102 Essential French Phrases for Travelling

 

A trip to a new country is exciting, but if you don’t know the language, it could feel intimidating too, especially if you are travelling to a French-speaking country, where people really value their beautiful language. And no, you don’t have to be fluent; you can learn a few simple, well-spoken words and polite phrases to hold simple and short conversations with the natives there. French people appreciate it when tourists try to speak their language. 

Knowing a little about the language of the place you are travelling, will enable you to connect better with people, will help you learn about their culture and will make your trip even better. In this blog, you will learn 102 essential French phrases that will help you a lot on your trip.

GREETINGS

1. Bonjour – hello/ good morning
2. Bonsoir – good evening
3. Salut – hi (informal)
4. Au revoir – goodbye
5. À bientôt – See you soon
6. À demain – See you tomorrow
7. Bonne journée – Have a good day
8. Bonne soirée – Have a good evening
9. Bonne nuit – Good night
10. Merci – Thank you
11. Merci beaucoup – Thank you very much
12. De rien – You’re welcome
13. S’il vous plaît – Please (formal)
14. S’il te plaît – Please (informal)
15. Excusez-moi – Excuse me (formal)
16. Pardon – Sorry / Pardon me
17. Je suis désolé – I’m sorry

PHRASES TO HOLD SMALL TALKS

These phrases will help you initiate conversations with the natives. You can eventually switch to English afterwards.

18. Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?
19. Je parle un peu français – I speak a little French
20. Je ne parle pas bien français – I don’t speak French very well
21. Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? – Can you repeat, please?
22. Plus lentement, s’il vous plaît – More slowly, please
23. Comment dit-on … en français ? – How do you say … in French?
24. Je ne comprends pas – I don’t understand
25. Merci de votre aide – Thank you for your help

PHRASES TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS

These phrases will help you find your way and prevent you from getting lost in the city. In order to make any phrase polite, you must add “s’il vous plaît”after each phrase.

26. Où est … ? – Where is … ?
27. Pouvez-vous m’aider ? – Can you help me?
28. Où se trouve la gare ? – Where is the train station?
29. C’est loin ? – Is it far?
30. À droite – On the right
31. À gauche – On the left
32. Tout droit – Straight ahead
33. Je suis perdu(e) – I’m lost
34. Où sont les toilettes ? – Where are the toilets?
35. Combien de temps ça prend ? – How long does it take?

PHRASES TO USE IN HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

You can use these phrases while you check-in, check-out, or make small requests at your hotels, etc.

36. J’ai une réservation – I have a reservation
37. À quel nom ? – Under which name?
38. Je voudrais une chambre pour deux personnes – I’d like a room for two
39. Est-ce que le petit-déjeuner est inclus ? – Is breakfast included?
40. À quelle heure est le check-out ? – What time is check-out?
41. Est-ce que je peux avoir une serviette en plus ? – Can I have an extra towel?
42. L’ascenseur est où ? – Where is the lift?
43. Merci pour votre accueil – Thank you for your welcome

PHRASES TO USE AT THE RESTAURANT

You can use these phrases while ordering food, making requests regarding your preferences,  at the time of payment, etc.

44. La carte, s’il vous plaît – The menu, please
45. Je voudrais … – I’d like …
46. Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? – What do you recommend?
47. L’addition, s’il vous plaît – The bill, please
48. C’est délicieux ! – It’s delicious!
49. Sans gluten – Gluten-free
50. Je suis végétarien(ne) – I’m vegetarian
51. De l’eau, s’il vous plaît – Some water, please
52. Un café, s’il vous plaît – A coffee, please
53. Bon appétit ! – Enjoy your meal!

PHASES TO USE IN THE MARKET AND WHILE SHOPPING

These basic phrases will help you ask what you want, the cost of the product etc

54. Ça coûte combien? – How much does it cost?
55. C’est trop cher – It’s too expensive
56. Je regarde seulement – I’m just looking
57. Avez-vous …? – Do you have … ?
58. Quelle taille? – What size?
59. Je peux essayer? – Can I try it on?
60. C’est en promotion? – Is it on sale?
61. Je le prends – I’ll take it

PHRASES TO USE IN TRANSPORTATION AND BUYING TICKETS

You can use these phrases while you travel in taxis, buses, trains, or metros.

62. Un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît – A ticket to Paris, please
63. À quelle heure part le train? – What time does the train leave?
64. Où est l’arrêt de bus? – Where is the bus stop?
65. Le métro est où? – Where is the metro?
66. Je voudrais un taxi – I’d like a taxi
67. Vous pouvez m’emmener ici? – Can you take me here?
68. Combien ça coûte? – How much does it cost?
69. C’est loin? – Is it far?

PHRASES TO USE AT THE TIME OF EMERGENCIES OR TO ASK FOR HELP

You must note these phrases in your phone notes, just in case you need them during your trip

70. Appelez la police! – Call the police!
71. J’ai besoin d’aide – I need help
72. C’est urgent – It’s urgent
73. Je suis malade – I’m sick
74. Où est l’hôpital ? – Where is the hospital?
75. Je suis allergique à … – I’m allergic to …
76. Mon téléphone est perdu – My phone is lost
77. J’ai perdu mon passeport – I lost my passport

PHRASES TO USE WHILE SOCIALISING AND CONNECTING WITH THE NATIVES

It’s nice to make friends at a new place. 

These are a few phrases that can help you hold very simple and friendly conversations. 

78. Comment ça va? – How are you?
79. Ça va bien, merci – I’m good, thank you
80. Et vous? – And you?
81. Je m’appelle … – My name is …
82. Enchanté(e) – Nice to meet you
83. Vous êtes très gentil(le) – You’re very kind
84. Félicitations! – Congratulations!
85. Bon voyage! – Have a good trip!
86. À plus tard – See you later
87. Prends soin de toi – Take care

A FEW MORE ‘JUST IN CASE’ PHRASES

These phrases will help you when you don’t remember the right word

88. Comment? – Sorry? / What?
89. Quoi? – What? (informal)
90. Un moment, s’il vous plaît – One moment, please
91. C’est possible? – Is it possible?
92. D’accord – Okay
93. Pas de problème – No problem
94. Peut-être – Maybe
95. Bien sûr – Of course
96. Pourquoi pas? – Why not?
97. Je ne sais pas – I don’t know
98. Je suis touriste – I’m a tourist
99. Ce n’est pas grave – It’s okay / Never mind
100. Super! – Great!
101. Génial! – Awesome!
102. À tout à l’heure – See you in a bit

You don’t have to learn all these phrases, though it will help you a lot if you do. You don’t need to be bothered about being perfect at the pronunciation, your efforts counts. You can keep a note of these phrases and use them wherever needed.

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