Another way of describing yourself is by telling a close friend where you live. The best way of describing where you live is to begin by thinking about the big picture.

From Large to Small — De grand à petit

You live on the planet “Earth” (la Terre), right? Now let's think a little less big. In what “country” (le pays) do you live?Next, let's think a little smaller. What is the name of your “state” (l'état) or “region” (la région)? And now let's get more specific. Do you live in the “city” (la ville)? Or in the “country” (la campagne)? And do you live in a “house” (une maison) or in an “apartment” (un appartement)? Do you have your own “bedroom” (chambre à coucher), or do you share it?

Yes or No — Oui ou non

Going from big to little, or from more general to more specific, is often the way we communicate information about ourselves. Look at the following yes/no statements. Each question begins with “I live” — Je, followed by the verb vis — and by a complement that completes the sentence. So, if you're a French kid, you say, Je vis en Europe (“I live in Europe”) or Je vis en France (“I live in France”). For each statement, answer “yes,” oui, or “no,” non. The questions get more and more specific as you go:

Je vis… en Europe (in Europe) Oui

Je vis… en Amérique du Nord (in North America) Oui

Je vis… en Amérique du Sud (in South America) Oui

Je vis… en Asie (in Asia) Oui

Je vis… en France (in France) Oui

Je vis… aux Etats-Unis (in the U.S.) Oui

Je vis… dans une ville (in a city) Oui

Je vis… en banlieue (in the suburbs) Oui

Je vis… à la campagne (in the country) Oui Non

Je vis… dans une maison (in a house) Oui

Je vis… dans un appartement (in an apartment) Oui

Je vis… dans une ferme (on a farm) Oui