French phrases for travel open doors in France that English alone never will.
Not because French people refuse to speak English but because of something subtler and more powerful: the way you are received changes entirely when you start in their language.
France is the world’s most visited country. Paris alone welcomes over 30 million tourists every year.
The French have seen every kind of traveler.
And the ones who get the warmest welcome, the most patient service, and the most memorable experiences all have one thing in common.
They start with Bonjour.
This guide gives you every French travel phrase you actually need, organized by real situation, with pronunciation and the cultural context that makes your phrases land correctly.
Before Anything Else: The One Rule That Defines Your Entire Trip
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember this:
Every single interaction in France must begin with a greeting.
In English-speaking cultures, walking up to someone and asking “Excuse me, where is the station?” is completely normal. Efficient, even.
In France, doing this without a greeting first is perceived as rude to the point of being offensive.
It treats the person in front of you like an information terminal rather than a human being.
The greeting you need:
Bonjour (bon-ZHOOR) – Good morning / Good day (use until early evening)
Bonsoir (bon-SWAHR) – Good evening (use from early evening onward)
The buffer script the Reddit community universally recommends when approaching anyone for help:
“Bonjour ! Excusez-moi de vous déranger, mais…” (bohn-ZHOOR, ex-KOO-zay mwah duh voo day-RAHN-zhay, meh) “Hello! Excuse me for bothering you, but…”
This opening phrase does something extraordinary. It acknowledges that you are interrupting someone’s day.
In French culture, that acknowledgment is everything. The moment you say it, the entire dynamic shifts.
The “chilly Parisian” stereotype dissolves. What you get instead is patience, effort, and genuine helpfulness.
The golden rule: Bonjour first. Everything else second.
Section 1: French Pronunciation Basics
French looks intimidating on the page. Silent letters, nasal vowels, and sounds that do not exist in English.
But once you know the patterns, French pronunciation is more consistent than it appears.
The Lip Rule
This is the single most useful pronunciation tip for English speakers.
French vowel sounds, particularly the u sound (as in “tu”) and the rounded o sounds, require you to round and pout your lips more than English ever does.
Think of it like making a small “O” shape with your mouth and then trying to say “ee.” That is the French u sound.
Without lip rounding, your French will always sound distinctly English. With it, even broken French sounds more authentic.
Key Sounds and Letters
| Letter / Sound | How it sounds | Example | Notes |
| u | Round lips, say “ee” | tu (you) = TÜ | No English equivalent |
| r | Guttural, from throat | merci = mehr-SEE | Not like English “r” |
| é | Sharp “ay” | café = ka-FAY | Clear, crisp sound |
| è | Open “eh” | très = treh | Like “e” in “bed” |
| eu | Round lips, say “uh” | deux = duh | Like “ur” in “purr” |
| ou | “oo” sound | vous = VOO | Like “oo” in “moon” |
| on / an / en | Nasal vowels | bon = bohn | Air through nose |
| ch | “sh” sound | chose = SHOHZ | Never hard “ch” |
| j | Soft “zh” | je = zhuh | Like “s” in “measure” |
| h | Always silent | hôtel = oh-TEL | Never pronounced |
| final consonants | Usually silent | Paris = pah-REE | Final s, t, d silent |
The Liaison Rule
French links words together when a word ending in a consonant is followed by a word beginning with a vowel. This is called a liaison and it is why French sounds so fluid.
Example: “comment allez-vous” sounds like “koh-mahn-tah-lay-VOO” because the t of “comment” links to the vowel of “allez.”
You do not need to master liaisons to be understood. But recognizing them helps you understand spoken French significantly better.
Silent Letters
Most final consonants in French are silent.
The s in “Paris,” the t in “c’est,” the d in “grand.”
When in doubt, do not pronounce the final consonant. You will be right more often than wrong.
Section 2: Vous vs Tu: The Formality Rule
French has two ways to say “you.” Using the wrong one with the wrong person creates awkwardness.
Vous (VOO) — formal “you.”
Use with anyone you do not know: shopkeepers, waiters, hotel staff, strangers, older people, professionals. Also used for addressing a group.
Tu (TÜ) — informal “you.”
Use with close friends, family, children, and peers who have explicitly invited you to use it.
The practical rule for travel: use vous with everyone. Always.
If a French person wants you to use tu, they will say “on peut se tutoyer” (we can use tu with each other). Until that invitation, vous is correct and always safe.
