How to Say ‘To start with’ in French
Pour commencer
poor ko-man-say
[poor ko-man-say]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally "for starting." A very natural way to mean "to begin" or "as a first step."
🇫🇷 In France: This phrase works well when you are a beginner and want to be modest about your level.
Phrase Breakdown
Pour
[poor]
for / to
Common preposition meaning 'for' or used before an infinitive to mean 'to'.
Pour commencer, je choisis un cours doux.
To start, I choose a gentle class.
commencer
[ko-man-say]
to begin / starting
Infinitive verb meaning 'to begin' or 'to start'.
Pour commencer, ce cours est idéal.
To begin, this class is ideal.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”
Tom H., 38, Chef
“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”
Nina W., 29, Graduate Student
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer