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How to Say ‘I speak a little French’ in French

Je parle un peu français

zhuh parl uhn puh frahn-seh

[zhuh parl uhn puh frahn-seh]

💬 Usage Tip: Un peu "a little" sits right after the verb. The same goes for Je comprends un peu "I understand a little".

Phrase Breakdown

Je parle

zhuh parl

I speak

Pronounced 'zhuh PARL'. The final 'e' of 'parle' is silent.

Example

Je parle espagnol.

I speak Spanish.

Words in this phrase

Je

[zhuh]

I

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

parle

[parl]

speak

Imperative form telling someone to speak.

Example

Parle simplement devant le jury.

Speak simply in front of the jury.

un peu français

uhn puh frahn-seh

a little French

'Un peu' (a little) is pronounced 'uhn PUH', with a nasal 'un' and rounded lips for 'peu'. 'Français' is pronounced 'frahn-SEH', and its final 's' is silent.

Example

Je comprends un peu français.

I understand a little French.

Words in this phrase

un

[uhn]

a / an

Masculine singular indefinite article.

Example

Un supplément peut être ajouté la nuit.

A surcharge can be added at night.

peu

[puh]

little / a little

Used to mean a little or a bit.

Example

Je suis un peu fatigué aujourd'hui.

I am a little tired today.

français

[frahn-seh]

French

The language spoken primarily in France and many other French-speaking regions.

Example

Elle étudie le français à l'université.

She studies French at the university.

Related guides

Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.Common French Phrases You'll Use Every Day (with Native Audio)The common French phrases and expressions people actually use every day: greetings, polite essentials, reactions and casual slang, with meanings and native audio.

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