French phrases to have in your back pocket when visiting France
Coming to France? Don’t know any French? Do not let that intimidate you. I’ve got your list of French phrases to have in your back pocket when visiting France. Despite the stereotypes, the French are a welcoming and kind people. They are humans, just like you and me, and especially in this day an age (poke pandemic and tough times), a little extra patience and respect may get you a long way.
One thing I always recommend to people when they are coming to visit Paris, is to learn a few phrases in French and attempt to start in French and you can quickly move to English. Here’s just the tip of the iceberg for phrases and words to have at the ready.
Basic French Words
Bonjour : Hello.
Au revoir : Good bye.
À bientôt: See you later.
Bonne journée: Have a good day.
Bonsoir: Good evening.
Bonne soirée: Have a good night.
Bonne nuit*: Good night
S’il vous plaît: Please
Je vous en prie: You’re welcome
Merci: Thank you.
Excusez-moi: Please excuse me.
*Bonne nuit is a phrase that is used before going to bed. When you’re saying good bye to someone in the evening it is better to use bonne soirée.
Common French Phrases
Parlez-vous anglais?: Do you speak English ?
Je ne comprends pas: I do not understand.
Je ne parle que anglais: I speak only english
Veuillez répéter, s’il vous plaît: Can you please repeat that.
Parlez plus lentement , s’il vous plaît: Can you please speak slower?
Encore une fois, s’il vous plaît: Again, please.
Parlez-vous anglais?: Do you speak English?
Je suis perdu(e): I am lost
Je m’appelle…: My name is…
Comment allez-vous?: How are you ?
Enchanté(e): Delighted to meet you.
French for Getting Around
À gauche: to the left
À droite: to the right
Tout droit: straight ahead
Le guichet: ticket window
La gare: train station
Où se trouve…? Où est/sont…?: where is…?
La sortie: The exit
C’est loin d’ici?: Is it far from here?
Un billet: a ticket
French Dining Out
Une table pour…: A table for…
Un carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît: A caraf of water please.
La carte: the menu
L’entrée: appetizer
Le plat: the main dish
Le dessert: dessert
Je voudrais… : I would like…
Je vais prendre…: I’ll have the…
Je suis allergique à/au…: I am allergic to….
Du pain: bread
Du sel et poivre: Salt and pepper
Un couteau: a knife
Une forchette: a fork
Une cuilleure: a spoon
Une serviette: a napkin
L’addition: the bill
French at the store
Combien ça coute…? How much does this cost?
La caisse: the cash register
Avez-vous ce produit en taille…?: Do you have this in a size…?
je regard seulement, merci.: I’m just looking, thank you.
Avez-vous…?: Do you have…?
Le reçu: the receipt
Are you looking for anything specific? Did I miss anything? Want me to cover another subject? Let me know by leaving a comment below ! I’ll be going more into a deep-dive in certain areas (like how to read a French menu) at a later date. Unfortunately there are not enough hours in the day.
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