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B1French·20 cards

Talking Politics in France Without a Fight

Join, dodge or calm down a political debate at a French dinner table, with phrases for nuance and disagreement.

The French argue about politics openly, often at family meals, and a heated debate is seen as normal rather than rude. Elections are held on Sundays in two rounds (« le premier tour » and « le second tour »), and the presidential term is five years. Only French citizens vote in national elections; EU citizens living in France can vote in municipal and European elections if they register on the electoral roll at their mairie.

A cozy black and white scene of people enjoying a meal together with wine and cozy ambiance.
Photo: Bingqian Li on Pexels
  1. 1

    Franchement, j'essaie de pas me mêler de politique.

    Honestly, I try to stay out of politics.

  2. 2

    C'est un sujet sensible.

    That's a touchy subject.

  3. 3

    On parle pas de politique à table.

    Let's not talk politics at the table.

  4. 4

    Chacun a le droit d'avoir son avis.

    Everyone's entitled to their opinion.

  5. 5

    T'en penses quoi, toi ?

    What do you think about it?

  6. 6

    À mon avis, c'est plus compliqué que ça.

    In my opinion, it's more complicated than that.

  7. 7

    Je vois ce que tu veux dire, mais je suis pas d'accord.

    I see what you mean, but I don't agree.

  8. 8

    T'as pas tort.

    You've got a point.

  9. 9

    C'est pas la question.

    That's not the point.

  10. 10

    T'as voté pour qui ?

    Who did you vote for?

    Tip: Many French people consider this question a bit personal.

  11. 11

    Ça me regarde.

    That's my business.

  12. 12

    Le vote est secret, quand même.

    The vote is secret, after all.

  13. 13

    Tu vas voter dimanche ?

    Are you going to vote on Sunday?

  14. 14

    Je peux pas voter ici, je suis pas française.

    I can't vote here, I'm not French.

    Tip: The speaker is a woman.

  15. 15

    Il va y avoir un second tour.

    There's going to be a second round.

  16. 16

    L'abstention a été très forte.

    Turnout was really low.

  17. 17

    De toute façon, ils sont tous pareils.

    They're all the same anyway.

  18. 18

    On n'est pas d'accord, et c'est pas grave.

    Let's agree to disagree.

  19. 19

    Ça chauffe, on change de sujet.

    Things are getting heated, let's change the subject.

  20. 20

    Je lis les infos sur mon téléphone.

    I read the news on my phone.