Summary

With this new edition, our bestselling French immersion title moves to the front of the crowded language learning shelf. Heeding the input of language experts as well as our customers, French For Dummies, 2nd Edition, features more than 25 percent new and revised content, while preserving the book's unique qualities that customers appreciate. The book features a revamped, user-friendly organization building on the reader's knowledge and ability, plus expanded coverage of necessary grammar for the beginner as well as a more focused approach to major tenses and conjugations that readers at this level need to know. Added features include a fully updated and expanded audio CD (including real-life conversations); a refreshed and expanded mini-dictionary; more useful exercises and practice opportunities; and much more.

Author Biography

Berlitz has taught languages to millions of people for more than 130 years.

Dodi-Katrin Schmidt, Michelle M. Williams, and Dominique Wenzel are highly regarded French instructors and writers.

Zoe Erotopoulos, PhD, teaches in the Department of Modern Languages and Literature at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started 7

Chapter 1: The French You Already Know 9

Chapter 2: Laying the Foundation: Basic French Grammar 17

Chapter 3: Getting Started with Pronunciation and Basic Expressions 35

Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers, Dates, and Times Straight 53

Chapter 5: Talking about Your Home, Family, and Daily Routine 67

Part II: French in Action 87

Chapter 6: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 89

Chapter 7: Asking Directions and Finding Your Way 103

Chapter 8: Bon Appétit! Dining Out and Going to the Market 117

Chapter 9: Shopping Made Easy 137

Chapter 10: Going Out on the Town 155

Chapter 11: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunicating 171

Chapter 12: Recreation and the Outdoors 189

Part III: French on the Go 207

Chapter 13: Planning a Trip 209

Chapter 14: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land 225

Chapter 15: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More 239

Chapter 16: Finding a Place to Stay 261

Chapter 17: Handling Emergencies 275

Part IV: The Part of Tens 291

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Pick Up French Quickly 293

Chapter 19: Ten Things Never to Say in French 297

Chapter 20: Ten Favorite French Expressions 301

Chapter 21: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound French 305

Part V: Appendixes 309

Appendix A: Mini-Dictionaries 311

Appendix B: Verb Tables 333

Appendix C: Answer Key 349

Appendix D: On the CD 351

Index 353

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.