32 essential French survival phrases with pronunciation guides.
Click listen to hear each phrase with native-quality pronunciation.
Hello / Good day — the essential French greeting
A1neutralexpression
Bonjour madame, je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît. — Hello ma'am, I'd like a coffee, please.
Excuse me (formal)
A1formalexpression
Excusez-moi, où est la gare? — Excuse me, where is the train station?
I would like... (polite request)
A1neutralexpression
Je voudrais un croissant et un café crème, s'il vous plaît. — I'd like a croissant and a coffee with cream, please.
The bill, please
Lit. "The addition, if it pleases you"
A1neutralexpression
On a fini. L'addition, s'il vous plaît! — We're done. The bill, please!
Where are the toilets?
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît? — Excuse me, where are the toilets, please?
Can you help me? (formal)
A1formalquestion-phrase
Pouvez-vous m'aider? Je cherche la rue Victor Hugo. — Can you help me? I'm looking for Victor Hugo Street.
I don't understand
A1neutralexpression
Désolé, je ne comprends pas. Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement? — Sorry, I don't understand. Can you speak more slowly?
Enjoy your meal
A1neutralexpression
Le repas est servi. Bon appétit à tous! — The meal is served. Bon appétit everyone!
Thank you very much
A1neutralexpression
Merci beaucoup pour votre aide! — Thank you very much for your help!
Cheers! (when toasting)
A1informalexclamation
Allez, à ta santé! Tchin-tchin! — Come on, to your health! Cheers!
I have an appointment
A1neutralexpression
J'ai rendez-vous chez le médecin à 14h. — I have a doctor's appointment at 2pm.
I am sick / I don't feel well
A1neutralexpression
Je ne peux pas venir, je suis malade. — I can't come, I'm sick.
Where is the hospital?
A1neutralquestion-phrase
C'est urgent! Où est l'hôpital le plus proche? — It's urgent! Where is the nearest hospital?
A one-way ticket to...
A1neutralexpression
Un aller simple pour Lyon, s'il vous plaît. — A one-way ticket to Lyon, please.
No thank you, that's kind of you
A1neutralexpression
Encore du vin? — Non merci, c'est gentil. — More wine? — No thank you, that's kind.
Could you... (very polite request)
B1formalexpression
Pourriez-vous me passer le sel, s'il vous plaît? — Could you pass me the salt, please?
What time does the train leave?
A1neutralquestion-phrase
À quelle heure part le prochain train pour Marseille? — What time does the next train to Marseille leave?
I am lost
A1neutralexpression
Excusez-moi, je suis perdue, je cherche le Musée d'Orsay. — Excuse me, I'm lost, I'm looking for the Musée d'Orsay.
Do you speak English?
A1formalquestion-phrase
Pardon, parlez-vous anglais? Mon français n'est pas très bon. — Excuse me, do you speak English? My French isn't very good.
I am allergic to...
A2neutralexpression
Je suis allergique aux noix. Est-ce qu'il y en a dans ce plat? — I'm allergic to nuts. Are there any in this dish?
Can you repeat that?
A1formalquestion-phrase
Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter? Je n'ai pas compris. — Sorry, can you repeat? I didn't understand.
How much does it cost?
A1neutralquestion-phrase
C'est joli! Ça coûte combien? — That's pretty! How much is it?
I'm looking for...
A1neutralexpression
Je cherche la boulangerie la plus proche. — I'm looking for the nearest bakery.
You're welcome / It's nothing
A1neutralexpression
Merci beaucoup! — De rien! — Thank you! — You're welcome!
Nice to meet you / Pleased to meet you
A1neutralexpression
Bonjour, je suis Marie. — Enchanté, Thomas. — Hello, I'm Marie. — Pleased to meet you, Thomas.
What is your name? (formal)
A1formalquestion-phrase
Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous? — Hello, what is your name?
I'm from... / I come from...
A1neutralexpression
Je viens de Lyon, mais j'habite à Paris depuis cinq ans. — I'm from Lyon, but I've lived in Paris for five years.
I don't speak French well
A1neutralexpression
Pardon, je ne parle pas bien français. Vous pouvez parler lentement? — Sorry, I don't speak French well. Can you speak slowly?
Where is the metro station?
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche? — Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?
How much is it?
A1informalquestion-phrase
Ces tomates, c'est combien le kilo? — These tomatoes, how much per kilo?
To queue / To stand in line
A2neutralexpression
On a fait la queue pendant une heure pour entrer au musée. — We queued for an hour to get into the museum.
Bakery — the heart of every French neighborhood
A1neutralsingle-word
Je vais à la boulangerie chercher une baguette. — I'm going to the bakery to get a baguette.