Basic Words and Phrases in French
Reinier van der Windt
About French
French is a Romance language spoken by millions of people worldwide. It is the official language of France, as well as being widely used in various countries as a second language or in former French colonies. French evolved from Vulgar Latin and has been influenced by Celtic, Germanic, and other languages. It uses the Latin-based alphabet and has a relatively consistent orthography. French grammar features noun and adjective agreement, verb conjugation, and gender distinctions. French vocabulary includes loanwords from Latin, Greek, English, and other languages. French is renowned for its rich literary and cultural heritage.
Basic Words and Phrases
Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.
| Yes | Oui |
|---|---|
| No | Non |
| Please | S’il te plaît |
| Yes, please | Oui, s’il te plaît |
| No, thank you | Non, merci |
| Thanks | Merci |
| Thank you | Merci |
| Thank you very much | Merci beaucoup |
| You're welcome | De rien |
| No problem | Pas de problème |
| Excuse me | Excuse-moi |
| I’m sorry | Je suis désolé (m) Je suis désolée (f) |
| Sorry | Pardon |
| Cheers! | Santé! |
| Okay | D'accord |
Greetings
Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.
| Hi | Salut |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour |
| Good day | Bonjour |
| Good morning | Bonjour |
| Good afternoon | Bon après-midi |
| Good evening | Bonsoir |
| Good night | Bonne nuit |
| Goodbye | Au revoir |
| See you later! | À tout à l’heure! |
| Have a nice day! | Bonne journée! |
| Bye | Au revoir |
Conversations
Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.
| How are you? | Comment allez-vous? (frm) |
|---|---|
| I'm fine | Je vais bien |
| Good, thank you! | Bien, merci! |
| And you? | Et toi? |
| Nice to meet you! | Enchanté Enchanté de faire votre connaissance ! (m) Enchantée de faire votre connaissance ! (f) |
| Pleased to meet you! | Ravi de faire votre connaissance ! (m) Ravie de faire votre connaissance ! (f) |
| What is your name? | Comment tu t’appelles? |
| My name is … | Je m’appelle … |
| Where are you from? | D'où venez-vous? (frm) D'où viens-tu? (inf) |
| I am from … | Je viens de ... |
| I don't speak French | Je ne parle pas français |
| Do you speak English? | Parles-tu anglais? |
| I understand | Je comprends |
| I do not understand | Je ne comprends pas |
| I like it | Ça me plaît |
| I don't like it | Je n'aime pas ça |
| How is the weather today? | Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui? |
| Can you recommend any local attractions? | Pouvez-vous recommander des attractions locales ? |
Hotel
When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.
| Hotel | L’Hôtel |
|---|---|
| Reception | Réception |
| Reservation | Réservation |
| Hotel room | Chambre d'hôtel |
| Key | Clé |
| Breakfast | Petit-déjeuner |
| I have a reservation | J'ai une réservation |
| I would like to book a room | Je voudrais réserver une chambre |
| Do you have any rooms available? | Avez-vous des chambres disponibles ? |
Restaurant
When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.
| Restaurant | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Menu | Menu |
| A table for one, please | Une table pour une personne, s'il vous plaît |
| A table for two, please | Une table pour deux personnes, s'il vous plaît |
| I would like a coffee, please | Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît |
| Enjoy your meal! | Bon appétit! |
| Can I have the bill, please? | Puis-je avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît? |
| Can you bring me the bill, please? | Pouvez-vous m'apporter l'addition, s'il vous plaît? |
| I would like to pay, please | Je voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît |
| The bill, please | L'addition, s'il vous plaît |
| Can I pay with cash? | Puis-je payer en espèces? |
| Can I pay with card? | Puis-je payer par carte? |
| Can I pay with credit card? | Puis-je payer par carte de crédit ? |
| Could you suggest something for me? | Pourriez-vous me suggérer quelque chose ? |
| Can I have a glass of water, please? | Puis-je avoir un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît ? |
| Do you have any local specialties? | Avez-vous des spécialités locales ? |
Food and drinks
Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.
