travel french words

60 Basic French Words You Need to Know Before Travel

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By OptiLingo • 5 minute read

Learn Basic French Words and Phrases

French is an awesome language. If you’re traveling to France, you’ll know first hand. But, the French are really proud of their language. Before you travel, you should definitely learn the most basic French words and phrases to get by. You’ll navigate easier and receive better customer service if you speak a little bit of French. Luckily, it doesn’t take long to learn at all . Use this handy vocabulary list to learn the most common French words in less than 30 minutes, and start your journey to fluency . 

Psst! Did you know we have a language learning app?

• It teaches you useful words and phrases.
• Presented in a natural, everyday context.
• Spaced out over time, so you absorb your new language organically.
• It’s kind of like learning the words to your new favorite song!

You’re only one click away!

Common French Words

Let’s dive right in with some of the most common French words and phrases.

• Bonjour : a general greeting meaning “hello” or “good morning”
• Au revoir : goodbye
• Merci : thank you
• Merci beaucoup : thank you very much
• Fille : girl
• Garçon : boy
• Femme : woman
• Homme : man
• Amour : love
• Français : French
• S’il vous plaît : please (literally, “if you please”)
• Bonsoir : good evening
• Bonne nuit : good night
• Excusez-moi : excuse me
• De rien : a casual way of saying “you’re welcome”
• Je vous en prie : a formal way to say “you’re welcome”
• Temps : time
• Monde : world
• Monsieur : mister or gentleman
• Raison : reason
• Mademoiselle : Miss, referring to an unmarried woman
• Madame : a married or older woman
• Beau : handsome
• Belle : beautiful
• Chien : dog
• Fort : strong

Common French Phrases

Now that we’ve looked at some common French words, let’s learn some frequent phrases. These will be helpful to know as you start forming full sentences, particularly if you plan to travel and talk with native French speakers .

• Je suis désolé(e) : I’m sorry
• Comment vous appelez-vous? : What is your name?
• Parlez-vous anglais? : Do you speak English?
• Je m’appelle : My name is
• Comment allez-vous? : How are you doing?
• Quelle heure est-il? : What time is it?
• Pouvez-vous m’aider? : Can you help me?
• Combien ça coûte? : How much is this?
• Je t’aime : I love you
• À tout à l’heure! : See you later!

Useful French Phrases for Travelers

We’ve looked at some common everyday words and phrases. Here are some specific phrases that might be useful if you need to get information in French-speaking areas.

• Je ne comprends pas : I do not understand
• Parlez lentement, s’il vous plaît : Speak slowly, please
• Répétez, s’il vous plaî t : Repeat, please
• Où sont les toilettes? : Where are the toilets?
• Où est un bon restaurant/un bon café? : Where is a good restaurant/cafe?
• Je cherche le métro/le gare/l’aéroport : I am searching for the metro/train station/airport
• Où est la plage/le centre-ville? : Where is the beach/city center?
• Je cherche l’hôtel/l’hôpital/la banque : I am searching for the hotel/hospital/bank
• Pourriez-vous me/nous prendre en photo? : Are you able to take my photo/our photo?

French Grammar: The Basics

Grammar is the boogeyman of language learning. Nobody likes it. But, it’s important to be familiar with the most basic rules, so you can start forming sentences in French quickly. With the useful French vocabulary you now have, you’re only steps away from fluency.

• Nouns Have Genders : In French, nouns are either feminine or masculine . These French genders affect a lot of grammatical rules. You need to conjugate adjectives and articles in French to fit the gender and number of the noun. For “the”, the French have “le” (masculine), “la” (feminine), and “les” (plural). For the English “a” and “an”, the French use “un” (masculine) and “une” (feminine).
• Verbs Conjugate Differently: In English, verbs in the present tense have only two forms. For example talk and talks. Meanwhile, in French, you have to conjugate verbs up to six different ways to fit the pronoun. 
• Adjectives come after the noun: In English, the adjective is placed before the noun. But, in French, the adjective is often found after the noun. Note that this is true often, but not always. Adjectives describing beauty, age, number, goodness, and size (or BANGS) come before the noun as an exception.

Tips For Learning Common French Words

Before you begin learning the most common French words, it’s good to know how you can study the best. Use this advice to guide your experience and maximize your language learning success.

• Use your trip as motivation : Motivation and enthusiasm are crucial to language learning success. And an upcoming trip is the perfect opportunity to motivate you. Build your excitement and your fluency at the same time.
• Review often : Once you’ve read these common French words and phrases and understood their meaning, make sure you review your material multiple times before you travel. This method is called spaced repetition , and it’s the best way to remember your language lessons.
• Don’t be afraid to speak : Speaking is the only way you’ll become fluent in French. Feel free to say these common French words out lout to get comfortable with the language. By the time you arrive to France, you’ll have no problem talking with the locals.
• Learn about French culture : French culture is incredibly rich in cultures and traditions . Learn a little bit about them before your trip, so you don’t commit faux pas .

Learn More Useful French Words and Phrases

Knowing these common French phrases will be extremely handy when you go to France. But, of course, there’s a lot more to the language. Perhaps this list was just the beginning of your language learning journey. If you want to learn the most useful phrases in the French language , you should try OptiLingo.

OptiLingo gives you the most high-frequency words and phrases in French. Forget about learning unnecessary vocabulary. This fun and effective method will make French more accessible than ever. Speak like a local with minimal study time. Discover how great learning French is by trying OptiLingo today !

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Basic French Words, Phrases, and Sayings Every Traveler Should Know

These are the basic French words, phrases, and slang to know for your next trip to France.

Anyone who has spent even the shortest amount of time in France — particularly in Paris — knows the importance of being able to speak a little français, so we've rounded up some common French phrases, words, and even French slang you should learn before your next trip — whether it's in six months or six years.

Locals will quickly warm to travelers who at least make an effort to speak their language. Whether it's saying "bonjour" when you enter a shop or ordering politely in a café, the French will take note of your courtesy. Any useful French words, sayings, or phrases you can commit to memory will help you navigate the country, interact with residents, and make the most of your trip.

10 Best Cheap Hotels in Paris, According to Hotels.com

And, as a rule, remember that it's always safer to use the "vous," or formal version, of French, unless you're speaking to a child. Here are the basic French words and phrases to learn before you visit France.

Basic French Words

Hello: Bonjour

Goodbye: Au revoir

Goodnight: Bonne soirée, or bonne nuit

Please: S'il vous plaît (formal), s'il te plaît (informal)

Thank you: Merci

You're welcome: De rien

Beautiful: Beau (masculine), belle (feminine)

Common French Phrases

How are you?: Comment allez-vous? (formal), Comment vas-tu? (informal)

I am well, and you?: Je vais bien, et vous?

What is your name?: Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal), Comment tu t'appelles? (informal)

My name is...: Je m'appelle...

I love you: Je vous aime (formal), Je t'aime (informal)

I miss you: Vous me manquez (formal), Tu me manques (informal)

Excuse me: Pardon

I don't know: Je ne sais pas

I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas

Basic French Phrases for Travelers

Do you speak English: Parlez-vous anglais?

I'm lost: Je suis perdu(e), adding an e if you identify as female.

I'm sorry: Je suis désolé(e)

Where is...: Où est... (For example, "Where is the Louvre?" translates to "Où est le musée du Louvre ?")

Where is the bathroom?: Où sont les toilettes?

How much is...: Combien coûte... (For example, "Combien coûte cette robe?" means "How much is this dress?")

I would like...: Je voudrais...

A beer: Une bière

A glass of wine: Un verre de vin

A coffee: Un café

Common French Sayings and French Slang

Hello: Salut (informal)

I love Paris: J'adore Paris

Have a nice trip: Bon voyage

Forget it or drop it: Laisse tomber

Come on or let's go: Allez

That's life: C'est la vie

Long live the Republic and long live France!: Vive la république et vive la France!

French food is the best in the world: La cuisine française est la meilleure du monde

Related Articles

Survival French: 120 Must-know Phrases for visitors to France

• Post category: French Language / Travel to France
• Post author: Nassie Angadi

If you are planning a trip in France, you may want to learn a few french travel phrases to make the most of your visit. Travel can be stressful, so there’s no better way to calm your nerves than by understanding the local language .

The French are notoriously shy about speaking English, so a few phrases in French is bound to put everyone at ease. In this article, I will cover some useful phrases in various instances, from asking directions, ordering at a restaurant, going somewhere in a taxi, etc.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top useful French travel phrases for your big trip to France. Allons-y!

Greetings and general phrases

There is quite a lot of different French greetings but the most basic is the Bonjour . If there is only one word to remember on your trip, this is the one.

Asking for help

You can find more information on calling emergency numbers in France here.

At the airport

Food, restaurants and dining out

You can find more French food culinary terms here and top foods to eat in France here.

At a train station

For more numbers in French , you can find my printable here.

In a museum

You can find the top museums in Paris here. If you like, you may want to download the list in printable format below.

• Traveling to Paris
• Resources for learning French

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60+ French Phrases for Travel You Need to Know 📚FREE Printable Cheat-Sheet

Order your petit-déjeuner (breakfast) or buy your billets (tickets) to the Louvre all in French! Here are the most useful French phrases for travel you need to know.

Learning some French will offer you further insight into the French culture, mentality, and way of life. The ability to speak even un peu français (a little bit of French) and avoid making these French faux pas will enhance your travel experience and open the doors to unique connections with the locals.

France is the world’s top tourist destination, attracting more than 79,5 million visitors a year! That’s why French is the next language in my travel phrase guide series. Not only that, but speaking French also comes in handy when travelling to Africa, Switzerland, Canada , Monaco, French Polynesia, the Seychelles amongst other places.

Why else should you learn French? Well, it makes learning other languages, especially Romance languages like Spanish , Italian , Portuguese and Romanian much easier. 

Don't let the learning stop here. Download your free PDF guide with  60+ French travel phrases . Includes English and French translations with pronunciation guide.  Apprenons ensemble! (Let's learn together!)

Travelling to France? Don’t be treated like a tourist! Live your best travel experiences and learn France for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant or a taxi driver who has “taken you for a ride”.  In addition to my free French travel phrase guide , I’ve made it even easier for you to master the French language so you can create lifelong memories as you mingle with locals , get local tips , avoid tourist traps , and make new friends . Join my popular French course here.

Let’s take a quick look at the French language so you’re a bit more clued up on its origin, use, and vocabulary. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed bringing it together. If you have any requests for other languages, let me know in the comments section!

Where is French spoken?

French is the third most spoken language in Europe, after German and English and has official-language status in 29 countries, including: Belgium , Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada , Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France , Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland , Togo and Vanuatu. French is even one of six official languages of the United Nations.

It seems like nearly everyone wants to learn French, it’s the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world!

And the best way to learn it? Well, France operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses close to a million learners. My two favourite ways to learn French is by attending language classes – so I’m not only held accountable but also for the social aspect –  and going on language holiday too!

A Brief History of the French Language

The French and English languages have a pretty mixed-up history. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, Norman French was adopted as the language of power on the British Isles.

For the next 400 years, French was the language of the nobility and of most official documents. King Henry V put a stop to that when he went to war with France, but because the two languages existed in parallel for so long, the English language is peppered with words of French origin, many of which can be traced back to French roots. This means that you actually already know a lot of French, even if you don’t think you do.

Now for the tricky stuff!

French Pronunciation Tips

There is a total of 26 letters in the French alphabet. Standard French contains 13 oral vowels and up to 4 nasal vowels, but there are 5 additional accented letters that can be applied to change the sound of a letter.

Here are some helpful pronunciation tips:

Using Liaisons

One of the fundamental rules of pronouncing French (and many other Latin-based languages) is that everything has to flow. That’s one of the reasons why French sounds so beautiful.

If you’re speaking French correctly, everything should sound like a continuous melody.

That’s where liaisons come in.

Liaisons are a phonetic link between two words that may sound awkward if left unconnected.

Let’s take a look at some examples where they are used  when speaking:

• After pronouns e.g. vous avez sounds like vooz-ah-vey not  voo ah-vey
• Numbers and nouns e.g. deux amis sounds like derz-ah-mee not der ah-me
• One syllable prepositions e.g chez eux sounds like shez-uur not sheh uur

And liaisons that are forbidden when speaking:

• When using full names e.g.
• After et (and)

Liaisons may seem complicated at first, but they will become easier the more you listen to spoken French. After a while, you’ll automatically be able to notice where a liaison is needed (and where it isn’t) and how to make it sound natural when speaking.

What Not to Pronounce in French

Much like English, the French language isn’t written phonetically. The same sound can be represented by several different combinations of letters, and there are many cases of silent French letters. Two of the most well known are the silent “e” and the silent “h.”

The Silent “e”

The letter “e” is often silent in French, especially at the end of a word. Here are some examples:

Rue (road/street) is pronounced  roo not roo-ee and inacceptable (unacceptable) is pronounced an-ah-sep-tah-bil not an-ah-sep-tah-ble

Of course, there are exceptions when it comes to masculine and feminine adjectives and nouns.

In the case of feminine adjectives and nouns, this typically means that the final consonant of the masculine form will now be pronounced. So, the masculine ouvert , meaning open in the masculine form and pronounced oo-ver , will become ouverte  in the feminine form and pronounced oo-vert . The ‘ e ’ makes the final letter sounded.

The Final Consonant

As you’ve probably already noticed, there are a tonne of French letters that simply aren’t pronounced at the end of words. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it!

In French, silent letters, or lettres muettes , have rules and exceptions just like many other linguistic concepts.

In general, the final consonants of a word are usually silent in French except in some cases of the letters c, f, l or r .

Just remember this simple rule, the consonants in the word ‘ careful ’ are always pronounced.

For example,

Avec (with) is pronounced  ah-ve k

Cinq (five) is pronounced saan k

Hiver (winter) is pronounced ee-ve r

The general rule regarding French word endings is that when in doubt, you probably don’t pronounce it. But, French is full of exceptions!

The Infamous “r”

For many English speakers, the French “r” can be a source of frustration. To pronounce it, you’ll need to use your throat and imagine you’re trying to gargle. The French “r” is pronounced in the same place as the English “k”, but with your throat closed.

The Silent “h”

As you’ve probably noticed from every French speaker’s failed attempt to say the word “hamburger” in English, the “h” in French is a silent letter no matter where it’s located in a word.

The only exception to this is when the preceding letter is “c,” in which case the “ch” combination makes a “sh” sound or “k” sound.

Here are a few examples of the silent “h”:

Le haricot vert (French bean) is pronounced leh ah-ree-coh ver

Huit (eight) is pronounced weet

Hiver (winter) is pronounced ee-ver

Admittedly there are a few finicky grammar rules to learn, but generally speaking, English grammar corresponds relatively closely to French grammar.

Consider words in English that end with – ible  and -able , these are the same in French, only the pronunciation changes. So, the French word ‘possible’ sounds like poss-ee-bleh and ‘comfortable’ becomes kom-for-tah-bleh .

Then we have English words ending in -ent and -ant which also come from French and have the same spelling and the same meaning. So, the word, différent sounds like diff-er-ohnt  and important  sounds like ahm-poor-tahnt . The ‘t’ at the end is just slightly sounded.

Had enough? Ok, one more! Words in English ending in -ary l ike contrary become -aire in French. So, ‘contrary’ becomes contraire  and sounds like kon-trair . There are so many rules like this, so you can see just how easy learning French can be.

Here are top 10 French phrases for travel you SHOULD Know

Top french phrases for travellers.

Want the infographic to take with you? Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Greetings Essentials Questions Eating Out Getting Around Numbers Days Emergencies

**There are a few places that use unique words for the numbers 70 ( septante ) and 90 ( nonante ), such as Belgium and Switzerland. With the numbers 80 to 89, combine the number 4, the number 20, and the ones.

For example, in French 80 is four 20s, 81 is four 20s plus 1, and so forth. (Unlike most French-speaking countries, Switzerland actually has a word for the number 80. It’s huitante .)

Want more? Learn French with me, with Intrepid French!

Here’s what my students are saying: 

Loved it, loved it, loved it. I’ve been trying to learn languages using various language learning apps for years now and although I know random words I feel no more confident in actually speaking the language than I was when I started.” – Basil Pereira

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Have a laugh with these funny French expressions

Like it? Pin or download this French travel phrase guide

Like it? Pin it for later!

Learning French? Check out these French language guides

• Top 10 French Phrases You Should NEVER Say [& What to Use Instead]
• How to Sound More French: Top 10 French Phrases the French Love Saying
• How a ‘potato’ improved my French pronunciation
• 25 Funny French Idioms Translated Literally
• 22 Most Common French Grammar Mistakes [& How to Avoid Them]

Want to know more about learning languages? Start here!

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• What Type of Language Learner Are You? Your 4-Step Personalised Learning Plan
• 15 Top Language Learning Resources You Should Use
• 44 Best Movies on Disney Plus for Learning Languages
• 13 Ways to Seamlessly Integrate Language Learning into Your Daily Life
• 10 Pro Tips: How to Learn a Language with a Full-Time Job
• 7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday
• Essential Travel Phrases: How to be Travel Fluent in 10 Simple Steps
• 23 Cool Gift for Language Learners They Will Actually Use and Love
• How to Learn Your First Foreign Language in 8 Simple Steps: A Beginner’s Guide
• 11 Life-Changing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Language
• 42 beautiful Inspirational Quotes for Language Learners
• Language learning tips: 11 Polyglots Reveal The Secrets of Their Success
• Top 10 Best Ways to Learn a Language Better and Faster
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Don’t miss my France Travel Guides

• How to Spend 4 Days in Paris: Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Paris
• Where to Stay in Paris: A Fairytale Stay at Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche [Hotel Review]
• Where to Stay in Paris: A Decadent Stay at Hôtel Thérèse [Hotel Review]

Over to you!

Which of these French phrases are the most useful? What other languages would you like a travel phrase guide for? Have you been to a French-speaking country? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Like what you see? Subscribe using the form below to have all of my posts delivered directly to your email.

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

Blond or Blonde: Why Does Grammatical Gender in English Still Exist?

How to sound more french: top 10 french phrases you should use.

This is great. I took years of French when in school, 40-years ago and now want to re-learn and be able to get by when traveling. Merci

Hi! (Sorry for the Failures, I don’t speak english very well because I am french) My Name is Salomé and I am from France. I felt random on your Website and I watched you tables and the picture called ” French travel Cheat sheet “. What you’re doing is awesome because you help people open us to the World. I am proud of what you do. I want to help because I am a native speaker of French not of all the French (Canada, Belgium..) but from France. Salomé

Hey Michele, love the article, love the guide. I think there are some mistakes on the French spelling and pronuciation for the word Right.

Right =droite drrrwa (with the funny r for the French). Apart from that, what a precious website!! Well done!

Hi Monique, thank you for correcting this typo, I’ve just fixed it now :)

Hey Michele

This is so cool. Thanks for sharing it. I was I Paris about a month ago and these would have come in very handy. Keep up the good work.

Merci Au revour

Thanks Basil, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. I hope you’ll find it useful for future travels in Francophone countries :)

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108 French Travel Phrases

Having essential French travel phrases on hand can totally transform your trip. If you meet people, get lost or just need to ask a local some questions , these expressions and sayings will help you out in most  scenarios and make your time in France truly memorable.

I’ll introduce you to 108 basic French phrases for travelers, as well as tips and cultural context so they’re easier to memorize ahead of time.

Common French Words and Phrases

French phrases to introduce yourself, questions for traveling in france, french for getting around, clarifying french phrases, basic french phrases for shopping, phrases for dining out in french, french words for a night out, how to prepare for traveling to france.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Let’s start with the absolute basics.

