It’s always a good idea to learn at least a few phrases of the local language when you’re visiting a foreign country. I’ve found that making an effort to speak someone’s language (even if it’s just a few words) usually goes a long way–this is especially true in France.
It’s also a good idea for safety reasons if you find yourself in need of a doctor or need to ask someone for help. Sometimes guidebooks can overdo it with the list of words and phrases you “need” to know, so below I’ve included a summary of the phrases and words I was most likely to use when traveling through France and not knowing much of the language. I’d recommend trying to memorize some of the words, but creating a cheat sheet for yourself (or printing this out) is also useful to glance at before you order dinner or to keep on hand in case of an emergency.
FRENCH GREETINGS
- Bonjour – Hello
- Bonsoir – Good evening
- Au revoir – Goodbye
FRENCH COURTESY
- Merci – Thank you
- Merci Beaucoup – Thank you very much
- S’il vous plaît – Please
- Oui – Yes
- Non – No
- Pardon – Pardon me
- Exusez-moi – Excuse me/Sorry!
- De rien – You’re welcome
- Parlez-vous anglais? Do you speak English?
- Je suis désolé. Je parle un peu françaiss. Parlez vous anglais? – I’m sorry. I speak a little French. Do you speak English?
- Je parle un peu français – I speak a little French
TRANSPORTATION
- Le metro – Subway
- Le train – Train
- Le bus – Bus
- L’aeroport – Airport
- Le taxi – Taxi
- Bon voyage – Have a nice trip
GETTING AROUND
- Ou est-ce qu’on peut trouver des restaurants, s’il vous plaît? – Where are there some restaurants, please?
- l’hôtel – Hotel
- BancJe cherche un distributeur de billets. – I’m looking for an ATM
- Ou sont les toilettes, s’il vous plaît? Where is the bathroom?
- Combien ça coûte? – How much is it?
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
Numbers: Un (1), deux (2), trois (3), quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6), sept (7), huit (8), neuf (9), dix (10)
Days of the week: lundi (Monday), mardi (Tuesday), mercredi (Wednesday), jeudi (Thursday), vendredi (Friday), samedi (Saturday), dimanche (Sunday)
ORDERING FOOD AND DRINKS
- L’addition s’il vous plait – Check, please
- C’était délicieux/très bon – It was delicious
- Avez-vous une suggestion/une spécialité? – Do you have a suggestion/specialty
- Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez? – What would you recommend?
- Quelle est la spécialité du jour? – What is today’s special?
- Le café – Coffee
- Le thé – Tea
- L’eau – Water
- Le vin – Wine
- Le digestif – After-dinner drink
- La carte – Menu
EMERGENCY
- Pouvez-vous m’aider – Can you help me?
- Je cherche l’hôpital – I’m looking for the hospital
- Appelez une ambulance, vite! Call an ambulance, quick!
What else would you add to the list?
Happy Travels!
xo, Jenny