8 French phrases you’ll need in Paris
8 French phrases you’ll need in Paris
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
You certainly know the essentials if you’re learning French for a trip to Paris, but in the city of lights, some phrases have unexpected or particular connotations!
These eight expressions are ones you’ll hear frequently in Paris.
Rive gauche and Rive droite
The terms gauche (left) and droite (right), which you may be familiar with from lessons on directions and navigating about town, also indicate which side of the Seine river you’re on in Paris!
The term “left bank,” or “rive gauche,” refers to the areas of Paris south of the Seine. If you visit the Eiffel Tower, the Luxembourg Gardens, or the Latin Quarter, you’ll be on the rive gauche.
The arrondissements north of the Seine, such as the Le Marais area, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe, are referred to as the “right bank,” or rive droite.
Eau gazeuse and eau plate
Tell the waitress if you would prefer still water (eau plate) or carbonated water (eau gazeuse) when placing your water order at a restaurant in Paris. Ordering usually comes with a bottle of water, but if you’d rather not deal with the expensive stuff, get a carafe d’eau plate instead: Water in a carafe is free!
Bonne journée and bonne soirée
The French greetings bonsoir (good evening) and Bonjour (good morning, good afternoon) are more significant than you may imagine! There are other terms to be aware of while saying farewell to someone: “Have a nice day” is expressed with bonne journée and “have a nice evening” with bonne soirée.
Sur place and à emporter
You may be asked whether you would like to order your delicacies “à emporter,” or “to go,” while visiting bakeries and cafés with tables where you may sit and enjoy your food. There are situations when dining sur place entails a small price increase. You’ll have plenty of experience ordering food à emporter if you’re planning a picnic in one of Paris’s lovely gardens or plazas!
Learn Languages Store
Vashi,
Email: services@learnlanguages.store