| Breakfast | Petit-déjeuner |
|---|---|
| Lunch | Déjeuner |
| Dinner | Dîner |
| Food | Nourriture |
| Drinks | Boissons |
| Bread | Pain |
| Sandwich | Sandwich |
| Cheese | Fromage |
| Meat | Viande |
| Fish | Poisson |
| Vegetables | Légumes |
| Fruit | Fruits |
| Vegetarian | Végétarien |
| I am a vegetarian | Je suis végétarien |
| Coffee | Café |
| Tea | Thé |
| Beer | Bière |
| Wine | Le vin |
| Juice | Jus |
| Water | L'eau |
| Milk | Lait |
| Dessert | Dessert |
| Salad | Salade |
| Soup | Soupe |
Places and Services
Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.
| ATM | Distributeur automatique de billets |
|---|---|
| Bank | Banque |
| Beach | Plage |
| Library | Bibliothèque |
| Park | Parc |
| Pharmacy | Pharmacie |
| Post Office | Bureau de poste |
| Tourist Information | Office de tourisme |
| Museum | Musée |
Shopping
Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.
| Store | Magasin |
|---|---|
| Supermarket | Supermarché |
| Grocery store | Épicerie |
| Market | Marché |
| Bakery | Boulangerie |
| Bookstore | Librairie |
| How much does this cost? | Combien ça coûte? |
| Can I get a receipt? | Puis-je avoir un reçu ? |
| I'm just looking | Je regarde juste |
| Sunglasses | Lunettes de soleil |
| Umbrella | Parapluie |
Directions
Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes? |
|---|---|
| Where is the beach? | Où est la plage? |
| How do I get to the airport? | Comment puis-je me rendre à l'aéroport ? |
| Left | Gauche |
| Right | Droit |
| Straight ahead | Tout droit |
| Is it far from here? | C'est loin d'ici ? |
| Can you show it on the map? | Pouvez-vous le montrer sur la carte ? |
| How long does it take to walk there? | Combien de temps faut-il pour y aller à pied ? |
Transport
Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.
| Airport | Aéroport |
|---|---|
| Plane | Avion |
| Train station | Gare |
| Train | Train |
| Bus station | Gare routière |
| Bus | Bus |
| Taxi | Taxi |
| Ticket | Billet |
| Can I get a ticket to Paris? | Puis-je avoir un billet pour Paris? |
| I would like a ticket to Paris | Je voudrais un billet pour Paris |
| I need a ticket to Paris | J'ai besoin d'un billet pour Paris |
| A ticket to Paris, please | Un billet pour Paris, s'il vous plaît |
| What time is the next train to Paris? | À quelle heure est le prochain train pour Paris? |
| When is the next train to Paris? | Quand est le prochain train pour Paris? |
| When does the next train to Paris leave? | Quand est-ce que le prochain train pour Paris part? |
Emergencies
When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.
| Help! | À l'aide ! |
|---|---|
| Help me! | Aidez-moi ! |
| I need help | J'ai besoin d'aide |
| I need assistance | J'ai besoin d'aide |
| I need a doctor | J'ai besoin d'un médecin |
| Police | Police |
| Police Station | Poste de police |
| Hospital | Hôpital |
| Ambulance | Ambulance |
| Doctor | Médecin |
| Fire department | Pompiers |
| Fire! | Feu ! |
Time
Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.
| What time is it? | Quelle heure est-il ? |
|---|---|
| It is one o'clock | Il est une heure |
| It is half past two | Il est deux heures et demie |
| Morning | Matin |
| Afternoon | Après-midi |
| Evening | Soir |
| Night | Nuit |
| Today | Aujourd'hui |
| Tomorrow | Demain |
| Yesterday | Hier |
Numbers
Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.