Section 3: Greetings and Essentials
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Hello / Good day | Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR |
| Good evening | Bonsoir | bohn-SWAHR |
| Good night | Bonne nuit | bun NWEE |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR |
| See you soon | À bientôt | ah byahn-TOH |
| Have a good day | Bonne journée | bun zhoor-NAY |
| Have a good evening | Bonne soirée | bun swah-RAY |
| Please | S’il vous plaît | seel voo PLEH |
| Thank you | Merci | mehr-SEE |
| Thank you very much | Merci beaucoup | mehr-SEE boh-KOO |
| You’re welcome | De rien | duh RYAHN |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-KÜ-zay MWAH |
| I’m sorry | Pardon / Je suis désolé(e) | par-DOHN / zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY |
| Yes / No | Oui / Non | WEE / nohn |
| OK | D’accord | dah-KOR |
| Please (formal request) | S’il vous plaît | seel voo PLEH |
The Monsieur and Madame Rule
French culture uses formal titles more than most English-speaking cultures expect. When addressing anyone you do not know personally, use:
Monsieur (muh-SYUR) for men
Madame (mah-DAM) for women
Note: Mademoiselle (for unmarried women) has been removed from official French government documents and is no longer expected in everyday interactions.
Default to Madame for any adult woman.
Using these titles at the start of an interaction adds a layer of respect that French people genuinely appreciate.
The Farewell Culture: Bonne Journée and Bonne Soirée
One of the most underrated French travel expressions and one that immediately signals cultural awareness: always say Bonne journée (have a good day) or Bonne soirée (have a good evening) when leaving any shop, restaurant, or interaction.
This is how French people actually end interactions with strangers. Simply saying “au revoir” and walking out is technically correct but noticeably colder.
Adding the farewell wish feels natural and warm. Shopkeepers respond to it every time.
Section 4: The 3-Second Rule: Why Bonjour Is the Gatekeeper to a Great Trip
This deserves its own section because it is the most impactful piece of cultural intelligence in this entire guide.
The difference between the “rude Parisian” experience and the warm, generous French experience that many visitors describe comes down almost entirely to whether you started the interaction correctly.
Here is the psychology: French culture has a strong sense of social boundaries and personal space.
Walking up to someone and immediately asking for something, in any language, bypasses a social contract that French culture takes seriously.
You are entering their space. Acknowledging that entry is not optional politeness. It is a baseline requirement.
The 3-second rule: Before any request, in any shop, café, restaurant, or public space, spend 3 seconds on a proper greeting.
Bonjour, eye contact, a small nod. Those 3 seconds change everything that follows.
The buffer script again, worth memorizing word for word:
“Bonjour ! Excusez-moi de vous déranger, mais pourriez-vous m’aider ?” (bohn-ZHOOR, ex-KÜ-zay mwah duh voo day-RAHN-zhay, meh poo-RYAY voo meh-DAY) “Hello! Excuse me for bothering you, but could you help me?”
Even a partial attempt at this script, delivered with genuine warmth, will unlock more doors than perfect English delivered without it.
Section 5: Asking for Help
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais ? | par-LAY voo ahn-GLEH? |
| I don’t speak French | Je ne parle pas français | zhuh nuh PARL pah frahn-SEH |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas | zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah |
| Can you speak more slowly? | Un peu plus doucement, s’il vous plaît | uhn puh plü DOOS-mahn, seel voo PLEH |
| Can you repeat that? | Pouvez-vous répéter ? | poo-VAY voo ray-pay-TAY? |
| Can you write it down? | Pouvez-vous l’écrire ? | poo-VAY voo lay-KREER? |
| Can you help me? | Pouvez-vous m’aider ? | poo-VAY voo meh-DAY? |
| I need help | J’ai besoin d’aide | zhay buh-ZWAHN DED |
| I am lost | Je suis perdu(e) | zhuh swee pehr-DÜ |
The Doucement Hack: Slowing Down a Fast-Talking French Speaker
Here is a practical French travel expression that no phrasebook teaches properly.
The textbook phrase for “speak slower please” is “Parlez plus lentement.” It works.
But the word that native French speakers actually use in this context is doucement (DOOS-mahn), which means gently, softly, slowly.
Saying “Un peu plus doucement, s’il vous plaît” (a little more gently, please) asks someone to slow down while simultaneously sounding more natural and polished than the textbook version.
It signals that you have spent real time with the language, not just run it through a translation app.
The English Pivot: Why You Should Not Feel Insulted
If your French stalls and a service worker switches to English, that is not rejection.
In Paris and other tourist-heavy areas, switching to English in service contexts is simply about efficiency. They are helping you, not dismissing your effort.
The community advice: put 90% of your energy into the politeness phrases (Bonjour, Merci beaucoup, Pardon, Au revoir, Bonne journée) and let the locals handle the logistical heavy lifting in English.
The effort to be polite is what matters. Perfect grammar is a bonus.
