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10 Romantic French Phrases to Help You Get the Fille or Garçon of Your Dreams

French is known far and wide as the language of romance, and for good reason.

While preparing for your big night out in Paris, you’ll need more than restaurant vocabulary and knowledge of French customs to impress a date.

All it takes is a bit of confidence—and few choice vocab words—and you’ll be winning the heart of your nana (gal) or mec (guy) before you know it.

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Comment draguer en français | How to Flirt in French

Draguer is the French art of flirting. It differs from flirting in other parts of the world in that there is not always an endgame. French flirting can sometimes be the end, not just the means!

So, to really learn when to use these phrases, you need to know more about flirting in French. If you want to jump into the French flirty mindset, observing how native speakers go about this is the best way to learn. If you aren’t surrounded by French speakers, this may seem challenging to find, at first. But fear not: There are ways around this slight obstacle. 

Using resources that show native speakers flirting is the best way to dive in. Take romantic films, for example. They not only demonstrate how native speakers use phrases like those mentioned below, but they also show you more about the context in which they’re used. 

Another resource could be French videos, especially videos that showcase native speakers using the language. For example, the FluentU program uses authentic French videos to teach the language. Because these videos were created by and for native speakers, you’re getting an inside look into the French-speaking world—including, of course, some clips revolving around romance. You can even use this program to search for videos that use specific terms or words, so you can watch phrases like those below in action. 

Once you’re familiar with the words and vocab, learning to flirt à la française means learning how to be quick on your feet. Guys are brazen and unafraid. Girls tend to say “no” when they mean “yes.” To start to get your flirting game on-par, here are some phrases to try out with a mec or nana who’s caught your eye.

1. Je peux vous offrir un verre ?

Un verre in French means not only a glass but also a drink. To offer to buy someone un verre is the equivalent of offering to buy them a drink. The universal language of romance, n’est-ce pas ?

2. Vous venez souvent ici ?

Yet another phrase that transcends cultural barriers: “Do you come here often?” Don’t be put off if the sentence is followed up by complaints — about the bartender, about the clients or about how the bar isn’t as good as it used to be. Yet another French tradition is râler, a sort of complaining. Finding common things to complain about is a way that many French people choose to bond with new acquaintances. Of course, this isn’t true of everyone. Wait for an indication from your interlocutor before beginning a stream of complaints!

3. Vous êtes célibataire ? Mais comment est-ce possible ?

Flattery will get you far. When in doubt, play the fool with this sentence: “You’re single? But how is that possible?”

Comment séduire en français | How to Seduce in French

When you’ve moved past flattery and flirting, seduction is next.

4. On peut se tutoyer ?

You can’t seduce from a distance. When you feel that the moment is ripe, suggest a switch from the formal vous to the informal tu with this sentence. The question is requesting that you both speak more informally and implies that you are starting to feel close to your interlocutor. Using tu will only bring you closer. Switching around like this can be tricky for newcomers to French, so if necessary be sure to go back and review your French grammar in anticipation of this moment.

5. T’as de beaux yeux, tu sais ?

“You have beautiful eyes.” This sentence works in pretty much any language, but if it works so well in French, it’s because it’s also a quote from a classic French film called Le quai des brumes. Any French cinema lover will have dreamed of having this sentence said to them — if you can pull it off as well as Jean Gabin, you’re good to go! If you’re feeling nervous about speaking all these lines smoothly enough, try asking your language exchange partner to practice flirting with you.

6. “J’ai une première édition de ‘À la recherche du temps perdu.’ Tu veux le voir ?”

“I have the first edition of “In Search of Lost Time.” Do you want to see it?” In France, cultural knowledge is sexy. There’s no question about it. It’s said that you can identify a Frenchman when he says that his summer plans are to reread Proust — bearing in mind that for many, rereading will actually constitute their first brush with the genius of this 20th century French writer.

In Sweden, proposals to go home with someone at a bar are often phrased by asking if said individual would like to see your stamp collection. In America, we often ask if you’d like a nightcap. Choose something cultural and intellectual in France, and you’re far more likely to get a ouiThere’s plenty of great French literature and classic French films that you could watch to improve your cultural knowledge in this regard.

7. J’ai envie de t’embrasser.

This phrase lets the other person know you’d like to kiss them. Of course, when you feel the time is right you could just lean in for a kiss. But letting the other person wait is one of the keys to the French technique of drague, so use you new language skills to make your intentions known before going in for the kill.

This sentence is best executed accompanied with a lengthy stare into the beaux yeux of your interlocutor. If he or she doesn’t laugh, turn their head or throw their glass of Bordeaux in your face, it’s time to make good on your promise!

Comment faire durer l’amour en français | How to Make Love Last in French

Once you’ve reeled in the one you like, it’s time to turn that evening of romance into something more permanent. Make love last with these romantic French phrases.

8. Je t’aime.

What could be more simple, and yet more useful? While the verb aimer is often translated into “like” in English, Je t’aime is the French way of saying “I love you.” (Careful! “I like you” is Je t’aime bien. Don’t get confused!)

Culturally, you’ll find that French people often drop the L-bomb (or A-bomb, in this case) much earlier than their American counterparts. Don’t be worried if you hear it within a few weeks of beginning to date someone new.

9. Veux-tu m’épouser ?

When you’ve moved past je t’aime, it might be time to pop the big question. Unlike in English, it’s not “will you” but “do you want to marry me?” that is asked. Of course, that’s just semantics if the answer is oui!

10. Je veux passer ma vie avec toi.

Whether this is said before or after the big question, the sentiment is sure to speak volumes. “I want to spend my life with you” is the perfect way to communicate the depth of your feelings for the one you care about.

*Bonus: How NOT to Be Romantic in French

You’ve learned the secrets of seduction in French, so take a look at some of the ways that poor souls that have come before you have crashed and burned.

C’est quoi ton 06 ?

You might hear this sentence uttered in French streets, the equivalent of the construction worker whistle. Most French cell phone numbers start with 06, so asking for someone’s “06” is the equivalent of asking for their number. It’s great that you’ve learned loads of cool French slang, but jumping straight to this question without attempting the seduction techniques you’ve just learned usually ends badly.

T’es trop charmante.

This is yet another one you’ll frequently hear called out in the street. It’s not so much the sentence but the way that it’s used that is unfortunate. Call someone charming, and you’ll likely get a smile. Shout it to someone you don’t know walking down the street, and the reaction will probably not be so fantastic.

 

These are just a handful of ways that you can flirt with and seduce a French paramour Soon, you’ll be an expert in all things French—not just kissing!

For more romantic language, check out our guide on how to say “I miss you” in French next. 

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