Basic French Phrases: 11 Essential Words to Learn

Start with “bonjour” (hello) and “au revoir” (goodbye) as your foundation. Add “s’il vous plaît” (please), “merci” (thank you), and “excusez-moi” (excuse me) for politeness. Learn “je m’appelle” (my name is), “parlez-vous anglais?” (do you speak English?), and “je ne comprends pas” (I don’t understand) for basic communication. Don’t forget “où est…?” (where is…?), “combien?” (how much?), and “à votre santé” (cheers). These phrases will open doors to meaningful French interactions.

Good To Know

• “Bonjour” (hello/good day) and “bonsoir” (good evening) are essential greetings used based on time of day.
• “S’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci” (thank you) demonstrate basic politeness in any French conversation.
• “Excusez-moi” (excuse me) or “désolé(e)” (sorry) are crucial for polite interruptions or apologies.
• “Je m’appelle…” (my name is…) helps with introductions, while “je ne comprends pas” expresses confusion.
• “Au revoir” (goodbye) and “à bientôt” (see you soon) provide proper ways to end conversations.

Greetings and First Impressions in French

When visiting France or speaking with French people, knowing the right greeting can make all the difference in how you’re received. Time of day matters—use “bonjour” during daylight hours and “bonsoir” in the evening.

For formal situations, add “Monsieur” or “Madame” after your greeting. Remember that mastering these salutations helps you foster better connections with native speakers.

In casual settings with friends, opt for “salut” or the playful “coucou.” When answering the phone, always start with “allô?”

First meetings call for “enchanté” (nice to meet you), while “quoi de neuf?” works well with people you already know. Just as visitors to historic Split discover ancient traditions, French greetings reflect centuries of cultural etiquette that locals appreciate when travelers make the effort to learn.

Essential Phrases for Self-Introduction

Introducing yourself confidently in French opens doors to meaningful conversations with native speakers. Start with “Je m’appelle” (My name is) or the slightly more formal “Je me présente” (Let me introduce myself). When asked “Comment vous appelez-vous?” simply respond with your name.

For age, use “J’ai ___ ans” (I’m ___ years old). Mention your profession with “Je suis” followed by your job title. Remember to maintain eye contact during introductions and use the formal “vous” with strangers or elders.

In casual settings, try “Salut, moi c’est…” while professional situations call for “Bonjour, je suis [position] chez [company].” Don’t forget to add “Enchanté(e)” (nice to meet you) to show politeness—pronouncing those nasal vowels authentically. Learning these basic French phrases will help you navigate everyday conversations with more confidence. When introducing other people to each other, be sure to use the verb “présenter” rather than “introduire,” which is only used for physical objects.

Navigating With Basic Directional Terms

Now that you can introduce yourself, you’ll need to find your way around French-speaking areas. Learning a few directional terms will help you explore with confidence.

Start with the basics: “gauche” (left), “droite” (right), and “tout droit” (straight ahead). When asking for directions, use “Où est…?” (Where is…?) or “Comment aller à…?” (How to get to…?). Always remember to add “s’il vous plaît” when asking “Où se trouve?” for a more polite interaction with locals.

You’ll need to understand common commands like “Tournez à droite” (turn right) and “Allez tout droit” (go straight ahead). Landmarks make navigation easier – learn terms like “feux de signalisation” (traffic lights), “rond-point” (roundabout), and “rue” (street). Even in coastal cities like Dubrovnik, having a grasp of basic directional phrases will help you locate popular attractions.

Prepositions complete your directional toolkit: “devant” (in front of), “derrière” (behind), and “près de” (near).

Asking for Help in French-Speaking Environments

Sooner or later, you’ll need to ask for help while traveling in a French-speaking country. Knowing a few key phrases can make all the difference in getting the assistance you need.

For emergencies, remember “Au secours!” or “À l’aide!” – both mean help. In case of serious danger, you can also shout Au secours which literally translates to “to the help” in English. In less urgent situations, “Pourriez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît?” (Could you help me, please?) works well with strangers.

Three essential help phrases to remember:

1. “Je suis perdu(e)” – When you’re lost and need directions
2. “Parlez-vous anglais?” – When language barriers become too challenging
3. “J’ai besoin d’un médecin!” – For medical emergencies

Always use “vous” with strangers and add “s’il vous plaît” to sound polite. Simple gestures can reinforce your request when words fail. If you’re planning a trip to the Greek island of Paxos, knowing these phrases will be helpful when asking for directions to top hotels and popular resorts on the island.

Common Conversational Questions

Questions are the lifeblood of any meaningful conversation in French, just as they’re in English. To keep discussions flowing naturally, you’ll need both formal and casual questioning skills.

When meeting someone new, try “Comment tu t’appelles?” (informal) or “Comment vous appelez-vous?” (formal) to ask their name. For age, “T’as quel âge?” works in casual settings, while “Quel âge as-tu?” is more textbook-correct.

Daily interactions often use inverted structures like “Tu fais quoi?” (What are you doing?) or the colloquial “Ça roule?” instead of “Ça va?” to check how someone’s doing. When asking about someone’s origin or hometown, the phrase Tu viens d’où? is commonly used in casual conversation. Just as the Swedish have their classic dishes that define their food culture, the French have classic conversational phrases worth mastering.

Remember to follow up with “Et toi?” or “Et vous?” after answering questions yourself—this back-and-forth exchange is what transforms basic phrases into real conversations.

Numbers and Counting in French

The first twenty French numbers create the foundation for all your counting needs, from ordering coffee to exchanging phone numbers. Start with the basics: un (1), deux (2), trois (3), and work your way up to vingt (20).

For numbers above 20, you’ll combine tens with units—like trente-quatre (34) or cinquante-deux (52).

When using French numbers in real situations, remember:

1. Confidence builds with practice – try counting aloud while doing everyday tasks
2. Listen carefully to native speakers – French numbers like quatre-vingt (80) follow unique patterns that sound strange at first
3. Use numbers immediately – order “deux croissants” or ask “quelle heure est-il?” to cement your learning

Unlike when deciding between Croatian cities for travel, learning French numbers requires consistent practice regardless of your location.

Higher numbers follow patterns that’ll become intuitive with practice, even the tricky soixante-dix (70) and quatre-vingt-dix (90). After seventy, French numbers use an interesting addition system where soixante-dix is literally “sixty-ten” and quatre-vingt-dix is “four-twenty-ten,” making logical sequences essential to master.

Polite Expressions Every Beginner Should Know

Beyond knowing your numbers, mastering polite expressions gives you a real advantage in French conversations. The French value courtesy highly, and using phrases like “s’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci” (thank you) opens many doors.

Politeness isn’t optional in French—it’s the key that unlocks authentic conversation and cultural connection.

For greetings, start with “bonjour” and ask “comment ça va?” to inquire about someone’s wellbeing. When dining with French speakers, it’s customary to say “bon appétit!” before everyone begins eating. When meeting someone new, say “enchanté(e)” and introduce yourself with “je m’appelle…”

If you need to apologize, “désolé(e)” works in casual settings while “excusez-moi” is more formal. Respond to thanks with “je vous en prie” in formal situations or “de rien” informally.

For easy agreement, “bien sûr” and “d’accord” are perfectly polite responses in most contexts. These basics will serve you well whether you’re planning to explore Scandinavian countries like Denmark or Sweden, where many locals also speak English but appreciate visitors’ efforts to learn local phrases.

Ordering Food and Drinks in French

Exploring a French restaurant menu and confidently ordering food might seem intimidating at first, but mastering a few key phrases will transform your dining experience in France. When you’re ready to order, use “Je voudrais” (I would like) or “Je vais prendre” (I’ll take) followed by your selection.

To navigate your dining experience smoothly:

1. Begin with “Pourrais-je avoir le menu?” to request the menu, then ask “Quel est le plat du jour?” to learn about daily specials. Always remember to greet your server with Bonjour or Bonsoir before making any requests.
2. When ordering drinks, simply say “Un verre de vin” for wine or “La bière” for beer.
3. When ready to leave, request your bill with “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” and ask “Pourrais-je payer par carte?” if you need to pay by card.

Unlike in neighboring Spain, French dining customs typically include bread with your meal and often a prix fixe menu option for better value.

Emergency and Assistance Phrases

While traveling in France, you’ll hopefully never need emergency phrases, but knowing how to communicate during urgent situations could be vital.

Preparation meets peace of mind—essential French emergency phrases could make all the difference when traveling abroad.

If you need immediate help, shout “Au secours!” or “À l’aide!”

For specific emergencies, use “Appelez la police!” (call the police), “Au feu!” (fire), or “Au voleur!” (thief).

For medical assistance, say “J’ai besoin d’un médecin” (I need a doctor) or specify your problem: “Je suis blessé(e)” (I’m injured). If experiencing chest discomfort, communicate clearly by saying “J’ai des douleurs dans la poitrine.”

Remember these emergency numbers: 15 for medical help, 18 for fire services, 17 for police, and 112 as the general European emergency number.

If language barriers arise, simply state “Je ne parle pas très bien français” and ask “Pouvez-vous parler lentement?” to request slower speech.

If you’re seeking relief from illness during your trip, consider visiting Portugal’s warmest regions where the abundant sunshine and mild climate might help you recover more comfortably.

Time and Date Expressions

Knowing the time and date in French allows you to plan your days effectively and avoid confusion when making arrangements. Start with “Quelle heure est-il?” to ask for the time, and respond with “Il est” followed by the hour.

For specific times, use “et quart” (quarter past), “et demie” (half past), or “moins le quart” (quarter to).

For dates, the format is “le [jour] [mois] [année]” such as “le 1er mai 2024.” When referring to future events, add “prochain(e)” after the day.

French primarily uses le temps for discussing periods of time, which is different from “l’heure” used specifically for telling the actual time.

Whether you’re planning to explore iconic French landmarks or England, mastering these time expressions will enhance your travel experience.

Here are three time-related expressions that’ll make you sound like a native:

1. “En un rien de temps” – when something happens incredibly quickly
2. “Le jour J” – for that special, significant day
3. “Ces derniers temps” – when discussing recent events

Saying Goodbye and Farewell Phrases

Mastering farewell expressions in French allows you to end conversations gracefully in any social context. The universal “au revoir” works in most situations, while “salut” serves as a casual goodbye among friends.

Saying goodbye in French is an art—”au revoir” fits formally, while “salut” works perfectly among friends.

For brief separations, try “à bientôt” (see you soon) or “à plus” (catch you later). When you’ll see someone tomorrow, simply say “à demain.”

In professional settings, “au plaisir de vous revoir” shows refined courtesy. When writing formal emails to colleagues or business partners, ending with bien cordialement conveys professionalism while maintaining warmth.

Time-specific goodbyes like “bonne journée” (have a good day) or “bonne soirée” (have a good evening) add thoughtfulness to your farewells.

For long-term or permanent goodbyes, the more formal “adieu” is appropriate.

Remember that “bisous” or “je t’embrasse” are affectionate closings reserved for close relationships.

The Sum Up

Now you’re ready to text like a French pro! With these 11 essential phrases in your digital quill, you’ll navigate Paris confidently. Remember, practice makes perfect—even if you stumble, locals appreciate your effort. Before your next trip, spend 5 minutes daily revitalizing these basics. You’ll be surprised how far “Bonjour” and “Merci” can take you in creating meaningful connections abroad!