The New Year is a natural reset: it gives you a clean page, a little momentum, and a reason to set goals that actually mean something. If you’re learning French, it’s the perfect opportunity to pick up useful phrases you can put to work right away. Here’s a simple guide that will have you talking about resolutions with confidence in no time.
Start with the basics
In French, a New Year’s resolution is une résolution du Nouvel An.
When you want to say you are making resolutions, you can use:
- Prendre de bonnes résolutions – to make (good) resolutions
- J’ai décidé de… – I have decided to…
- Cette année, je vais… – This year, I’m going to…
These three expressions will let you talk about your goals without searching for words.
Common resolution phrases you can use
Here are some active, workable sentence starters you can combine with your own goals:
- Je veux apprendre le français. – I want to learn French.
- Je vais faire plus de sport. – I am going to exercise more.
- Je veux manger plus sainement. – I want to eat healthier.
- Je vais économiser de l’argent. – I am going to save money.
- Je veux lire plus. – I want to read more.
- Je vais voyager plus souvent. – I am going to travel more often.
Try writing a small list with two or three of your own. Keep it honest and doable.
How to describe your aims in a natural way
If you want to add detail, here are some helpful connectors:
- Parce que – because
- Pour – for, in order to
- Afin de – in order to
Example:
Cette année, je vais faire plus de sport pour être en meilleure santé.
This year, I’m going to exercise more to become healthier.
The moment you add a reason, the goal sounds stronger and more personal.
How to talk about your progress
Once the year is underway, use these phrases to describe how things are going:
- Je progresse. – I am making progress.
- Ce n’est pas facile, mais je continue. – It’s not easy, but I’m sticking with it.
- J’ai déjà commencé. – I have already begun.
- Il me reste encore du travail. – I still have work to do.
These lines will help you keep the conversation going with teachers, friends, or fellow learners.
A quick exercise to practice
Write three resolutions in French. Keep them short.
Add a reason using pour or afin de.
Read them aloud a few times.
Example:
Je veux lire davantage afin d’améliorer mon vocabulaire.
I want to read more in order to improve my vocabulary.
Hearing yourself say the sentences will help the phrases settle in your memory.
Final thoughts
Making New Year’s resolutions in French is a double win: you get to set goals for your life and build language skills at the same time. Start simple, stay consistent, and let your French carry you forward one small step at a time. If you want help shaping your own list, I’m here for it.