Section 6: Directions
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Where is…? | Où est… ? | oo EH…? |
| How do I get to…? | Comment aller à… ? | koh-MAHN ah-LAY ah…? |
| Left | À gauche | ah GOHSH |
| Right | À droite | ah DRWAHT |
| Straight ahead | Tout droit | too DRWAH |
| Turn | Tournez | toor-NAY |
| Near / Far | Près / Loin | preh / lwahn |
| Here / There | Ici / Là | ee-SEE / lah |
| At the corner | Au coin | oh kwahn |
| Traffic light | Feu | fuh |
| Street | Rue | rü |
| Square | Place | plahs |
| Bridge | Pont | pohn |
| Is it far? | C’est loin ? | seh lwahn? |
Section 7: Transport (Train, Metro, Bus, Taxi)
France’s train network (SNCF) is world-class. The TGV high-speed train connects Paris to Lyon in two hours, Marseille in three, and Bordeaux in two.
The Paris metro is one of the world’s most efficient urban rail systems.
The Most Important Train Rule in France
Compostez votre billet. Validate your ticket.
Before boarding any regional train (Intercités, TER) in France, you must stamp your ticket in one of the yellow validation machines (composteurs) on the platform.
Failing to do this can result in a fine even if you have a valid ticket.
TGV tickets and tickets purchased on the SNCF app with a QR code do not require validation, but regional paper tickets always do.
This is one of the most penalized tourist mistakes in French rail travel and one of the least covered in travel phrase guides.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Where is the train station? | Où est la gare ? | oo eh lah GAR? |
| Where is the metro? | Où est le métro ? | oo eh luh may-TROH? |
| One ticket to… please | Un billet pour…, s’il vous plaît | uhn bee-YEH poor… seel voo PLEH |
| Return ticket | Un aller-retour | uhn ah-LAY ruh-TOOR |
| One way | Un aller simple | uhn ah-LAY SAHM-pluh |
| Which platform? | Quel quai ? | kel KEH? |
| Is this the train to…? | C’est bien le train pour… ? | seh byahn luh TRAHN poor…? |
| Validate your ticket | Compostez votre billet | kohm-poh-STAY voh-truh bee-YEH |
| I missed my train | J’ai raté mon train | zhay rah-TAY mohn TRAHN |
| Exit | Sortie | sor-TEE |
| Platform | Quai | KEH |
| Schedule | Horaire | oh-REHR |
Taxi
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Please take me to… | Conduisez-moi à…, s’il vous plaît | kohn-DWEE-zay mwah ah… seel voo PLEH |
| How much to…? | Combien pour aller à… ? | kohm-BYAHN poor ah-LAY ah…? |
| Stop here please | Arrêtez-vous ici, s’il vous plaît | ah-reh-TAY voo ee-SEE seel voo PLEH |
| Can I get a receipt? | Je peux avoir un reçu ? | zhuh puh ah-VWAHR uhn ruh-SÜ? |
Section 8: Airport and Arrival
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Where is baggage claim? | Où est la livraison des bagages ? | oo eh lah lee-vreh-ZOHN day bah-GAZH? |
| My luggage is lost | Mon bagage est perdu | mohn bah-GAZH eh pehr-DÜ |
| Where is the exit? | Où est la sortie ? | oo eh lah sor-TEE? |
| Where is the RER to Paris? | Où est le RER pour Paris ? | oo eh luh ehr-uh-EHR poor pah-REE? |
| Where is tourist information? | Où est l’office de tourisme ? | oo eh loh-FEES duh too-REEZM? |
| Is my flight delayed? | Mon vol a du retard ? | mohn vohl ah dü ruh-TAR? |
| Where are the toilets? | Où sont les toilettes ? | oo sohn lay twah-LET? |
Section 9: Don’t Order, Just Listen: Boulangerie and Retail Phrases
This is one of the most practically useful sections in this guide and the angle no competitor covers properly.
Travelers spend hours learning what they want to say.
But in French bakeries, cafés, and supermarkets, the most stressful moments come from the lightning-fast phrases you will hear from the person behind the counter, not the ones you planned to say.
Here are the most common cashier phrases you will encounter, with exactly what they mean and what to say back:
| What the cashier says | What it means | Your response |
| Avec ça ? / Et avec ça ? | Will that be all? / Anything else? | C’est tout, merci (seh too, mehr-SEE) — That’s all, thank you |
| Ce sera tout ? | Will that be everything? | Oui, c’est tout (wee, seh too) — Yes, that’s all |
| Par carte ou en espèces ? | Card or cash? | Par carte, s’il vous plaît (par KART seel voo PLEH) |
| Voulez-vous le ticket ? | Do you want the receipt? | Oui, s’il vous plaît / Non, merci |
| C’est pour emporter ? | Is it to take away? | Oui, pour emporter / Non, sur place |
Boulangerie Phrases
The French bakery (boulangerie) is a daily institution. Fresh bread, croissants, pain au chocolat, and pastries bought before 9am.
