B1 French Expressions: The 50 Most Useful Phrases for the Exam
For DELF B1 you need a repertoire of expressions that let you give an opinion, argue a point, express feelings and add nuance to your statements. These expressions are the difference between a mechanical text and one that shows genuine command of the B1 level.
Opinion and Viewpoint Expressions at B1
For both the oral and written tests at B1: "À mon avis..." (In my opinion...), "Selon moi..." (As I see it...), "Je suis persuadé(e) que..." (I'm convinced that...), "Il me semble que..." (It seems to me that...), "Je pense que..." (I think that...), "D'après moi..." (In my view...), "J'estime que..." (I consider that...).
Expressions for Introducing and Developing Arguments
To structure an argument at B1: "Premièrement..." / "En premier lieu..." (Firstly...), "D'un côté... de l'autre côté..." (On one side... on the other...), "Il est vrai que... mais..." (It's true that... but...), "En ce qui concerne..." (As for...), "Pour illustrer cela..." (To illustrate this...).
Idiomatic Expressions for the Oral at B1
Idiomatic expressions that impress examiners at B1: "Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard" (it's nothing to write home about), "Avoir le vent en poupe" (to be riding high), "Mettre les pieds dans le plat" (to put your foot in it), "Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter" (to have bigger fish to fry).
Practice exercises
Which expression would you use to qualify or soften a previous statement?
Which expression would you use to introduce your first argument in a B1 written text?
How do you express surprise at unexpected news in French at B1 level?
Exam tips
- Learn 3-5 new expressions every week and use them actively in your own writing and speaking
- Opinion expressions are essential at B1: you must be able to give your view on any topic
- Use idiomatic expressions sparingly in the oral: one or two used correctly impress more than many used clumsily
- Practise the argument connectors until they come out naturally and automatically
Prepara el DELF B1 con DelfOnline
Ejercicios interactivos, simulacros reales y preparación completa desde A1 hasta DALF C2.