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France · French Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Bonjour
    Hello (always say it first when entering a shop or restaurant) “bon-ZHOOR”
  2. 2
    Merci
    Thank you “mair-SEE”
  3. 3
    S'il vous plaît
    Please “seel voo PLEH”
  4. 4
    Au revoir
    Goodbye (when leaving) “oh ruh-VWAHR”
  5. 5
    Bonne journée
    Have a nice day (said on the way out) “bun zhoor-NAY”
  6. 6
    Bonsoir
    Good evening “bon-SWAHR”
  7. 7
    Excusez-moi
    Excuse me (to get attention or apologize) “ex-koo-zay MWAH”
  8. 8
    Pardon
    Sorry / Excuse me (to pass by) “par-DOHN”
Local etiquette
  • Always say "Bonjour" first when entering any shop, restaurant, elevator or waiting room. Jumping straight to your request is seen as rude.
  • When leaving, close with "Au revoir" or "Bonne journée".
  • Simply adding "s'il vous plaît" and "Merci" to your sentences changes how you're treated.

Basics

  1. 1
    Oui / Non
    Yes / No “wee / nohn”
  2. 2
    Je ne comprends pas
    I don't understand “zhuh nuh kom-PRAHN pah”
  3. 3
    Je ne parle pas français
    I don't speak French “zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-SEH”
  4. 4
    Parlez-vous anglais ?
    Do you speak English? “par-lay voo ahn-GLEH?”
  5. 5
    Pouvez-vous parler lentement ?
    Could you speak slowly? “poo-vay voo par-lay lahn-tuh-MAHN?”
  6. 6
    Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
    What is this? “kess kuh SEH?”
  7. 7
    Pouvez-vous m'aider ?
    Could you help me? “poo-vay voo may-DAY?”
  8. 8
    Je voudrais...
    I would like... (polite request) “zhuh voo-DREH...”
Local etiquette
  • Use the formal "vous" with strangers, not "tu". Stick with vous until the other person invites otherwise.
  • To get a staff member's attention, make eye contact and say "Excusez-moi" quietly rather than waving or calling out.

Shopping

  1. 1
    C'est combien ?
    How much is it? “seh kom-BYAN?”
  2. 2
    Je regarde, merci
    I'm just looking, thank you “zhuh ruh-GARD, mair-SEE”
  3. 3
    Je peux payer par carte ?
    Can I pay by card? “zhuh puh pay-yay par KART?”
  4. 4
    Je peux détaxer ?
    Can I get a tax refund? (bring your passport) “zhuh puh day-tax-AY?”
  5. 5
    Un sac, s'il vous plaît
    A bag, please (often costs extra) “uhn SAK, seel voo PLEH”
  6. 6
    Je peux l'essayer ?
    Can I try it on? “zhuh puh less-say-YAY?”
  7. 7
    Je prends celui-ci
    I'll take this one “zhuh prahn suh-lwee-SEE”
Local etiquette
  • In shops, ask before touching the merchandise; rummaging through displays yourself is frowned upon.
  • Bags usually cost extra, so bring your own tote.
  • With your passport you can claim a tax refund (détaxe) on purchases above a minimum amount.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît
    A table for two, please “oon tah-bl poor DUH, seel voo PLEH”
  2. 2
    La carte, s'il vous plaît
    The menu, please “lah KART, seel voo PLEH”
  3. 3
    Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ?
    What do you recommend? “kess kuh voo ruh-ko-mahn-DAY?”
  4. 4
    Le menu du jour, s'il vous plaît
    The set menu of the day, please “luh muh-noo doo ZHOOR, seel voo PLEH”
  5. 5
    Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît
    A jug of tap water, please (free) “oon kah-RAHF doh, seel voo PLEH”
  6. 6
    Je suis allergique à...
    I'm allergic to... “zhuh swee ah-lair-ZHEEK ah...”
  7. 7
    L'addition, s'il vous plaît
    The check, please “lah-dee-SYOHN, seel voo PLEH”
  8. 8
    C'était délicieux
    It was delicious “say-TEH day-lee-SYUH”
Local etiquette
  • Service is included in the bill (service compris), so tipping isn't required. If pleased, rounding up or leaving 1-2 euros is plenty.
  • Meals are meant to be leisurely and waiters won't rush you. The bill won't come until you ask: "L'addition, s'il vous plaît."
  • Ask for "une carafe d'eau" to get free tap water; just saying "water" may get you a paid bottle.
  • Keep your voice low inside restaurants; loud conversation stands out.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Où sont les toilettes ?
    Where is the restroom? “oo sohn lay twah-LET?”
  2. 2
    Où est la station de métro ?
    Where is the metro station? “oo eh lah stah-syohn duh may-TROH?”
  3. 3
    Un ticket, s'il vous plaît
    One metro ticket, please “uhn tee-KEH, seel voo PLEH”
  4. 4
    Un ticket pour..., s'il vous plaît
    One ticket to..., please “uhn tee-KEH poor..., seel voo PLEH”
  5. 5
    C'est quel quai ?
    Which platform is it? “seh kell KAY?”
  6. 6
    À cette adresse, s'il vous plaît
    To this address, please (taxi) “ah set ah-DRESS, seel voo PLEH”
  7. 7
    Je suis perdu(e)
    I'm lost “zhuh swee pair-DOO”
Local etiquette
  • Paris replaced the paper carnet (pack of 10) with the rechargeable Navigo Easy card; load rides onto the card for multiple trips. Keep your ticket or card until you exit (there are inspectors).
  • Pickpocketing is common, so wear your bag in front and don't hold your phone out for long on the metro or at attractions.
  • Stand on the right of escalators and leave the left clear for people walking.

Hotel

  1. 1
    J'ai une réservation
    I have a reservation “zhay oon ray-zair-vah-SYOHN”
  2. 2
    Je voudrais faire le check-in
    I'd like to check in “zhuh voo-dreh fair luh check-in”
  3. 3
    À quelle heure est le check-out ?
    What time is check-out? “ah kell UHR eh luh check-out?”
  4. 4
    Pouvez-vous garder mes bagages ?
    Could you hold my luggage? “poo-vay voo gar-day may bah-GAHZH?”
  5. 5
    Le code Wi-Fi, s'il vous plaît
    The Wi-Fi password, please “luh kohd wee-fee, seel voo PLEH”
Local etiquette
  • Greet staff with "Bonjour" (or "Bonsoir" in the evening) each time you pass them.
  • City-center hotel rooms are often small and some lack air conditioning, so check in advance.
  • You can ask them to store your luggage after check-out.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Au secours !
    Help! (emergency) “oh suh-KOOR!”
  2. 2
    Appelez la police !
    Call the police! “ah-play lah po-LEES!”
  3. 3
    Appelez une ambulance !
    Call an ambulance! “ah-play oon ahm-boo-LAHNS!”
  4. 4
    Où est l'hôpital ?
    Where is the hospital? “oo eh loh-pee-TAHL?”
  5. 5
    On m'a volé mon sac
    My bag was stolen “ohn mah vo-lay mohn SAK”
  6. 6
    J'ai perdu mon passeport
    I lost my passport “zhay pair-doo mohn pass-POHR”
Local etiquette
  • Emergency numbers: Europe-wide 112, police 17, ambulance 15, fire 18.
  • Pickpocketing is especially common at attractions and on the metro; if robbed, file a report at the nearest police station (commissariat) — you'll need it for insurance.
  • Pharmacies (pharmacie, marked with a green cross) can give basic first-aid advice and medicine.