The etiquette: greet when you enter, wait your turn patiently, order clearly, and always say bonne journée when you leave.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Hello (entering the bakery) | Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR |
| I’ll take… | Je vais prendre… | zhuh veh PRAHN-druh… |
| One croissant please | Un croissant, s’il vous plaît | uhn kwah-SAHN seel voo PLEH |
| One baguette please | Une baguette, s’il vous plaît | ün bah-GET seel voo PLEH |
| One pain au chocolat please | Un pain au chocolat, s’il vous plaît | uhn pahn oh shoh-koh-LAH seel voo PLEH |
| To go | Pour emporter | poor ahm-por-TAY |
| For here | Sur place | sür PLAHS |
| That’s all, thank you | C’est tout, merci | seh TOO mehr-SEE |
| How much is that? | C’est combien ? | seh kohm-BYAHN? |
Section 10: Café Culture Phrases
French café culture deserves its own vocabulary.
Coffee in France is not just a drink; it is a daily ritual with specific options that tourists frequently get wrong.
“Un café” in France means a single espresso, served small and strong.
If you ask for “a coffee” expecting an American-style large cup, you will be surprised by what arrives.
| English | French | Pronunciation | Notes |
| An espresso | Un café | uhn kah-FAY | The default; always espresso |
| A coffee with a dash of milk | Un café noisette | uhn kah-FAY nwah-ZET | Espresso with a drop of warm milk |
| A white coffee | Un café crème | uhn kah-FAY KREM | Espresso with steamed milk |
| A long black / filter-style | Un café allongé | uhn kah-FAY ah-lohn-ZHAY | Longer, weaker espresso |
| A decaf | Un café décaféiné | uhn kah-FAY day-kah-fay-ee-NAY | |
| A tea | Un thé | uhn TAY | |
| A hot chocolate | Un chocolat chaud | uhn shoh-koh-LAH SHOH | |
| A glass of water | Un verre d’eau | uhn vehr DOH | |
| Tap water (free) | Une carafe d’eau | ün kah-RAF DOH | Always free; ask for it specifically |
| For here / To go | Sur place / Pour emporter | sür PLAHS / poor ahm-por-TAY | |
| What is the WiFi password? | Quel est le mot de passe WiFi ? | kel eh luh moh duh PAHS WiFi? |
Section 11: Restaurant and Dining
Key Dining Vocabulary
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| A table for two please | Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît | ün TAH-bluh poor duh seel voo PLEH |
| I would like to reserve a table | Je voudrais réserver une table | zhuh voo-DREH ray-zehr-VAY ün TAH-bluh |
| The menu please | La carte, s’il vous plaît | lah KART seel voo PLEH |
| What do you recommend? | Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? | kess kuh voo ruh-koh-mahn-DAY? |
| I would like… | Je voudrais… | zhuh voo-DREH… |
| I’ll take… | Je vais prendre… | zhuh veh PRAHN-druh… |
| Not yet (when asked if ready to order) | Pas encore | pah zahn-KOR |
| It is delicious | C’est délicieux | seh day-lee-SYUH |
| The bill please | L’addition, s’il vous plaît | lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo PLEH |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ? | zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART? |
| Is service included? | Le service est compris ? | luh sehr-VEES eh kohm-PREE? |
| Tap water please | Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît | ün kah-RAF DOH seel voo PLEH |
| Enjoy your meal | Bon appétit | bohn ah-pay-TEE |
Three Crucial French Dining Phrases
“Je voudrais” vs “Je veux”: Never say “je veux” (I want) when ordering. It sounds blunt and demanding.
Always use “je voudrais” (I would like) or “je vais prendre” (I’ll take).
Paris Insiders Guide specifically notes this distinction as one of the most important for smooth restaurant interactions.
“Pas encore”: When a waiter approaches and you are not ready to order, say “pas encore, merci” (not yet, thank you).
This is natural and polite. Saying nothing or waving them away reads as rude.
“Garçon”: Do not call a waiter by saying “garçon” (boy). This was once standard but is now considered outdated and mildly condescending.
Catch the waiter’s eye and say “Excusez-moi, Monsieur / Madame” or simply “s’il vous plaît.”
Tipping and Service Compris
French restaurants are legally required to include service (typically 15%) in the bill.
You will often see “service compris” on your addition. This means the tip is already included.
Leaving an additional tip is not expected but is appreciated for genuinely excellent service.
A few euros left on the table or rounding up to the nearest five is the French norm.
Never feel pressured to tip 15 to 20% American-style.
