
You’ll be well on your way to speaking French if you learn just a few basic French words and phrases. Although you won’t be fluent – if you’re traveling, you’ll find that many people appreciate the effort you make in expressing yourself and it can make getting around just a little bit easier.
Words for Tourists
These basic words might come in handy on your daily interaction with the French people you meet.
- Oui/Non (whee/no) – yes/no
- S’il vous plaît (see voo play) – Please
- Parlez-vous anglais? (parlay vooz ong-glay) – Do you speak English?
- Merci (mair-see) – Thank you
- Voici (vwah-see) – Here is
- Voilà (vwah-la)- There is
- De rien (du-rhee-en) – You’re welcome
- Je ne comprends pas (zhe nhe comp-rehn pah) – I don’t understand
- J’ai besoin d’aide (zhay buh-swahn ded) – I need help
- Excusez-moi(escoosay mwah) – Excuse me
- Je ne sais pas (zhe-nhe say paw) – I don’t know
- Il y a (eel ee aw) – There is
Greetings
In France, a greeting is simply being polite. Greet shop owners when you walk into their boutiques, and make sure to say something on your way out as well.
- Bonjour (bon zhoor) – Good morning
- Bonsoir ( bon swar) – Good night/evening
- Bon après-midi (bon ah-pray mee-dee) – Good afternoon
- Madame (mah-dahm) – Miss (or Mrs. preceeded by a last name)
- Monsieur (mihn-see-yuh) – Sir
- Comment allez-vous?(co-mo-tah-lay-voo) – How are you?
- Au revoir (o-rhe-vwa) – Good bye
Informal Greetings
These are not things you would say to someone you don’t know, however these familiar phrases are something you’d use with your buddies or peers.
- Salut (saw-loo) – Hi
- Ça va? (saw-vaw) – How’s it going?
- Ça va bien (saw-vaw-bee-en) – I’m fine
Note: Salut and ça va are often used together as in, “Salut! Ça va?”
Question Words
While traveling, you may find it very helpful to have a good command of basic question words and phrases.
- Combien? (comb-bee-en) – How much?
- Où? (oo) – Where?
- Quand? (kond) – When?
- Quelle/Quel/Quelles/Quels? (kell) – What?
- Pourquoi? (por-kwah) – Why?
- Comment? (co mo) – How?
Original Content: http://french.lovetoknow.com/