Bonjour (Hello) Add a monsieur (sir) or madame (ma’am) to be polite.

Salut ! (Hi/Hey!) This is a more casual version of “hello.” You’ll hear the young folks throwing this one around.

Au revoir (Goodbye)

À plus / À plus tard ! (See you/See you later!)

À la prochaine ! (See you next time!)

Bisous / Bises ! (Kisses!) This is a casual way to say goodbye.

Bonsoir (Good evening)

Bonne journée ! ([Have a] good day!)

Bonne soirée ! ([Have a] good evening!)

Vous me manquez déjà ! (I miss you already!)

Pardon (Excuse me)

Merci (Thank you)

S’il vous plaît (Please)

Excusez-moi monsieur / madame (Excuse me sir/ma’am)

Parlez-vous anglais ? (Do you speak English?)

Comment dit-on … en français ? (How do you say … in French?)

These phrases will help you out when meeting locals and trying to make French-speaking friends.

Je m’appelle… (My name is…)

Moi, c’est… (Me, I’m…) This is a more casual way of introducing yourself.

Comment vous appelez-vous ? (What is your name?)

Tu t’appelles comment ? (What’s your name?) Use this one for when you want to keep things casual, with the  tu  form .

Comment allez-vous ? (How are you?)

Ça va ? En forme ? (How are you? You good?)

Nous sommes arrivés / arrivées…  (We arrived…) Use this phrase to let someone know when you got into town.

Nous restons… (We’re staying…) Use this phrase to explain to your new friends where you’re staying, as well as how long you’re staying.

Je vous présente… (lit. “I present you…”) This is another way of saying “This is [my]…” when you want to introduce two people to each other.

Enchanté/Enchantée. (Pleased to meet you.)

Je suis ravi / ravie de faire votre connaissance.  (I am glad/delighted to meet you.) You’ll raise some impressed eyebrows if you bust out this fancy French “nice to meet ya.”

Je parle un peu français. (I speak a little French.)

If you’re learning French, chances are you’ll want to practice your language skills when you go out there. However, it can be intimidating approaching a native—letting them know that you’re not fluent will really put your mind to rest!

Saying je parle un peu français  will enable you to continue practicing your speaking skills, while at the same time alleviating any pressure you might feel to talk fluently. Use this phrase when you’re first starting a conversation, or want to continue talking to someone in French.

J’apprends le français depuis… (I’ve been learning French for…)

People are sure to notice your French accent and they’ll probably want to know how long you’ve been learning the language of love.

Je suis là pour les vacances / le travail.  (I’m here for vacation/work.)

After you’ve made your initial introductions, it’s likely that a person with whom you’re speaking will ask about the time you’re spending in France. While many people travel to the country for vacation, this isn’t always the case, so informing the other person of your reasons for traveling can help fuel the conversation you have.

It’s likely that the other person will want to expand on the topic, so having a few words ready about your future itinerary or your job wouldn’t go amiss.

Où est… ? (Where is…?)

This is a phrase that you’ll need to use a lot in France, and it pays to memorize the names of a few places so you can get by if you’re stuck.

Here are some French phrases for travelers to build off of  “où est.”

Où est…

l’hôtel ? (the hotel?)

la banque ? (the bank?)

l’aéroport ? (the airport?)

le guichet ? (the ticket window?)

la plage ? (the beach?)

Quel temps va-t-il faire aujourd’hui ? (What will the weather be like today?)

Don’t forget that much of the time, the weather in France is described using the verb faire .

Learning some French vocabulary for weather is a great idea before you venture out—being able to understand what sun and rain are in French will help you to listen out for all the right words.

Il fait beau aujourd’hui (It’s beautiful weather today)

Il pleut (It’s raining)

Il fait chaud (It’s hot)

Il fait froid (It’s cold)

Il fait soleil / Il y a du soleil (It’s sunny)

Il fait venteux / Il y a du vent (It’s windy)

Est-ce que vous pourriez prendre ma photo, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you take my photo, please?)

Everyone loves a souvenir, and it’s likely that you’ll take your camera along with you to capture precious memories. In touristy zones, natives are used to being asked to take photos, but if you’re going to do it, it’s especially nice to be able to inquire in French.

If there are a group of you, replace ma photo (my photo) with notre photo (our photo). And to be polite, start your request with excusez-moi monsieur/madame .

Addressing someone by the equivalent of “sir” or “madam” in French is generally expected, so if in doubt, err on the side of being over-polite—the person taking your photo is much more likely to accept your request!

Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi, s’il vous plaît ? (Can you call me a taxi, please ?)

Getting home in France when public transport has stopped running can be a real worry, and unless you’re right next to a taxi stand, it can be very difficult to find a cab. If you’re at a venue late, ask this question to one of the staff.

Staff are likely to have all the information about local transport and taxis and normally will be able to supply you with one in no time at all! As usual, address the person in the most polite way you can and thank them for their help.

Learning about other forms of transport will also help you to no end, especially when you’re searching for a way to get home.

Le bus (The bus)

Le train (The train)

Le bateau (The boat)

Le car (The coach)

La voiture (The car)

Pouvez-vous m’aider ? (Can you help me?)

In the unlikely scenario that you get into trouble when in France, it’s really important to have armed yourself with the right words to get out of a bind. Even just knowing this phrase is incredibly handy.

Of course, just because you need help doesn’t mean you’re in trouble—you might just need directions . The above phrase can be used in those scenarios, too, and is a great way to identify people who are able to speak French and who know their way around town.

Où est l’ambassade américaine ? (Where is the American Embassy?)

Again, travel French isn’t just about getting around, eating well and having fun. There are also French phrases to know in case of emergency.

If you run into trouble in France, one good address to have on hand is that of the American embassy .  A stolen U.S. passport or ID card can be replaced at the embassy, and you might need their help if there is ever a political problem in France and you need to exit the country quickly.

That’s a rarity to be sure, but it’s better to be prepared while traveling!

You’ll likely benefit from some further directional guidance while traveling around France. These phrases will come in handy.

Où est le métro ? (Where is the metro?)

Où sont les taxis ? (Where are the taxis?)

Où est la sortie ? (Where is the exit?)

C’est près d’ici ? (Is it close by?)

C’est loin ? (Is it far?)

Est-ce que ce bus passe par… (Does this bus pass by…)

Emmenez-moi à cette adresse, s’il vous plaît. (Take me to this address, please.)

Use this polite phrase with your taxi driver before you hand over that crumpled sticky note with François’ address on it.

Je vous dois combien ? (How much do I owe you?)

After your chauffeur de taxi (taxi driver) has so graciously driven you to François’ place, you’ll have to pay up.

Puis-je avoir un plan de la ville, s’il vous plaît ? (Can I have a map of the city, please?)

Use this phrase when you roll up to the  office de tourisme  (tourist office). You can also ask for a public transit map specifically:

Puis-je avoir un plan du métro, s’il vous plaît ? (Can I have a metro map, please?)

Je cherche… (I am looking for…)

Je cherche is another handy French travel phrase, especially if you’re traveling for the first time in a French city.

Unlike in English, where we say “I am looking for …” the French don’t use a preposition (“for”) after the verb, and simply follow this phrase with what they’re searching for.

Je cherche…

le bus (the bus)

un taxi (a taxi)

les toilettes (the toilets)

l’hôpital (the hospital)

Je ne comprends pas. (I don’t understand.)

A necessity if you’re trying to make conversation with a native, je ne comprends pas will serve you well if you ever get stuck.

Often, French people are so pleased to find a foreigner who’s able to speak their language that they’ll get a little carried away and enthusiastically try to start a complex conversation. While situations like these are incredible if you’re a learner, they can also be very intimidating.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand. Simply excuse yourself, say that you don’t understand and if you would like to continue the conversation, try the following French phrase:

Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you repeat that, please?)

Parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît. (Speak a little slower, please.)

For French learners, the coveted native speed of speaking can seem unattainable, and while you can learn to understand it over time, it does take a little adjusting to. If you’re speaking to a local and would like them to speak a little more slowly, it’s better to just ask them, rather than suffering in silence.

Saying parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît  will let your speaking partner realize they might be going a little too fast for you, but that you would still like to continue.

If you’d like them to go back over something they’ve been talking about, you can again ask them to repeat themselves to have them re-cover a topic that might have gone over your head.

Don’t worry about seeming rude—French people are often willing to help learners with their language skills, and will likely have no problem adjusting their speed.

If you’re traveling in France, you’ll probably be doing some shopping while you’re there!

Je suis à la recherche d’un… (I’m looking for a…) A great line for engaging the chipper shop girl, practicing your French and finding gifts for the folks back home.

Non, je regarde pour l’instant. (No, I’m [just] looking for the moment.)

C’est pour… (It’s for…)

Combien ça coûte ? (How much does this cost?)

Puis-je commander cela sur l’Internet ? (Can I order this on the internet?)

Je voudrais payer en liquide / espèces. (I would like to pay in cash.)

Est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes étrangères ? (Do you accept foreign cards?)

Be aware that paying for items when abroad may not work the same way as at home.

If you’re in a smaller town in France especially, it’s always worth checking with hotels or shop owners if they accept foreign modes of transaction. Asking est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes étrangères ?  will ensure that you don’t find yourself in any sticky payment situations down the line.

If you’re from North America, asking acceptez-vous les cartes sans puce ? (do you accept non-chip cards?) might be more to the point. Many North American cards don’t have chip-and-pin security, and some stores in France don’t have magnetic strip readers.

Generally, most tourist destinations will be equipped to deal with foreign credit cards, but if you’re ever not sure, it always pays to double check!

À quelle heure est-ce que cela ferme ? (What time does it close?)

Across France, especially in the summer months, it’s worth checking out closing times. To ask when a shop or attraction is closing, use this question.

On the other hand, to inquire when a place will be opening, ask à quelle heure est-ce que cela ouvre ? (what time does it open?). Both of these phrases are really essential when traveling, so make sure you learn them ahead of time!

And remember, French time works a little differently and is often given on a 24-hour cycle, so if someone responds with dix-sept heures   (literally, “17 hours”), they mean 5 p.m.

French cuisine is famous around the world, so what better place to try it than in its country of origin? These French phrases will help you make the most of dining in France.

Une table pour 4, s’il vous plaît. (A table for 4, please.

Le menu, s’il vous plaît. (The menu, please.)

La carte des vins, s’il vous plaît. (The wine menu, please.)

Est-ce que le service est compris ? (Is the tip included?)

C’est trop bon ! (This is so good!)

J’ai bien mangé.   (I ate well/I’m full.)

Je suis répu / repue.  (I’m satisfied/I’m full.) This one will really impress people. This is some real français   soutenu  (formal French) , and you’ll rarely hear a young French person say this.

On prend l’apéro ensemble ? (Let’s have an apéritif together?)

An apéritif is a beverage one drinks before eating—typically something alcoholic like whiskey, vodka or  pastis , for example.

Je voudrais… (I would like…)

Je voudrais is likely to be a phrase that you’ll need to use very frequently—when ordering food , attending new places or just trying to buy something in a shop.

While most phrasebooks will contain the names of most foods and items that you would need to order, it’s worth remembering a few so that you don’t get stuck in a sticky situation! Here are a few you may want to commit to memory.

Je voudrais…

un café (a coffee)

une bière (a beer)

une baguette (a baguette)

de l’eau (some water)

l’addition (the bill)

À votre santé ! (To your health!)

Say this right before you clink glasses with your new French pals. Be sure to make eye contact while doing so .

You can also just say santé !  (health!). À  la vôtre !   (to yours!) is also a good option when you’re with more than one person or having a tête-à-tête  (one-on-one discussion) with a distinguished gentleperson.

À la tienne !   (to yours!) works for casual one-on-one scenarios. Tchin tchin !   (clink clink!)   has the benefit of being pretty cute and onomatopoeic.

You’re sure to exude a certain  je ne sais quoi  (“I don’t know what”) as well as an ease with pronouns .

You’ve done the museums, the galleries, the restaurants, the cafés… time to party!

Ça te dit d’aller boire un verre ce soir ? (Want to go get a drink tonight?)

J’ai envie de faire la fête ! (I want to party!)

On s’installe là-bas ? (Let’s sit over there?)

Je voudrais une pinte de blonde / un verre de vin.  (I would like a pint of light ale/glass of wine.)

On va prendre la bouteille. (We’ll take the bottle.)

On prend des shooters ! (We’re taking shots!)

Est-ce qu’il y a un after ? (Is there an after party?)

Je suis crevé / crevée, j’y vais.  (I’m spent, I’m leaving.)

Rentrez-bien ! (Get home safely!) A good phrase to keep in your pocket when you’re leaving your party animal friends in the club.

Je me suis vraiment bien amusé / amusée.  (I really enjoyed myself.) Did your new French pals take you on an exhilarating tour of the coins et  recoins (nooks and crannies) of a charming neighborhood? Then let them know that you had fun!

Find a French phrasebook for travelers

Before you travel, you’re going to want to arm yourself with a few essentials, and at the top of your list should be a really great French phrasebook . Although I’ve just given you lots of helpful, common French travel phrases, it’s always good to be ready for any eventuality, and a phrasebook will act as a great backup.

One great phrasebooks for French learners are the “Collins French Phrasebook,” which contains a French dictionary for your convenience.

For more options, you’ll want to explore Lonely Planet   to see what’s available. There are French phrasebooks for every corner of the French-speaking world, and some have additional features like accompanying audio files, travel guides or apps.

Research local customs

Wherever you go in France, you’ll find a whole host of things that make the area unique. Whether it’s local French cooking , events or linguistic differences, it pays to research the place you’re going and, if necessary, learn a few basic French phrases relating to whatever may be going on around you.

In Paris, for example, some museums and galleries are free to all on the first Sunday of the month—a deal worth taking full advantage of! If you want to check out the region to which you’re traveling, France.fr is a great place to do so.

And of course, your French phrasebooks or regional travel guides can offer you insight into customs, culture, etiquette and holidays.

Make a list of activities

Just getting to France may seem like a dream come true, but unless you have some idea of how you want to spend your time, it can pass you by in a haze.

Before you leave for your trip, try making a list of things you’d like to do. This way, you can adjust the phrases you learn accordingly and be ready to ask about certain exhibitions in the area or how to find a place to eat that serves a certain local dish you’d like to try.

Spontaneity is wonderful, but a little planning doesn’t hurt, either!

Use an immersion program

You can get used to hearing the French language before you leave your house with immersion programs. Using an immersion program at home is a good way to get used to the sounds and natural speed of the language. It’s also a way to hear turns of phrases , filler words and slang —basically, parts of the language that are rarely taught in textbooks. Learn these, and your French will sound much more natural.

Learn polite French terms of address

The French take manners very seriously, and if you’re meeting someone for the first time, or talking to a stranger, it’s important that you address them in the right way.

If you’re trying to attract the attention of someone who might be able to help you, say either “hello sir/madam” or “excuse me sir/madam” in French, as given above. Similarly, when you enter a shop, it’s always nice to greet the shopkeeper by saying hello or good morning, also as you learned above.

You can get a head start on polite conversation for practical, everyday matters with ed2go’s Beginning Conversational French course. This is a short online course that prepares you for communication in places like restaurants, hotels and other typical scenarios you may encounter on your travels.

There are also different terms of address in French, and depending on how well you know someone, you’ll have to address them in a certain way. For people you know, you can say tu (you) when talking to them. This can also be used for children and animals.

For strangers, figures of authority or your elders, you must use  vous (you). This is a much more polite term of address, and expected when you haven’t gotten to know someone well yet.

If you’re struggling to know which one to use, always veer on the side of caution and use  vous. The other person will tell you if they want you to say tu to them instead!

Traveling to France is a thrilling and eye-opening experience.

In order to get the most out of the trip, it’s a great idea for tourists and travelers to learn some basic French phrases and words ahead of time.

These French travel phrases will have your back throughout your trip!

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Home » Articles » 60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking Now

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ?

written by Benny Lewis

Language: French

Reading time: 18 minutes

Published: Jan 11, 2021

Updated: Jun 6, 2024

60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking Now

What are some French sayings? What are the most common phrases in French? And can learning a few powerful French phrases really help you start speaking right away?

Absolutely!

Even if you'll only be spending a short time in the country, learning a few basic French phrases can be very rewarding and make a big difference to your trip.

Let’s start by mastering some of the most common French phrases you need to know as a beginner:

I've long advocated that set phrases are the best thing for beginners to learn when starting out.

After all, isn't the goal of language learning to communicate?

How do you expect to communicate with anybody if the only thing you've learned so far is a verb table?

So whether you're planning to travel to Paris for a week or move to Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! for the rest of your life, here are the most important and useful French phrases that you should learn A.S.A.P.

Listen to the French Phrases:

Here's a quick “French phrases” video I made that will help you with pronunciation for most of the phrases in this article:

Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online French course, here’s the course I recommend: French Uncovered – Learn French Through the Power of Story, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly.

French Greetings and Polite Phrases

Bonjour – “hello”.

There are many ways in French to say “hello” , but bonjour is undoubtedly the most well-known. It's universally polite and friendly, whether the situation is formal or informal.

Bonjour is a combination of the words bon (“good”) and jour (“day”).

In the evening, you could also say bonsoir (“good evening”). A more casual way to greet people is salut , which can mean either “hi!” or “bye!”.

S'il vous plaît / s'il te plaît – “Please”

As a tourist, the last thing you want to be is rude. So when in France, remember what your mother taught you, and say s'il vous plaît (“please”) when making a request.

You can also say s'il te plaît. What's the difference? It's all about “you”:

In French there are two ways of saying “you”.

Tu is what you'd use when addressing a friend. Vous is a more polite and formal version, best used when talking to a stranger or older person.

( Vous is also what you should use when addressing a group of people in any situation, similar to saying “you guys” or “you all” in English).

So s'il vous plaît and s'il te plaît both mean “please” (literally, “if it pleases you”), but s'il vous plait is the more polite version. If in doubt, use s'il vous plaît .

(Why is it s'il te plait and not s'il tu plait ? It's a grammatical thing that you don't need to worry about as a beginner. Just learn the phrase as a whole for now, and things will become clear later.)

In fact, when asking for something in French – e.g. asking a stranger for directions or asking to see a menu in a restaurant, you should start with “ Bonjour. S'il vous plaît… ” It literally means “Hello, please…”, which would sound a bit strange in English, but it's the normal way to start a polite request in French.

Comment vous appelez-vous? / Comment t'appelles-tu? – “What’s your name?”

When meeting anyone, one of the first things you'll want to know is their name.

In French, you can find it out by asking “ Comment vous appelez-vous? ” (formal) or “ Comment t'appelles-tu? ” (informal).

Literally, these questions mean “what do you call yourself?”. You could also ask “ c'est quoi ton nom? ” – which is a more literal translation of “what's your name?”

If you're on the receiving end of this question, answer with “ Je m'appelle… ” (“my name is”, literally “I call myself”) or a simple “ Je suis… ” (“I am…”).

Oui/Non/Si – “Yes/No”

Two essential words to learn in any language are “yes” and “no”. In French, “yes” is oui and “no” is non .

Informally, it's also common to say ouais or ouaip instead of oui – like saying “yeah” or “yep” in English.

Then you have si . This is a handy little word that has no direct equivalent in English. Use it to say “yes” when someone asks you a negatively phrased question.

To illustrate what I mean, imagine that someone asks you, in English, “haven't you been to Paris?”

If you reply “yes”, it's not exactly clear what you're saying. Do you mean “yes, I have been to Paris – contrary to your assertion” or “yes, you're correct: I haven't been to Paris”?