Dietary Needs and Food Preferences
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| I am allergic to… | Je suis allergique à… | zhuh swee ah-lehr-ZHEEK ah… |
| I have an intolerance to… | J’ai une intolérance à… | zhay ün ahn-toh-lay-RAHNS ah… |
| Nuts | Les noix | lay NWAH |
| Shellfish | Les fruits de mer | lay frwee duh MEHR |
| Gluten | Le gluten | luh glü-TEN |
| Dairy | Les produits laitiers | lay proh-DWEE leh-TYAY |
| Milk | Le lait | luh LEH |
| Is this vegetarian? | C’est végétarien ? | seh vay-zhay-tah-RYAHN? |
| Is this vegan? | C’est végan ? | seh vay-GAHN? |
| Without meat | Sans viande | sahn VYAHND |
| Without gluten | Sans gluten | sahn glü-TEN |
| I am vegetarian | Je suis végétarien·ne | zhuh swee vay-zhay-tah-RYAHN / vay-zhay-tah-RYEN |
| I am pescatarian | Je suis pescétarien·ne | zhuh swee pes-say-tah-RYAHN / pes-say-tah-RYEN |
| I am vegan | Je suis végan(e) | zhuh swee vay-GAHN / vay-GAN |
| I eat lactose-free | Je mange sans lactose | zhuh MAHNZH sahn lak-TOHZ |
| I eat gluten-free | Je mange sans gluten | zhuh MAHNZH sahn glü-TEN |
| I don’t drink alcohol | Je ne bois pas d’alcool | zhuh nuh BWAH pah dal-KOL |
Questions to Ask at the Restaurant
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Do you have vegetarian options? | Vous avez des options végétariennes ? | voo zah-VAY day zop-SYOHN vay-zhay-tah-RYEN? |
| Do you have gluten-free options? | Vous avez des options sans gluten ? | voo zah-VAY day zop-SYOHN sahn glü-TEN? |
| Do you have lactose-free options? | Vous avez des options sans lactose ? | voo zah-VAY day zop-SYOHN sahn lak-TOHZ? |
| Do you have non-alcoholic drinks? | Vous avez des boissons sans alcool ? | voo zah-VAY day bwah-SOHN sahn al-KOL? |
| Does this dish contain milk? | Est-ce que ce plat contient du lait ? | ess kuh suh PLAH kohn-TYAHN dü LEH? |
| Does this dish contain eggs? | Est-ce que ce plat contient des œufs ? | ess kuh suh PLAH kohn-TYAHN day ZUH? |
| Does this dish contain butter? | Est-ce que ce plat contient du beurre ? | ess kuh suh PLAH kohn-TYAHN dü BUHR? |
Section 12: Wine and Bistro Phrases
France is the world’s most celebrated wine culture. Knowing how to navigate a wine list and speak to a sommelier even briefly earns genuine respect.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| The wine list please | La carte des vins, s’il vous plaît | lah KART day VAHN seel voo PLEH |
| A glass of red wine | Un verre de vin rouge | uhn vehr duh vahn ROOZH |
| A glass of white wine | Un verre de vin blanc | uhn vehr duh vahn BLAHN |
| A glass of rosé | Un verre de rosé | uhn vehr duh roh-ZAY |
| A bottle of… | Une bouteille de… | ün boo-TEY duh… |
| House wine | Le vin de la maison | luh vahn duh lah meh-ZOHN |
| What do you recommend? | Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? | kess kuh voo ruh-koh-mahn-DAY? |
| Cheers! | Santé ! | sahn-TAY! |
| This is excellent | C’est excellent | seh tek-seh-LAHN |
| Dry / Sweet | Sec / Doux | sek / doo |
Section 13: Market Phrases
France’s outdoor markets (marchés) are among the most vibrant travel experiences the country offers. Every town has one.
They operate on specific days and sell everything from fresh produce to antiques.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | C’est combien ? | seh kohm-BYAHN? |
| One kilo of… | Un kilo de… | uhn kee-LOH duh… |
| Half a kilo of… | Un demi-kilo de… | uhn duh-MEE kee-LOH duh… |
| Can I taste this? | Je peux goûter ? | zhuh puh goo-TAY? |
| It’s very good | C’est très bon | seh treh BOHN |
| I’ll take this one | Je prends celui-ci | zhuh PRAHN suh-LWEE-see |
| A bag please | Un sac, s’il vous plaît | uhn SAK seel voo PLEH |
| Do you have…? | Vous avez… ? | voo zah-VAY…? |
Section 14: Shopping
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | C’est combien ? | seh kohm-BYAHN? |
| It’s too expensive | C’est trop cher | seh troh SHEHR |
| Can I try this on? | Je peux l’essayer ? | zhuh puh leh-say-YAY? |
| Do you have this in another size? | Vous avez ça dans une autre taille ? | voo zah-VAY sah dahn ün OH-truh TY? |
| Do you accept cards? | Vous acceptez les cartes ? | voo zak-sep-TAY lay KART? |
| I’ll take it | Je le prends | zhuh luh PRAHN |
| I’m just looking | Je regarde seulement | zhuh ruh-GARD suhl-MAHN |
| Do you have a bag? | Vous avez un sac ? | voo zah-VAY uhn SAK? |
| A receipt please | Un reçu, s’il vous plaît | uhn ruh-SÜ seel voo PLEH |
Section 15: Accommodation
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| I have a reservation | J’ai une réservation | zhay ün ray-zehr-vah-SYOHN |
| My name is… | Je m’appelle… | zhuh mah-PEL… |
| Is breakfast included? | Le petit-déjeuner est compris ? | luh puh-tee day-zhuh-NAY eh kohm-PREE? |
| What time is checkout? | Le checkout est à quelle heure ? | luh checkout eh ah kel UHR? |
| Can I have a late checkout? | Je peux avoir un checkout tardif ? | zhuh puh ah-VWAHR uhn checkout tar-DEEF? |
| The room is too hot / cold | La chambre est trop chaude / froide | lah SHAHM-bruh eh troh SHOHD / FRWAHD |
| The WiFi is not working | Le WiFi ne marche pas | luh WiFi nuh MARSH pah |
| Can I have more towels? | Je peux avoir plus de serviettes ? | zhuh puh ah-VWAHR plü duh sehr-VYET? |
| Where is the elevator? | Où est l’ascenseur ? | oo eh lah-sahn-SUHR? |
| What is the WiFi password? | Quel est le mot de passe WiFi ? | kel eh luh moh duh PAHS WiFi? |
Section 16: French Pharmacy (Pharmacie)
The French pharmacy (pharmacie), identified by a green cross sign, is one of the best-resourced in Europe.
