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Basic French Phrases Every Traveler Should Know

You do not need fluent French to travel comfortably in a French-speaking region. These few phrases cover most everyday situations.

Bonjour / Bonsoir — Hello / Good evening

Bonjour ("bohn-zhoor") is used from morning until evening; bonsoir ("bohn-swahr") takes over after dark. Opening any interaction, even a quick shop visit, with one of these is considered basic politeness in French-speaking countries.

Merci — Thank you

Pronounced "mehr-see." For more emphasis, "merci beaucoup" ("mehr-see boh-koo") means "thank you very much" and is common when someone has gone out of their way to help.

S'il vous plaît — Please

Pronounced roughly "seel voo pleh." Adding this to any request, even a simple one like ordering coffee, softens it considerably and is expected in polite conversation.

Excusez-moi / Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry

"Excusez-moi" ("ex-kew-zay mwah") is used to get someone's attention or pass by; "pardon" works for a quick apology, like bumping into someone.

Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?

Pronounced "par-lay voo ahn-glay." Asking this in French first, rather than immediately speaking English, is generally received far better than assuming everyone speaks English.

C'est combien? — How much is it?

Pronounced "say kohm-byan." A short, practical phrase for shopping or markets, often followed by pointing at the item in question if the number given is not understood.

Où est...? — Where is...?

Pronounced "oo eh." Useful for finding a bathroom ("les toilettes"), a train station ("la gare"), or nearly anything else — just add the place you are looking for after it.

Effort matters more than accent

Attempting a French greeting or a simple thank-you, even with an imperfect accent, is generally appreciated as a sign of respect. Skipping straight to English without any French at all is more likely to come across as presumptuous than a mispronounced "bonjour" ever would.

Formality is built into the language

French distinguishes between the informal "tu" and the formal "vous" for "you," and travelers are almost always expected to default to the formal register with strangers, shopkeepers, and anyone older. Sticking to "vous"-based phrases like the ones above avoids this issue entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it rude to just start speaking English in France?

It is generally seen as more polite to open with a French greeting and at least ask "Parlez-vous anglais?" first, even if the rest of the conversation ends up happening in English.

Do these phrases work the same in other French-speaking countries?

Yes, these core phrases are standard across French-speaking regions like Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, though accents and some regional vocabulary can differ.