Common French Phrases

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Introductions: It’s always good to be able to introduce yourself. First impressions are important and showing that you make an effort in French will win you points right away. Let’s start with the basics. “Bonjour, je m’appelle....John.” Hello, my name is John. “Je suis en vacances en France pour une semaine.” I am here on vacation in France for a week. Une semaine is a week. I am sure you guessed “vacances” stands for vacations. “Je suis américain”, I am american.

Common French phrases to get directions: in France it is not considered unmanly to ask for directions, don’t hesitate. “S’ilvousplait, je cherche la Tour Eiffel”... I am looking for the Eiffel Tower. Starting with please (s’ilvousplait) is very appropriate and a good way to get somebody’s attention. “A droite” is to the right and “à gauche” is to the left. “Tout droit” is straight forward. “Tournez a gauche”, turn to the left and “Allez tout droit” is “go straight”.

Simple actions and wants: “Je vais au Musée” is I am going to the museum. “Je veux” is “I want”. “I want to buy a train ticket” would be: “je veux acheter un billet de train”. I am sure you guessed “un billet” is a ticket. “Téléphoner” is to make a phone call. “Je voudrais téléphoner” is I would like to make a phone call. Always good to know if you find out you cell phone has no connection.

In a restaurant: “Je voudrais voir le menu” is “I would like to see the menu”. “Je voudrais un steak frites” is very handy to order a steak and fries, a common dish you will find in every French restaurant unless you are visiting an upscale establishment. “Quel est le plat du jour?” What is the special of the day? The check, please: “L’addition s’ilvousplait.” “Où sont les toilettes?” will come in handy if you can’t find the restrooms. Don’t forget that gratuity is included in France, no need to tip.

In a hotel: I made a reservation is “J’ai réservé une chambre”. “ Je veux une chambre avec un grand lit” would be: I want a room with a large bed. Good to know that beds in France are usually smaller than in the U.S. A queen size bed is usually as large as it gets. “ Je voudrais le petit déjeuner dans ma chambre” will get you breakfast in your room. “Nous sommes la pour deux (2) jours” will let your host know you are staying for 2 days. If you are visiting an older establishment in Paris, make sure you ask for a room with its own bathroom: “une chambre avec salle de bains”.

Transportation: The subway (le Métro) is the easiest and cheapest way to get around Paris. “Où est la station de Métro?” is “where is the subway station?” Taxis in France are very safe and regulated. “Je vais au Musée d’Orsay” is all the taxi needs to know to get you to the D’Orsay museum. “Au plus court, s’ilsvouplait” will let him know you want him to take the shortest way. “ Gardez la monnaie” is “keep the change”.

Common French phrases related to time: “Quelle heure est-il?” is “what time is it?” “A quelle heure?” is “at what time?” “Je reviens dans trois (3)heures” is “I come back in 3 hours”. “L’avion part à cinq (5) heures” means the plane leaves at 5 pm. “Je me réveille à huit (8) heures” is “I wake up at 8 am”. Don’t forget that in France they use military time, which means that 5 PM would be 17:00 or “Dix-sept (17) heures”.

Getting to know someone: “Comment allez vous?” is “How are you?” and goes well with a handshake jus like “enchanté” which simply means nice to meet you. “Merci” is of course “thank you”. “De rien” or “il n’y a pas de quoi” both stand for “you are welcome.” Don’t expect to hear it too often, as it is not expected as much in France. If you do something for someone and they say “thank you”, the exchange is considered balanced and nothing needs to be added.

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