentence structures. These will challenge your understanding of how clauses interact. You’ll be forced to strategically make the proper pronoun choice. This will reinforce your analytical skills.

Error Identification and Correction

Exercises involve identifying and correcting errors in sentences with incorrectly used pronouns. This sharpens your eye for detail and prevents future mistakes.

The Power of Feedback: Answer Keys and Explanations

Learning isn’t complete without effective feedback. Each exercise comes with a comprehensive answer key and detailed explanations.

This allows you to immediately assess your performance. More importantly, the explanations provide insights into the reasoning behind each correct answer.

• Detailed Explanations: Beyond just the correct answer, you’ll understand why it’s correct. These explanations break down the grammatical rules at play in each example.
• Learning from Mistakes: Don’t be discouraged by incorrect answers. Treat them as opportunities to learn and refine your understanding. The explanations help you identify where you went wrong.

Maximizing Your Learning: Tips for Effective Practice

To fully leverage these exercises, consider these tips:

• Focus: Concentrate on understanding the underlying grammar rather than just memorizing answers.
• Review: Revisit the earlier sections if you encounter difficulties.
• Patience: Mastering relative pronouns takes time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress.

By actively engaging with these exercises and leveraging the provided feedback, you’ll transform your understanding of qui, que, and dont. You’ll advance from theoretical knowledge to practical proficiency in French.

Beyond the Basics: Nuances and Advanced Usage

Having mastered the fundamental applications of qui, que, and dont, it’s time to venture into more intricate grammatical landscapes. The French language, in its elegance and complexity, often presents sentence structures that demand a deeper understanding of relative pronoun usage. Let’s explore these nuances and elevate your command of French.

Navigating Complex Sentence Structures

French sentences, like winding rivers, can meander through multiple clauses, interconnected by relative pronouns. Identifying the precise role of each pronoun becomes critical in these scenarios.

Consider this example: "La maison que j’ai achetée, qui est située près de la rivière, est très ancienne." (The house that I bought, which is located near the river, is very old.) Here, que relates to "la maison" as the direct object of "ai achetée," while qui relates to "la maison" as the subject of "est située."

Unraveling these layers requires meticulous attention to the verb each pronoun modifies. Ask yourself: What is the pronoun replacing, and what function does that noun perform in its clause?

This methodical approach will guide you through even the most labyrinthine sentences. Don’t be afraid to break down the sentence piece by piece to identify these key relationships.

The Prepositional Puzzle: Dont and Its Companions

As previously explored, dont often replaces de + noun. However, prepositions beyond de can influence pronoun choice in more complex ways.

Consider the following scenario: You want to say, "The author to whom I wrote a letter is famous." In French, you might be tempted to directly translate using à qui. However, depending on the specific context and the verb used, lequel/laquelle/lesquel(le)s followed by the preposition à might be more appropriate. For example: "L’auteur auquel j’ai écrit une lettre est célèbre."

The choice depends on factors like the specificity of the antecedent and the formality of the language. This demonstrates that mastering prepositions is intrinsically linked to mastering relative pronouns.

Advanced Prepositional Considerations

Pay close attention to verbs that require specific prepositions. For example, the verb penser à (to think of) will necessitate a different construction than a verb that uses de. Practice identifying these verbs and their associated prepositions to refine your pronoun selection.

Also be aware of pronominal adverbs (like y and en), which can sometimes replace prepositional phrases. These adverbs interact with relative pronouns in advanced constructions, so familiarity with them is crucial.

Register and Relative Pronoun Choice

While qui, que, and dont are the workhorses of relative pronouns, French offers a spectrum of options, each carrying a distinct level of formality.

In formal written French, lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles can be used as alternatives to qui and que, especially after prepositions. Using lequel in this way often adds a touch of elegance and precision. However, it’s essential to understand that overuse can sound stilted in everyday conversation.

In informal contexts, constructions like "C’est… qui" (It is… who) are frequently used for emphasis. While grammatically correct, be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly casual in formal settings.

Ultimately, awareness of register allows you to tailor your language to the situation, showcasing your command of French in its full breadth. Be sure to consider your audience and the purpose of your communication when choosing your relative pronouns. This ensures that you not only speak correctly, but also appropriately.

Resources for Further Learning: Your French Pronoun Toolkit

Having mastered the fundamental applications of qui, que, and dont, it’s time to venture into more intricate grammatical landscapes. The French language, in its elegance and complexity, often presents sentence structures that demand a deeper understanding of relative pronoun usage. Let’s explore these next.

To truly cement your knowledge and achieve fluency, supplementing your learning with the right resources is essential. A comprehensive "French Pronoun Toolkit" goes beyond just memorizing rules.

It involves active engagement, consistent practice, and immersion in the language. Here’s how to build your own.

Building Your Pronoun Arsenal: Essential Resources

Your toolkit should consist of various elements that cater to different learning styles and needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

French grammar workbooks provide structured exercises and clear explanations. Look for workbooks that specifically address relative pronouns.

These books offer valuable practice opportunities and help reinforce your understanding of the rules.

Online exercises and quizzes are another excellent way to test your knowledge. Numerous websites and apps offer interactive exercises that provide instant feedback.

Language exchange partners can provide invaluable real-world practice. Conversing with native speakers is crucial for developing fluency.

It allows you to see how relative pronouns are used naturally in everyday speech.

Leveraging Textbooks and Dictionaries

French language textbooks offer comprehensive grammar explanations and examples. Many textbooks dedicate entire chapters to relative pronouns.

Using these resources provides you with a deep dive into the topic. Complement your textbook studies with online French dictionaries.

Dictionaries like WordReference and Larousse offer definitions, examples, and conjugations. These tools are indispensable for understanding nuanced meanings.

Immersing Yourself in Authentic French

One of the best ways to master French relative pronouns is through immersion. Engage with authentic French materials to see how these pronouns are used in real-world contexts.

Start with books and articles that are slightly above your current level. Don’t be afraid to use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words.

Watching French movies and TV shows is another engaging way to learn. Pay attention to how the characters use relative pronouns in their conversations.

Listening to French music can also be beneficial. Song lyrics often contain examples of relative pronouns.

Tips for Effective Resource Utilization

• Be Consistent: Dedicate regular time to practice and review. Even short, focused sessions can be highly effective.

• Focus on Comprehension: Don’t just memorize rules. Strive to understand how and why relative pronouns are used.

• Embrace Mistakes: Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Learn from them and keep practicing.

• Vary Your Approach: Mix and match different resources to keep things interesting and cater to your learning style.

• Be Patient: Mastering French relative pronouns takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.

By actively engaging with these resources and practicing consistently, you’ll steadily improve your understanding and usage of French relative pronouns. Bonne chance!

So, that pretty much covers it! Hopefully, you now feel more confident navigating the wonderful world of qui, que, and dont. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to jump in and start using who in French in your everyday conversations. Bonne chance!