French avoids this confusion with the word si . It means “yes”, but more specifically it contradicts the assertion in the question. In the above example, if you say si , it clearly conveys that you have, in fact, been to Paris.

Si is one of many linguistic features that I sorely miss when I speak English.

Comment allez-vous? – “How are you?”

This is the polite way of saying “how are you?” in French. Note the use of the polite vous rather than the informal tu .

Another, more informal way to say “how are you?” is ça va ? This phrase is extremely common – when in France you'll likely hear it several times per day.

If someone asks you “ ça va? ”, you can respond with a simple “ ça va bien ” – “it's going well”.

Excusez-moi – “Excuse me”

To get someone's attention, whether they're a waiter in a restaurant or a stranger on the street, say “ excusez-moi ”, “excuse me”.

This is also the polite way to ask someone to get out of your way. For example, if you're trying to exit a crowded train, a soft “ excusez-moi ” should (hopefully) be enough to make people step aside.

Pardon – “Sorry”

Picture getting off a crowded train, being careful you don't bump into anyone as you walk through the crowded metro station. But if a collision does occur, it's fine. Just say pardon , “sorry”, and all will be forgiven.

“ Pardon? ” is also how you'd ask someone to repeat themselves if you didn't hear or understand what they said. In this case, you should say it with a rising tone to indicate that it's a question.

Another way to say this is “ pourriez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?” – “Could you repeat, please?”

Merci beaucoup – “Thanks a lot”

And of course, don't forget to say thank you!

The French word for “thank you” is merci . Or you can make it stronger by saying merci beaucoup – “thanks very much”.

Use merci in all the same situations you'd say “thank you” in English.

Other Must-Know French Greetings and Polite Phrases:

• Nice to meet you – Enchanté
• How’s it going? – Comment ça va?
• And you? – Et toi?
• Are you well? – Vous allez bien?
• What’s new? / What’s up? – Quoi de neuf?
• Good, thanks! – Bien, merci!
• So-so / It’s okay – Comme ci, comme ça (Literally: “like this, like that”)
• Same as always – Comme d’hab
• It could be worse – Ça pourrait être pire
• You’re welcome – Je t'en prie
• Don’t mention it / You’re welcome – De rien
• Goodbye – Au revoir
• See you soon – À bientôt!

French Phrases for Maintaining a Conversation

Je voudrais parler français – “i would like to speak french”.

The French are famously protective of their language. Sometimes they can be a bit impatient with us anglophones, and reply in English to your imperfect French questions.

It's frustrating when this happens, but if you ever want to make progress in a foreign language, you absolutely must stop speaking English !

Be polite but firm when someone tries to speak English with you – tell them “ Je voudrais parler français ” – “I'd like to speak French.”

Note that, unlike in English, names of languages are not written with a capital letter in French.

Je ne comprends pas – “I don’t understand”

Sometimes pardon doesn't quite cut it. If you really can't figure out what the other person is saying, try telling them “ je ne comprends pas ” – “I don't understand.”

There's no shame in being a beginner! Just remember not to fall back to English when the going gets tough. If you don't understand something, persevere in French anyway – it's the only way you'll learn.

Que veut dire ça? – “What does that mean?”

Maybe the reason you didn't understand is because there was a specific word you didn't recognise. If that's the case, say “ que veut dire X? ” – “What does X mean?”

You can also phrase this as “ ça veut dire quoi? ” – “What does that mean?”

Plus lentement – “More slowly”

Sometimes, vocabulary isn’t the problem. You’d know the words if you could make them out, but you can't because the other person is talking too fast!

In this case, try saying plus lentement – “more slowly”.

Better yet, say a full sentence: “ Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît? ” – “Can you speak more slowly, please?”

Comment dit-on __ en français? – “How do you say __ in French?”

What if you need to say something in French, but the exact word escapes you?

Just fill in the blank in the above sentence: “ Comment dit-on X en français? ” means “How do you say X in French”?

A side note: the pronoun on , seen above, is an interesting one. It’s a colloquial alternative to nous (“we”). However, on is also used to refer to an unspecified person or people in general, like the word “one” is sometimes used in formal English. (If you speak German, note that on in this sense is like the German word man .)

One doesn't use the word “one” very much in modern English – one finds it rather old-timey and stuffy. These days you normally use “you” when you're talking about people in general.

Comment ça s'écrit? – “How do you spell that?”

If you learn a new French word using the phrase above, you might want to write it down before you forget it.

Unfortunately, French spelling isn't the easiest.

The relationship between spelling and French pronunciation can be complicated. Generally, it's easier to figure out a word's pronunciation from its spelling than it is to know its spelling from its pronunciation. I wrote a guide to help you with French pronunciation here .

So if you're not sure, ask someone “ comment ça s'ecrit? ” – “How do you spell that?” Literally: “How does that write itself?”

Or if you don't trust your own transcription abilities, try asking them to write it for you: say “ Est-ce que vous pouvez l'écrire? ” – “Can you write it (down)?”

Other Helpful Phrases for Maintaining a French Conversation:

• Can you speak more slowly please? – Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement s'il vous plaît?
• Can you say it one more time? – Pouvez-vous le dire une fois de plus?
• Do you speak French? – Parlez-vous français?
• Do you understand? – Comprenez vous?
• What do you do for a living? – Qu’est-ce que tu fais dans la vie?
• How old are you? – Quel âge as-tu?
• I’m _ years old – J’ai _ ans
• Where are you from? – D'où êtes-vous?
• I’m from… – Je viens…
• Are you married? – Es-tu marié?
• Are you single? – Es-tu célibataire?
• When can we meet? – Quand pouvons-nous nous rencontrer?
• What’s your phone number? – Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?

French Phrases for Getting Around

Où est… – “where is…”.

Struggling to find your way around? Not to worry. Just get a stranger's attention (remember what phrase would you use to do this?) and ask “ où est X ” – “Where is X?”

“X” could be many things: la Tour Eiffel, le Louvre, Notre Dame … or perhaps something less exotic, like le metro or un restaurant .

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche? – “Where is the closest metro station?”

Another way of saying “where is it?” is où se trouve , literally “where is (it) found”.

Here's an example of où se trouve combined with another handy phrase to know: la station de métro la plus proche means “the closest metro station”.

One more piece of useful vocabulary: once you're in the metro station, you might want to ask someone “ où est le guichet? ” – “Where is the ticket window?”

Je voudrais acheter un billet – “I would like to buy a ticket”

Now that you've found the guichet , you probably want to buy a billet – a ticket. But what type of ticket do you want?

• un billet aller simple – a one-way ticket
• un billet aller retour – a round-trip ticket

Make your decision, and tell the assistant “ je voudrais un billet aller simple/retour pour X ” – “I would like to buy a one-way/round-trip ticket to X”, where X is your destination.

C'est combien? – “How much is it?”

France isn't the cheapest of countries – so whether you're at the guichet or elsewhere, it doesn't hurt to be price-conscious.

To ask how much something costs, say “ c'est combien? ” – “how much is it?” You can also say “ Combien ça coûte? ” – literally, “how much does it cost?”

Où sont les toilettes? – “Where are the toilets?”

It's worth learning this phrase, because you might need it in a hurry! Où sont les toilettes means “where are the toilets?”

Although if you want to use a public toilet, you could be searching for a long time.

They aren't very common in France – and if you do find one, you'll probably have to pay to use it. You're probably better off buying something in a café and using their toilets instead.

(Why is it “ où sont “, when previously we used “ où est “? Easy: sont means “are” while est means “is”. Since toilettes is plural, you must use sont , not est – “where are the toilets?”, rather than “where is the toilets”, which wouldn’t make sense.)

À quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? – “What time is check out?”

If you're checking into a hotel in a French-speaking country, one useful thing to know the checkout time.

One way to find this out is to ask “ à quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? ” – “What time must we check out?”

Another similar expression is: “ quelle est l'heure limite d'occupation? ” (Lit: “What is the occupancy cut-off time?”

La carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît. – “The menu, please.”

France is famous for its food, so while you're there, you'll probably want to dine in a restaurant or two!

When dining out in any language, there are usually a few subtleties around how to order. Here I'll explain one of the more important things to know in French: the words for “menu”.

I say “words” because there are two main ways to say “menu” in French.

The general word is carte , which you may recognise from the expression à la carte .

A carte is what you typically think of when you hear the word “menu”. It's a list of individually-priced options; you pick and choose what you want, then add up the prices to get your total bill.

But you can also ask for a menu , which is usually called a “fixed-price menu” in English. When ordering from a menu , you pick an option for each course (starter, main course, etc.) and pay the same, fixed price no matter what you selected.

Whichever option you choose, inform the serveur/serveuse (“waiter/waitress”) by saying “ la carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît ” – “the menu/fixed-price menu, please.”

Je ne peux pas manger… – “I can’t eat…”

This doesn't apply to everybody, but for those to whom it does apply, it's very important: informing the waiter about your dietary restrictions.

The simplest way to do this is to say “ je ne peux pas manger de X ” – “I can't eat X”. Here are some of the more common ways to fill in the blank:

• cacahuètes – peanuts
• noix – nuts
• gluten – gluten
• fruits de mer – shell fish
• œufs – eggs
• poisson – fish
• produits laitiers – dairy products
• viande – meat

If you're vegetarian, say so with “ je suis végétarien ” (for men) or “ végétarienne ” (for women.)

A vegan is a “ végétalien(ne) “, although végan/végane is sometimes used too.

You could also explain “ je ne consomme pas de produits animaux .” – “I don't consume animal products”

Nous voudrions commander maintenant. – “We would like to place an order now.”

To “order” in French is commander , when you're talking about ordering something in a restaurant.

Don't confuse this with ordonner , which is used in the sense of “to order a person to do something”, such as in the military.

After receiving the carte or the menu , and perhaps informing the waiter of your dietary restrictions, you may be given some time to make a decision. When you're ready, say “ nous voudrions commander maintenant ” – “we'd like to order now.”

It’s also acceptable in nearly any restaurant to use on instead of nous for we, as I mentioned earlier: On voudrait commander maintenant.

Or if you're by yourself, say je voudrais (I'd like) instead of nous voudrions (we'd like). Bon appétit!

L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – “The bill, please”

One final bit of restaurant-related vocabulary – the bill (or “check” if you're American) is l'addition .

So when you're ready to leave, say l’addition, s’il vous plaît – “the bill, please”.

You’ll often hear la facture used in Quebec instead of l’addition – however both are perfectly understandable to waitstaff.

Other French Phrases for Out and About in France:

• Can you help me please? – Pouvez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît?
• I would like… – Je voudrais…
• I’d like one of those please – J'en voudrais un s'il vous plait
• Three: Trois
• Four: Quatre
• Five: *Cinq

Learn more: French Numbers: Counting in French from 1 – 100+

Romantic French Phrases

Je t'aime – “i love you”.

Finally, let’s talk about love.

They say that French is a romantic language, so maybe in your travels you'll find love on the road? Or maybe after you get home, you'll want to use your newfound French skills to woo that special someone.

So how do you say “I love you” in French?

The French word for “to love” is adorer – but you generally only use this word when talking about things rather than people, for example to say that you love a place, book, or song.

When talking to a person, say je t'aime . Aimer usually means “like”, but in this context it means “love” in the most romantic of senses. Use it wisely!

Here are some other romantic French phrases:

• My heart – Mon cœur
• My love – Mon amour
• You’re beautiful – Tu es belle (to a woman); Tu es beau (to a man)
• You’re too cute – Tu es trop mignon
• I like you (Lit: “You please me”) – Tu me plais

Bonus: French Slang

Wondering what a famous French saying is that you could use in everyday life? Or how do you say “cool” in French slang?

Here are some bonus French sayings and slang to level up your French:

• Cool – Cool (yes, really! Just say it with a French accent 😉)
• Awesome – Génial
• That sucks – C’est nul
• That’s great – C’est top
• Don’t worry – T'inquiète
• Losing my mind – Perdre la tête

Over to You

Can you think of any other useful French phrases for tourists? What are the most important words and phrases for beginners to know? Let us know in the comments.

And if you’re ready to learn more French, check out the 111 core French words that are commonly used. Or learn some more fun French slang !

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Fun-loving Irish guy, full-time globe trotter and international bestselling author. Benny believes the best approach to language learning is to speak from day one .

Speaks: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Esperanto, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Dutch, Irish

Have a 15-minute conversation in your new language after 90 days

101 Basic French Words For Travel In France

Are you planning your trip to France but feel nervous about actually speaking french among the natives? Do not worry. We made a special guide for you to help you during your trip!

Samuel Bonne

Although France lies next door to England, a native English-speaking country, you may not always be able to get by with speaking English, especially if you wish to immerse yourself in the culture or walk around the French suburbs. So, before you plan a trip to Metropolis, it's a smart option to brush up on some fundamental French terms and phrases.

Learning a few introductory greetings and courteous phrases in the mother tongue will make the most of your trip and facilitate your interactions with the locals. Even if speaking the language isn't your forte or you're not too confident, this guide below will help you speak french like a native .

Below are a few that will allow you to communicate and will surely make your vacation worthwhile.

Why Visit France

France has been on each one of us's bucket list. Why not? It is known as one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.

Every tourist will find that the country has a lot to offer. Whether you've come to learn about the city's rich culture and history through its museums and architectural marvels, or you've come on a romantic trip with your loved one in, you guessed it! The City of Lights, Paris, la France has something for everyone.

Paris, as well as Bordeaux, Lyon, Cannes, and Nice, France is known for its magnificent cities and luxurious lifestyle that will certainly capture your heart. It is home to world-famous art and movies; museums such as the Louvre and the Cannes Film Festival , as well as films such as La Vie en Rose and Amelie. Moreover, learning french through art and artists is a fun and engaging way to understand the language.

It should come as no surprise that France and fashion are sides of the same coin, hence prepare to see many shopping centres and boutiques around the region. It had to be, given that it is the birthplace of some of the world's most well-known fashionistas, like Yves Saint-Laurent, Christian Dior, and LVMH.

It's also famed for its delectable cuisine, scenic towns, outdoor sports, and, most importantly, its love language, le français. So, even if you can't fly to this lovely nation just yet, you may begin to feel a connection by growing your French vocab and develop your accent right now!

Basic French Phrases To Visit France

Learning to approach people respectfully in French is the very first step toward feeling at ease in France. It will also enhance the level of service you receive and your interactions with the French overall.

Male and female expressions are generally different, just as there are various definitions of greeting in French depending on how well you know someone.

There are often articles associated with every word, be it an object, a material or a person; they are categorised into masculine and feminine . You can use le (the)/ un (a) for a masculine noun like un garçon means a boy. Likewise, you use la (the)/ une (a) for a feminine noun like une fille means a girl.

Similarly, when speaking to someone you know or addressing a child or an animal, you can say 'tu' , which means you. However, you must use ‘vous’ while speaking to strangers, authorities or your seniors. It is a far more polite and formal way of addressing someone. Remember, it's usually safer to use ‘vous’ as a general rule.

To start a discussion, here are some simple French words and phrases to use:

The Basics Phrases You Need To Know

Common courtesy is fairly serious among the French, so whether you're meeting someone for the first time or conversing with a stranger, it's key that you address them correctly and with the appropriate expression.

Bonjour : Good morning/ Hello Do not forget to say bonjour as you enter a shop or start a conversation with someone!

Salut : Hello (casual way of saying hello)

Bonsoir : Good evening

Monsieur/ Madame/ mademoiselle : Mister/ Madam/ Miss

S'il vous plaît : Please

Merci/ Merci beaucoup : Thank you/ Thank you very much

Excusez-moi/ Pardon : Excuse me Pardon is an informal way. You can use either if you bump into someone or make your way through a crowd.

Au revoir : Goodbye

Bonne journée! : Have a good day!

Je suis désolé(e) : I'm sorry (an e is added if you identify as female)

Making Yourself Understood In French

It is important to make yourself understood if you are a tourist and you are not familiar with the language. Je is used as a subject and it stands for I.

• Je ne comprends pas : I don't understand
• Je ne sais pas : I don't know
• Parlez-vous anglais? : Do you speak English
• Je ne parle pas français : I do not speak French
• Je parle un peu français : I speak a little French
• Répétez, s'il vous plaît : Repeat please You can say this when you have not understood what has been said or if the person might have spoken too quickly, you can say:
• S'il vous plaît, parlez lentement : Please speak slowly

Introducing Yourself In French

• Je m'appelle ... : My name is ...
• Quel est votre nom? : What is your name?
• Comment allez-vous? : How are you?
• Je vais bien, et vous? : I am well, and you?
• Je viens de ... : I come from ...
• Enchanté(e) : Pleased to meet you (an e is added if you identify as female).

Transportation Words In French

The transit system is usually the main mode of transport in the country, connecting the big cities so you will have no problem travelling from one end to the other.

Prices vary over distances and it is a fast and comfortable option. You can even travel within as well as to neighbouring countries. You might need to know certain terms to be able to get your way through!

Le bus : the bus

Arrêt de bus : Bus stop

Un taxi : a taxi

Je voudrais partir à la gare : I would like to go to the bus/train station

Train : Train The high-speed train of France is called Train à grande vitesse (TGV) , you can simply say TGV.

Le Métro : Subway

Un Avion : Airplane

Une Voiture : Car

Un Billet : Ticket

Le Guichet : Ticket window

Quelle est l’horaire? : What is the schedule?

L'aéroport : Airport

La gare : Bus/ train station

Directions Phrases In French

• À gauche : To the left.
• À droite : To the right.
• Tout droit : Straight ahead.
• Où sommes-nous? : Where are we?
• C’est loin/près d’ici? : Is it far/close by?
• La Sortie : The exit
• Nord : North
• Sud : South
• L'Est : East
• L'Ouest : West
• Là-bas : There

Places Or Accomodation Terms In French

As you explore the country, you should have an idea of what certain places are called so that it's easy for you to maneuver around.

L'hôtel : Hotel

L'auberge : Hostel A hostel is usually cheaper than a hotel but you have to make sure that they are accessible and clean.

J'aimerais faire une réservation : I'd like to make a reservation

Je voudrais une chambre pour deux : I would like a double room.

À quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? : At what time should we check out?

La plage : The beach

Les Magasins : Shops

Centre commercial : Shopping mall

L'église : Church

L'ambassade : Embassy

La poste : Post office

Le supermarché : Supermarket

La pâtisserie : Pastry shop

Asking For Help In French

As a foreigner, it is essential to learn how to ask for help if ever you find yourself in trouble, face an emergency situation or simply having issues in finding something. Keep reading to know how to deal with such circumstances!

• Je cherche : I'm looking for
• Où est : Where is... You can say either followed by the thing or place you might be looking for.
• Où sont les toilettes? : Where is the restroom?
• Où est l'hôpital/ la pharmacie? : Where is the hospital/ the pharmacy?
• Aidez-moi : Help me
• Je suis perdu : I'm lost
• J'ai perdu ... : I've lost..
• J'ai perdu mon porte-monnaie : I've lost my wallet
• J'ai mal au cœur : I feel sick
• Appelez une ambulance : Call an ambulance
• Appelez la police : Call the police You might be able to properly explain yourself to authority figures as they usually understand English.

Food And Ordering In Restaurant In France

Home to one of the most popular cuisines, France will surely make your mouth water with its myriad choice of cheese and pastries, not to forget its unique dishes! However, most menus are not offered in the English language, so a few basic culinary vocabulary will make your dining experience more fun. Moreover, you can also learn french by following french recipes yourself!

Le menu, s’il vous plaît : The menu, please.

