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Published on February 24, 2026

How to Say Basic French Phrases: A Beginner's Guide

Embarking on a journey to France is an exciting adventure, and while many people in tourist areas speak English, knowing a few basic French phrases can significantly enhance your experience. It shows respect for the local culture and can open doors to more authentic interactions, making your trip even more memorable.

Why Learn Basic French for Your Trip?

Learning even a handful of French words and phrases goes a long way. It’s not just about communication; it’s about connection. Locals often appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect, and this can lead to warmer welcomes, better service, and more genuine cultural exchanges. From ordering a croissant to asking for directions, a little French can transform your travel experience from simply visiting to truly immersing yourself.

Essential Greetings and Politeness

Politeness is paramount in French culture. Always start with a greeting!

  • Bonjour(bon-ZHOOR) – Hello / Good morning / Good day (Use until about 6 PM)
  • Bonsoir(bon-SWAHR) – Good evening (Use after 6 PM)
  • Salut(sah-LOO) – Hi (Informal, for friends)
  • Au revoir(oh ruh-VWAHR) – Goodbye
  • Bonne journée(bun zhoor-NAY) – Have a good day
  • Bonne nuit(bun NWEE) – Good night (When going to bed)
  • S'il vous plaît(seel voo PLEH) – Please (Formal)
  • S'il te plaît(seel tuh PLEH) – Please (Informal)
  • Merci(mer-SEE) – Thank you
  • Merci beaucoup(mer-SEE boh-KOO) – Thank you very much
  • De rien(duh ree-EN) – You're welcome / It's nothing
  • Oui(wee) – Yes
  • Non(noh) – No
  • Pardon / Excusez-moi(par-DOHN / ex-koo-zay MWAH) – Excuse me / Sorry
  • Je suis désolé(e)(zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY) – I am sorry (masculine/feminine)

Cultural Tip:In France, it's customary to say "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir" every time you enter a shop, restaurant, or even a doctor's waiting room, and "Au revoir" when you leave. It's a simple gesture that shows respect and acknowledgement.

Asking How Someone Is

  • Comment allez-vous?(koh-MAHN tah-lay VOO) – How are you? (Formal)
  • Ça va?(sah VAH) – How are you? / Is it going well? (Informal, common)
  • Je vais bien, merci. Et vous?(zhuh veh bee-AN, mer-SEE. Ay VOO?) – I'm well, thank you. And you? (Formal)
  • Ça va bien, merci.(sah VAH bee-AN, mer-SEE) – I'm doing well, thank you.

Getting Around and Asking for Directions

Navigating new cities can be challenging. These phrases will help you find your way.

  • Où est...?(oo EH) – Where is...?
  • Où sont les toilettes?(oo SOHN lay twa-LET) – Where are the restrooms?
  • Je cherche...(zhuh SHER-sh) – I am looking for...
  • À gauche(ah GOHSH) – To the left
  • À droite(ah DRWAHT) – To the right
  • Tout droit(too DRWAH) – Straight ahead
  • C'est loin?(seh LWEN) – Is it far?
  • C'est près d'ici?(seh PREH dee-SEE) – Is it close to here?
  • Pouvez-vous m'aider?(poo-VAY voo meh-DAY) – Can you help me?
  • Parlez-vous anglais?(par-LAY voo ahn-GLEH) – Do you speak English?
  • Je ne comprends pas.(zhuh nuh kohm-PRAN pah) – I don't understand.
  • Un billet pour..., s'il vous plaît.(uhn bee-YAY poor..., seel voo PLEH) – A ticket for..., please.
  • La gare(la GAR) – The train station
  • L'aéroport(lah-ay-roh-POR) – The airport
  • La station de métro(la stah-SYOHN duh MAY-troh) – The metro station
  • Le bus(luh BOOS) – The bus

Dining Out and Ordering Food

French cuisine is world-renowned. Make your dining experience smoother with these phrases.

  • Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.(oon TAH-bluh poor duh, seel voo PLEH) – A table for two, please.
  • La carte, s'il vous plaît.(la KART, seel voo PLEH) – The menu (à la carte), please.
  • Le menu, s'il vous plaît.(luh muh-NOO, seel voo PLEH) – The set menu, please.
  • Je voudrais...(zhuh voo-DRAY) – I would like...
  • Un café(uhn kah-FAY) – A coffee
  • Une eau plate / gazeuse(oon OH plat / gah-ZUHZ) – A still / sparkling water
  • Un verre de vin rouge / blanc(uhn VER duh van ROOZH / BLAN) – A glass of red / white wine
  • C'est délicieux!(seh day-lee-SYUH!) – It's delicious!
  • L'addition, s'il vous plaît.(lah-dee-SYOHN, seel voo PLEH) – The bill, please.
  • Sans gluten(sahn gloo-TEN) – Gluten-free
  • Végétarien(ne)(vay-zhay-ta-ree-EN) – Vegetarian
  • Sans noix(sahn NWAH) – Nut-free

Fun Fact:While tipping is appreciated, service charge (service compris) is usually included in the price in France, so you're not expected to tip 15-20% like in some other countries. A small extra amount for excellent service is common.

