People 3
Tu viens d'Italie ?
In English, we'd say He is from the United States. In French, you'd say Il vient des États‑Unis, which literally means He comes from the United States.
Je viens du Mexique.
I am from Mexico.
Notice that the e in venir changes to ie for certain forms!
| subject | verb (venir) |
| je I | viens come |
| tu you | viens come |
| il / elle he / she | vient comes |
| nous we | venons come |
| ils / elles they | viennent come |
Tu n'es pas français !
In English, we'd say I am not Italian or He is not American. But in French you need two words to say not, like a negative sandwich!
Je ne suis pas italien.
I am not Italian.
Nous ne parlons pas espagnol.
We do not speak Spanish.
If the verb begins with a vowel, ne becomes n'.
Tu n'es pas canadien.
You are not Canadian.
Il n'est pas jeune.
He is not young.
In informal conversations with French speakers, you might notice that they don't always use ne. For example, you'll often hear Il est pas jeune instead of Il n'est pas jeune.
Il ne parle pas japonais.
He does not speak Japanese.