Words ending in -ique in French

1. 1
   musique/myzik/

   musicnoun

   Sounds arranged to be listened to.
2. 2
   boutique/butik/

   shopnoun

   A small store.
3. 3
   pratique/pʁatik/

   practicaladjective

   Convenient to use every day.
4. 4
   sympathique/sɛ̃patik/

   niceadjective

   Pleasant to be around.
5. 5
   informatique/ɛ̃fɔʁmatik/

   computingnoun

   The science of computers.
6. 6
   électrique/elɛktʁik/

   electricadjective

   Running on electricity.
7. 7
   critique/kʁitik/

   reviewnoun

   An article that judges a work.
8. 8
   romantique/ʁomɑ̃tik/

   romanticadjective

   Making you dream of love.
9. 9
   typique/tipik/

   typicaladjective

   A good example of its kind.
10. 10
    magique/maʒik/

    magicaladjective

    Seeming to come from a supernatural power.

The sentences

1. La musique était vraiment bonne ce soir.

   The music was really good tonight.

2. À quelle heure ferme la boutique, s'il vous plaît ?

   What time does the shop close, please?

3. Ce petit sac est vraiment pratique pour le concert.

   This little bag is really handy for the concert.

4. Le vendeur du magasin de disques était très sympathique.

   The guy at the record store was very nice.

5. Mon frère travaille dans l'informatique depuis dix ans.

   My brother has worked in computing for ten years.

6. Il joue de la guitare électrique dans un groupe.

   He plays electric guitar in a band.

7. J'ai lu une bonne critique du restaurant.

   I read a good review of the restaurant.

8. Ce restaurant est parfait pour un dîner romantique.

   This restaurant is perfect for a romantic dinner.

9. C'est un café très typique du quartier.

   It's a very typical café of the neighborhood.

10. Avec toutes ces lumières, la soirée était magique.

    With all those lights, the evening was magical.

Pronunciation

• musique/myzik/

  The u is said with rounded lips, as in "tu", not like "ou".

• sympathique/sɛ̃patik/

  The beginning sounds like "saint", without pronouncing the n.

• informatique/ɛ̃fɔʁmatik/

  The opening in is said as in "vin", without pronouncing the n.

• électrique/elɛktʁik/

  The opening é is closed, but "lec" opens up as in "sec".

• romantique/ʁomɑ̃tik/

  The an is nasal as in "temps", without pronouncing the n.

Good to know

pourboire

Service is already included in restaurant prices. Tipping is optional, often a few coins or a rounded-up bill.

boutique

Many small shops close on Sundays, and some break at midday. Opening hours are posted on the door and vary by neighborhood.

bonjour

When you walk into a shop or café, you first say bonjour to the seller or waiter. "S'il vous plaît" is expected when you ask for something.

Questions

How do you say "the shop" in French when asking when it closes?

Say "boutique": "À quelle heure ferme la boutique, s'il vous plaît ?" means "What time does the shop close, please?"

What does critique mean in French?

Here it means an article that judges a work. For example, "J'ai lu une bonne critique du restaurant" means you read a good review of the restaurant.

How do you say a place is romantic or typical in French?

Use "romantique" for something that makes you dream of love, as in a romantic dinner. Use "typique" for something that represents its kind well, as in a typical café.