{"id":38305,"date":"2024-04-19T04:42:31","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T03:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=38305"},"modified":"2025-04-28T16:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T15:17:11","slug":"14-essential-french-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/14-essential-french-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"29 key French phrases to learn before your trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever spent a little time among the bright lights of Paris, Bordeaux\u2019s rambling vineyards or the sunny French Riviera<\/a>, you\u2019ll know that even a little parle en fran\u00e7ais <\/em>goes a long way. Remembering a few essential French phrases not only helps you make the most of your trip, but you\u2019ll also find that most locals appreciate the effort to learn a handful of basic French sayings. Just don\u2019t be too surprised if they answer you back in English!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, we\u2019ve pulled together some basic French words to learn, common French language phrases and a few fun French expressions to know for your next trip to France. From greetings and pleasantries to getting around and ordering food, these basic french sayings will win you respect and unlock the magic of France. Bon voyage!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greetings:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Bonjour! Au revoir! \u2013 Hello\/Good day! Goodbye!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hello and goodbye might be the most essential French phrases to learn, but along with please and thank you (more on those later), they\u2019re the most important to commit to memory. There\u2019s nothing like a smile and a warm greeting to kickstart a conversation with locals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Salut! \u2013 Hi\/Bye!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSalut<\/em>\u201d Is a more informal way to say \u201chi\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bient\u00f4t! \u00c0 plus! \u00c0 tout \u00e0 l\u2019heure! \u2013 See you soon, See you later, See you in a while!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rather than simply waving goodbye and saying au revoir or salut, you might hear someone say \u201csee you soon\u201d or variations of the same phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bon soir! \u2013 Good evening!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When night falls you\u2019ll switch from Bonjour to Bon soir. It means good evening, and when you arrive at dinner reservations the manager will likely greet you with the common French greeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coucou! \u2013 Hey there!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It sounds like \u201csoo soo\u201d and it might be the cutest greeting in the French language. Listen out for people who are close to one another using this sweet hello.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pleasantries:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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S\u2019il vous pla\u00eet <\/em>and merci \u2013 Please and thank you<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Please and thank you are essential French phrases \u2013 no matter what language you\u2019re talking in, it\u2019s good to have good manners. \u201cS\u2019il te pla\u00eetI<\/em>\u201d is a less formal way to say please, but as a rule of thumb stick with the more formal \u201cvous\u201d<\/em>, unless you\u2019re speaking to a child. And if someone says \u201cmerci<\/em>\u201d be prepared to reply with \u201cde rien<\/em>\u201d (you\u2019re welcome).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pardon\/Excusez-moi \u2013 Excuse me<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This translation of \u201cexcuse me\u201d is a great way to politely get someone\u2019s attention, be it a waiter or someone to ask for directions. You\u2019ll find it useful on public transport too, such as stepping off a metro train. If you bump into anyone, a \u201cpardon<\/em>\u201d (sorry) should suffice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT: <\/em><\/strong>Destination Guide to France<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enchant\u00e9 \u2013 Pleased to meet you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve watched Emily in Paris you moight remember the song Enchant\u00e9 (ohn-shawn-tay) sung by her room mate. It means pleased to meet you, and it\u2019ll take your common French sayings like hello or goodbye to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De rien (duh ree-an) \u2013 You\u2019re welcome<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Questions to ask:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u00c7a va ? \u2013 How are you? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most essential French phrases are the handiest. \u201cSa va\u201d is an easy way to ask someone how they are going. If they ask you, you can reply with \u201c\u00c7a va\u201d too, just change the tone or intonation to sound like you\u2019re answering a question rather than asking one. For more advanced French learners, reply with \u201cEt toi?\u201d to ask \u201cand you?\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Comment vous appelez-vous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For those times when you do strike up a conversation with a local, or perhaps a Trafalgar host, this is a polite way of asking someone\u2019s name. Reply with \u201cJe m\u2019appelle\u2026<\/em>\u201d (meaning \u201cmy name is\u2026) or keep the conversation going by asking how they are. \u201cComment allez-vous?\u201d <\/em>is formal, and \u201c\u00e7a va?<\/em>\u201d more friendly. You\u2019ll probably hear the latter several times a day; it\u2019s an essential French travel phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parlez-vous Anglais? \u2013 Do you speak English?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After pleasantries, \u201cdo you speak English?\u201d is perhaps one of the most useful phrases to have in your back pocket. If you\u2019re in an area popular with travellers, such as Paris or Bordeaux, the chances are that locals do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT: <\/em><\/strong>8 of the most beautiful castles in France<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Je ne comprends pas<\/em> \u2013 I don\u2019t understand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If someone starts speaking rapid French language at you, you can respond with \u201cje ne comprends pas\u201d. Follow that up with parlez-vous Anglais?<\/em> And they might be able to switch into English. This is one of the most essential French phrases when you’re new to the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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O\u00f9 est\u2026 \u2013 Where is\u2026?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meaning \u201cwhere is\u2026\u201d this essential French phrase is the traveller\u2019s best friend. At best, use it before the name of place you want to go \u2013 \u201cO\u00f9 est le mus\u00e9e du Louvre?<\/em>\u201d, for example \u2013 or at the very least say \u201cO\u00f9 est\u2026<\/em>\u201d before pointing at a relevant map or picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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O\u00f9 sont les toilettes? \u2013 Where are the toilets?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take note: asking for directions to the bathroom is a little different than the \u201cO\u00f9 est\u2026\u201d <\/em>phrase. But it\u2019s no less useful when you\u2019re out exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quelle heure est-il? \u2013 What time is it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a hurry to make it to a museum on time? Waiting for a friend and you phone has died? Looking to chat up a handsome Frenchman? Ask them what time is it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Getting around:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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O\u00f9 se trouve la station de m\u00e9tro la plus proche? \u2013 Where is the nearest metro station?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of the more tricky ones on our list, but \u201cwhere is the nearest metro station?\u201d is also among the most useful French phrases to learn before going to Paris. If you\u2019re planning to use public transport while in Paris, you might also like to learn \u201cje voudrais acheter un billet<\/em>\u201d (I would like to buy a ticket) and \u201cc\u2019est combien?<\/em>\u201d (how much is it?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Helpful French phrases when listening for directions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n