Expressing Opinions in French: Master Your Communication Skills for the DELF

Hello and welcome! Today, we're going to talk about an essential skill in French: how to express your opinion. Knowing how to share your thoughts on various subjects is important. So let's get started!

Understanding the Request for Opinion

In French conversation, certain key expressions indicate that you are expected to share your thoughts. Mastering these phrases will enable you to respond appropriately and with confidence.

For example, a common question is :

This phrase seeks your opinion on a specific topic. A frequent variant uses the pronoun "en", asking for your opinion on a subject already mentioned.

Another way to ask the question is: "Vous en pensez quoi ?" or even "Tu en penses quoi ?", which can be used among friends or in less formal situations.

For more direct questions, you might be asked: "Quelle est ton opinion sur..." :

Expressions such as "À ton avis", "selon toi", or "pour toi", are also ways to invite someone to express their opinion. They prepare the ground for an open discussion:

Expressing Your Opinion

After identifying when your opinion is solicited, let's look at how to express it clearly. To achieve a B1 level, it is important to vary your expressions.

Here are some common structures: "Je pense que...", "Je crois que...", "Il me semble que..."

They introduce a personal opinion and are followed by the indicative, meaning you can use the present, past, or future.

The following expressions indicate a personal opinion in a somewhat more formal way. They are useful for emphasizing the personal nature of the opinion expressed: "Selon moi...", "À mon avis...", "Pour moi..."...

Specifying a Topic

Here are some expressions to clearly steer the conversation towards the topic you wish to discuss: "Au sujet de...", "À propos de...", "Concernant...".

These expressions help you focus the debate and make it clear to your interlocutor which specific aspect you are giving your opinion on.

You might hear or use "par rapport à". Although commonly used, it is recommended to use it with caution as its use is not always correct. Indeed, "par rapport à" implies a comparison, which is not always the case.

Rephrasing

Here's how you can rephrase or clarify your thoughts: "Je m'explique...", "Ce que je veux dire...", "En d'autres termes...", "En fait...".

These phrases allow you to clarify your thought or adjust it based on the reaction of your interlocutor during lively discussions or on complex subjects where every word counts.

To ask for an opinion :
- Qu'est-ce que vous pensez de... ? -> To solicit a general opinion.
- Vous en pensez quoi ? -> To avoid repeating the subject.
- Quel est ton avis sur... ? -> Direct and personal inquiry.

To express your opinion :
- Je pense que... -> Expresses a personal opinion.
- Selon moi... -> Indicates a more formal personal perspective.

To specify a subject :
- Au sujet de... -> Introduces the theme of the discussion.
- Concernant... -> Specifies the subject of the opinion.

To express yourself :
- Je m'explique... -> Clarifies or develops an opinion.
- En fait... -> Corrects or adds further detail.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of expressing and asking for opinions in French enriches your conversations and allows you to actively participate in meaningful exchanges. By using a variety of expressions to share your thoughts, specify topics, or clarify your viewpoints, you not only improve your language skills but also your ability to communicate effectively.

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