French pharmacists are highly trained and can advise on treatments for many common ailments without a prescription.
This section appears in none of the competitor articles.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Où est la pharmacie ? | oo eh lah far-mah-SEE? |
| I need something for a headache | J’ai besoin de quelque chose contre le mal de tête | zhay buh-ZWAHN duh kel-kuh SHOHZ kohn-truh luh mahl duh TET |
| I have a fever | J’ai de la fièvre | zhay duh lah FYEV-ruh |
| I have a stomach ache | J’ai mal au ventre | zhay mahl oh VAHN-truh |
| I need pain relief | J’ai besoin d’un analgésique | zhay buh-ZWAHN duhn ah-nahl-zhay-ZEEK |
| Do I need a prescription? | J’ai besoin d’une ordonnance ? | zhay buh-ZWAHN dün or-doh-NAHNS? |
| Bandage | Un bandage | uhn bahn-DAZH |
| Sunscreen | De la crème solaire | duh lah krem soh-LEHR |
Section 17: For Women Travelers
Pharmacy and Feminine Health
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| I need sanitary pads | J’ai besoin de serviettes hygiéniques | zhay buh-ZWAHN duh sehr-VYET ee-zhyay-NEEK |
| I need tampons | J’ai besoin de tampons | zhay buh-ZWAHN duh tahm-POHN |
| I need a panty liner | J’ai besoin de protège-slips | zhay buh-ZWAHN duh proh-TEZH-sleep |
| I have menstrual cramps | J’ai des douleurs menstruelles | zhay day doo-LUHR mahn-strü-EL |
| I need a pregnancy test | J’ai besoin d’un test de grossesse | zhay buh-ZWAHN duhn test duh groh-SES |
| I need to see a female doctor | Je voudrais voir une femme médecin | zhuh voo-DREH vwahr ün fahm mayd-SAHN |
| Do I need a prescription? | J’ai besoin d’une ordonnance ? | zhay buh-ZWAHN dün or-doh-NAHNS? |
Practical note: Feminine hygiene products are available at pharmacies and at supermarkets (Monoprix, Carrefour, Franprix).
Larger supermarkets typically have a better selection and lower prices than pharmacies.
Safety Phrases
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Leave me alone | Laissez-moi tranquille | leh-SAY mwah trahn-KEEL |
| Go away | Allez-vous en | ah-LAY voo ZAHN |
| Help! | Au secours ! | oh suh-KOOR! |
| Call the police | Appelez la police | ah-puh-LAY lah poh-LEES |
| I need help | J’ai besoin d’aide | zhay buh-ZWAHN DED |
Section 18: Emergency and Medical Phrases
Emergency numbers in France:
- 15 – SAMU (medical emergency)
- 17 – Police
- 18 – Fire brigade
- 112 – European emergency number (works for all services)
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Help! | Au secours ! | oh suh-KOOR! |
| Call an ambulance! | Appelez une ambulance ! | ah-puh-LAY ün ahm-bü-LAHNS! |
| Call the police! | Appelez la police ! | ah-puh-LAY lah poh-LEES! |
| I need a doctor | J’ai besoin d’un médecin | zhay buh-ZWAHN duhn mayd-SAHN |
| Where is the hospital? | Où est l’hôpital ? | oo eh loh-pee-TAL? |
| I don’t feel well | Je ne me sens pas bien | zhuh nuh muh sahn pah BYAHN |
| I have a fever | J’ai de la fièvre | zhay duh lah FYEV-ruh |
| It hurts here | J’ai mal ici | zhay mahl ee-SEE |
| I am allergic to… | Je suis allergique à… | zhuh swee ah-lehr-ZHEEK ah… |
| I’ve been robbed | J’ai été volé(e) | zhay ay-TAY voh-LAY |
| I lost my passport | J’ai perdu mon passeport | zhay pehr-DÜ mohn pas-POR |
Section 19: French False Friends
These French words look like English words but mean something completely different. Knowing them prevents genuinely embarrassing moments.