| Zero | Zéro |
|---|---|
| One | Un |
| Two | Deux |
| Three | Trois |
| Four | Quatre |
| Five | Cinq |
| Six | Six |
| Seven | Sept |
| Eight | Huit |
| Nine | Neuf |
| Ten | Dix |
| Eleven | Onze |
| Twelve | Douze |
| Thirteen | Treize |
| Fourteen | Quatorze |
| Fifteen | Quinze |
| Sixteen | Seize |
| Seventeen | Dix-sept |
| Eighteen | Dix-huit |
| Nineteen | Dix-neuf |
| Twenty | Vingt |
| Twenty-one | Vingt et un |
| Twenty-two | Vingt-deux |
| Twenty-three | Vingt-trois |
| Twenty-four | Vingt-quatre |
| Twenty-five | Vingt cinq |
| Twenty-six | Vingt-six |
| Twenty-seven | Vingt-sept |
| Twenty-eight | Vingt-huit |
| Twenty-nine | Vingt-neuf |
| Thirty | Trente |
| Forty | Quarante |
| Fifty | Cinquante |
| Sixty | Soixante |
| Seventy | Soixante-dix |
| Eighty | Quatre-vingts |
| Ninety | Quatre-vingt-dix |
| Hundred | Cent |
| Two hundred | Deux cents |
| One thousand | Mille |
| Two thousand | Deux mille |
| Three thousand | Trois mille |
| Hundred thousand | Cent mille |
| Million | Million |
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.
| First | Premier |
|---|---|
| Second | Deuxième |
| Third | Troisième |
| Fourth | Quatrième |
| Fifth | Cinquième |
| Sixth | Sixième |
| Seventh | Septième |
| Eighth | Huitième |
| Ninth | Neuvième |
| Tenth | Dixième |
| Eleventh | Onzième |
| Twelfth | Douzième |
| Thirteenth | Treizième |
| Fourteenth | Quatorzième |
| Fifteenth | Quinzième |
| Sixteenth | Seizième |
| Seventeenth | Dix-septième |
| Eighteenth | Dix-huitième |
| Nineteenth | Dix-neuvième |
| Twentieth | Vingtième |
Days of the week
Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.
| Monday | Lundi |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Mardi |
| Wednesday | Mercredi |
| Thursday | Jeudi |
| Friday | Vendredi |
| Saturday | Samedi |
| Sunday | Dimanche |
Months
Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.
| January | Janvier |
|---|---|
| February | Février |
| March | Mars |
| April | Avril |
| May | Peut |
| June | Juin |
| July | Juillet |
| August | Août |
| September | Septembre |
| Oktober | Octobre |
| November | Novembre |
| December | Décembre |
Question Words
Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.
| What? | Quoi? |
|---|---|
| What is that? | Qu'est-ce que c'est? |
| What do you need? | De quoi as-tu besoin? |
| What do you like? | Qu'est-ce que tu aimes? |
| Where? | Où? |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes? |
| When? | Quand? |
| When is the next train? | Quand est le prochain train? |
| When can we meet? | Quand pouvons-nous nous rencontrer? |
| Why? | Pourquoi? |
| Why is it expensive? | Pourquoi est-ce cher? |
| How? | Comment? |
| How are you doing? | Comment ça va? |
| How would you like to pay? | Comment souhaitez-vous payer? |
| Which? | Laquelle? (f) Lequel? (m) |
| Which museum did you visit? | Quel musée as-tu visité? |
| Which museums did you visit? | Quels musées as-tu visités? |
| Which sandwich is yours? | Lequel de ces sandwichs est le tien? |
| Who? | Qui? |
| Who is that? | Qui est-ce? |
| Who is your travel companion? | Qui est ton compagnon de voyage? |
| Whose? | À qui? |
| Whose keys are these? | À qui appartiennent ces clés? |
| Whose phone is ringing? | À qui est ce téléphone qui sonne? |
| Whose bag is this? | À qui appartient ce sac? |
| How many? | Combien? |
| How many people were at the concert? | Combien de personnes étaient au concert? |
| How much? | Combien? |
| How much does this cost? | Combien cela coûte-t-il? |
Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.
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