Quels sont les plats du jour : What are today's specials?

Je suis allergique à ... : I'm allergic to ...

Options végétariennes : Vegetarian options

Je prendrai : I'd like

L’addition : The bill

Est-ce que le service est compris? : Is the tip included? You should remember that tipping is not a common practice in many restaurants.

C’est trop bon! : This is so good!

Le Pain : Bread

Un Fromage : Cheese

La viande : Meat

Drinks Words In French

La carte des vins, s’il vous plaît : The wine menu, please.

Un verre de vin : A glass of wine You cannot visit France and not try a wine collection!

Du thé : Tea

Un café : a coffee

Une bière : a beer

Du jus de fruit : Some fruit juice

De l’eau : Some water

Boisson pétillante : Fizzy drink

Money Terms In French

If you are travelling to France, you are bound to use some euros to enjoy your stay. What better way to start understanding money terms in french than now!

Billet d'argent : Notes

La monnaie : Coins

Combien ça coûte? : How much does this cost?

Je voudrais payer en liquide : I would like to pay in cash.

Acceptez-vous les cartes? : Do you accept cards? It is important that you inquire before paying as many small restaurants do not accept cards. It is also a wiser option to carry cash with you.

Je vous dois combien? : How much do I owe you?

C'est trop cher : It is too expensive

La banque : The bank

Best Places You Need To Visit In France

A vacation to France will keep you busy with all the wonderful activities available.

Since you made it this far, we added 5 more beautiful places to visit in France along with their gorgeous names.

La tour Eiffel : The Eiffel tower One of the must-see locations in France is surely the Eiffel Tower , a real and amazing structural masterpiece. You can mount the Tower and look down on beautiful Paris.

Bordeaux : Bordeaux If you are a wine enthusiast, you may tour the winery in Bordeaux , which is also a city full of history and art.

Le Musée du Louvre : Louvre museum The Louvre, which houses the Mona Lisa, has some of the most renowned works of art in contemporary history.

La Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris : Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral Notre Dame Cathedral is a Gothic architectural marvel and one of the most amazing tourist sites you should see.

La plage de Saint-Tropez : Saint-Tropez beach You may also choose between the captivating beaches of Saint-Tropez and the ski resorts of Chamonix , or you can simply do both.

Now, Up To You To Practice You French!

Now that you have an idea of what le français consists of, it is time for you to practice saying these words. You can also improve your french with the tools that Speechling provides.

Remember as many as you can to make the most of your next trip to France!

Speechling is a nonprofit app and website that combines human coaching with technology to improve your foreign language speaking.

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Oui In France

50+ Basic French words and phrases for travel to France (with pronunciation)

French language · travel

When traveling to a country where your native tongue isn’t spoken, the language barrier can be a major hurdle. Two of the most frustrating things are expressing yourself as well as not understanding what is being said to you. A relaxing, stress-free trip can get very stressful when you’re not able to communicate.

To help you out, I’ve put together some of the most common French words and phrases for travel to France — with audio, of course (thanks Tom!) because pronunciation is everything.

GO read my basic French words and phrases for travel

Basic French words and phrases with pronunciation for your France trip 

Even the most talkative and friendly traveler can be silenced when one’s lexicon in the local language is nonexistent. Don’t let that be you and learn my basic French words and phrases before you go!

First, a quick primer on French etiquette. Before approaching a stranger and asking them a question, always start with a “Bonjour” at a bare minimum. Bonjour really is a magic word in France and I explain why here. It’s probably best to throw in “Excusez-moi” too.

If you’re interrupting someone who is busy working, eating or otherwise unavailable, it’s best to be extra polite and say “Bonjour, desolé de vous déranger mais…” (Hi, sorry to bother you but…) and then ask your question.

After the person has attempted to help, be sure to thank them with a “Merci, beaucoup, bonne journée!” Trust me, politeness goes a long way and these basic French words and phrases will come in handy.

Below I’ve used all formal/polite (vous) forms of phrases and questions.

Regarding my list of basic French words and phrases, this is by no means a comprehensive list and is just a starting off point. Write ’em down, learn ’em and keep ’em in your back pocket for when the perfect situation arises. Then show off your French skills like a boss. Or at least be happy someone understood you!

Click the triangle icon under all of my French phrases for travel for the audio (me saying the word in English and Tom saying the French equivalent) — because what good are travel phrases in a foreign language if you have no idea how they’re supposed to sound?

Tourists in France: Why a little bit of effort with French goes a long way >>

Basic French words and phrases for travel with pronunciation

Hello / Bonjour

Goodbye / Au revoir

Thank you / Merci

Sorry / Désolé(e)

You’re welcome / Je vous en prie (or De rien)

Excuse me /Excusez-moi

Do you speak English? / Parlez-vous anglais ?

I don’t speak French / Je ne parle pas français

Could you please speak more slowly? / Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement s’il vous plaît ?

Where is the restroom? / Où sont les toilettes ?

What time is it? / Quelle heure est-il ?

I’d like… / Je voudrais…

45 Things an American in France thinks when visiting for the first time >>

When traveling in France

Where is (gate 42)…? / Où est la porte d’embarquement 42 ?

I am on the train / Je suis dans le train

I need to change my reservation / Je dois changer ma réservation (mon billet)

We are going to be late (early) / Nous allons être en retard (en avance)

We arrive at 10 o’clock / Nous arrivons à 10 heures

What time are we arriving? / A quelle heure arrivons-nous ?

I need a taxi / J’ai besoin d’un taxi (Je dois prendre un taxi)

Where is the train station? / Où est la gare ?

Where is the airport? / Où est l’aéroport ?

To the train station (airport) please! / A la gare (l’aéroport) s’il vous plaît !

Go right / left / straight / Allez (prenez) à droite/à gauche/tout droit

When shopping in France

How much is… ? / Combien coûte… ?

It’s too big / C’est trop gros

It’s too small / C’est trop petit

I like it / J’aime ça

I don’t like it / Je n’aime pas ça

Do you have these in size 39? / Est-ce que vous les avez en 39 ?

When at a restaurant in France

To go / A emporter

We’d like a table for 2 please / Une table pour deux s’il vous plait (Nous voudrions une table pour deux s’il vous plait)

Do you have a menu in English? / Avez-vous un menu en Anglais ?

I’d like another glass of wine please! / Je voudrais un autre verre de vin s’il vous plaît !

I’m allergic to dairy. Is there any in this dish? / Je suis allergique aux produits laitiers. Est-ce qu’il y en a dans ce plat ?

It was excellent! / C’était excellent (délicieux)

Check, please! / L’addition, s’il vous plait !

When socializing in France

Hey! (also “see ya”, when leaving) / Salut !

How are you? / Comment allez-vous ? (Comment vas-tu ? / Comment ça va ?)

What’s up? / Quoi de neuf ?

Where are you from? / D’où venez-vous ? (d’ou viens-tu ?)

I’m from the United States / Je viens des Etats-Unis

I’m American / Je suis américain(e)

Are you hungry? / Est-ce que vous avez faim ? (est-ce que tu as faim ?)

Want to grab a drink? / Vous voulez prendre un verre ? (tu veux prendre un verre ?)

When you’re sick in France

I am sick / Je suis malade

My head hurts / J’ai mal à la tête

I’m nauseous / J’ai la nausée (j’ai mal au coeur)

I vomited / J’ai vomi

I need to see a doctor / J’ai besoin de voir un médecin (Je dois voir un médecin)

I need to go to the hospital / Je dois aller à l’hôpital

Call an ambulance! / Appelez une ambulance ! (Appelle une ambulance !)

Where is the pharmacy? / Où est la pharmacie ?

Help me please /Aidez-moi, s’il vous plait !/ Au secours!

With a little practice, your ability to bust out these basic French words and phrases will skyrocket the next time you’re speaking to a French person. So get to it! Anything you’d like to add? Talk to me in the comments about the most common French words for travel!

If you found my list of basic French words and phrases for travel helpful, would you mind sharing please?

PIN my basic French words for travel POST:

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January 4, 2016 at 5:11 pm

Great post Diane and good advice about interrupting someone. Last year in SuperU I asked an assistant (who was stacking shelves) where the batteries were. I started with ‘Excusez-moi Monsieur’ (at home I would just say ‘excuse me’ ) He very pointedly replied with ‘Bonjour Madame’, I felt very rude and now try to remember to always use Bonjour before an enquiry.

January 4, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Thank you! Yes, so true about the bonjour before saying anything else. I think sometimes people can be very goal focused — get the answer to your question and move on. But in France it seems like kids are taught that politeness is obligatory so I’m sure Americans launching right into a question can seem off-putting. Sometimes I forget the bonjour and right away I realize my error, so I kind of fake cough and say it again haha.

January 4, 2016 at 7:55 pm

Love your blog. Today was great! Your husband did a great job of taking words apart to hear.

January 5, 2016 at 6:31 am

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it, and I’ll let Tom know! He was nervous recording everything!

January 5, 2016 at 2:49 am

Thank you I found this to be interesting

January 5, 2016 at 6:32 am

Great to hear, thanks so much!

January 6, 2016 at 4:21 pm

This was one of your best so far! Like having a mini translator guide with audio. Well done!

January 12, 2016 at 8:12 pm

Thank you, glad you found it useful!

January 11, 2016 at 12:14 pm

Starting with “bonjour” is just about the most important tip for any interaction with a stranger in French. A really useful post Diane, thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance

January 12, 2016 at 8:13 pm

Yup, I always tell people even if you don’t know any other words or are too embarrassed to try, ALWAYS start any interaction with bonjour. Makes a good first impression! Thanks for hosting the linkup!

January 11, 2016 at 12:54 pm

Very helpful. Merci Beaucoup!!

You’re very welcome!

January 12, 2016 at 7:35 pm

What a handy tool! This is so easy to use — a great brush up before a trip to France!

Thank you for checking out the post. So glad you found it useful!

January 17, 2016 at 5:29 am

This is great and so useful! Bises from #allaboutfrance

December 12, 2016 at 4:28 pm

French are known for their lack of patience and quick exasperation, but if you know the right words to approach them you’re off with a positive and happy response. As you have mentioned above, Politeness is the #1 rule. Great post, should come in handy for many foreign travelers in France!

December 12, 2016 at 4:32 pm

Thanks so much, Frederic! I hope you’ll consider sharing this post on your FB page. I’m sure your community would find it helpful. 😉

May 7, 2018 at 11:05 am

Hey guys I was on Reunion Island where I took french courses at DP Langues and I really recommand it my experience there was amazing ! Cheers

June 20, 2018 at 2:32 am

Merci beaucoup! So helpful!

January 21, 2022 at 2:50 am

Stumbled across this post on Pinterest—a great summary! I’m requiring my kids to learn a little French before their first trip to Paris this summer, and I’ll use this to help. Thanks!

January 21, 2022 at 6:43 am

You’re very welcome! So glad it was helpful!

June 26, 2023 at 7:27 pm

Excellent basic French questions and phrases. I like it when the French guy says the French at a slow pace.

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French Travel Phrases

The most essential French travel phrases are Bonjour (hello), au revoir (goodbye), Où est? (Where is), C’est combien? (How much is it?) and l’addition s’il vous plaît (the check, please). This page covers over 60+ useful words and phrases which you can use on a trip to France.

French Greetings

If you are going to France it is very important to learn the basic greetings. While you might not speak French fluently just yet, the French people will really appreciate your trying to make an effort.

• Bonjour Hello, good morning, good day
• Au revoir Goodbye
• Salut Hi/bye (informal)
• Merci! Thank you!
• Merci beaucoup! Thank you very much!
• Ça va? How are you? How’s it going? (informal)
• Bien, merci! Fine, thank you!
• S’il vous plaît Please
• De rien You’re welcome
• Enchanté! Nice to meet you!

This page on our site covers French greetings in detail.

Asking directions

When asking directions in France, it’s very important that you know a few basic words. This page on our site covers asking directions in detail.

• Où est…? Where is…?
• Où est la gare? Where’s the train station?
• Où est la gare routière? Where’s the bus station?
• Où sont les toilettes? Where’s the restroom?
• Où est la banque? Where’ the bank?
• Où est un bureau de change? Where’s a exchange counter?
• Je suis perdu I’m lost
• Le plan city map

Asking for things

On your trip you’ll inevitably need to ask for things. This short list of words is a very good start. Learning the verb vouloir is a good idea as it means “to want”.

• Je veux (slightly informal)
• Je voudrais I would like
• Donnez-moi Give me
• Avez-vous? Do you have?
• Auriez-vous Would you happen to have?
• Qu’est-ce que c’est? What is it?
• Nous avons We have
• Nous n’avons pas We don’t have
• C’est disponible It’s available

Restaurant phrases

One of the best places to try practicing speaking French is a restaurant. Here’s a short list of words in phrases you may use. This page on our site offers a very comprehensive list of restaurant vocabulary . In addition, this page on our site covers food vocabulary and this page covers beverage vocabulary.

• Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît A table for two, please
• Je prends I’ll have (from the verb prendre , to take)
• La carte menu
• La soupe soup
• La salade salad
• L’entrée appetizer
• Le dessert dessert
• La boisson beverage
• Le vin rouge red wine
• Le vin blanc white wine
• La a bière beer
• Le café coffee

Taxi/Uber phrases

If you find yourself in a taxi or Uber, some of the the following phrases should come in very handy.

• Je vais à I’m going to
• Je descends ici I’ll get off here
• Voici l’adresse Here’s the address
• Allez tout droit Keep going straight
• Tournez à gauche Take a left
• Tournez à droite Take a right

Hotel phrases

The following is a short list of words and phrases that you can use in your hotel. While most hotel staff speak basic English, it’s still nice to know these words in French.

• L’hôtel hotel
• Une chambre à deux double room
• Un grand lit Double bed
• La réception Check-in desk
• Quitter la chambre To check out
• La piscine swimming pool
• Le petit déjeuner compris Breakfast included
• Réserver une chambre To reserve a room

Miscellaneous words and phrases

The following is a list of miscellaneous French words and phrases which we feel are essential for a trip to France and belong on this list.

• Je voudrais louer une voiture. I’d like rent a car.
• Je voudrais acheter un billet. I’d like to buy a ticket.
• Un billet aller-retour Round-trip ticket
• L’aller simple One-way ticket
• Le passeport passport
• Les vacances vacation
• Je voudrais annuler. I’d like to cancel.
• Un voyage A trip
• Bon voyage! Enjoy your trip!
• Bon séjour! Enjoy your stay!

Further your learning We feel that it’s a great idea to carry a French phrase book while traveling in France. Most phrase books on the market won’t show you how to actually say the phrases. For an audio option, check out French Today’s Modern French Audio Phrasebook !

Discover more:

• Ways to say “thank you” in French
• How to say “hello” in French
• Ways to say “you’re welcome” in French
• Guide to French verbs
• Guide to French vocabulary

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

See all posts by David Issokson

30+ common French phrases for your trip to France

There's no better way to level up your trip to France than by practicing your French! Learning a few key phrases will help you feel more confident ordering in a French pâtisserie (pastry shop) and chatting with locals at a marché (market). 

Here are the most important phrases you'll need in France. On y va !

You don't have to be fluent to have fun with French.  You're on vacation, so don't stress! Enjoy using the French you know and see what else you learn along the way. (And you might be pleasantly surprised that even beginners can have real conversations !)

It's the effort that counts.  Using some French shows locals that you're interested in their culture and community .

Study smart, not hard.  Focus on the most useful French words and phrases , and worry less about getting every grammar detail right. A few key words go a long way!

Asking for help

Getting around town, ordering food.

Local language

Bonjour ! It's considered polite to greet people with "good morning" or "good afternoon" when you enter stores, cafés, or souvenir shops.

Le truc.  A favorite of the French, you might overhear locals use this casual word for "thing."

The beginning of your journey with French 🇫🇷

These basics will get you far in France, but there's a lot more French where that came from. To make real connections during your trip, let Duolingo be your guide! Our bite-sized lessons make it easy to fit study time into your busy schedule, and our entire French course is free—so you can save your euros for souvenirs.

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46 Basic French Words and Phrases for Travel

“Do you need to learn French to go on a short vacation or business trip?”

Since I am an American who speaks French at an advanced level, people ask me this question pretty often. My answer? You don’t need to become an expert , but a few common French phrases will make your trip a memorable one.

It is true that many French people speak and understand English well, especially in cities that attract large numbers of foreign tourists. However, visiting France without any knowledge of the language limits your experience. Not only that, but it may give locals the idea that you don’t respect them or their culture.

First things first, though, so here’s a quick primer that will help you understand how to say and read French words.

French Pronunciation

To get the most use from this guide, you’ll need to know how to properly pronounce the new words you’ll learn. French is notorious for pronunciation rules that frustrate English speakers. Silent letters are everywhere, there are accent marks, and those R’s are from the throat, but subtle. But with some practice, they will not seem as scary.

Accent marks

É – Accent Aigu: Only appears above the letter E. Pronounced like ay. Examples: desolé, médicin

È – Accent Grave: Usually appears above the letter E, but can appear above any vowel. Pronounced like the E in the English word get. Examples: problème, deuxième

Ç – Cedille: Only appears under the letter C. Makes the sound soft, like an S as opposed to hard like a K. Examples: français, garçon

Ö – Trema: Can appear over any vowel. Makes the second vowel in a pair voiced. It is often used with names and places. Examples: coïncidence, Zoë

Ô – Circonflexe: Can appear over any vowel. It does not significantly alter the pronunciation. There is a movement to remove it from the language, but it’s still important to know what it is and where you’ll find it. Examples: être, hôtel

Silent letters

The evolution of the French language is a wild ride that a lot of consonant sounds did not make it to the end of. These include H at the beginning of words and D, G, M, N, P, S, X , and Z at the end of words. There are some exceptions for names and words that originated in other languages.

Another notable exception is a device called the liason. If a word that ends in a consonant is followed immediately by a word that starts with a vowel, the consonant is pronounced. Practice it and it will begin to make sense.

Some French Grammar Rules

Formality and “you”.

The difference between formal and informal speech is very important in French, especially in any phrase that includes the pronoun “you.” Use the formal vous for adult strangers and authority figures. Use the informal tu for friends, family, and children.

If you are not sure whether or not you are on a “tu” basis with someone, it does not hurt to ask Peut-je vous tutoyer?, which roughly translates to “Can I call you “tu”?”

Grammatical gender

Everything in French is gendered. Nouns are either masculine or feminine and the rest of the sentence has to be consistent. If the subject of a sentence is masculine, you have to use masculine articles for it like un (a, one) or le (the). If a noun is feminine, the equivalents are une and la, respectively.

In sentences that include “my [object]”, “your [object]”, “his [object]”, or “her [object]” use the article that matches the gender of the object, not the sentence. For example, “She talks with her professor” would be “Elle parle avec son professeur,” because the word professor is masculine, even though the subject is a woman.

You probably noticed some E’s in parenthesis at the end of some of the vocabulary words. If you are a woman, the word is spelled with the E. If you are a man, it is not. If you are non-binary, do what you consider most appropriate; there is no current consensus on how non-binary people should navigate French grammatical gender.

French Words and Phrases

This guide won’t make you fluent , but it will walk you through topics like greetings, polite phrases, and ordering dinner, and also help you become familiar with lots of other useful French words and phrases for tourists.

Hello and goodbye

You’ll mostly stick to using bonjour (good day) and bonsoir (good evening) for strangers, and salut (hi) for people you know well. Remember: how you say “hello” in French depends on your relationship with the other person, and even the social setting. At the end of this article, you’ll find a section to help you with French etiquette.

