Languages

Basic Words and Phrases in French

The flag of France

France, known for its romance, history, and exquisite cuisine, is best enjoyed with a bit of French under your belt. Ordering a baguette in a Parisian café, asking for directions in Provence, or chatting with locals becomes more enjoyable when you can speak the language. French is a melodious and expressive language that captures the essence of France’s rich cultural heritage. Here are some essential French phrases to help you navigate your journey through France with confidence and charm.

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
Museum
Musée
Park
Parc
Pharmacy
Pharmacie
Post Office
Bureau de poste
School
École
Tourist Information
Office de tourisme

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?

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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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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