Here are some basic French phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
oui | yes |
non | no |
peut-être | maybe |
s'il vous plaît | please (polite) |
merci | thanks |
merci beaucoup | thanks very much |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
je vous en prie | you're welcome (polite) |
de rien | not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
salut | hi (informal) |
bonjour | hello (used during the morning and afternoon) |
bonsoir | good evening (used after 6pm) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
au revoir | goodbye |
bonne nuit | goodnight |
Bonne soirée! | Have a good evening! |
Bonne fin de soirée! | Enjoy the rest of the evening! |
à plus! | see you! |
Salut! | bye (informal) |
à bientot! | see you soon! |
à plus tard! or À tout à l'heure! | see you later! (when you expect to see someone later in the day) |
à demain! | see you tomorrow! |
bonne journée! | have a nice day! |
bon weekend! | have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
excusez-moi | excuse me (can be used to get someone's attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
Désolé(e) or Pardon | Sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
pas de souci | No problem |
Ce n'est pas grave | It's OK |
ce n'est rien or Ça ne fait rien | It's OK |
French phrase guide | |
---|---|
Page 1 of 21 | |
➔
Contents |
Emergencies
➔ |
Making yourself understood
Vous parlez français? | Do you speak French? |
Je ne parle pas français | I don't speak French |
Je ne parle pas très bien français | I don't speak French very well |
Je parle un peu français | I speak a little French |
Je parle juste un peu français | I only speak very little French |
Je parle très mal français | I speak French very badly |
pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît? | please speak more slowly |
pourriez-vous me l'écrire, s'il vous plaît? | please write it down |
pourriez-vous répéter cela, s'il vous plaît? | could you please repeat that? |
je comprends | I understand |
je ne comprends pas | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
je sais | I know |
je ne sais pas | I don't know |
excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes? or Excusez-moi, où se trouvent les toilettes? | excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
Entrée | Entrance |
Sortie | Exit |
Sortie de secours | Emergency exit |
Poussez | Push |
Tirez | Pull |
Toilettes | Toilets |
WC | WC |
Hommes | Gentlemen |
Dames | Ladies |
Libre | Vacant |
Occupé | Occupied |
Hors service | Out of order |
Interdiction de fumer | No smoking |
Privé | Private |
Entrée interdite | No entry |