French Vocabulary List – Meeting People – Faire des Rencontres
Meeting People in French: Vocabulary for Making Connections
Whether you’re chatting with a stranger at a party, striking up a conversation at the gym, or nervously heading to a first date, knowing how to talk about social interactions in French is essential. In this post, you’ll learn the key vocabulary for faire des rencontres — from greeting someone and breaking the ice, to joking around, asking questions, and describing people and situations.
We’ll also cover useful expressions for dates, friendships, and everyday encounters, plus some cultural tips to help you avoid being malpoli (rude) or indiscret.
You can download a free PDF of this vocabulary list in my private French Grammar Library.
| une rencontre | an encounter, a meeting |
| rencontrer | to meet |
| se retrouver | to meet up |
| se donner rendez-vous | to set a meet up date |
| une soirée | an evening party |
| une fête | a party |
| introverti(e) | introvert |
| discuter | to chat |
| être timide | to be shy |
| poser une question | to ask a question |
| demander quelque chose | to ask something |
| faire une blague | to make a joke |
| plaisanter | to joke |
| malpoli | rude |
| indiscret, indiscrète | indiscreet |
| saluer | to greet |
| se présenter | to introduce oneself |
| présenter quelqu’un | to introduce someone |
| une association | an organization |
| le lieu de travail | the workplace |
| le bureau | the office |
| s’entendre avec | to get along with |
| un point commun | a thing in common |
| l’hygiène | hygiene |
| une odeur corporelle | a body odor |
| l’haleine | the breath |
| une mauvaise haleine | bad breath |
| ennuyeux, ennuyeuse | boring |
| drôle | funny |
| attirant(e) | attractive |
| bruyant(e) | loud |
| bavard(e) | talkative |
| intelligent(e) | intelligent |
| cultivé(e) | educated |
| les études | studies |
| une université | a university |
| une enfance | a childhood |
| les parents | parents |
| l’argent | money |
| prétentieux, prétentieuse | pretentious |
| une tenue | an outfit |
| un horaire | a time |
| un rendez-vous galant | a date |
| une application | an application |
| célibataire | single |
| nerveux, nerveuse | nervous |
| une activité sportive | a sports activity |
| une salle de sport | a gym |
| un concert | a concert |
| un événement | an event |
