How To Introduce Yourself (Se Présenter) In French

The very first time I introduced myself in France, I proudly said “je suis un yak” /ʒə sɥi œ̃ jak/ — I am a yak — and the woman at the bakery smiled politely, the way French people do when they’ve decided not to question your life choices. Then I tried to spell my name and mixed up i and y, which is how I learned that French introductions are a tiny obstacle course of vowels, politeness, and confident handshakes that last exactly one second too long.

Let’s make your French introductions much smoother than mine.

Quick Primer

Introducing yourself in France usually follows a simple pattern:

1. Your name
   
2. Your origin
   
3. What you do
   
4. A polite follow-up line
   

Formality matters. Use vous with adults, professionals, and strangers. Use tu with friends, peers, or people who invite you to.

Basic Ways To Introduce Yourself

These core phrases work everywhere—from a class to a café to a new job.

A simple introduction example:

je m’appelle Zoe, je viens des États-Unis et j’habite à Lyon maintenant.
/ʒə ma.pɛl zo.e ʒə vjɛ̃ de.z‿e.ta.z‿y.ni e ʒa.bit a ljɔ̃ mɛ̃.tə.nɑ̃/
My name is Zoe, I’m from the United States and I live in Lyon now.

Main Section 1: How To Say Your Name Naturally

Most beginners default to je suis…, but je m’appelle… is the safest, most natural.

Examples:

je m’appelle Thomas.
/ʒə ma.pɛl tɔ.ma/
My name is Thomas.

moi, c’est Julie.
/mwa sɛ ʒy.li/
I’m Julie. (informal and friendly)

If your name is hard for French speakers, add:

ça s’écrit… /sa se.kʁi/ — it’s spelled…

Trust me, giving the spelling saves you from hearing your name reinvented in seven syllables.

Main Section 2: Saying Where You’re From

Useful structures:

je viens de… — I come from
je suis originaire de… — I am originally from (slightly formal)
je viens du Canada / de Chine / des États-Unis depending on grammar rules

Examples:

je viens de Taïwan.
/ʒə vjɛ̃ də ta.i.wan/
I come from Taiwan.

je suis originaire d’Australie.
/ʒə sɥi ɔ.ʁi.ʒi.nɛʁ dos.tʁa.li/
I am originally from Australia.

Main Section 3: Talking About What You Do

This part helps conversations move beyond the basics.

For students:

je suis étudiant(e) en français.
/ʒə sɥi e.ty.djɑ̃(t) ɑ̃ fʁɑ̃.sɛ/
I’m a French student.

Usage Notes & Common Mistakes

1. Never use “je suis appelé…” (literal translation trap).
   
2. Don’t switch tu/vous mid-conversation. Instant awkwardness.
   
3. Don’t drop the liaison in je m’appelle /ʒə ma.pɛl/. Your mouth will want to say juh mapple. Resist.
   
4. moi, c’est… is great in casual circles. Don’t use it in job interviews.
   
5. enchanté changes spelling if you’re a woman: enchantée — but pronounced the same.
   

Regional Notes

In Québec, people will introduce themselves faster, more casually, and with a warmer handshake (or no handshake at all). In France, introductions can stay more formal for longer, especially with adults or professionals. Stick to vous until invited to use tu.

Mini Dialogues

Dialogue 1
bonjour, je m’appelle Léa.
/bɔ̃.ʒuʁ ʒə ma.pɛl le.a/
Hello, my name is Léa.

enchanté, moi c’est Marc.
/ɑ̃.ʃɑ̃.te mwa sɛ maʁk/
Nice to meet you, I’m Marc.

Dialogue 2
tu viens d’où ?
/ty vjɛ̃ du/
Where are you from?

je viens de Belgique.
/ʒə vjɛ̃ də bɛl.ʒik/
I’m from Belgium.

Dialogue 3
vous travaillez dans quel domaine ?
/vu tʁa.va.je dɑ̃ kɛl dɔ.mɛn/
What field do you work in?

je suis dans l’informatique.
/ʒə sɥi dɑ̃ lɛ̃.fɔʁ.ma.tik/
I’m in IT.

Quick Reference

Five-Minute Practice Plan

1. Say your introduction aloud with je m’appelle + name.
   
2. Add je viens de + your country.
   
3. Add je suis… + your job or student status.
   
4. Practice enchanté(e) with a small bow (optional but satisfying).
   
5. Try the full thing at natural speed twice.
   

Conclusion

Once you master these patterns, introducing yourself in French feels like slipping into a well-tailored conversation—simple, structured, and surprisingly charming. Before long, you’ll say je m’appelle with confidence instead of the panicked yak-energy I once brought to every bakery in Lyon.