Basic French Phrases
Although France is the kind of country where it isn’t the end of the world if you can’t speak the lingo, there’s a lot to be said for picking up just a few words and phrases that you can use if you need to. Like every other destination around the world, it’s always appreciated if you make an effort to try and communicate with the locals in their own language – if you’re planning a trip across the Channel, try making use of a some of these basic French phrases for tourists.
Eating and drinking French Phrases
When you’re out and about and you’re feeling a bit peckish, the last thing you want is to end up with a sandwich jambon (ham sandwich), when what you really wanted was a nice, cold beer. Je voudrais is an easy way to say ‘I would like’ and you can follow this with any of the options below:
Gâteau – cake
Soupe – soup
Frites – chips
Gaufre – waffle
Boeuf – beef
Beurre – butter
Fromage - Cheese
Glace – ice cream
Lait – milk
Pomme – apple
Bièr – beer
Thé – tea
Vin – wine
L’eau – water
You may also find useful:
Le menu, s’il vous plait – please may I have the menu
L’addition, s’il vous plait – the bill, please
J’ai réservé une table – I have made a booking
Accommodation
Whether you’re making a booking, enquiring about breakfast, or confirming your check out time, there are some easy phrases that will come in useful when sorting out your accommodation in France.
Je voudrais effectuer une reservation – I’d like to make a booking
Je voudrais une chambre double/single – I’d like a double/single room
Pour une nuit – For one night
Y a-t-il la climatisation dans la chambre? – is there air conditioning in the room?
Le petit déjeuner est-il compris? – is breakfast included?
A quelle heure dois-je quitter la chambre? – when is check out?
Quel est le prix d’une nuit? – what’s the price per night?
Getting around
When you’re out and about it can be useful to have a few basic phrases to hand to communicate where you’re trying to get to.
Je ne parle pas français – I don’t speak French
Excusez-moi, pour aller à la gare, s’il vous plaît? – can you tell me where the train station is please?
Où puis-je trouver un taxi? – where can I get a taxi?
Où se trouve la gare routière/la gare/ l’aéroport – where is the bus station/train station/airport?
Je cherche…- I am looking for…
Whether you’re shopping, off for a night out, or sightseeing, you might also find these useful:
C’est combien? – How much is this?
Acceptez-vous les cartes bancaires? – do you accept credit cards?
A quelle heure fermez-vous? – what time do you close?
Je voudrais une coupe de cheveux – I’d like a haircut
Où se trouve le bateau de rivière de tournée – where is the riverboat tour?
Qu’est-ce qu’on fait ce soir? – where shall we go tonight?
On va en boîte? – do you want to go clubbing?
Basic French Phrases Help in France!
With these useful basic French phrases for tourists you can make sure you’re able to get what you want while on holiday in France. Being able to communicate by learning a few words and phrases means you won’t have to resort to just shouting extra loud in English – so you’re far more likely to get on better with the locals!
John wrote this post for Alamo car hire France – in case you wondered “Je voudrais louer une voiture” roughly translated to “I’d like to rent a car“!
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