French - Opinions

Lesson 147 of 159

French learner smiling and practicing short opinion phrases like Ça m'est égal and Je préfère in a café context.

Goal: Short, friendly French replies for agreeing, deciding, and saying what you prefer

Free French lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Bienvenue! In this short lesson you'll practice simple French phrases people use every day to give opinions and make small decisions. Read, listen, and say each phrase out loud—it's the best way to remember them.

Level A1: This CEFR-aligned mini-lesson (Lesson 147) focuses on common French opinion phrases used in France: short replies like Ça m'est égal, Comme tu veux, Ça dépend, Je préfère..., and polite ways to agree or disagree. You'll hear the phrases in a short conversation, practice with quizzes, and speak each line aloud.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use 11 simple French opinion phrases at A1 level.
  • Respond naturally to choices and give short preferences.
  • Practice saying each phrase aloud to build confidence.
Two friends deciding what to do in Paris while using simple French opinion phrases suitable for A1 learners.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Ça m'est égal.

I don't mind. / It makes no difference to me.

Meaning: I don't mind. / It makes no difference to me.

When to use: Use when you truly have no strong preference between two options (food, time, activity). Neutral tone is fine; a bored tone can sound indifferent.

Tu veux du thé ou du café ? — Ça m'est égal.
Tea or coffee? I don't mind.
On dîne maintenant ou plus tard ? — Ça m'est égal.
Dinner now or later? It makes no difference to me.

Comme tu veux.

As you like. / Whatever you prefer.

Meaning: As you like. / Whatever you prefer.

When to use: Say this to let the other person choose. For polite/formal situations use Comme vous voulez.

Tip: Don't use 'tu' with strangers; use 'Comme vous voulez.'

On prend le métro ou le bus ? — Comme tu veux.
Metro or bus? It's up to you.
Choisis le film, comme tu veux.
Pick the movie—whatever you prefer.

Ça dépend.

It depends.

Meaning: It depends.

When to use: Useful when the answer changes based on details (time, weather, costs). Use to buy time or ask for more information.

Tu viens ce soir ? — Ça dépend, quel film on voit ?
Are you coming tonight? It depends—what movie?
On sort demain ? — Ça dépend du temps.
Going out tomorrow? It depends on the weather.

Je préfère ___.

I prefer ___.

Meaning: I prefer ___.

When to use: Use with a noun or an infinitive to say what you like more: Je préfère le thé; Je préfère partir tôt.

Tip: Remember to add a noun or infinitive after Je préfère; 'Je préfère.' alone sounds incomplete.

Je préfère le thé au café.
I prefer tea to coffee.
Je préfère partir tôt demain.
I prefer to leave early tomorrow.

Je préfère ne pas ___.

I'd rather not ___.

Meaning: I'd rather not ___.

When to use: Follow with an infinitive verb to gently refuse: Je préfère ne pas sortir.

Tip: Make sure to include 'ne pas' + infinitive; leaving out 'ne' is casual but less correct.

Tu veux aller au cinéma ? — Je préfère ne pas y aller ce soir.
Want to go to the cinema? I'd rather not go tonight.
On mange dehors ? — Je préfère ne pas manger dehors aujourd'hui.
Eat outside? I'd rather not today.

Je suis d'accord.

I agree.

Meaning: I agree.

When to use: Use in conversations and when confirming a plan or opinion.

Je suis d'accord avec toi.
I agree with you.
On part à huit heures ? — Je suis d'accord.
Leave at eight? I agree.

Je ne suis pas d'accord.

I don't agree.

Meaning: I don't agree.

When to use: Use to politely disagree in a conversation. In casual speech people may say Je suis pas d'accord.

Tip: In writing, use 'ne ... pas'. In informal talk you may hear 'Je suis pas d'accord.'

Je ne suis pas d'accord avec cette idée.
I don't agree with that idea.
Tu penses que c'est facile ? — Je ne suis pas d'accord.
You think it's easy? I don't agree.

Je pense que oui.

I think so.

Meaning: I think so.

When to use: Use when you're somewhat sure but not 100% certain: Je pense que oui.

Il va pleuvoir ? — Je pense que oui.
Will it rain? I think so.
Tu penses qu'elle vient ? — Je pense que oui.
Do you think she'll come? I think so.

Je pense que non.

I don't think so.

Meaning: I don't think so.

When to use: Use when you are leaning no but not completely certain: Je pense que non.

On trouve une table ce soir ? — Je pense que non.
Will we find a table tonight? I don't think so.
Est-il libre demain ? — Je pense que non.
Is he free tomorrow? I don't think so.

Peut-être.

Maybe.

Meaning: Maybe.

When to use: A short, safe answer when you're unsure. Works well on its own in casual speech.

On va au parc ? — Peut-être.
Going to the park? Maybe.
Tu viens ce week-end ? — Peut-être, je verrai mon planning.
Coming this weekend? Maybe, I'll check my schedule.

Pourquoi pas ?

Why not?

Meaning: Why not?

When to use: Use to show you are open to the idea; friendly and casual.

On prend un verre après le travail ? — Pourquoi pas ?
Grab a drink after work? Why not?
Tu veux essayer ce resto ? — Pourquoi pas ?
Want to try that restaurant? Why not?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Two friends decide evening plans and use short opinion phrases.

Close up of two people talking at a table, using phrases such as Ça dépend and Je préfère ne pas sortir.

Who says they'd rather not go out?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

On va au cinéma ce soir ?

Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Ça dépend, quel film ?

It depends—what film?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Un film d'action.

An action film.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Je préfère ne pas sortir. Je suis fatigué.

I'd rather not go out. I'm tired.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which French phrase means "I agree"?

Choose the phrase you say when you have no preference:

What do you say to let the other person decide?

Which phrase best answers, "Do you want to go out tonight?" if you are unsure but leaning no?

David answers "Ça m'est égal." to mean he doesn't mind.

Anna: Tu veux du thé ou du café ? David: ___

Use "Comme tu veux." to let the other person choose the departure time.

On part maintenant ou dans une heure ? ___

The best reply is "Je préfère ne pas y aller." because the speaker explains they have work.

Tu veux venir au cinéma ce soir ? — ___ J'ai beaucoup de travail.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ça m'est égal.

I don't mind.

Say this phrase out loud:

Comme tu veux.

As you like.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ça dépend.

It depends.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je préfère ___.

I prefer ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je préfère ne pas ___.

I'd rather not ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je suis d'accord.

I agree.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je ne suis pas d'accord.

I don't agree.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je pense que oui.

I think so.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je pense que non.

I don't think so.

Say this phrase out loud:

Peut-être.

Maybe.

Say this phrase out loud:

Pourquoi pas ?

Why not?