Shopping and Transactions

Whether you're browsing boutiques or picking up souvenirs, these phrases will be useful.

  • Combien ça coûte?(kohm-bee-EN sah KOOT) – How much does it cost?
  • Je voudrais acheter...(zhuh voo-DRAY ah-shuh-TAY) – I would like to buy...
  • C'est trop cher.(seh tro SHAYR) – It's too expensive.
  • La taille(la TAH-yuh) – The size (for clothes)
  • La pointure(la pwan-TYOOR) – The size (for shoes)
  • Je peux essayer?(zhuh puh eh-say-YAY) – Can I try it on?
  • Je prends ça.(zhuh pran SAH) – I'll take this.
  • Carte de crédit(kart duh kray-DEE) – Credit card
  • En espèces(ahn eh-SPESH) – In cash

Handling Emergencies

While we hope you won't need these, it's always wise to be prepared.

  • Au secours!(oh suh-KOOR!) – Help!
  • Appelez un médecin!(ah-puh-LAY uhn med-SAN!) – Call a doctor!
  • Appelez la police!(ah-puh-LAY la poh-LEES!) – Call the police!
  • J'ai besoin d'un médecin.(zhay buh-ZWAN duh uhn med-SAN) – I need a doctor.
  • Je ne me sens pas bien.(zhuh nuh muh sahn pah bee-AN) – I don't feel well.
  • J'ai perdu mon passeport.(zhay per-DOO mohn pas-POR) – I've lost my passport.
  • Où est l'hôpital le plus proche?(oo EH loh-pee-TAL luh ploo PROSH?) – Where is the nearest hospital?

The emergency number in France for all services (police, ambulance, fire) is112(one-twelve).

Numbers and Time

Being able to understand and use numbers is crucial for prices, times, and directions.

Basic Numbers (1-10)

  1. Un(uhn)
  2. Deux(duh)
  3. Trois(trwah)
  4. Quatre(KAHTR)
  5. Cinq(SANK)
  6. Six(SEES)
  7. Sept(SET)
  8. Huit(WEET)
  9. Neuf(NUHF)
  10. Dix(DEES)

Asking for the Time

  • Quelle heure est-il?(kel UR eh-TEEL?) – What time is it?
  • Il est... heures.(eel EH... UR) – It is... o'clock.
  • Une heure(oon UR) – One o'clock
  • Deux heures(duh-ZUR) – Two o'clock

Useful Adjectives and Questions

Expand your vocabulary for more descriptive conversations.

  • Bon / Bonne(bohn / bun) – Good (masculine / feminine)
  • Mauvais / Mauvaise(moh-VEH / moh-VEZ) – Bad (masculine / feminine)
  • Grand / Grande(gran / grand) – Big / Tall (masculine / feminine)
  • Petit / Petite(puh-TEE / puh-TEET) – Small (masculine / feminine)
  • Beau / Belle(boh / bel) – Beautiful (masculine / feminine)
  • Chaud / Chaude(shoh / shohd) – Hot (masculine / feminine)
  • Froid / Froide(frwah / frwahd) – Cold (masculine / feminine)
  • Quoi?(kwa?) – What?
  • Pourquoi?(poor-KWA?) – Why?
  • Comment?(koh-MAHN?) – How?
  • Quand?(kahn?) – When?

Tips for Practicing Your French

Don't be shy! Every attempt is a step forward.

  1. Start Small:Focus on greetings and "please/thank you" first.
  2. Listen Actively:Pay attention to how native speakers pronounce words and phrases.
  3. Use Apps:Language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel can provide a great foundation.
  4. Don't Fear Mistakes:Locals will appreciate your effort, even if your French isn't perfect.
  5. Smile:A friendly demeanor goes a long way in any language.
  6. Carry a Phrasebook:A small phrasebook can be a lifesaver for quick look-ups.

Learning basic French phrases will undoubtedly enrich your trip to France. It's a bridge to deeper cultural understanding and more meaningful interactions. So, practice a little before you go, and enjoy the rewarding experience of connecting with locals in their native tongue.Bon voyage!