Au revoir (goodbye) or au bientôt (see you soon) work for most goodbyes. Other ways to bid someone farewell in French are adieu and a tout à l’heure (see you later).

Introductions and small talk

You’ll meet a lot of new and interesting people on your trip, so familiarize yourself with how to introduce yourself. Hello, how are you is a popular, friendly way to say hello to a stranger: Bonjour, comment allez-vous? Ça va works too, if you’re friends or family.

Being polite

S’il vous plaît is the formal way to say, “Please,” in French. You can switch to s’il te plaît – please, informal – with those you know more closely.

To thank someone in French, you’ll use merci, of course. You’re likely to hear de rien (you’re welcome) in reply, or maybe pas de problème (no problem), so learn how to use those, as well.

Asking for help

On a trip, everyone eventually encounters a problem and could use a helping hand. If you want to ask a local for help, you might first ask parlez-vous Anglais (do you speak English)? To continue in French because they don’t, or because you feel confident asking for help in their native language from reading this guide, just politely ask pouvez-vous m’aider (can you help me)? If you hear oui, you’re on the right track.

Asking questions

Getting around as a tourist requires asking for information! There are a few ways to phrase a question in French. You could keep the sentence as-is and change your inflection, or add est-ce que to the beginning (which signals that your phrase is a question).

Try to remember who (qui), what (qoui), where (où), when (quand), why (pourquoi), how (comment) in French, all of which will be useful in lots of situations, even if you’re not entirely sure how to fluently articulate your request in your new second language .

Qu’est-ce que c’est? is a very useful French phrase to have in your repertoire when sightseeing or shopping – “What’s that?” If you’re hoping to buy a souvenir, and can’t find a price, you can ask combien to find out.

Apologizing

It’s travel; things happen! The most basic way to say “I’m sorry” in French is je suis désolé. Use pardon when you bump into someone or need to squeeze right past them (Midwesterners, think of it like “ope”). Excusez moi – excuse me – is appropriate when you’re exiting a crowded train or are trying to get a waiter’s attention.

Ordering food

If you don’t check out the restaurants and order some wine, did you even go to France? This short French vocabulary list will make eating all that fabulous food less intimidating. Keep in mind that the norms of eating out are different in France than in the United States. For example, asking for changes to a meal is frowned upon and viewed as disrespectful to the chef. Waitstaff are hands-off and far less upbeat, as their customer service culture does not emphasize making customers happy at any cost. On a related note, tipping is not customary.

French Social Norms You Need to Know

No one wants to be That American Tourist. Here are some tips that will make you less likely to stick out.

• Do not smile at strangers. This is polite and natural in many regions of the United States, but in France it comes off as overly familiar at best and a come-on at worst.
• Talk quietly. American ideas about normal conversational volume are not universal. And for heaven’s sake do not, under any circumstances, chant “USA! USA! USA!” when you encounter your fellow countrymen.
• Keep in mind that the French are, as a group, more formal than Americans are. Wearing sweats and sneakers in public may be normal in the United States, but the French see it as tacky. When in doubt, dress a little nicer than you normally would at home.

Learning French With A Tutor

If you want to prepare as well as you can, try booking a French tutor. That way, you can get lessons that are tailored to your goals that include French grammar rules . Contrary to popular belief, one-on-one tutoring is not just for students who want to do better in their classes. Many tutors have specific curriculum for travel preparation. Look for words like tourism, travel preparation, adult education, and adult learning in their descriptions. For the best results, start a month or two before your trip. Have some goals in mind when you schedule your first session. The more specific you can get, the better.

Connect with a language tutor today

Our indispensable guide to learning French contains everything you need to know to begin learning one of the most-spoken languages in the world.

If you would rather learn in a classroom setting, see if your city has an Alliance Francaise . It is a great place to take lessons and go to events for French learners. Many cities also have social groups for language learners that you can find on Facebook groups or Meetup.

There are also tons of great language learning apps. They work best as a supplement to your lessons, not as your only source of education. Duolingo makes learning a game. Babbel is a great way to practice real-life situations.

Listening to the news in slow French is a great way to practice listening comprehension.

Watching French films is a great way to get in the mood before your trip. Browse this list of French films available on Netflix for inspiration. It is also a good idea to pack a phrasebook , since you may not be able to rely on your phone. Last, but not least – try practicing French past tense , present tense and future tense. Most importantly, have fun! Bon voyage!

Luca Harsh is a French tutor and content writer based in Chicago. They have a dual BA in International Studies and French and Francophone Studies from the University of Michigan and ten years of French experience. Request Tutoring From Luca

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French Travel Phrases: Your Survival Kit for Smooth Trips

If you’re reading this, you already know why you want to travel to France, be it the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, the appeal of its cuisine, or its wealth of history. But you may find yourself in need of helpful French travel phrases, and fast!

As a travel destination, France is notorious for a reason and it will delight the casual beach-goers and culture vultures alike. But to be fair, it’s not the cheapest travel destination and the language barrier can be challenging. Even though the number of English speakers has been rising rapidly over recent years, we’re still lagging behind most of our European neighbors. Even in the most touristic spots, you might bump into a waiter, a taxi driver, or a ticket seller who doesn’t speak anything but French.

This is where our French travel phrases will come in handy!

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to travel around France, from the basic daily words to specific topics such as transportation, restaurants, hotels, and much more. You’ll also find more French travel tips to help you find your way around your new favorite country with these key French travel phrases!

Without further ado, let’s move on to our list of French travel phrases.

Table of Contents

• Survival Basics: Simple French Travel Phrases
• Lost in Translation
• Moving Around
• Hotel / Hostel
• Restaurants
• Asking for Directions
• Emergencies
• How FrenchPod101 Can Help You Learn More French Vocabulary

Arras, in the “Hauts-de-France” region.

1. Survival Basics: Simple French Travel Phrases

In this chapter, I gathered a list of basic French travel phrases and words that can prove useful in most encounters in France. These French phrases for travel are just what you need to get started on your journey here. Later on, we’ll examine more specific scenarios and make sure you’re well-equipped for anything that could come your way! You’ll certainly be glad to know this survival French for travelers!

1- Being Polite

As I’ve mentioned in other articles, France invented the word “ étiquette ” and is still a place where courtesy matters…a lot. I’m not saying all French behave like white knights of exquisite politeness, but knowing how to greet and thank your French hosts and friends will take you a long way, while doing so in their language makes you instantly more likable.

These are just the ten most useful phrases. To read more on this topic or to practice some of these French travel phrases with pronunciation, please have a look at the following resources on FrenchPod101 :

• How to Say Hello in French
• Vocabulary List: Common Ways to Say Hello
• How to Introduce Yourself
• Vocabulary List: 10 Lines to Introduce Yourself

2- General Toolkit

Now that you’ve shown your good manners, let’s look at a few more essential French phrases for travellers. Here are some common words and expressions to gracefully make your way through France.

This is a small sample of the most common general phrases. You can find out more on our List of 24 Key Phrases with audio recordings, on FrenchPod101 .

2. Lost in Translation

Even if you’re well-prepared and almost fluent, there will be times when your interlocutor doesn’t make sense to you, and you’ll have to make them repeat. Heck, even as a native speaker, I’m helpless with the thickest cases of southern French accents! So just know that even knowing the best French travel phrases won’t always save you from the awkwardness of asking someone to repeat what they said.

It’s perfectly fine to ask someone to talk slower, repeat themselves, or rephrase what they were saying. Most French people will be happy to see you putting in the effort and will help you understand.

Je ne comprends pas ( “I don’t understand” )

3. Shopping

From the sparkling fancy boutiques of the Champs-Elysées to the dusty antiques of a typical Brocante (“Garage sale”), from the sprawling suburban malls to the modest Bouquinistes ( “Book sellers” ) along the Seine river, France caters for all tastes and budgets.

French shopping is usually a painless experience: Prices are displayed almost everywhere and credit cards are widely accepted, even in small bakeries or convenience stores. We don’t do five hours of siesta in the middle of the day, and unless you’re strolling around the Eiffel Tower in the crowd of souvenir sellers who won’t let you leave without a dozen dust collectors, shop owners aren’t likely to jump on you.

Le marché ( “The market” )

For more shopping words, check out our free Shopping vocabulary list .

While shopping in France, you’ll also need to know how to handle prices or quantities. Make sure to read my previous article about French Numbers: From 0 to Infinity, and Beyond and the complementary vocabulary list .

4. Moving Around

No list of basic French phrases for tourists would be complete without information on talking about your ride. Whether you travel by bus, train, taxi, or plane, you need to be able to ask your way around, inquire about the timetables and details of the trip, navigate until you board the correct ride, and figure out when to get off.

Here are the most popular ways to move around France:

• Le train ( “Train” ) This is the fastest, most comfortable, and usually most scenic way to travel from one city to another. However, compared to buses, it can be pretty expensive, especially when booked at the last minute . Although locals will often complain of the trains being late or canceled, our national network is actually pretty strong and reliable compared to those of some of our close neighbors.
• Le bus intercité ( “Intercity bus” ) Bus travel has been developing rapidly in recent years and offers cheap prices to compete with the train and car sharing services. For instance, you can book an overnight trip from Paris to Nice for 28€ while a train on the same date would be around 60€.
• Moving around the city with Les transports en commun (“The public transport”): Bus , Métro , or Tram ( “Bus,metro, or Tramway” ) The subterranean metro or Trams are only available in big cities, but you can always move around with a local bus. Without the monthly or annual card, individual trips can be purchased for around 2€ in the metro or tram station, or directly on the bus.
• Le taxi ( “Taxi” ) is the expensive alternative to public transportation that you only want to take when you’re going to the airport in the middle of the night or going back home dead drunk after an intense night out.
• Questionable business practices aside, Uber is a much cheaper and more convenient substitute to taxis, and it’s well-developed in France.
• L’avion ( “Plane” ) Keeping in mind the dire environmental cost, traveling by plane is by far the fastest way to cover long distances and the prices of the Billets d’avion ( “Plane tickets” ) have continued to drop steadily over the years. Prices are especially low if you can book around a month in advance.

Le train ( “The train” )

Now, where do you want to go?

Then, using your brand new words, find your way there:

Now, you have to ask the right questions before buying your tickets:

Personally, I don’t see why anyone would go to Dunkerque, but I’ll let you be the judge of that (or rather don’t!).

And finally, you’ll just have to figure out where your ride is leaving from and when you should get off:

To learn more vocabulary about transportation, please check out our lists of vocabulary for Airplanes , Bus or Train Stations , and Crossing Borders .

5. Hotel / Hostel

As the most visited country in the world (nothing wrong with a bit of bragging!), France has no shortage of accommodation of all shapes, sizes, and prices. You’re not likely to run out of options when looking for a place to spend the night. But you may still want a couple of French travel tips and phrases regarding your stay.

Prices vary greatly depending on the season and proximity to the tourist attractions, but considering the quality of the transport network all over the country, it’s usually fine to sleep outside of the city center.

While the Gîtes ruraux (“Rural houses” used as vacation rentals) and Chambres d’hôte ( “Bed & Breakfast” ) are popular choices among locals for their summer vacations, the most common options are still L’hôtel ( “The hotel” ) and its budget version, L’auberge de jeunesse (“The hostel” or “Youth hostel”).

Nice, on the Mediterranean coast.

Most visitors in France will book their room through the usual Booking.com or HostelWorld , but there are times when you just want to stroll around and find the perfect place all by yourself. Here’s how to ask for a room in French:

Next step: you probably have some questions about the room.

6. Restaurants

You’ve found a nice room with a convenient location in this cute family-run hostel. You’ve dropped your bags and are now ready for more adventures. But wait, what’s that sound? Is that the infamous Beast of Gevaudan or your growling stomach?

If there’s one thing France is acclaimed for, it has to be the food! Good food is at the heart of our friends, family, and even business meetings; alongside wine, it stands as the cornerstone of our philosophy of Art de vivre (“The Art of Living”).

Some people imagine French meals as fancy and snobbish, but this is mostly untrue. From the biggest cities to the tiniest towns, you can always find a good Brasserie ( Literally “Brewery” ) to serve you a generous portion of typical and unpretentious food such as Cassoulet (A mixture of white beans and sausage simmered in goose fat), Steak au poivre (“Pepper steak”), or Tartare de boeuf (“Beef tartare”), served with a glass of Beaujolais .

Many restaurants have the menu displayed outside, which is really convenient if you want to quietly check your options before entering. When they don’t, you can simply ask for it before sitting; if you don’t like what you see, just give it back, thank them politely, and leave.

Otherwise, if you like what they offer, go ahead! Most restaurants will take you to a table, while simple Brasseries , Pubs, or fast food places will let you seat yourself.

1- How to Order Drinks

Before you order the food, the first question you’ll usually hear is:

• Voulez-vous boire quelque chose ? ( “Do you want something to drink?” )
• Voulez-vous commander quelque chose à boire ? ( “Would you like to order a drink?” )

It’s worth noting that when you order a meal, water is always free in France (we have a law explicitly stating it). I’m talking simple tap water in a pitcher, and not sophisticated bottled sparkling water, but this is an amazing feature of French restaurants, especially if you’re on a budget! And you can get refills.

To ask for your free water, don’t just ask for water; sneaky waiters could take your order as mineral water and charge you for it. Instead, use this phrase:

The important word here is Carafe (“Jug”), as it differentiates this from a paid order of mineral water. Also, don’t worry: water is properly filtered all over the country and it’s always fine to drink from the tap.

Oh, and you know what else is always free? Delicious French bread!

Did you know that French Fries are not French?

2- How to Order Food

Alright, now, let’s get some food on this table!

If you have any specific diet or allergy, it’s probably best to start with this:

And here’s how to order something from the menu:

Your stomach has stopped growling, your belly’s full of French delicacies, and your mind is at peace. It’s time to thank the chef and ask for the bill:

You can find more vocabulary and practice your pronunciation with our vocabulary list on Restaurants and key phrases for restaurants .

7. Asking for Directions

As Mandy Hale says, “Sometimes when you lose your way, you find yourself.” But sometimes, you just get severely frustrated and waste your day trying to reach this freaking museum your GPS keeps making you circle around.

One way or another, you’ll always end up relying on the help of locals to reach well-concealed destinations. Let’s start with the most common questions:

Je suis perdu. ( “I am lost.” )

As I often noticed while traveling, asking for directions is always the easy part, but making anything of the other person’s answer can prove much more challenging. Here are some examples of the answers you could receive:

To understand these kinds of instructions, it all comes down to knowing the right keywords, such as Droite (“Right”), Gauche (“Left”), En face (“In front”), Tout droit (“Straight”), and a few others.

Check out our lists of vocabulary for Position Words and Direction Words on FrenchPod101 to learn more about this.

And here’s more vocabulary and recordings about Key Places in Town , as well as the French Tourist Attractions .

8. Emergencies

In case of an emergency, you don’t want the language to get in the way of you and the help you need. Let’s have a look at the main emergency words (which may just be the most important French travel phrases when you need them) and how to use them.

C’est une urgence ! ( “It’s an emergency!” )

For more words on this topic, make sure to visit our free list of vocabulary about The Words and Phrases to Help You if You are in an Emergency .

If you’re in need of medical assistance, you’ll be glad to know about the Common Health Problems and some basic vocabulary about Medicine .

9. How FrenchPod101 Can Help You Learn More French Vocabulary

French travel phrases in language learning are so important, and in this guide, you’ve learned a LOT of French travel phrases. I hope it wasn’t too overwhelming! Using these travel phrases to learn French will surely benefit you, but you don’t have to remember them all, as long as you keep these phrases accessible in a notebook or on your phone.

Did I forget any important words or expressions? Are you ready to get out there and ask locals about your travel needs?

Make sure to explore FrenchPod101 , as it has plenty of free resources for you to practice your grammar and learn new words. The vocabulary lists are also a great way to revise and listen to the words. And you’re in luck, because we have tons of lists about traveling:

• Top 30 Travel Phrases
• Most Useful Verbs for Traveling
• Travel and Traveling general lists
• Vocabulary for Nationalities
• Summer Vacation Phrases
• Words for the Beach
• Winter and Snow Vocabulary

Remember that you can also use our premium service, MyTeacher , to get personal one-on-one coaching. Practice creating French travel phrases with your private teacher so they can give you personalized feedback and advice, or record them for you, so you learn the correct pronunciation.

About the Author: Born and bred in the rainy north of France, Cyril Danon has been bouncing off various jobs before he left everything behind to wander around the wonders of the World. Now, after quenching his wanderlust for the last few years, he’s eager to share his passion for languages.

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50+ Useful French Phrases For Travelers

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: June 19, 2020  - Last updated: January 6, 2023

Are you planning to, or already scheduled to visit France soon? One of the most important things to know aside from your travel details and itinerary is the language.

The French people may speak and understand English but it is considered a basic courtesy to have even a beginner’s knowledge of their language as well.

Things you'll find in this article

French Phrases for Basic Greetings and Introductions

French words for a cafe or restaurant, phrases for direction:, french phrases for the cab, french words when shopping, when you’ve ran out of french, french phrases for basic conversation.

For one, it helps you navigate cities and towns easier. Knowing even a bit of French gives a more authentic local feel to your experience as a traveler.

Locals are definitely more welcoming and accommodating to visitors who speak even a simple Oui and Bonjour !

You do not have to learn how to conjugate or form complex sentences, the basics will do fine.

From greetings to getting around cities and towns to some popular expressions – here are some French phrases that will help you truly enjoy your visit to France.

Want to learn French for free? Rocket Languages helps you to learn French faster and more effectively.

STUDY FRENCH FOR FREE

These are useful phrases that help you answer simple questions, properly address people you meet, and even introduce yourself.

Oui – Yes

Non – No

Bonjour – Hello

Au revoir – Goodbye

À bientôt – See you soon

Bonsoir – Good evening

Merci  – Thank you

Merci beaucoup – Thank you very much

S’il vous plaît – Please

Excusez-moi – Excuse me

De rien / Je vous en prie – You’re welcome

D’accord – OK / Okay.

Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal) / Comment t’appelles-tu? (informal) – What’s your name?

Je m’appelle… – My name is…

Je suis… – I am … (nationaility)

…American – … Américain

…British – … Anglais

…Brazilian – … Brésilien

….Japanese – … Japonais

….Korean – …. Coréen

….Chinese – … Chinois

….Russian – … Russe

…Canadian – .. .Canadien

Je viens … – I am from (country of origin)

…Australia – … d’Australie

…Canada – … du Canada

…England – …d’angleterre

…USA – … des USA

Je suis ici en vacances. – I am here on holiday.

Je suis ici en voyage d’affaires. – I am here on a business trip.

Read: How To Say Hello In French In Different Ways

France is foodie heaven. One of the best parts of traveling here is being able to sample French hearty dishes and delicious desserts.

The following are a few phrases that will help you when in a cafe or restaurant, from ordering to getting the check.

Où est un bon restaurant/un bon café? – where is a good restaurant or cafe?

Bonjour, une table pour une/deux/trois personnes, s’il vous plaît. – Hello, a table for one/two/three people, please.

Je vais prendre de l’eau / Je prendrais de l’eau . – I will take some water / I’ll take some water.

Je vais prendre du café / Je vais prendre du café au lait. – I will take some coffee or I will take some coffee with milk.

Le menu, s’il vous plaît. – Can I please have the menu?

Avez-vous un ménu en Anglais? –   Do you have a menu in English?

Quels sont les plâts du jour? –   What are today’s specials?

