Which French phrases matter most here?

“Bonjour, j'habite à côté.” (Hello, I live next door); “Je viens d'arriver dans l'immeuble.” (I’ve just moved into the building); “Je viens d'emménager à l'étage au-dessus.” (I’ve just moved in upstairs). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in France. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

French phrases for meeting your new neighbours in France

Greet them with “Bonjour, madame” or “Bonjour, monsieur”, then say you’ve just arrived: “Je viens d'arriver dans l'immeuble”. Give your name, add “C'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance”, and use vous until they suggest tu. Neighbours will often welcome you to the building.

Try it · about two minutes

In your first week you meet a neighbour on the stairs and introduce yourself.

Sound on: the neighbour speaks French. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

You’re going up the stairs with your shopping when a woman from your landing comes down. You haven’t met yet.
You
Bonjour, j'habite à côté.
Hello, I live next door.
Neighbour
Bienvenue dans l'immeuble !
Welcome to the building!
You
Je viens d'arriver dans l'immeuble.
I’ve just moved into the building.
Neighbour
Moi, c'est Claire. Et vous ?
I’m Claire. And you?
You
Je m'appelle Alex. C'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.
I’m Alex. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Neighbour
Si vous avez besoin d'un coup de main, frappez chez moi.
If you need a hand, just knock on my door.
You
Où trouver le gardien ?
Where can I find the caretaker?
Neighbour
Le gardien est là seulement le matin.
The caretaker is only here in the morning.
You
Merci pour votre aide.
Thank you for your help.
Neighbour
Bonne journée à vous !
Have a nice day!
You
Ce fut un plaisir de vous rencontrer.
It was a pleasure to meet you.

Which French phrases do you need?

Bonjour, j'habite à côté.
Hello, I live next door.
Je viens d'arriver dans l'immeuble.
I’ve just moved into the building.
Je viens d'emménager à l'étage au-dessus.
I’ve just moved in upstairs.
Bienvenue dans l'immeuble !
Welcome to the building!
Permettez-moi de me présenter.
Let me introduce myself.
C'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Vous habitez à quel étage ?
Which floor do you live on?
Ça vous plaît ici ?
Do you like it here?
Où trouver le gardien ?
Where can I find the caretaker?
Si vous avez besoin d'un coup de main, frappez chez moi.
If you need a hand, just knock on my door.

What is worth knowing in France?

Say bonjour on the stairs

People in French buildings usually greet anyone they pass in the stairwell or the lift, even strangers. A quick bonjour is the minimum.

Bonjour, madame.

Hello, madam.

Vous, until they say tu

A neighbour you don’t know

Vous habitez à quel étage ?

Which floor do you live on?

Friends and peers

Tu habites à quel étage ?

Which floor do you live on? (informal)

Use vous with neighbours you don’t know. Some will suggest tu quickly, but let them be the first to say it.

Is there a gardien?

Some buildings, mostly in cities, have a gardien or concierge who looks after the shared areas. Many don’t. If you’re not sure, ask a neighbour.

Où trouver le gardien ?

Where can I find the caretaker?

La fête des voisins

Many French towns hold a neighbours’ party once a year, usually in late spring. Look for notices in the entrance. It’s an easy way to meet everyone.

Vous venez à la fête des voisins ?

Are you coming to the neighbours’ party?

Questions about this situation

Which French phrases matter most here?: “Bonjour, j'habite à côté.” (Hello, I live next door); “Je viens d'arriver dans l'immeuble.” (I’ve just moved into the building); “Je viens d'emménager à l'étage au-dessus.” (I’ve just moved in upstairs). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in France. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in French

All situations in French

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

Try free on the App Store (opens the App Store in a new tab)

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.