I am very happy to read this article, because it is the first "resource" article for the conversation group I just started: Ohlala French Coffee.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you in this group, because I think it's really the best way to progress in French while having fun and making lots of new encounters with Francophiles.

If you don't know what Ohlala French Coffee is all about and you are interested in practicing your spoken French, but not only. I invite you to visit the Ohlala French Coffee page to learn more.

The first topic we will be discussing in Ohlala French Coffee is ourselves. Of course, we're all going to start by introducing ourselves, we're going to get to know each other.

With this article, I will show you an example of how to introduce yourself in French in a simple way, with the elements that I'm sure you all already know. 

And then I'm going to suggest another way of presenting yourself through what we call the Chinese portrait. This will allow us to see the conditional.

Here we go!

 

 

I introducing myself in French:

I introducing myself in French

So, I'm Manon.

I am French, I was born in Chalon-Sur-Saône, in Burgundy.

I am 25 years old, and I am a scorpion.

I am a teacher of FLE (French as a Foreign Language), which means that I teach French to foreigners.

I have no children, but I have a cat and a dog. I speak French, it's my mother tongue.

I speak English and a little Spanish.

My passions are traveling, nature, hiking and my work.

 

 

Elements to introduce yourself :

  • Say your first and last name: Je m’appelle … / Mon prénom est … / Moi c’est … (familier).

  • Say your nationality: Je suis …

  • Say your place of birth: Je suis né (♂) / Je suis née (♀) 

  • Say your age: J’ai …

  • Say your zodiac sign: Je suis … / Mon signe astrologique est …

  • Saying his job: Je suis …

  • Tell if you have pets or children or not: ✅  J’ai … / ❌  Je n’ai pas ...

  • To say which languages you speak or not: ✅  Je parle … /  ❌  Je ne parle pas

  • Saying what you like: J’aime … / Mes passions sont ...

 

 

Introduce yourself in French thanks to the Chinese portrait :

That was my presentation. Now I'm going to introduce myself and you're going to learn more about me through the Chinese portrait. I'll show you how it works:
 

If I were an animal, I would be a cat

If I were an animal, I would be a cat, because it's no secret I love cats. I love the independent, free side of cats. They are honest and transparent animals. And above all, they have the possibility to sleep all day long.

 

If I were an object, I would be a book

If I were an object, I would be a book I think, because it's a book that allows us to travel, to dream while staying at home. 

 

If I were a ready-made meal, I would be a hamburger and fries

If I were a ready-made meal, I would be a hamburger and fries, because it's possible to have a variety of ingredients, it's not monotonous. I can eat a vegetarian burger, with cheese, vegetables, etc. I can eat a vegetarian burger, with cheese, vegetables, etc.

 

If I were a season, I would be spring

If I were a season, I would be spring because it's my favorite season. It is the season of rebirth, when nature comes back to life. The weather is nice, the birds are singing, and it smells good.
 

 

If I were a city, I would be San Francisco

If I were a city, I would be San Francisco. I've never been to this city, but I'm sure I'll love it. The atmosphere, the landscapes, it's really a city that attracts me.

 

If I were a color, I would be turquoise blue

If I were a color, I would be turquoise blue because it's my favorite color, and it reminds me of the color of the sea.

 

If I were a drink, I would be tea

If I were a drink, I would be tea without hesitation. I drink a lot of it, whether it's hot or cold, it's really my favorite drink.

 

If I were a musical instrument, I would be a piano

If I were a musical instrument, I would be a piano, because I love the sound of the piano. It's both soft and powerful at the same time.

 

If I were a book, I would be "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder

If I were a book, I would be "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder. It is a very interesting and educational philosophical novel. To be read and reread.

 

If I were a sport, I would be hiking

If I were a sport, I would be hiking, because it is an activity that allows us to travel and see beautiful landscapes and to be immersed in nature.

 

If I were a language, I think I would be French, because it is the language that I teach, that I embody every day. 

 

If I was a style of music, I would be rock, because it's my favorite style of music that I never get tired of. 

 

If I was a clothing, I would be a summer dress

If I was a clothing, I would be a summer dress because it means that there is sun if I wear it and I love it when the weather is nice.

 

If I were a series, I would be Game of Thrones

If I were a series, I would be Game of Thrones, because it's my favorite series and I love fantastic series

 

If I were a celebrity, I would be Nelson Mandela

If I were a celebrity, I would be Nelson Mandela, because I admire his journey, his struggle and his wisdom.

 

If I were a time of day, I would be in the morning

If I were a time of day, I would be in the morning, because that's the time of day when I'm most fit, and it's the beginning of something where anything is possible.

 

If I were a natural element, I would be ... I hesitate between water and fire, because they are two elements that I like very much. I think I'll say water, because it's an element that is both calm and peaceful, but can become very agitated

 

That was my presentation, Chinese portrait version.

Obviously, when you do your Chinese portrait, you make hypotheses. We're talking about things that will probably never happen, that are conditional.

In French, to make hypotheses, we use a specific structure, I'll explain that right away.

I explain the conditional present in French.

 

Well, I hope you liked this article and that it was useful for Ohlala French Coffee or for something else.

Anyway I hope to see you in this conversation group in which we will learn a lot and have a lot of fun.

 

It's your turn to make your Chinese portrait, write it as in comment!

See you soon for new adventures, in French of course! 🇫🇷