Je prendrai –  I’d like…

Je voudrais – I would like…

L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – The check, please? (when it’s time to pay the bill)

If you or a companion has a food allergy or any dietary preference or restriction, this is an important phrase to remember:

Je ne peux pas manger… – I can’t eat…

The following are some common allergens that you can put after the word manger : 

les produits laitiers – dairy products

le gluten – gluten

la viande – meat

le poisson/les fruits de mer  – fish/ shellfish

noix – nuts

soja – soy

Getting Around The City and Reading Signages in French

Navigating a foreign country via its public transport system can be daunting. This is more challenging if it is a country of predominantly non-English.

How do you get on the right train? What does certain signage mean? How do you tell your cab driver where you’re going?

Here are some phrases to learn that will help you get from point A to B without much hassle.

Je cherche le bus/train/métro. Où est l’arrêt le plus près? – I am looking for the bus/train/subway. Where is the nearest stop?

Comment aller à la station X –  How do I get to X station?

Est-ce le bon sens pour aller à X – Is this the right direction to X?

Où est le guichet? – Where is the ticket window?

Je voudrais regarder l’horaire. – I would like to look at the schedule.

Je voudrais réserver un billet. – I would like to reserve a ticket.

Je voudrais acheter un billet aller simple/aller-retour pour Paris. – I would like to purchase a one-way ticket/a round-trip ticket.

À quelle heure faut-il arriver? – What time should it arrive?

Où est la sortie – Where is the exit?

La Sortie – Exit

Correspondance/s: – connection (transfer line)

Passage Interdit – Forbidden passageway/Do not enter

En Travaux – Under construction

Plan du Quartier – Neighborhood map

Attention, Danger de Mort –  Warning, Danger of Death

Je veux aller en/aux… – I have to go to…

Je dois aller à l’hôtel. –  I have to go to the hotel.

Huge, government-regulated sales, quaint little shops lining streets and harbors, weekend markets, covered or open-air markets – every town or city in France offers shopping opportunities that are hard to resist. Here are phrases that can help you while shopping.

Où sont les magasins? – Where are the shops?

Où est le centre-commercial? – Where is the mall?

Est-ce que je peux payer avec une carte de crédit? – Can I pay with a credit card?

Combien ça coûte? – How much does it cost?

C’est trop cher! – It’s too expensive!

C’est bon marché! – It’s a great deal!

C’est bon/mal/terrible. – It’s good/bad/terrible.

Yes, except that it will happen. You want to say or ask something and you don’t know how to say it in French. You’ll be fine, people won’t expect tourists to know more French than necessary.

However, it does help to know a few ways to express that indeed, you’ve run out if French and you’re about to speak just English, please.

Parlez-vous anglais? – Do you speak English?

Je ne parle pas français. – I do not speak French.

Pouvez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît? –  Can you help me, please?

Je ne comprends pas. –  I don’t understand.

Parlez lentement, s’il vous plaît. – Speak slowly, please.

Répétez, s’il vous plait. – Repeat, please.

Où sont des toilettes? – Where are the toilets?

Où est-ce que je peux trouver un plan de la ville? – Where can I find a city map?

Whether you’re strolling around a neighborhood, browsing items in a shop, having coffee, or on a guided tour, you’ll come across locals.

Locals who will most likely strike up a conversation. It is best to be prepared during such instances with these useful French phrases.

Comment allez-vous? –  How are you? (Formal – used when speaking to a stranger or older people.

Ça va? – How are you? (informal, to a friend or someone you’re already familiar with)

Quel est ton/votre film préféré? – What’s your favorite movie?

livre – book

genre de musique – type of music

émission de télévision – TV show

À tout à l’heure! – See you later!

Get fluent fast now. Upgrade your French language skills with our free classes online today.

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

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29 key French phrases to learn before your trip

Recently updated on April 24th, 2024 at 09:54 am

If you’ve ever spent a little time among the bright lights of Paris, Bordeaux’s rambling vineyards or the sunny French Riviera , you’ll know that even a little parle en français goes a long way.

Remembering a few essential French phrases not only helps you make the most of your trip, but you’ll also find that most locals appreciate the effort to learn a handful of basic French sayings. Just don’t be too surprised if they answer you back in English! 

With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some basic French words to learn, common French language phrases and a few fun French expressions to know for your next trip to France. From greetings and pleasantries to getting around and ordering food, these basic french sayings will win you respect and unlock the magic of France. Bon voyage!

Bonjour! Au revoir! – Hello/Good day! Goodbye!

Hello and goodbye might be the most basic French words to learn, but along with please and thank you (more on those later), they’re the most important to commit to memory. There’s nothing like a smile and a warm greeting to kickstart a conversation with locals. 

Salut! – Hi/Bye!

“ Salut ” Is a more informal way to say “hi”. 

Bientôt! À plus! À tout à l’heure! – See you soon, See you later, See you in a while!

Rather than simply waving goodbye and saying au revoir or salut, you might hear someone say “see you soon” or variations of the same phrase.

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Bon soir! – Good evening!

When night falls you’ll switch from Bonjour to Bon soir. It means good evening, and when you arrive at dinner reservations the manager will likely greet you with the common French greeting.

Coucou! – Hey there!

It sounds like “soo soo” and it might be the cutest greeting in the French language. Listen out for people who are close to one another using this sweet hello.

Pleasantries

S’il vous plaît and merci – please and thank you.

Please and thank you – no matter what language you’re talking in, it’s good to have good manners. “ S’il te plaîtI ” is a less formal way to say please, but as a rule of thumb stick with the more formal “ vous” , unless you’re speaking to a child. And if someone says “ merci ” be prepared to reply with “ de rien ” (you’re welcome).

Pardon/Excusez-moi – Excuse me

This translation of “excuse me” is a great way to politely get someone’s attention, be it a waiter or someone to ask for directions. You’ll find it useful on public transport too, such as stepping off a metro train. If you bump into anyone, a “ pardon ” (sorry) should suffice.

RELATED CONTENT: Destination Guide to France

Enchanté – Pleased to meet you

If you’ve watched Emily in Paris you moight remember the song Enchanté (ohn-shawn-tay) sung by her room mate. It means pleased to meet you, and it’ll take your common French sayings like hello or goodbye to the next level.

De rien (duh ree-an) – You’re welcome

Questions to ask

Ça va – how are you .

The most basic French phrases are the handiest. “Sa va” is an easy way to ask someone how they are going. If they ask you, you can reply with “Ça va” too, just change the tone or intonation to sound like you’re answering a question rather than asking one. For more advanced French learners, reply with “Et toi?” to ask “and you?”.

Comment vous appelez-vous?

For those times when you do strike up a conversation with a local, or perhaps a Trafalgar host, this is a polite way of asking someone’s name. Reply with “ Je m’appelle… ” (meaning “my name is…) or keep the conversation going by asking how they are. “ Comment allez-vous?” is formal, and “ ça va? ” more friendly. You’ll probably hear the latter several times a day; it’s an essential French travel phrase.

Parlez-vous Anglais? – Do you speak English?

After pleasantries, “do you speak English?” is perhaps one of the most useful phrases to have in your back pocket. If you’re in an area popular with travellers, such as Paris or Bordeaux, the chances are that locals do.

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Je ne comprends pas – I don’t understand

If someone starts speaking rapid French language at you, you can respond with “je ne comprends pas”. Follow that up with parlez-vous Anglais? And they might be able to switch into English.

Où est… – Where is…?

Meaning “where is…” this essential French phrase is the traveller’s best friend. At best, use it before the name of place you want to go – “ Où est le musée du Louvre? ”, for example – or at the very least say “ Où est… ” before pointing at a relevant map or picture. 

Où sont les toilettes? – Where are the toilets?

Take note: asking for directions to the bathroom is a little different than the “ Où est…” phrase. But it’s no less useful when you’re out exploring.

Quelle heure est-il? – What time is it?

In a hurry to make it to a museum on time? Waiting for a friend and you phone has died? Looking to chat up a handsome Frenchman? Ask them what time is it?

Getting around

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche – where is the nearest metro station.

It’s one of the more tricky ones on our list, but “where is the nearest metro station?” is also among the most useful French phrases to learn before going to Paris. If you’re planning to use public transport while in Paris, you might also like to learn “ je voudrais acheter un billet ” (I would like to buy a ticket) and “ c’est combien? ” (how much is it?).

Helpful French phrases when listening for directions:

• À côté de – Next to
• En face de – Across from
• À droite – To the right 
• À gauche – To the left
• Derrière – Behind
• Devant – In front of 

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Ordering food

Je voudrais… – I would like…

I would like… two words that come especially handy in a restaurant. If you don’t have a menu to read off, you might what to finish that phrase with “une bière” (a beer), “un verre de vin” (a glass of wine), “ un café ” (a coffee) or “ eau ” (water). 

Je ne peux pas manger… – I can’t eat…

If you or someone you’re travelling with has special dietary requirements, this phrase meaning “I can’t eat…” will come in handy. Some of the most common endings to that sentence are likely to be “ le gluten ” (gluten), “ noix ” (nuts), “ la viande ” (meat), “ les fruits de mer ” (shellfish) or “ les produits laitiers ” (dairy products). If you’re following a plant-based diet, remember “ je suis végétalien ”, meaning “I am vegan”.

Le menu, s’il vous plait – The menu, please

In Europe times can move differently, a little slower. So if you’re in a hurry to order, you might need to ask for the menu!

L’addition, s’il vous plaît – The bill/check, please

… and when you’ve finished enjoying your hearty dish coq au vin or crêpes Suzette, “ L’addition, s’il vous plaît. ” is a polite way of asking for the bill. Tipping in France isn’t required (you’ll often see a service charge or “service compris” on your bill), but if you do want to make a gesture of thanks, aim for €2 in a café or bar and between five and 10% of the bill in restaurants.

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Extra useful French phrases

Je t’aime – i love you.

If there are essential French words to learn before going to Paris, this one – meaning “I love you” – might be the most import in the city of love and romance. Perhaps you’ll find your own Parisian love fling, and it might be useful while strolling hand-in-hand along the River Seine, in the atmospheric Parc des Buttes Chaumont or at a candlelit dinner for two in Montmartre.

Allez! – Let’s go! 

Come on! Let’s go! Hurry up! There are a few different interpretations of this popular French word – a form of the verb “aller” which directly translates as “to go”. You might hear it if you’re dawdling in the Gare du Nord at rush hour, but a waiter might also say “allez-y” as in “go on, I’m ready to take your order”.

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C’est la vie – That’s life!

When locals utter this iconic French phrase they’ll often accompany it with a smile a small shrug. Use it in those moments when things don’t quite go to plan, but you’re determined to look on the bright side anyway.

Have you learnt any handy French phrases or basic French sayings on your travels? Leave them in the comments below…

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50+ Basic French Travel Phrases To Use While Abroad

• , November 17, 2022

Bienvenue en France! While traveling through this beautiful country, knowing basic French travel phrases is essential to help you get around. Many French people do not speak English, so it’s actually quite necessary to know a bit of French to help make your travels as smooth as possible. 

It can be frustrating to travel to a place that does not speak your native language. Still, one part of exploring new places is navigating these difficulties. If you prepare yourself beforehand by learning a few French phrases, you can turn these frustrations into meaningful interactions with local people. 

Whether you need to order food from a restaurant, tell your cab driver where you’re headed, or ask French locals general questions, these 30+ travel phrases will help you navigate easily and cement memories to last a lifetime.

Essential French Phrases For Travelers

Basic French Phrases For Conversations

These basic words and phrases are the first level of interactions while traveling and probably the words you will use the most in everyday conversations. So pay special attention to them! 

These basic words and phrases are the first level of interactions while traveling, and probably the words you will use the most in everyday conversations. So pay special attention to them! 

Basic French Phrases For Directions

Are you lost in a big city with no phone service? Whip out these basic phrases for directions to get someone to point you in the right direction and save yourself a headache. 

Basic French Phrases For Money & Shopping

France is known for its opulent, high-end clothes and style. You’ll definitely be tempted to shop in all the beautiful boutiques, so learn basic phrases for money and shopping. Want to learn more about this topic? Check out  Shopping Vocabulary In French: 20+ Useful Phrases & Expressions . 

Basic French Phrases For Transportation

France has an excellent public transport system, so you’ll most likely be taking trains and buses while traveling through. These are some phrases to help you get by.

Basic French Phrases For Instruction

These French phrases will help you find the bathroom, the nearest grocery store, or wherever else you need to go. These are easy to pop out while walking or sightseeing, so keep them in mind!

Basic French Phrases For Dining

Food is a huge part of French culture, so when you’re fine dining, you’ll definitely want to know some basic phrases to fit in and avoid any awkward situations.

Final Thoughts

Whew! I know that is a lot of information, but take it one category at a time to learn these basic French words and phrases for travelers. Trust me, when you’re in France you’ll want to speak French! Not only is it a beautiful language, but French speakers find it extra respectful when you speak French to them. 

Interested in learning more French but need specific, targeted resources? Download the  Ling App ! It is a user-friendly language-learning app with games, quizzes, and interactive features proven to help you learn a new language.

You can download it for free on the  App Store  and  Play Store . What are you waiting for? If you start today, you’re one step closer to being prepared for your traverse through France. 

Want even more resources? Check out   #1 Best Guide: French Vocabulary To Use At The Airport   &   French .

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35+ French Travel Phrases for Beginner Learners

Looking to learn some French travel phrases?

Well, if you’re traveling to France, then you’ll likely need some of these phrases about toilets, money, English and much more.

These French travel phrases also come with key vocabulary breakdowns. Why? So if you forget the phrase, if you can remember the key word, that could be good enough.

So, here are the French phrases that travelers must know.

1. Merci! Thank you!

“Thank you” is one of the most important phrases you need to know. Why? Simple manners. You’ll want to thank all the French people that help you on your trip.

Just remember… “mer-see.” Basic way of saying thank you in French . If you remember only one word from this guide, let it be this one.

Key words and phrases:

• Merci – Thank you

If you want to say thank you very much in French, then…

• Merci beaucoup.
• Thank you very much.

By the way, if you want to hear REAL French, check out this audio lesson by FrenchPod101. Press play below. Why? It’s one thing to read about French and another to hear native speakers — you learn faster!

• How to Say Thank You in French – Learn French in 3 Minutes
• Free Audio Lesson by FrenchPod101.com (click  here to download more fun less0ns)

2. Excusez-moi. Excuse me.

This is one of the most useful French travel phrases. You’ll need to get the attention of waiters, shop staff, stewardesses, and so on, and this is where “Excusez-moi” comes in.

3. Bonjour. Good morning or Hello

Even though French greetings are not really “French travel phrases,” you’ll still have to talk to people in French. And aside from “excuse me,” you can also learn some “hellos.”

“Bonjour” is a formal way of saying hello and also a morning greeting. So, if you have to address someone in the morning, use “bonjour.”

4. Salut. Hi.

If you want something a bit more casual than a “bonjour,” then try a “salut” or “hi.”

5. Bon après-midi. Good afternoon .

Now, what if it’s afternoon? Then use this greeting.

6. Bonsoir. Good evening.

Now, if you need to talk to some shop staff or whoever in the evening, this is the phrase to use.

7. Je suis désolé. I’m sorry.

Chances are you won’t need to apologize. But it’s always good to know just in case you step on someone’s shoe or something.

• Je suis – I am
• désolé – sorry

8. De l’eau, s’il vous plaît. Some water, please.

Whether you’re terribly thirsty or

• s’il vous plaît – please
• l’eau – water

9. Combien ça coûte? How much is this?

Chances are, you’ll probably buy something in France. And so, you’ll want to know much it costs.

• coûte – cost

10. Pourrais-je changer de chambre? Could I move to a different room?

This is a good French travel phrase for a hotel. Just in case you’re having issues with your current room.

• changer – change
• chambre – room

11. Pourriez-vous m’obtenir une chambre non-fumeur? Could you find me a non-smoking room?

The country is known for heavy smokers. So, just in case you notice the “aroma” of tobacco, use this line.

• non-fumeur – non-smoking

12. Cela ne me va pas. It doesn’t fit.

If you go shopping for clothes and have to try things on, you’ll want this phrase.

• Cela – This

13. Avez-vous des chambres de disponibles ce soir? Do you have any vacancies tonight?

•  J’en voudrais – I woud like

14. Y at-il un bus de l’aéroport pour aller en ville? Is there a bus from the airport to the city?

• ville – city
• bus – bus
• l’aéroport – the airport

15. Est-ce le bon bus pour l’aéroport? Is this the right bus for the airport?

When they answer it, listen for the “oui” (yes) or “non” (no).

• bon – right

16. Excusez-moi, c’est combien? Excuse me, what’s the fare?

You already know some of the words and phrases here.

• Excusez-moi – excuse me
• combien – cost
• 18. Je voudrais un siège non-fumeur, s’il vous plaît. I’d like to have a non-smoking seat, please.

17. Je suis allergique aux cacahuètes. I’m allergic to peanuts.

This is a good line to know for restaurants. If you’re allergic to something else, look it up on Google Translate and swap it in place of “peanuts.”

• allergique – allergic
• cacahuètes – peanuts

18. Que recommandez-vous comme souvenir? What do you recommend for a souvenir?

It’s good to get an opinion from shop staff if you want to pick something unique or culturally significant to France. Otherwise, you’ll just end up buying a “I LOVE PARIS” shirt.”

• Que – what
• recommandez – recommend

19. Prenez-vous la carte de crédit? Do you take credit card?

This would be a good phrase to know for shopping.

• Prenez-vous- Do yu
• carte – card
• crédit – credit

20. Ce n’est pas ce que j’ai commandé. This isn’t what I ordered.

This may be a good line to know at a French restaurant. You know, just in case they don’t give you the baguette you ordered.

• Ce n’est pas – it’s not
• que – what
• commandé – order

21. Nos plats ne sont pas encore arrivés. Our food hasn’t come yet.

Here’s another important restaurant phrase. Use it when you’ve been waiting for a while and your baguette  still isn’t here.

• plats – dish
• arrivés- arrived

22. Pourrions-nous avoir le menu, s’il vous plaît? Could we have the menu, please?

The good news here is that “menu” sounds pretty much the same as in English, minus the accent of course.

• menu – menu

23. Où est la gare? Where is the train station?

• Où – where
• gare – train station

24. Le wifi est-il gratuit? Is the Wi-Fi free?

• gratuit – free

25. Je voudrais ceci. I’d like this.

26. avez-vous des recommandations do you have any recommendations.

• Avez-vous – Have you/do you

27. Avez-vous des plats végétariens? Do you have any vegetarian dishes?

• végétariens – Vegetarian
• plats – dishes

28. Pourrais-je avoir l’addition? Could I have the check?

29. pourriez-vous me prendre en photo s’il vous plaît could you take a picture of me please.

This is another important French travel phrase. Because you’ll want to take lots of pics in France.

• Pourriez-vous – could you
• prendre – take
• photo – photo/picture

30. Pourrais-je obtenir un plan? Could I get a map?

• obtenir – get/obtain
• plan – map

31. J’ai une réservation. I have a reservation.

• J’ai – I have
• une réservation – a reservation
• 29. Puis-je essayer? Can I try this on?

Good overall shopping phrase to know.

• essayer – try

32. Parlez-vous anglais? Do you speak English?

Changes are, there’ll be times where you can’t handle any more French… and you’ll need English. So, what do you do? You ask for “anglais.”

• anglais – English
• parlez-vous – speak

33. À quelle heure est le prochain bus? What time is the next bus?

• quelle – What
• heure – hour
• prochain – next

34. Où sont les toilettes? Where Is the Bathroom?

This may be one of the most important French travel phrases here.

