30+ common French phrases for your trip to France

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Speaking French is the best way to make the most of your trip to France! You’ll feel more at ease placing orders at a French bakery and striking up conversations with people in a marché (market) if you can learn a few basic words.

These are the key expressions that you will need when speaking French. On y va!

101 French

It’s not necessary to speak French well to enjoy yourself.
Remember that you’re on vacation, so relax! Enjoy speaking French that you already know, and discover new words as you go. (And you may be pleased to learn that even novices are capable of engaging in meaningful dialogue!)

What matters is the effort put forth.

Speaking a little French to the people demonstrates your interest in their way of life and culture.

Study well, not too hard.

Pay less attention to perfecting every little aspect of grammar and more attention to the most practical French words and phrases. Key words are really important!

Greetings

Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon	Bonjour
Good evening	Bonsoir
Excuse me	Excusez-moi
Please	S’il vous plaît
Thank you	Merci
You’re welcome	De rien
Goodbye	Au revoir
Yes	Oui
No	Non
My name is…	Je m’appelle…

Asking for help

Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais ?
The bathroom, please?	Les toilettes, s’il vous plaît ?
I’m sorry, I don’t understand.	Je suis désolé(e), je ne comprends pas.
Can you help me?	Pouvez-vous m’aider ?
I’m lost	Je suis perdu(e).

Getting around town

I want to go to ___.	Je veux aller à ___.
How much does it cost?	Ça coûte combien ?
Where is ___?	Où est ___ ?
the museum	le musée
the beach	la plage
the train station	la gare
the city center (downtown)	le centre-ville

Ordering food

A table for 1 / 2 / 3 / 4.	Une table pour une / deux / trois / quatre personne(s).
I would like ___.	Je voudrais ___.
(More) water / coffee / beer / wine.	(Encore) de l’eau / du café / de la bière / du vin.
The check, please.	L’addition, s’il vous plaît.
pay by cash / credit card	en espèces / carte de crédit
with / without	avec / sans
breakfast	le petit déjeuner
lunch	le déjeuner
dinner	le dîner
appetizer	l’entrée / l’amuse-bouche / le hors-d’œuvre
main course	le plat principal
dessert	le dessert

Local language

Bonjour !
Saying “good morning” or “good afternoon” to people when you enter businesses, cafés, or souvenir shops is considered courteous.

Le truc.
French people love this term, therefore you may hear people using it colloquially to refer to “things.”