Are you planning to go on a vacation? I bet knowing a few useful words and phrases always comes in handy when you want to make your trip a breeze and communicate with the natives at ease.
The French have a huge amount of respect and love for their language. Learning the basics in French will help you to confidently start a conversation with the French natives and leave a lasting impression amongst them.
1. Greetings
Almost every conversation begins with a greeting. Why do we greet? It is a sign of respect and acknowledgment. Greetings are the key starter for effective communication and building new connections.
It helps you to process the interaction in a more polite form before you jump into all the other information. Start a conversation at almost any part of the day with the following French greetings.
Bonjour (Monsieur/Madame/Mademoiselle) – Hello/Good morning (Sir/Madam/Miss)
Salut(Informal) – Hi
Coucou(Informal) – Hey
Enchanté(e) – Nice to meet you
Bonsoir – Good evening
Bonne après-midi – Good afternoon
Bienvenue – Welcome
Allô – Hello( in a telephonic conversation)
2. Introductions/conversation starters
After you have politely begun a conversation with a greeting, it’s time to introduce yourself and extend the conversation further to understand the other person or to gather the required information.
The French introductory or conversational phrases help you to keep the flow of your conversation without any stammering or confusion.
Comment tu t’appelles ?/Quel est votre nom ? – what is your name?
Je m’appelle…/Mon nom est… (My name is…)
D’où venez-vous? – Where do you come from?
Je viens de… (I come from…)
C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer – It’s a pleasure to meet you
Ça va? (Informal) – How are you doing?
Ça roule?(Informal) – How’s it going?
Quoi de Neuf? (Informal) – What’s new?
Je habite à … (I live in… )
Comment allez-vous? – How are you?
Je vais bien – I am good
Bien merci, et vous-même? – Fine thanks, and you?
Qu’est-ce qui vous amène en France ? – What brings you to France?
Je suis là pour les vacances/le travail – I’m here for vacation/work
Répétez, s’il vous plait – Repeat, please
J’ai besoin de renseignements – I need some information
Vous pouvez parler lentement, s’il vous plaît – Can you speak slowly, please
Pouvez-vous m’aider? – Can you help me?
Je ne comprends pas – I don’t understand
Pourriez-vous prendre une photo de ma famille? – Could you take a picture of my family?
3. Goodbyes in French
If “hello” is a simple way to begin a conversation with respect then “a goodbye” is another polite way to end the conversation before you part ways.
Au revoir – Goodbye
Bonne journée – Have a nice day
À tout à l’heure / À plus tard – See you later
À Demain – See you tomorrow
À bientôt – See you soon
À tout de suite – See you in a minute
À la prochaine – Until next time
Fais attention à toi / Prends soin de toi – Take care
Bisous/Bises(Informal) – Sending you (Kisses)
Bon voyage – Have a good trip
4. Apologies in French
It is very common to make mistakes especially when you are learning a new language. It is practically impossible to learn anything without failing at it a couple of times.
When you travel to a new place you might want to bring a bag of apologies just in case you get clumsy or lost or feel empathetic for others.
Je suis désolé – I am sorry
Pardon – Pardon
Je regrette – I regret
Excusez-moi – Excuse me
C’est ma faute – It is my fault
Je suis navré(e) – I am devastated
Je suis vraiment désolé – I am really sorry
Je ne le ferai plus – I won’t do it again
Toutes mes excuses – My apologies
Je vous demande pardon – I beg your pardon
If someone else apologizes to you, you can accept or receive their apologies with the following words and phrases.
Ce n’est pas grave – It’s no big deal
Ne vous inquiétez pas – Don’t worry
Je les accepte, n’en parlons plus – I accept it, say nothing more about it
Pas de soucis – No worries
Pas de problème/aucun problème – No problem
C’est rien – It is nothing
5. Express gratitude in French
Thank you is a small word with a big weightage. It is an expression of gratitude to appreciate others for being patient and taking their valuable time to help you.
Let’s learn the different ways to say “thank you” in French so that we never fail to appreciate the good despite the language.
Merci – Thank you
Merci beaucoup – Thanks a lot
Merci à tous – Thank you all
Merci d’avance – Thank you in advance
C’est gentil de ta part – That’s nice of you
Ça me touche – I am touched
Je suis vraiment reconnaissante pour tout – I am truly greatful for everything
Un grand merci à…(A big thank you to…)
If you are at the receiving end then you can utilize the following words and phrases to accept that you were happy to help.
De rien – It’s nothing/ you’re welcome
Je vous en prie – You’re welcome
Ça me fait plaisir/ Avec plaisir(Informal) – My pleasure/ with pleasure
C’est normal(Informal) – It’s natural/ normal
6. Directions in French
In a new place, it is easy to get lost and wander. Therefore it is useful to pick up some basic sentences to ask for help and survive the day.
Où est-il situé – Where is it located?
Combien de temps faut-il pour atteindre cet endroit ? – How long does it take to reach that place?
C’est loin ou proche ? – Is it far or near?
Il est situé à droite/à gauche – It is situated at the right/left
En face – Opposite
à côté de – Next to
Où est la banque le plus proche ? – Where is the nearest bank?
Quel est le moyen le plus rapide d’y arriver? – What is the fastest way to get there?
7. Accommodations in French
Accommodation is an important part of a vacation. It is the first thing that we deal with once we land in a new place. Hence, it is essential to understand the words involved in booking a place for us to enjoy a safe stay.
Je voudrais une chambre pour deux – I want a room for two
Réserver un Hôtel – Booking a hotel
Quelle est l’heure limite d’occupation? – When is the check-out time?
Je voudrais payer en espèces/avec une carte de crédit – I would like to pay in cash/with credit card
Où se trouve l’ascenseur? – Where is the elevator?
Avez-vous une connexion WiFi? – Do you have WiFi?
Offrez-vous un service de chambre? – Does the hotel offer room service?
Je voudrais annuler ma réservation. – I would like to cancel my reservation
8. Dining in French
No trip is complete without having a taste of the cuisine. Learn the different phrases and words used in a restaurant to enjoy a happy meal.
La carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît – The menu card, please
Je voudrais un verre de vin – I want a glass of wine
L’addition, s’il vous plaît – The bill, please
Avez-vous choisi ? – Have you chosen?
Qu’est-ce que vous buvez ? – What will you have to drink?
À point/Rosé/Bien cuit – medium rare/rare/well cooked
Plats du jour – Daily special
Ça vous a plu? – Did you enjoy your meal?
9. Shopping in French
Everyone loves to bring a souvenir back home after a vacation. You can shop comfortably to get the things that you need with the following phrases and words
Vous cherchez quelque chose en particulier? – Are you looking for something in particular
Je cherche… (I am looking for..)
Combien ça coûte? – How much is it?
C’est trop cher – It is expensive
Bon marché – cheap
Je regarde tout simplement – I am just looking
Quelque chose de moins cher – Something cheaper
Puis-je vous aider? – can i help you?
Speak French with confidence
With all the above list of words and phrases, speak French confidently without any interruption. It might take a long time to master the French language but that doesn’t stop us from learning the most common and useful questions and statements in French to kick start our journey today.