• Où – Where
• toilettes – Bathroom

35. Est-ce que ce bus va à …..? Does this bus go to…..?

If you need to ask if your bus is going in the right direction, use this.

• va – go

36. Bienvenue à l’aéroport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle à Paris, France. Welcome to the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France.

Not exactly a French travel phrase.

You won’t be the one saying this… but it’s still a good phrase to know.

You’ll hear this on the plane — even though they’ll likely announce it in English as well. Either way, it’s nice to understand what’s being said in another language.

• Bienvenue – welcome

37. Excusez-moi, j’aimerais aller à l’aéroport, pourriez-vous m’indiquer comment y aller? Excuse me, I’d like to go to the airport, would you tell me how to get there?

• Excusez-moi – Excuse me
• aller – to go
• j’aimerais – I would like
• m’indiquer – indicate me/tell me
• comment y aller – how to get there

38. Où sont les taxis ?  Where are the taxis?

The good news is that “taxi” doesn’t soon too different in French.

• Taxi – taxi

Now You Know Some French Travel Phrases

If you want these phrases to stick better, feel free to print this page and review it as much as possible.

If you want to actually learn French and speak it, then I recommend FrenchPod101 .

FrenchPod101 is a French learning program.  You get audio/video lessons made by real teachers. Kind of like this lesson below:

The lessons get you speaking in minutes and are just 3-15 minutes in length. So, if you want to HEAR real French and learn faster with a program, I recommend them.

Click here to get a Free Lifetime Account at FrenchPod101.com.

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Learn 150+ Basic French Travel Phrases To Master For Your Next Trip To France

• Post author: Elijah Logan
• Post last modified: April 11, 2023
• Post category: French Vocabulary / Popular Reviews

If you want to explore France thoroughly, especially the city of love, you must know the basic French travel phrases.

Although English is a universal language, it is not well-known in most French-speaking countries. Thus, to get around, you need to learn how to speak basic French.

Traveling to any place where you do not speak the native can be frustrating, especially steering your way while exploring.

So, to ensure you get around different French destinations quickly, you need to learn some essential travel French phrases. Even basic French knowledge can help you interact with locals and learn about the regular lifestyle.

Keeping this in mind, today, I bring you 150+ basic French words and phrases for travel to ensure your next trip to France is unforgettable.

Table of Contents

Basic French Words For Travel In France: Learn Useful French Phrases

Traveling is not only about moving from one place to another. There are a lot of aspects connected to this journey.

While traveling to an unknown place, you are bound to meet new people, interact with strangers, ask for their assistance when lost, go dining, shop, & more.

All these activities do not seem much of a task when you are in a place where you can easily interact with others.

However, in an unknown land, all these tasks seem like dreadful things that may even prompt you to never leave your accommodation in French.

But that is not why you or anyone would fly out for miles to the country of love, France. Exploring another country is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thus, you need to make the most out of your visit.

And to help you with this, below I have a list of over one hundred & fifty common French phrases & words categorized as per various activities you will enjoy there. So let us begin and start our learning before that trip of yours.

26 Basic Conversational French Phrases

You can never go by in a foreign land if you can not speak even the bare minimum of the native language.

You do not need to be a pro in the French language. But you should at least know the words & phrases used the most in everyday conversations by natives.

Below is a list of some essential words & expressions that you will often use during your travel time in France.

Knowing these everyday phrases will help you interact with natives in a comfortable & sophisticated manner.

• Hello / Good Morning- Bonjour !
• Good Evening- Bonsoir !
• Hi (Informal)- Salut !
• Nice To Meet You- Enchanté!
• Welcome- Bienvenue!
• Yes / No- Oui / Non .
• How Are You?-Çava?
• I’mWell.- Je vais bien.
• How’s It Going?-Ça roule?
• I Am Well, And You?-Je vais bien, et vous?
• Do You Speak English?-Parlez-vous anglais?
• I Do Not Speak French.-Je ne parle pas français.
• I Don’t Understand.- Je ne comprends pas.
• Where Are You From?-D’où venez-vous?
• I Am From …- Je suis de …
• What Is Your Name?-Quel est votre nom?
• My Name Is…- Je m’appelle …
• Mrs. / Mr. / Miss- Madame / Monsieur / Mademoiselle
• Cheers!-Santé!
• I Don’t Know- Je ne sais pas.
• Thank You Very Much.- Merci beaucoup!
• You’re Welcome- De rien!
• Excuse Me / Sorry- Excusez-moi/Pardon !
• Sorry- Je suis désolé (e).
• See You Later!- À tout à l’heure!
• Goodbye- Au revoir!

29 Basic French Travel Phrases For Directions: Beautiful French Language

Getting lost in a new city or country is a thing that most people can relate to. I remember my first trip to Paris. I was so engrossed in exploring the architectural beauty around me that I got separated from my travel group.

I freaked out and was on the verge of crying. I only knew the name of the hotel I was staying at and some French phrases I had learned. 

Suggestion: 100+ Tasty Vegetables In French To Make Your Vocab More Yummy .

I asked a passerbys the directions for the hotel by saying “Quelle est la direction de l’hôtel Wallace, s’il vous plaît ?” (What is the direction of the Wallace Hotel, please?) and thus reached there safely.

Although I spent the rest of my day in my room. I was glad that at least I could find my way back. It all happened because I knew how to ask for directions in French. Knowing the essential phrases for directions can save you from the panic of getting lost.

Memorize the below-mentioned basic French phrases for directions to ensure you do not get panics like I did.

• Directions- Les directions
• North- Nord
• East- L’est
• West- L’ouest
• There- Là-Bas
• Where Is … Please?- Où est… ,s’il vous plaît?
• I’mLost.- Je suis perdu(e).
• Is It Far?- Est-ce que c’est loin?
• Is It Close?- Est-ce que c’est proche?
• Which Way?- Par où?
• It’s To The Right / Left.- C’est à droite / à gauche.
• Turn Right.- Tournez à droite.
• Turn Left.- Tournez à gauche.
• Straight Ahead.- Tout droit.
• Over There.-Là-Bas.
• Where Are We?-Où sommes-nous?
• Can You Help Me? -Pouvez-vous m’aider?
• To The Left- À gauche.
• To The Right- À droite.
• Straight Ahead- Tout droit.
• Is It Far/Close By?- C’est loin?/C’est près d’ici?
• The Exit- La sortie
• It’s To The Left- C’est à gauche.
• It’s To The Right- C’est à droite.
• It’s Straight Ahead- C’est tout droit.

27 Basic French Words & Phrases For Transportation

The French transportation system is among the best in the world. Although no country can touch Japan regarding convenient public transportation, France also offers an excellent system.

You will most likely take trains and buses to get around the country. They are an affordable means of transportation and can help you save a lot on your travel.

With a readily available transit system, you will face no problem traveling from one place to another. Transportation prices vary over distances which is not too much.

To get your way through the various modes of transportation, there are some essential words & phrases that you should learn in French.

• Transportation- Le transport
• The Bus- Le bus
• Bus Stop- L’arrêt de bus
• A Taxi- Un taxi
• Train- Le train
• Subway- Le métro
• Airplane- Un avion
• Car- Une voiture
• Ticket- Un billet
• Ticket Window- Le guichet
• Airport- L’aéroport
• Bus/ Train Station- La gare
• Early- En avance
• On Time- À l’heure
• Delayed- En retard
• Cancelled- Annulé
• Do Not Enter.-Entrée interdite.
• Exit- La sortie.
• Validate Your Ticket.-Valider votre billet.
• What Is The Schedule?- Quelle est le planning?
• What Is The Price Of A Ticket?- Quel est le prix d’un ticket?
• Where Is The Ticket Window?-Où est Le guichet?
• I Would Like To Purchase A One-Way Ticket.- Je voudrais acheter un billet aller simple.
• I Would Like To Purchase A Return Ticket.- Je voudrais acheter un billet aller-retour.
• Have A Nice Trip!- Bon voyage!
• I Would Like To Go To The Bus/Train Station- Je voudrais aller à la Gare.

5 Essential French Phrases For Clarification

There will be times during your trip to France when you might have to interact with locals. It can be for everyday greetings in French or you asking for some assistance.

Under any scenario, French people are pleased to see a foreigner speaking their language. This is why sometimes they get over-enthusiastic, making it hard for the other person to follow their complex conversations.

Similar Post: Mastering the Art of Asking ‘What’: Easy Ways to Improve Your French Vocabulary.

I once met this lady to whom I asked to click my picture. As I requested in French, she was happy, and after clicking my picture, we had a great conversation.

Although I could understand her reasons, it got hard for me as she started talking fast and using more extensive sentences.

I had to tell her to slow down so that I could understand what she was saying. She understood and was kind enough to do so.

So, if you can tell others that you are unable to understand them or ask them to repeat in their native language, French people will be more than happy to make things easier for you.

• I Don’t Understand- Je ne comprends pas.
• Could You Repeat That, Please?-Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît?
• Speak A Little Slower, Please- Parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît!
• Could You Speak More Slowly Please?-Pourriez-vous parler plus Lentement? 
• Could You Write That Down For Me, Please?- Pourriez-Vous L’écrire, S’il Vous Plaît?
• Speak Slowly, Please.-Parlez Lentement, S’il vous plaît.
• Repeat, Please.-  Répétez, S’il vous plaît.

25 Basic French Phrases For Shopping & Money: Know The Easy Words To Use

France is the land of high-end fashion & lifestyle. You can see several beautiful boutiques nationwide that will tempt you to shop.

To ensure you can ask, bargain, and buy anything you want, you must learn the essential words & phrases related to shopping & money in French.

Knowing the standard terms will ensure you do not get scammed and overpay for something worth pennies.

• How Much Is This?- Combien Ça Coûte?
• It’s Too Big / Small.- C’est Trop Grand / Petit.
• I’m Just Looking Around, Thanks.-Je Regarde Juste Autour De Moi, Merci.
• I Would Like … Please.- Je Voudrais … S’il vous plaît.
• Good Quality!- Bonne Qualité!
• I Need …- J’ai besoin de …
• I Want …- Je veux …
• I’m Looking For …- Je cherche …
• Can I Try This On?- Je peux l’essayer?
• Is It On Sale?-C’est en solde?
• No Thanks, I’m Only Looking.-Non Merci, Je Ne Fais Que Regarder.
• No, I’m [Just] looking For the Moment.-Non, Je Regarde Pour L’instant.
• I Would Like To Pay In Cash- Je Voudrais Payer En Liquide/Espèces
• Do You Accept Foreign Cards?-Est-Ce Que Vous Acceptez Les Cartes Étrangères?
• Can I Pay With A Credit Card?-Est-Ce Que Je Peux Payer Avec Une Carte De Crédit?
• Can I Order This On The Internet?-Puis-Je Commander Cela Sur internet?
• Where Are The Shops?-OùSont Les Magasins?
• Where Is The Mall?-Où Est Le Centre Commercial?
• What Time Does It Close?-À Quelle Heure Est-Ce Que Cela Ferme?
• What Time Does It Open?-À Quelle Heure Est-Ce Que Cela Ouvre?
• I Am Searching For A Bag/A Postcard/A Book- Je Cherche Un Sac/Une Carte Postale/Un Livre.
• The Bank- La Banque
• Notes- Billet D’argent
• Coins- La Monnaie
• How Much Does It Cost?-Combien Ça Coûte?
• It’s Too Expensive!- C’est Trop Cher
• It’s A Great Deal!- C’est Bon Marché!
• How Much Do I Owe You?- Je Vous Dois Combien?

28 Basic French Phrases For Assistance/Help/Instruction

You will find yourself in need of help when in a foreign land. It can be for clicking a picture, finding a bathroom, a tourist site, a restaurant, police assistance, and more.

Under any emergency situation, you can only rely on the people around you. And for them to understand you, you need to speak their language.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Saying Good Luck in French: Tips and Phrases You Need to Know.

It is not possible to master a new language in a matter of weeks. But you sure can learn some French phrases that can help you ask for instructions and help from others.

• Airport- L’aéroport
• Grocery Store- L’épicerie
• Coffee Shop- Le Café
• Metro Station- La Station De Métro
• Bus Station- La Gare Routière
• Park- Le Parc
• Beach- La Plage
• Can You Help Me?-Pouvez-Vous M’aider ?
• Can You Take Our Photo?-Pouvez-Vous Nous Prendre En Photo ?
• I Don’t Understand.- Je Ne Comprends Pas.
• Where Is The Bathroom/Restroom?-Où Sont Les Toilettes ?
• Where Is …?- Où Est ___ ?
• Je Cherche…- I’m Looking For…
• Where Is The Hospital/ The Pharmacy?-Où Est L’hôpital/ La Pharmacie?
• Help Me – Aidez-Moi!
• I’mLost – Je Suis Perdu.
• I’ve Lost..- J’ai Perdu …
• I’ve Lost My Wallet- J’ai Perdu Mon Porte-Monnaie.
• I Feel Sick – Je ne me sens pas bien.
• Call An Ambulance – Appelez Une Ambulance.
• Call The Police – Appelez La Police.
• I Have A Problem – J’ai Un Problème.
• I Have A Question – J’ai Une Question.
• Could You…- Pourriez-Vous …
• Are You Able To Take My Photo/Our Photo?-Pourriez-Vous me/nous Prendre en  Photo?
• Is there A Good Restaurant/A Good Café near by- Y a-t-il un bon restaurant/un bon café à proximité?
• Où Est La Plage/Le Centre-Ville?(Where Is The Beach/City Center.)
• I Am Searching For the Hotel/Hospital/Bank- Je Cherche L’hôtel/L’hôpital/La Banque.

31 Basic French Words & Phrases For Dining

Food is an integral part of our lives. It is one of the best things to explore when in France. Fine dining & delicious food are the highlights of French traveling. You get to experience the elegance & taste France has to offer.

Don’t Miss To Checkout: 10 Common Ways to Say “I Don’t Know” in The French Language With Examples.

By knowing some essential dining words & phrases, you can avoid causing any blunders and easily order the things you want to relish.

• Waiter – Monsieur/Madame
• Menu- Le Menu
• Bread- Le Pain
• Cheese- Un Fromage
• Meat- La Viande
• I Would Like A Coffee.- Je Voudrais Un Café.
• I Would Like A Beer.- Je Voudrais Une bière.
• I Would Like Some Water.- Je Voudrais De L’eau.
• I Would Like A Baguette – Je Voudrais Une Baguette
• I Would Like Some Water – Je Voudrais De L’eau
• I Would Like The Bill – Je Voudrais L’addition
• Can I Have The Bill, Please?-L’addition, S’il Vous Plaît.
• A Glass Of Wine. – Un Verre De Vin.
• I Would Like…- Je Voudrais…
• I’ll Have – Je Prendrai
• Do You Have…?- Avez-Vous…?
• Appetizers- Les Entrées
• Main Courses- Les Plats principaux
• Desserts- Les Desserts
• Vegetarian Options- Options Végétariennes
• I’m Full- Je Suis Repu(e)
• This Is Delicious!-C’est Délicieux!
• A Table For 4, Please.- Une Table Pour 4, S’il Vous Plaît.
• The Menu, Please.- Le Menu, S’il Vous Plaît.
• The Wine Menu, Please.- La Carte Des Vins, S’il Vous Plaît.
• Is The Tip Included?- Est-Ce Que Le Service Est Compris?
• This Is So Good!-C’est Trop Bon!
• I Ate Well/I’m Full- J’ai Bien Mangé
• I’m Satisfied- Je Suis Répu/Repue
• What Are Today’s Specials?- Quels Sont Les Plats Du Jour ?
• I’mAllergic To…- Je Suis Allergique À …

11 Basic Phrases To Rock In The Club That You Can Easily Use

No trip to France is complete until you explore the night & party life of the country. Night clubs are trendy among the young generation. You can start with some drinks and sway your body to the upbeat music.

But to ensure you do not enter into any problems & can express yourself better, memorize some helpful French phrases below.

• Want To Go Get A Drink Tonight? – Ça Te Dit D’aller Boire Un Verre Ce Soir?
• I Want To Party! – J’ai Envie De Faire La Fête!
• Let’s Sit Over There?- On S’installe Là-Bas?
• We’ll Take The Bottle- On Va Prendre La Bouteille.
• We’re Taking Shots!- On Prend Des Shooters!
• I Would Like A Glass Of Wine – Je Voudrais Un Verre De Vin.
• Let’s Dance! – Dansons!
• I’m Spent, I’m Leaving- Je Suis Crevé/Crevée, je pars.
• Get Home Safely!- Rentrez-Bien! 
• I Really Enjoyed Myself- Je Me Suis Vraiment Bien Amusé/Amusée.

20 Basic Drink Words in French: Talking About Drinks In Restaurants

Drinking is an integral part of French dining culture. As we like to have a glass of water beside our food, the French love to have an extra glass for their liquors, wine, & cocktails.

French restaurants are extravagant with their drinks. You can order anything from coffee to alcohol to enjoy your dining experience.

To order what you want, learn some most common drinks & related words in French:

• The Wine Menu, Please.- La Carte Des Vins, S’il Vous Plaît
• A Glass Of Wine- Un Verre De Vin
• Red Wine- Vin Rouge
• White Wine- Vin Blanc
• Tea- Du Thé
• A Coffee- Un Café
• A Beer- Une Bière
• Some Fruit Juice- Du Jus De Fruit
• Some Water- De L’eau
• Fizzy Drink- une Boisson Pétillante

Top FAQs About Common French Phrases In English

Are there any french slangs i should know.

YES. If you want to fit in the crowd and want locals to treat you like a fellow, you should learn some standard day phrases and slang that only locals use.

This way, you project to others that even though you are a foreigner, you are familiar with the country & its people.

Below are some French slangs or French travel phrases with pronunciation you can master for your trip:

• Hello- Salut (informal)!
• I love Paris- J’adore Paris.
• Have a nice trip- Bon voyage!
• Forget it or drop it- Laisse tomber.
• Come on or let’s go- Allez!
• That’s life- C’est la vie.
• Long live the Republic and long live France!-Vive la république et vive la France!
• French food is the best in the world- La cuisine Française est la meilleure du monde.

How to prepare well for traveling to France?

To ensure you have a great trip to the land of France, you can begin by looking for accommodations that are safe & as per your requirements.

Buy a French phrasebook for travelers. It will come in handy. You sure can learn different basic expressions, but a book can help you whenever you feel stuck.

Also, research the local customs & lifestyle to blend in easily without getting shocked in front of the locals.

Lastly, plan all the activities & site-seeing beforehand to ensure you do not waste any time & extra money.

What are the best places to visit in France?

France is the ultimate vacation destination. This land of romance has wonderful places & activities for you to explore.

Some of the most popular destinations that you cannot miss in France are:

• The Eiffel Tower- La tour Eiffel
• Bordeaux- Bordeaux
• Louvre Museum- Le Musée du Louvre
• Notre-Dame De Paris Cathedral- La Cathédrale Notre-Dame De Paris
• Saint-Tropex Beach- La plage de Saint-Tropez

What are the basic greetings that every tourist should know in France?

If you want to go by with ease while exploring France and its beautiful cities, you need to learn some expressions, especially for greetings.

You will be able to make a good impression on others and get their attention with the least effort.

• Bonjour!   – Hello/Good day!
• Salut!   – Hi/Bye!
• Bonsoir!   – Good evening!
• Au revoir!   – Goodbye!
• Coucou!   – Hey there!
• Allô? (  – Hello?
• À plus!   – See you later!
• À tout à l’heure!   – See you soon/See you in a while!

There are several other phrases than saying good morning in French, but if you are not eager to dive in deeper, these few are more than enough.

