Basic French phrases

what every traveler should know

French
phrase sheet

Your travel experience in France will be richer if you learn and speak some basic phrases. Below is my personal learn-first list of French phrases:

Good day

Bonjour

bon zhoor'

Note: Use to say hello, good morning, good day or good afternoon

Good evening

Bonsoir

bon swahr'

Good night

Bonne nuit

bon-nwee'

Goodbye

Au revoir

oh reh-vwahr'

Hi / bye  (casual)

Salut

sah-lew'

Welcome

Bienvenu

bee-ahn-vuh-new'

How are you?

Comment allez-vous?

kom-mohn' tah-lay voo'

How goes it?  (casual)

Ca va

sah vah'

Okay  (casual answer to above)

Ca va

sah vah'

Please

S'il vous plait

seel voo-play'

Thank you

Merci

mehr-see'

You're welcome

De rien

deh ree-ahn'

Pardon me

Pardonnez-moi

pahr-dohn-nay' mwah

Excuse me

Excusez-moi

eks-koo-zay' mwah

See you later

A bientot

ah byen-toh'

Yes

Qui

wee

No

Non

nohn

Very good

Tres bien

treh bee-ahn'

Very bad

Tres mal

treh mahl'

The check, please

L'addition, s'il vous plait

la-di-shon seel-voo-play'

How much?

Combien?

com-bee-ahn'

What is your name?

Comment vous appelez-vous?

kom-mohn' voo-zah-peh-lay' vou

My name is ...

Je m'apelle...

zhuh mah-pell'

Where?

Ou?

ooh

Where is / are?

Ou est / sont?

ooh eh'/ sohn'

Do you speak French?

Parlez-vous francais?

pahr'-ley-voo fran-say'

Do you speak English?

Parlez-vous anglais?

pahr'-ley-voo ang-glay'

I do not understand

Je ne comprends pah

zhuh' nuh kohm-prahn' pah'

I do not know

Je ne sais pas

zhuh' nuh say-pah'

French phrase

tips & insights

Remember that "H" is not pronounced. It's always silent.

The French roll their R's slightly.

Print this French phrase list and take it with you on your trip.

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Basic French Phrases page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

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