Are you considering a trip to France and you don’t know anything about French? Have you forgotten the basic notions you learned at school? Getting to know a new country is easier if you know a little about the language spoken in it. It is true that today, the most important tourist attractions have qualified personnel, able to communicate in different languages. But there’s nothing more to know if you have any unforeseen events. That’s why today we want to show you some Basic French phrases that will help and save you when faced with communicative situations on your future trips to the Gallic country.
Basic phrases to show up and say hello
It is important to know, that for the French to greet and present thee are two of the most important actions of a verbal exchange. So before you start any conversation with a Frenchman, you need to know the different greeting, farewell and presentation forms that exist and should be used:
- Bonjour!/Bonsoir! Je m’appelle… : Good morning!/ Good afternoon! My name is…
- Enchantée! Comment allez-vous? : Delighted! How is he?
- Comment vous appelez-vous? : What’s your name?
- Au revoir: Goodbye
Expressions for clarification
- Parlez-vous espagnol/anglais?: Do you speak Spanish/English?
- Pourriez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaét?: Could you help me, please?
- Pourrais-je vous poser une question, s’il vous plaét?: Could you ask him a question, please?
- Je ne comprends pas: I don’t understand.
- D’accord: Okay.
- Merci beaucoup: Thank you very much.
- Laugh: You’re welcome.
- Excusez-moi: Sorry.
Basic phrases for where you’re staying
It’s normal that when you get to the place where you’re staying you have some kind of doubt about the services you have contracted or about those offered by the hotel. Here are some basic phrases that might help:
- J’ai une réservation: I have a reservation.
- C’est combien par nuit?: How much does the night cost?
- Est-ce que le petit déjeuner est inclus?: Is breakfast included?
- Je voudrais faire mon check-out, s’il vous plaét: I would like to check my departure.
- Est-ce que je peux payer avec la carte de crédit?: Can I pay with my credit card?
Basic phrases in a restaurant
French cuisine is well known all over the world for its incredible quality. That’s why, a mandatory stop on your trip is to book at a restaurant where you can enjoy the traditional food of the region you are visiting. We leave you some of the phrases that will help you manage the situation in any place:
- Une table pour deux personnes, s’il vous plate: One table for two, please.
- La carte, s’il vous plato? : The letter, please.
- Je voudrais… : I would like to…
- Je suis végétarien: I’m a vegetarian.
- L’addition, s’il vous plate: The account, please.
Directions for transport
Getting around France is pretty simple and relatively inexpensive. In addition, at each station you will find help services with which you can practice the following phrases:
- A billet pour… , s’il vous plaét: A ticket for…, please.
- Combien’a coéte?: How much does it cost?
- Quel est le train/bus pour aller ? …? : What is the bus/train to go to…?
- Taxi!: Taxi!
- Je vais’ la rue…: I’m going to the street…
- I stumbled…?: Where is…?
- Tout droit: All straight.
- Gauche: On the left.
- Droite: On the right.
As you’ve seen, whether you’re the traveler or you’re a disoriented tourist, the phrases we’ve taught you can get you out of more than one hurry. So write down the expressions that have seemed most important to you and take the opportunity to put them into practice on your next trip.
Also, remember that Ynsitu
offers you hundreds of courses abroad
to learn French. Cheer up to live this experience with us!