| French word | Looks like | Actually means |
| Préservatif | Preservative | Condom |
| Librairie | Library | Bookshop |
| Bibliothèque | Bibliotheca (library) | Library |
| Sensible | Sensible | Sensitive |
| Actuellement | Actually | Currently / At the moment |
| Rester | To rest | To stay / remain |
| Formidable | Formidable | Wonderful / Great |
| Sympathique | Sympathetic | Nice / Friendly |
| Blesser | To bless | To injure / wound |
| Passer un examen | To pass an exam | To take an exam (not necessarily pass) |
Section 20: French Travel Expressions You Will Hear But May Not Understand
These are the everyday French expressions that native speakers use constantly. You will hear them in shops, cafés, and on the street.
None of the competitor articles covers them in practical travel context.
| Expression | Pronunciation | What it actually means |
| Voilà | vwah-LAH | There you go / Here it is / Done |
| Alors | ah-LOR | So / Well / Right then |
| Allez | ah-LAY | Come on / Go ahead / Off we go |
| Bof | bof | Meh / Not really / I don’t care much |
| Hein | hahn | Right? / Huh? / You know? |
| C’est la vie | seh lah VEE | That’s life / Such is life |
| Tant pis | tahn PEE | Too bad / Never mind / Oh well |
| Pas de problème | pah duh proh-BLEM | No problem |
| Ça marche | sah MARSH | That works / OK / Sounds good |
| N’importe quoi | nahm-PORT kwah | Whatever / Nonsense / That’s ridiculous |
| C’est dommage | seh doh-MAZH | That’s a shame / What a pity |
| Enchanted(e) | ahn-shahn-TAY | Delighted to meet you |
Section 21: Numbers, Time and Days
Numbers
| Number | French | Pronunciation |
| 1 | Un / Une | uhn / ün |
| 2 | Deux | duh |
| 3 | Trois | trwah |
| 4 | Quatre | KAH-truh |
| 5 | Cinq | sahnk |
| 6 | Six | sees |
| 7 | Sept | set |
| 8 | Huit | weet |
| 9 | Neuf | nuhf |
| 10 | Dix | dees |
| 20 | Vingt | vahn |
| 50 | Cinquante | sahn-KAHNT |
| 100 | Cent | sahn |
| 1,000 | Mille | meel |
Time
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| What time is it? | Quelle heure est-il ? | kel UHR eh-TEEL? |
| Morning / Afternoon / Evening | Matin / Après-midi / Soir | mah-TAHN / ah-preh-mee-DEE / swahr |
| Today / Tomorrow / Yesterday | Aujourd’hui / Demain / Hier | oh-zhoor-DWEE / duh-MAHN / YEHR |
| Now / Later | Maintenant / Plus tard | mahnt-NAHN / plü TAR |
Days of the Week
| English | French |
| Monday | Lundi |
| Tuesday | Mardi |
| Wednesday | Mercredi |
| Thursday | Jeudi |
| Friday | Vendredi |
| Saturday | Samedi |
| Sunday | Dimanche |
Section 22: French Holiday Phrases to Know for Travelers
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Merry Christmas | Joyeux Noël | zhwah-YUH noh-EL |
| Happy New Year | Bonne Année | bun ah-NAY |
| Happy Easter | Joyeuses Pâques | zhwah-YUZ PAK |
| Happy Birthday | Joyeux Anniversaire | zhwah-YUH ah-nee-vehr-SEHR |
| Congratulations | Félicitations | fay-lee-see-tah-SYOHN |
| Best wishes | Meilleurs vœux | meh-YUHR vuh |
| Happy celebrations | Bonnes Fêtes | bun FET |
| Cheers! | Santé ! | sahn-TAY! |
Travel tip: Bastille Day (July 14th) is France’s most celebrated national holiday.
If your trip overlaps, expect spectacular fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, free concerts across Paris, and military parades on the Champs-Élysées.
Many shops and restaurants close or operate on reduced hours. Book accommodation and restaurants well in advance.
Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
Survival Essentials
| Situation | French |
| Entering any shop or space | Bonjour |
| Good evening | Bonsoir |
| Thank you | Merci beaucoup |
| Please | S’il vous plaît |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi |
| Yes / No | Oui / Non |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais ? |
| Help! | Au secours ! |
| Have a good day (farewell) | Bonne journée |
The Buffer Script
| Step | French |
| Greet | Bonjour ! |
| Acknowledge | Excusez-moi de vous déranger, mais… |
| Request | Pouvez-vous m’aider ? |
Cashier Phrases You Will Hear
| What they say | What it means | Your response |
| Avec ça ? | Anything else? | C’est tout, merci |
| Par carte ou espèces ? | Card or cash? | Par carte, s’il vous plaît |
| Pour emporter ? | To take away? | Sur place / Pour emporter |
Food and Drink
| Situation | French |
| Espresso | Un café |
| Coffee with milk | Un café crème |
| Tap water (free) | Une carafe d’eau |
| I’ll take… | Je vais prendre… |
| Not yet (ordering) | Pas encore |
| The bill please | L’addition, s’il vous plaît |
| Is service included? | Le service est compris ? |
| Cheers! | Santé ! |
Transport
| Situation | French |
| Where is…? | Où est… ? |
| Validate your ticket | Compostez votre billet |
| Which platform? | Quel quai ? |
| Left / Right / Straight | À gauche / À droite / Tout droit |
Women Travelers
| Situation | French |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Où est la pharmacie ? |
| I need sanitary pads | J’ai besoin de serviettes hygiéniques |
| I need tampons | J’ai besoin de tampons |
| Leave me alone | Laissez-moi tranquille |
| Call the police | Appelez la police |
Emergencies
| Situation | French |
| Medical emergency | 15 |
| Police | 17 |
| European emergency | 112 |
| Call an ambulance | Appelez une ambulance |
| I need a doctor | J’ai besoin d’un médecin |
A Final Word: The Language That Rewards Effort More Than Perfection
French has a reputation for being the language of perfectionists. The grammar is precise. The pronunciation is unforgiving.
The culture, people say, is not patient with those who get it wrong.
That reputation is mostly myth, built from interactions where tourists skipped the greeting and got the response they deserved.
Your French does not need to be perfect. It needs to be respectful.
Bonjour at the door. Merci beaucoup when someone helps you.
Bonne journée when you leave. A genuine attempt at “excusez-moi de vous déranger” before you ask for anything.
Do those things and you will meet a France that is warm, generous, endlessly charming, and far more patient with your imperfect pronunciation than you ever expected.
Bon voyage ! — Have a wonderful trip! ❤️❤️❤️
FAQ: French Phrases for Travel
1. What are the most important French phrases for tourists?
Start with four. Bonjour (hello, said when entering any space), Merci beaucoup (thank you very much), Excusez-moi (excuse me), and L’addition s’il vous plaît (the bill please).
These four cover the majority of daily interactions. Add “Je voudrais” (I would like) for ordering and “Où est…?” (where is…?) for navigation and you have a working travel toolkit.
2. What are the most useful French travel expressions?
Beyond greetings, the most useful travel expressions are: “Je vais prendre” (I’ll take, for ordering), “C’est tout, merci” (that’s all, thank you, at any checkout), “Une carafe d’eau” (tap water, always free in restaurants), “Pas encore” (not yet, when a waiter asks if you’re ready), and “Compostez votre billet” (validate your ticket, the rail rule most tourists break).
These five expressions solve the situations that catch tourists off guard most often.
3. Is it rude to speak English in France without trying French first?
Yes, but not in the way most tourists fear. The issue is not English itself. It is skipping the greeting.
Walking up to anyone and speaking English without first saying Bonjour is perceived as treating them like a service machine rather than a person.
Start every interaction with Bonjour and Excusez-moi, then ask “Parlez-vous anglais?” and you will almost always be met with patience and genuine helpfulness.
4. What does “avec ça” mean in French?
“Avec ça” (ah-vek SAH) literally means “with that” and is used by cashiers and counter staff to ask “will that be all?” or “anything else with that?” The correct response is “C’est tout, merci” (seh too, mehr-SEE) meaning “that’s all, thank you.”
Knowing this single exchange makes every bakery, café, and supermarket visit significantly less stressful.
5. How do you ask for tap water in France?
Ask for “une carafe d’eau” (ün kah-RAF DOH). This specifically requests a carafe of tap water, which is free by law in all French restaurants.
If you simply ask for “de l’eau” (water), the waiter may bring bottled water and add it to your bill. The carafe d’eau request signals you know the system and saves money.
6. Do you tip in France?
Service (typically 15%) is legally included in all French restaurant bills. You will often see “service compris” on your addition. You are not expected to tip additionally.
Leaving a few euros or rounding up for genuinely excellent service is appreciated but never obligatory. Do not feel pressured to tip 15 to 20% American-style.
7. What is the “doucement” hack?
“Doucement” (DOOS-mahn) means gently or softly in French. When you need someone to speak more slowly, saying “Un peu plus doucement, s’il vous plaît” (a little more gently please) is more natural and polished than the textbook “Parlez plus lentement.”
It asks the speaker to slow down while sounding like you actually know the language, which paradoxically tends to make French speakers more patient with you.
8. What are French false friends tourists should know?
The most important ones: “Préservatif” means condom not preservative, “librairie” means bookshop not library, “sensible” means sensitive not sensible, “actuellement” means currently not actually, and “formidable” means wonderful not frightening.
Using these words in their English sense creates confusion at best and genuine awkwardness at worst.