What is the greeting etiquette of French people?

Like any other country, when you meet people in France, you have to shake hands with everyone present, whether arriving or leaving.

If you are among close friends, family & relatives, the most common greeting is a kiss on both cheeks, also known as “la bise.”

The ‘la bise’ is not actually kissing other people. People simply place one’s cheek against the other’s, make a kissing noise, and then repeat it on the opposite side.

If you see two people greeting each other in a ‘la bise’ way, you can quickly tell they are close.

By learning over 150+ basic French travel phrases, you can ensure you have an unforgettable travel experience in France.

Learning the language can help you with easy exploration, dining, sightseeing, interacting with natives, shopping & more.

The more familiar you are with everyday words, phrases, & slang, the less likely you are to get scammed in the country of love.

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French conversation - Essential French Phrases for your French road trip

Essential French Phrases for your France Road Trip

If you've never studied French before, or your high school French is a little rusty, it’s helpful to learn a few essential French phrases before traveling to France.

This will give you more confidence finding your way around in France. You will know how to greet people politely before asking if they speak English, and it shows you're willing to make the effort, and French people will appreciate that. It might also help you make friends!

Although many French people can understand some English, they tend to find it harder to speak, so they will feel more at ease if you show your willingness to try to speak French first. This way, you show that you're all in the same boat!

If you have booked one of our France vacation packages , you will receive a personal guidebook specific to your trip that includes all the phrases below - and much more!

How to improve your French pronunciation

Before we get started with the phrases you’ll need for your France road trip, you'll want some guidance on French pronunciation. We like this video from TakeLessons.com on how to do a French accent . The teacher even explains the shape you need to make with your mouth to achieve the French accent!

Video: TakeLessons.com

Essential French phrases

Now you’ve got some pointers on French pronunciation, you’ll be ready to practice. If you don’t learn anything else in French, make a point of learning to say these essential French phrases. We have included the phonetic pronunciation to help you know what these sound like. Below, we give a list of apps which will also help you with pronunciation.

• Hello - Bonjour - / bohn-zhoor /
• Goodbye - Au revoir - / oh-rev-vwha /
• Excuse me - Excusez-moi - / ex-koo-say mwa /
• I don’t speak French - Je ne parle pas français - / Zhe ne parl pah frahn-say /
• Do you speak English?  - Parlez-vous anglais? - / par-lay voo ahn-glay /
• I don’t understand - Je ne comprends pas - / Zhe ne cohmp-ron pas /
• Please - S’il vous plaît - / seel-voo-play /
• Thank you - Merci - / mare-see /
• Yes - Oui - / we /
• No - Non – / noh /
• My name is... -  Je m’appelle...  -  / Zhe mah-pel /
• You’re welcome -   Pas de quoi  -  / Pah-de-kwah /

Other useful phrases and asking for clarification

If you are struggling to understand someone, ask them to speak more slowly or to write things down.

• Could you speak more slowly please? - Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement?  -  / puri-ay voo par-lay plu lontamon? /
• Could you repeat that, please? - Pourriez-vous répéter, s’il vous plait ? -   / puri-ay voo reh-peh-tay, seel voo play? /
• Could you write that down for me, please? 
 Pourriez-vous l’écrire, s’il vous plait? -  / puri-ay voo leh-creer,  seel voo play? /

If you have a hard time memorizing a new language, you may check this method to learn some  French phrases .

Getting around and asking for directions

When approaching someone you don't know, it's good practice and etiquette to start out with  "Excusez-moi Madame/Monsieur" followed by "parlez-vous anglais?" or another question if you feel confident enough. 

• Where? -  Où? - / Oo ? /
• Where is…? - Où se trouve? Où est... ? - / oo-ce-troove / oo eh /
• Where is the train station? - Où est la gare? - / oo eh la gahr? /
• Where are the toilets ? - Où sont les toilettes? - / oo son les twa-let? /

Phrases and vocabulary for shopping in France

Sales assistants in stores normally won't greet and approach you as they do in other countries. This is because they think it's better not to bother you, for you to browse in peace and take your time. They trust that you will ask them for help when you need it. When you do need help, make sure you greet the sales assistant first with "Bonjour Madame!" or "Excusez-moi Monsieur...?" and then maybe "Parlez-vous anglais?" , before explaining what you need. It helps break they ice and they're likely to be more willing to help you!

• Open - Ouvert - / oo-vehr /
• Closed - Fermé - / fair-may /
• I would like... - Je voudrais... - / Zhe voo-dray /
• How much is it? - Combien ça coûte? - / Cohm-by-en sah coot /
• May I try it on? - Puis-je l’essayer - / Pwee zhe leh-say-ay /
• I’ll take it - Je le prendrai - / Zhe le prawn-dray /
• Store - Le magasin - / le mah-gah-zahn /
• A dress - La robe - / la rob /
• A skirt - La jupe - / la zjoop /
• A shirt - La chemise - / la shem-eez /
• Pants - Les pantalons - / pahn-ta-lon /
• Shoes - Chaussures - / show-seh /
• Socks - Chaussettes - / show-set /

Numbers in French

When it comes to prices and saying how many bottles of Burgundy you'd like to buy, it can be helpful to be familiar with the numbers in French. Below we have given some of the numbers from 1-100 and their phonetic spelling, to help with your pronunciation. Click on the image below for a YouTube video which will teach you how to say the French numbers, and help you to practice! 

• 1 - un - / uhn /
• 2 - deux - / deh /
• 3 - trois - / twah /
• 4 - quatre - / kahtr /
• 5 - cinq - / sank /
• 6 - six - / sees /
• 7 - sept - / set /
• 8 - huit  - / wheet /
• 9 - neuf - / nuhf /
• 10 - dix – / dees /
• 20 – vingt – / vahnt /
• 30 – trente - / tront /
• 40 - quarante - / k ah-ront /
• 50 - cinquante  - / sankont /
• 60 - soixante  - / swah-sont /
• 70 - soixante-dix  - / swah-sont dees /
• 80 - quatre-vingts  - / kahtr-vahnt /
• 90 - quatre-vingt-dix  - / kahtr-vahnt-dees /
• 100 - cent - / sohn /
• 200 - deux cents - / deh-sohn /
• 500 - cinq cents - / sank-sohn /
• 1000 - mille – / meel /

Phrases for eating out in restaurants

In the cities, it is common for waiters to speak a little English, but they will appreciate it if you make the effort to greet them and order food in French.

In small French villages, it is unlikely that waiters will speak English, so keep your essential French phrases close by. You can print them out, or you can copy and paste them into a notes app.

Or, if you're on one of our self drive tours of France , you will only need to refer to the essential phrases section of your France Just For You guidebook .

• Waiter - Monsieur/Madame - /  m’syhur / mah-dam /  (Do not say “ garçon .“ It’s considered a bit of an insult)
• I’ll have - Je prendrai - / zhe prawn-dray /
• Do you have...? Avez-vous...? - / ah-vay voo /
• The check - L’addition - / lah-di-shyon /
• A cup - Une tasse - / oon tahs /
• A glass - Un verre - / uhn vehr /
• A fork - Une fourchette - / oon foor-shet /
• A spoon - Une cuillère - / oon kuy-ehr /
• A knife - Un couteau - / uhn koo-toh /
• Some salt / pepper - Du sel/poivre - / dew sehl/pwahv /
• Appetizers - Les entrées - / lays-on-tray /
• Main courses - Les plats - / lay plah /
• Desserts - Les desserts - / lay day-ser /

French phrases you’ve been saying your whole life

Relations between the British and the French go way back. Our royal families would inter-marry. We fought wars against one another. Sometimes we invaded each other. The two cultures have been exposed to one another for so long that the English language has inevitably taken a lot of expressions from French. You may have said these things regularly without even realizing you’re speaking French!

• Déjà vu - already seen.

This is a grammatical structure in French, as in Je l’ai déjà vu (I’ve already seen it).  It can also disparage a style or technique that has already been done, as in Son style est déjà vu => His style is not original.  In English, déjà vu refers to the scientific phenomenon of feeling like you have already seen or done something when you’re sure that you haven’t: a feeling of déjà vu = une impression de déjà vu.

• Fiancé, fiancée -  an engaged person.

Note that le fianc é refers to a man and la fianc ée to a woman.

• Force majeure - greater force.

This refers to superior/greater force, or to  an unexpected or uncontrollable event, sometimes called “an act of God”, like a tornado or earthquake.

• Je ne sais quoi - I don’t know what.

This is used to indicate a ‘certain something’, as in “I really like Laura. She has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that I find very appealing.”

• Joie de vivre - joy of living.

The quality in people who live life to the fullest. A wonderful example of this is the French film ‘Amelie’. It’s about a young French woman who always tries to enjoy the small things in life and bring joy to the lives of others.

• Mardi gras - fat Tuesday
• Oh là là - oh dear.

This is usually misspelled and mispronounced “ooh la la” in English, when it is usually used when someone is expressing pleasant surprise or appreciation. In French, we use it to express unpleasant surprise, disappointment or shock.

• Petite - small, short.

It may sound chic, but petite is simply the feminine French adjective meaning “short” or “small”.

• Rendez-vous - go to.

In French, this refers to a date, informal meeting or an appointment (literally, it is the verb se rendre [to go] in the imperative).

• Savoir-vivre - to know how to live.

This is about knowing how to behave well in society, being polite and displaying good manners and etiquette.

• Tête-à-tête - head to head.

A private discussion or visit with another person

• Touché - touched.

This expression was originally used in fencing, and still is. Nowadays, it tends to mean the equivalent of “you got me!” or “you got me back!”

• Voilà! - There it is!

In English, it is sometimes misspelled as “voilá” or “violà.

• Dégustation - tasting

The French word simply refers to the act of tasting, while in English “degustation” is used for a tasting event or party, as in wine or cheese tasting.

• Vive la France - (long) live France.

Basically this is the French equivalent of saying “God bless America”. Note that it’s vive la France ; “ viva ” is Spanish, not French.

French Idioms

Idioms are phrases or expressions that are very particular to a language and when translated literally, don't mean the same thing in another language. In English, for example, you might say that something easy is 'a piece of cake'. But to someone learning English, they would have no way of associating this with something being easy. Even with a common expression like 'What's up?', nothing about the literal translation would suggest it means 'How are you?' or 'What's wrong?'. 

Once you've mastered the essential French phrases and feel confident having a basic conversation in French, why not try out some of the idioms in this video? Your French hosts and friends will be very impressed!

Apps for learning French

Fun and free, Duolingo breaks everything down into its constituent parts – grammar, vocabulary, topics – and uses fun exercises and levels so you can work your way up and learn while barely realising you’re studying French! Each lesson includes a variety of speaking, listening, translation, and multiple choice challenges. And it’s easy to play while you’re commuting to work, if you’re on a flight or waiting in line. A great app for beginners French.

In their words, ‘FluentU is French Immersion Online’. FluentU takes online videos of French songs, movies, commercials and many more verticals, adds subtitles, and turns them into learning experiences. This is great exposure to French culture, and very helpful for practicing your French listening and comprehension skills. It will also help you get used to the French accent!

This is a great app for learning new vocabulary by playing games. In their words, it’s ‘Learning, made joyful’. Well, we love an app which adds a bit of ‘joie de vivre’ to learning French! Memrise is a user-generated learning platform which uses flashcards as memory aids. Language teachers often create their own vocab games for their students to do as homework, to make it more interesting and give them more motivation to learn.

This takes the form of a language learning course and is based on the internationally-recognized Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Busuu is very comprehensive in the topics it covers, and in its exercises designed around the four language learning skills - speaking, writing, listening and speaking. It also has an active community of users to help you practice speaking French.

Learn French + by Vidalingua is the fastest way to conversing with the locals on your next trip to France. It provides 101 useful lessons and over 3,000 interactive exercises to help you speak like a boss! If you want to build your vocabulary, try French Translator & Dictionary + for free on your iPhone or Android . In addition to a comprehensive dictionary and phrase translator, you will find a verb conjugator, word quiz and flashcards.

Other popular language learning apps are Babbel and Rosetta Stone . There are many other free apps if you type ‘learn French’ into the Apple or Google Play Store.

All of these essential French phrases (and more!) are included in the unique guidebooks that we produce for each of our self drive tours .

Is France on your travel bucket list? Or maybe you've visited before but would like to explore France independently by car now, at your own pace.

Browse our self guided France tour packages or contact trip planners Emilie, Laura and Clélia to find out more!

We hope this has helped you prepare for your trip to France! 

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Travelers Reviews

We had the most amazing holiday visiting all the wine regions in France fully arranged by France Just For You. Those ladies thought of everything….from parking & fuel station options to fabulous restaurants & patisseries, scenic walks & some of the prettiest villages, chateaus & gardens you’ll ever see. They also shared such a lot of history & fun …

We had the most amazing holiday visiting all the wine regions in France fully arranged by France Just For You. Those ladies thought of everything….from parking & fuel station options to fabulous restaurants & patisseries, scenic walks & some of the prettiest villages, chateaus & gardens you’ll ever see. They also shared such a lot of history & fun facts about every place in the itinerary. We highly recommend these ladies to all our friends as we drove 3,500 km in a comfortable, automatic car all around France totally stress free. The accommodation we were booked into was varied & absolutely beautiful. We met some amazing hosts & were made to feel welcome

This was our first trip to Europe with just the two of us doing all the planning. I was looking for someone to help with the details of lodging and transportation and found Emilie through this site. She planned an incredible trip for us to Normandy/Brittany, Loire Valley and Paris. She is easy to work with, responsive and organized. I told her what …

This was our first trip to Europe with just the two of us doing all the planning. I was looking for someone to help with the details of lodging and transportation and found Emilie through this site. She planned an incredible trip for us to Normandy/Brittany, Loire Valley and Paris. She is easy to work with, responsive and organized. I told her what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go and she pretty much planned the entire trip. If you aren't sure what you want to do she will make suggestions. A couple of months before the trip she sent a very complete guidebook, maps, tickets, etc. all organized by date. The planned activities kept us busy, but there was flexibility in the schedule if desired. This was our first time traveling on our own with a rental car and we felt very comfortable given Emilie's tips and directions. The lodging in B&Bs was enjoyable with wonderful hosts and guest dinners. Compared to our previous trips to Europe we found Emilie's service to be of comparable value with a more unique travel experience. We would definitely use her service again. Thanks Emilie!

3 perfect weeks in Paris, Brittany and Normandy Our 3 week journey to Paris, Normandy, and Brittany was the most stress free travel in Europe we have ever experienced. It was also the first time we drove a car in France. France Just For You had done all the deeply significant leg work required for us to enjoy all of our time traveling. We will …

3 perfect weeks in Paris, Brittany and Normandy Our 3 week journey to Paris, Normandy, and Brittany was the most stress free travel in Europe we have ever experienced. It was also the first time we drove a car in France. France Just For You had done all the deeply significant leg work required for us to enjoy all of our time traveling. We will certainly be requesting help from France-Just-For-You for our next extensive road trip in France as this one was about as near perfect as it is possible to be.

Dealing with Emilie is like having a personal concierge. The 10 day trip was perfect. She allowed time to relax and we were able to experience France like locals. This is our 8 th trip to France but after this tour, it will not be our last. Thank you Emilie!

Thank you so much Emilie for all your hard work on our anniversary trip to St. Emilion and the Loire Valley! We had such a great time and everything you planned for us was just perfect. Having traveled to Paris and Nice many times, this was our first time exploring the countryside and we had a blast. We cannot thank you enough for everything! Kris …

Thank you so much Emilie for all your hard work on our anniversary trip to St. Emilion and the Loire Valley! We had such a great time and everything you planned for us was just perfect. Having traveled to Paris and Nice many times, this was our first time exploring the countryside and we had a blast. We cannot thank you enough for everything! Kris and Kristina

France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then …

France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then on her attention to detail and efficiency were outstanding. She outlined a custom trip for us based on our criteria and then created a detailed plan for us to follow with options for various activities. She took care of every detail, bike rental, car rental, cooking class , museum passes, directions etc etc. Then, about a month before we went , she mailed us a 300+ page book custom created for our trip which gave background information on all the places we were to visit, gps directions, options for different routes, recommendations for restaurants, background on bed and breakfast hosts (whom she personally meets with), comments on French customs, and hundreds of tips and suggestions. Her guide was so complete, we did not need any other books. She created an experience for us we will never forget. When we return to France we will ask her to plan the trip for us.

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French Slang Words That Will Make You Blend In Like A Native

Published: August 24, 2024

by Randy Spikes

Want to sound like a true Parisian? Learning French slang words can help you blend in with locals and understand everyday conversations better. Imagine strolling through the streets of Paris, chatting with friends, and not missing a beat when they use casual phrases. From greetings to expressions of surprise, slang adds color to your language skills. Whether you're planning a trip to France or just want to impress your French-speaking friends, mastering these terms will make you feel more connected. Ready to dive into the world of French slang ? Let's get started and add some flair to your vocabulary!

Why Learn French Slang?

Learning French slang can help you sound more like a native speaker. It makes conversations more natural and helps you understand the culture better. Here are some essential French slang words to get you started.

Everyday French Slang

These words are used in daily conversations. They can make you sound more fluent and less like a textbook.

Bof This word means "meh" or "so-so." Use it when you're feeling indifferent.

Mec A casual way to say "guy" or "dude." It's similar to saying "bro" in English.

Meuf The female counterpart to "mec." It means "girl" or "chick."

Ouf This word is "fou" (crazy) spelled backward. It means something is amazing or unbelievable.

Slang for Friends and Family

Talking about friends and family? These slang terms will come in handy.

Pote A friendly way to say "buddy" or "pal."

Darons This term means "parents." It's informal but widely understood.

Frangin/Frangine These words mean "brother" and "sister." They're casual and affectionate.

Expressing Emotions

Sometimes, you need slang to express how you feel. These words can help.

Chiant This word means "annoying" or "boring." Use it when something is getting on your nerves.

Flipper It means "to freak out." Use it when you're scared or stressed.

Kiffer This word means "to love" or "to really like." It's often used for things you're passionate about.

Food and Drink Slang

Food is a big part of French culture. Knowing these slang terms can make dining more fun.

Bouffer A casual way to say "to eat." It's like saying "to grub" in English.

Pinard This word means "wine." It's informal and often used among friends.

Bière Simply means "beer." It's straightforward but essential for social gatherings.

Slang for Money

Talking about money? These terms will make you sound like a local.

Fric A common word for "money." It's informal but widely used.

Blé Another slang term for money. It literally means "wheat," but in slang, it means cash.

Pognon Yet another word for money. It's casual and often used in everyday conversations.

Saying Goodbye

Even saying goodbye has its own slang. These words will help you end conversations smoothly.

Ciao Borrowed from Italian, it means "bye." It's casual and friendly.

À plus Short for "à plus tard," meaning "see you later." It's informal and commonly used.

Salut This word can mean both "hi" and "bye." It's versatile and widely used.

Learning these French slang words can make your conversations more lively and authentic. Practice them, and you'll blend in like a native in no time!

Mastering French Slang

Learning French slang can help you sound more like a local. It’s not just about knowing the words but understanding when and how to use them. Whether you’re chatting with friends or navigating the streets of Paris, these phrases will make interactions smoother. Practice regularly and listen to native speakers. This will improve your pronunciation and context usage. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; it’s part of the learning process. The more you use these slang terms, the more natural they’ll feel. Soon, you’ll find yourself blending in effortlessly. Remember, language is a living thing. It evolves, and so should your vocabulary. Keep exploring, keep practicing, and enjoy the journey of becoming more fluent. Happy learning!

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