These are a few key words and expressions that have come in very handy while travelling. Try to learn these -or the ones that most apply to your situation- when visiting France or another French speaking country. The locals will certainly appreciate the effort.
This little phrasebook is also available in Italian and in Spanish.
| The bare minimum |
|
| Hello |
Bonjour |
| Goodbye |
Au revoir |
| Thank you |
Merci |
| OK |
D'accord |
| Everyday basics |
|
| Yes |
Oui |
| No |
Non |
| I don't know |
Je ne sais pas |
| I don't understand |
Je ne comprends pas |
| I don't speak French |
Je ne parle pas français |
| Do you speak English? |
Parlez-vous anglais ? |
| Good to know |
|
| Excuse-me |
Excusez-moi |
| Sir, Madam, Miss |
Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle |
| Where is... / Where can I find... |
Où est (sing.) Où sont (plur.) / Où puisse-je trouver... |
| The entrance, the exit |
L'entrée, la sortie |
| The restroom/toilet |
Les toilettes |
| The train station, the bus stop |
La gare, l'arrêt de bus |
| Something to eat, to drink |
Quelque chose à manger, à boire |
| How much does it cost? |
Combien est-ce que ça coûte ? |
| Please, can you help me |
S'il vous plaît, pouvez-vous m'aider |
| I need (medical) help |
J'ai besoine d'aide (médicale) |
| I am |
Je suis |
| My name is |
Je m'appelle |
| What is your name? |
Quel est votre nom ? (formal) Comment est-ce que tu t'appelles ? (informal) |
| How are you? |
Comment ça va ? |
| (I'm) good |
ça va bien |
| And you? |
Et vous ? (formal) Et toi ? (informal) |
| I'm sorry |
Je suis désolé(e) |
As a general rule, use the formal form to address a stranger, a person older than yourself, of high status (or higher than your own), or someone serving you (receptionist, doorman, taxi driver…)
Keep in mind that when you’ve just arrived in a country, no one really expects you to know all the rules. Do your best, and if someone complains just apologize and move on. When you are short on words show respect in the way that you act instead.
Another useful tool, if you have a smartphone and an internet connection, is to use a translation app such as Google Translate. Some languages can be downloaded in advance to use in offline mode.
Have fun!
Image: Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881), by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
wasatch
May 20, 2020 at 06:00
Many art experts hold that Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881), by Pierre-Auguste Renoir is the world's greatest painting. Since 1920, it has been in the Philips Gallery in Washington DC, DuPont Circle Metro stop.