When visiting France, or French speaking countries it is recommend you learn some basic words and phrases before arriving. 

If you can speak or understand even the basics of the language this will really help make the whole experience easier and more enjoyable. Not everyone in France speaks English, and if you at least try to say some basic words, local people will really appreciate it.

We have put together some essential French words and phrases for tourists which will hopefully be helpful to you to get to grips with the language.

If you are keen to really enhance your level, you might want to consider going to study in France. There are lots of schools and companies throughout the country who offer French language courses in France which are affordable and also a lot of fun.

 

Greetings

  • Hello - Bonjour
  • Good bye - Au revoir
  • Good evening - Bon soir

 

Basics

  • How are you? - Sava / Comment allez-vous?
  • Do you speak English? - Parlez-vous anglais?
  • Excuse me - Excusez-moi
  • Fine thanks and you? - Merci et vous?
  • No - Non
  • Yes - Oui
  • Pardon me - Pardon
  • Please speak slowly - Parlez lentement
  • I don't understand - Je ne comprends pas
  • Could you speak more slowly, please - Pouvez vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plait
  • Could you repeat that please - Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît
  • I'm sorry - Pardon
  • My name is - Je m'appelle
  • Thank you - Merci

 

Accommodation

  • Do you have...? - Avez-vous...?
  • Do you have a room for two people? - Avez-vous une chambre pour deux personnes? 
  • How much is it? - Combien ça coûte?

 

Shopping

  • Where can I find a restaurant, please? - Ou est-ce qu’on peut trouver des restaurants, s’il vous plaît?
  • Where is the toilet, please - Ou sont les toilettes, s’il vous plaît ? 
  • Could I have the bill please - L’addition, s’il vous plaît

 

Transport / Directions

  • Where is...? - Où est...?
  • I am looking for - Je cherche le 
  • We want to go to... - Nous voulons aller à...
  • Where is the nearest stop? - Où est l’arrêt le plus près? 
  • Bus - Bus
  • Train - Train
  • Subway - Métro 
  • Could you please call me a cab - Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi, s’il vous plaît
  • Airport, please - A l’aeroport, s’il vous plaît
  • We’re lost - Nous sommes perdus
  • What’s the weather going to be like today? - Quel temps va-t-il faire aujourd’hui?

 

Days of the Week

  • Lundi - Monday
  • Tuesday - Mardi 
  • Wednesday - Mercredi
  • Thursday - Jeudi
  • Friday - Vendredi
  • Saturday - Samedi
  • Sunday - Dimanche

 

Numbers

  • 0 - zéro
  • 1 - un
  • 2 - deux
  • 3 - trois
  • 4 - quatre
  • 5 - cinq
  • 6 - six
  • 7 - sept
  • 8 - huit
  • 9 - neuf
  • 10 - dix
  • 11 - onze
  • 12 - douze
  • 13 - treize
  • 14 - quatorze
  • 15 - quinze
  • 16 - seize
  • 17 - dix-sept
  • 18 - dix-huit
  • 19 - dix-neuf
  • 20 - vingt
  • 21 - vingt et un
  • 22 - vingt-deux
  • 23 - vingt-trois
  • 24 - vingt-quatre
  • 25 - vingt-cinq
  • 30 - trente
  • 40 - quarante
  • 50 - cinquante
  • 60 - soixante
  • 70 - soixante-dix
  • 80 - quatre-vingts
  • 90 - quatre-vingt-dix
  • 100 - cent

 

These really are the very basics on French, but knowing just some of these will be really beneficial to you. If you are keen to be more than your average tourist then the following pages will help you to arrange a trip: