Top 20 French Phrases Every Traveler Should Know

Speaking even a little French in France changes everything. Shopkeepers warm up, waiters relax, and strangers become more willing to help. You do not need to be fluent — these 20 phrases cover the situations you will encounter most often, from greeting people to ordering food to asking for help.

Key Takeaways

Always greet people with Bonjour (during the day) or Bonsoir (in the evening). This is the single most important cultural rule in France.
Pronunciation matters less than effort — French people appreciate travelers who try.
S’il vous plaît (please) and Merci (thank you) are indispensable.
Learning to say “I don’t speak French well” in French is, paradoxically, one of the most useful sentences you can learn.

The Essential 20

1. Bonjour — Hello / Good day

Pronunciation: bohn-ZHOOR When to use: Every time you enter a shop, restaurant, hotel, or elevator. Every time you approach someone — a ticket agent, a market vendor, a stranger on the street. Not saying Bonjour is the fastest way to get poor service in France.

2. Bonsoir — Good evening

Pronunciation: bohn-SWAHR When to use: After approximately 6 PM, switch from Bonjour to Bonsoir.

3. Au revoir — Goodbye

Pronunciation: oh ruh-VWAHR When to use: When leaving any shop, restaurant, or interaction. Equally important as the greeting.

4. Merci / Merci beaucoup — Thank you / Thank you very much

Pronunciation: mair-SEE / mair-SEE boh-KOO When to use: Constantly. The French appreciate politeness.

5. S’il vous plaît — Please

Pronunciation: seel voo PLAY When to use: Any time you ask for something. Point at a pastry, add s’il vous plaît, and you are golden.

6. Excusez-moi — Excuse me

Pronunciation: ex-koo-ZAY mwah When to use: To get someone’s attention, to pass through a crowd, or to apologize for a minor bump.

7. Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?

Pronunciation: par-LAY voo on-GLAY When to use: After greeting in French. Starting with Bonjour and then asking this question is far more effective than launching straight into English.

8. Je ne parle pas bien français — I don’t speak French well

Pronunciation: zhuh nuh PARL pah bee-EN fron-SAY When to use: A disarming admission that usually prompts patience and often help. The French respect honesty about language ability.

9. L’addition, s’il vous plaît — The check, please

Pronunciation: lah-dee-see-OHN, seel voo PLAY When to use: At restaurants. In France, the waiter will not bring the check until you ask — the table is yours for as long as you want it.

10. Un café, s’il vous plaît — A coffee, please

Pronunciation: uhn kah-FAY, seel voo PLAY When to use: Un café is an espresso. For a longer coffee, ask for un allongé. For a latte, un café crème (at breakfast) or un grand crème.

11. Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît — A carafe of water, please

Pronunciation: oon kah-RAHF doh, seel voo PLAY When to use: In restaurants. Tap water is free. If you do not ask, you may be served bottled water and charged for it.

12. Je voudrais… — I would like…

Pronunciation: zhuh voo-DRAY When to use: The polite way to order anything. Je voudrais un croissant (I would like a croissant). Je voudrais une table pour deux (I would like a table for two).

13. C’est combien? — How much is it?

Pronunciation: say kohm-bee-EN When to use: At markets, shops, and anywhere prices are not displayed.

14. Où est…? — Where is…?

Pronunciation: oo AY When to use: Où est la gare? (Where is the train station?) Où est la pharmacie? (Where is the pharmacy?) Où sont les toilettes? (Where are the restrooms?)

15. Je suis perdu(e) — I am lost

Pronunciation: zhuh swee pair-DOO When to use: When you need help finding your way. Adding (e) if you are female: perdue.

16. C’est délicieux — It is delicious

Pronunciation: say day-lee-see-UH When to use: Complimenting food. The French appreciate it when visitors acknowledge their cuisine.

17. Oui / Non — Yes / No

Pronunciation: WEE / NOHN When to use: Self-explanatory, but useful to note that si is used instead of oui to contradict a negative question. (“You don’t want dessert?” → Si! — “Yes, I do!“)

18. Pardon — Sorry / Excuse me

Pronunciation: par-DOHN When to use: Slightly less formal than excusez-moi. Used for bumping into someone, needing to pass, or making a small mistake.

19. Je ne comprends pas — I don’t understand

Pronunciation: zhuh nuh kohm-PROHN pah When to use: When someone speaks too fast or uses words you do not know. Often prompts them to slow down or try simpler words.

20. Bonne journée / Bonne soirée — Have a good day / Have a good evening

Pronunciation: bun zhoor-NAY / bun swah-RAY When to use: As a parting phrase when leaving a shop, restaurant, or interaction. More specific and warmer than au revoir. Shopkeepers and servers will often say it first.

Bonus Phrases for Dining

Le menu du jour, s’il vous plaît — The daily set menu, please (luh meh-NOO doo ZHOOR)
Sans gluten — Gluten-free (sohn gloo-TEN)
Je suis végétarien(ne) — I am vegetarian (zhuh swee vay-zhay-tah-ree-EN / EN)
C’était très bon — That was very good (say-TAY tray BOHN)

Bonus Phrases for Getting Around

Un billet pour [destination], s’il vous plaît — A ticket to [destination], please
À quelle heure? — At what time? (ah kel URR)
À gauche / à droite / tout droit — To the left / to the right / straight ahead

Pronunciation Tips

Nasal vowels: The sounds on, an, in are pronounced through the nose, not the mouth. This is the most distinctly French sound.
Silent final consonants: Most final consonants are silent (Paris is “pa-REE,” not “PA-riss”). Exceptions include words ending in C, R, F, L (think “CaReFuL”).
The French R: A soft sound produced at the back of the throat, not rolled. Practice by gargling gently.
Liaisons: Final consonants link to the next word when it starts with a vowel. Les enfants sounds like “lay-zon-FON.”

Cultural Tips

Always greet first: Never launch into a question or request without Bonjour. This applies everywhere — shops, ticket counters, hotel desks, even when asking directions on the street.
Use vous, not tu: Always use the formal vous with strangers, older people, and in professional settings. Tu is reserved for friends, family, and children.
Slow down: If someone does not understand you, speaking louder does not help. Speaking slower, with clearer pronunciation, does.
Try French first: Even if the person switches to English, your effort has been registered and appreciated.

Next Steps

Practice these 20 phrases: Repeat them daily for a week before your trip.
Download a pronunciation app: Forvo.com has native speaker recordings of every phrase.
Learn numbers 1–10: Essential for markets, restaurants, and addresses.
Go deeper: French Language Learning: Best Resources Ranked for 2026 has a complete strategy.
Try a tutor: Even two or three sessions before your trip will boost confidence Find a French Tutor.

You do not need to speak perfect French. You just need to show that you tried. That effort opens doors all across France.

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