France is beautiful, but let’s face it unless you really paid attention in GCSE French (or your version of it), you might find yourself nodding politely while someone tells you off for sitting in a reserved seat. Worry not, mon ami. Here are 10 French phrases that’ll earn you smiles, save you stress and maybe even score you an extra croissant.
1. Bonjour – Hello / Good day
Pronunciation: bon-zhoor
Use this the moment you walk into anywhere. Shops, cafés, museums, bakeries, even lift lobbies. It’s the golden key to being treated like a semi-civilised human.
Pro tip: Even if you butcher the rest of the sentence, saying bonjour will still make you look like you’re trying. And the French do love a trier.
2. Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?
Pronunciation: par-lay voo on-glay?
Essential for when your Year 8 French abandons you completely and you’re not sure whether you’re ordering fish or someone’s mother.
Pro tip: Ask this after saying bonjour. You’ll be surprised how much more helpful people become when you’re polite.
3. Je ne parle pas bien français – I don’t speak French well
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh parl pah byan fron-say
This humble little sentence is your best friend. It lets people know you’re trying, which goes a long way in France.
Bonus: Often followed by a French person switching to flawless English, but hey—you tried!
4. Où sont les toilettes ? – Where are the toilets?
Pronunciation: oo son lay twa-let?
Because one baguette too many and you’ll need this urgently.
Pro tip: Toilets in cafés are usually for customers only. So maybe order a coffee while you’re at it—two birds, one espresso.
5. Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?
Pronunciation: kom-byen sa koot?
Essential in markets, small shops, or when you’re trying to buy that chic little scarf you definitely don’t need.
Warning: Always ask before ordering things in cafés near tourist areas. You don’t want to remortgage your house for a sandwich.
6. L’addition, s’il vous plaît – The bill, please
Pronunciation: la-dee-syon, seel voo pleh
Don’t just sit there waiting. In France, the bill won’t come until you ask—because lingering is a lifestyle.
Pro tip: If you’re in a hurry, this is the magic phrase that gets you out the door.
7. Je voudrais… – I would like…
Pronunciation: zhuh voo-dray
This one’s pure gold. Follow it with anything: wine, bread, directions, a pony. The world’s your huître (oyster).
Example: Je voudrais un croissant, s’il vous plaît – I’d like a croissant, please. (Obvious choice.)
8. Excusez-moi – Excuse me
Pronunciation: ex-kew-zay mwah
Use it to get someone’s attention, squeeze past in a crowd, or when you accidentally step on a small dog in a patisserie.
Note: Slightly more polite than pardon, but both work.
9. C’est délicieux ! – It’s delicious!
Pronunciation: say day-lee-syuh!
Pull this one out after your first bite of tartiflette, and you’ll charm the socks off any French chef or waiter.
Extra points if you do a little food-happy dance at the same time.
10. À bientôt ! – See you soon!
Pronunciation: ah byan-toe!
A lovely way to end a conversation—cheerier than au revoir, and more memorable than just nodding awkwardly and walking away.
Bonus Hack:
If all else fails, just say everything with confidence, throw in a s’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) at the end, and smile like you didn’t just ask where the swimming pool is in the middle of a pharmacy.
