My Personal World - Family, Friends and Possessives

Ma famille et mes amis

Talking about your family and friends is one of the first things you do in French. To do it well you need the vocabulary AND two pieces of grammar. This module teaches the key words, then the little words for my (mon, ma, mes), and the reflexive verbs you use to say your name and interests.

Key vocabulary

Learn these words for the family and friends theme: - un ami / une amie = a friend (male / female) - la famille = family - seul(e) = alone - différent(e) = different - s'appeler = to be called, and s'intéresser à = to be interested in.

Match each French word to its meaning

Say it in French

Using the reflexive verb s'intéresser à, how do you say "I am interested in"?

• je m'intéresse à
• je m'appelle
• je suis seul
• ça m'est égal

Saying "my": mon, ma, mes

The French for my changes to match the noun that follows. It agrees with the thing owned, not with who owns it.

Which word for "my"?

The noun "sœur" (sister) is feminine and singular. Which word means "my" before it?

• ma
• mon
• mes
• le

My family

Complete each phrase with the right word for "my": _____ frère (masculine), _____ sœur (feminine), and _____ parents (plural).

A useful exception

There is one neat exception. Normally you use ma before a feminine noun. BUT if that feminine noun starts with a vowel, you use mon instead, because it sounds better. So it is mon amie (my female friend), not "ma amie", and mon école (my school), even though amie and école are feminine.

mon or ma?

The word "amie" (female friend) is feminine but starts with a vowel. Which word means "my" before it?

• mon
• ma
• mes
• une

Reflexive verbs

Some verbs are reflexive: they carry an extra pronoun. The pronoun matches the subject and shortens before a vowel.

Names and interests

Complete with the right reflexive pronoun: Je _____ appelle Marie. Tu _____ appelles comment? Elle _____ intéresse à la musique.

Build the sentence

Put these French words in order to mean "I am interested in music".

• je
• m'intéresse
• à
• la musique

Spot the correct French

Select ALL THREE sentences that are CORRECT French.

• ma sœur (my sister)
• mon ami (my male friend)
• je m'appelle Luc (my name is Luc)
• ma amie (my female friend)
• je s'appelle Luc (my name is Luc)
• mes frère (my brother)

Write about your personal world

Write three short French sentences about your family, friends or interests.

• Use one family or friend word from the module
• Use mon, ma or mes accurately before a noun
• Use a reflexive verb such as je m'appelle or je m'intéresse à
• Check accents and agreement before you finish