70 phrases · 139 replies · audio for every line

French phrases for travelers, and what you’ll hear back

Most phrasebooks stop after your half of the sentence. This one gives you the reply too: what the barista, the waiter and the ticket clerk actually say back. Hear every line in a female or male voice, slowly or at full speed, and print the whole list for the trip.

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Basic French phrases and greetings

In France you say bonjour before anything else, whether you walk into a shop, get on a bus or stop a stranger to ask the way; skipping it comes across as rude. Adding monsieur or madame after it makes it more polite still.

  1. Bonjour !

    Hello!

    Say it to the staff every time you walk into a shop, café or office, before any question; from early evening it becomes bonsoir.

    You may hear

    • Bonjour, je vous écoute.

      Hello, what can I do for you?

    • Bonjour, qu'est-ce que je vous sers ?

      Hello, what can I get you?

  2. Merci beaucoup !

    Thank you very much!

    You may hear

    • Je vous en prie.

      You're welcome.

    • De rien.

      Don't mention it.

  3. Pardon, je peux passer ?

    Excuse me, can I get past?

    You may hear

    • Oui, allez-y.

      Yes, go ahead.

    • Ah, pardon, excusez-moi.

      Oh, sorry, excuse me.

  4. Excusez-moi !

    Sorry!

    Excusez-moi also gets a stranger's attention before you ask something; pardon is the quick word when you bump into someone.

    You may hear

    • Ce n'est rien.

      It's nothing.

    • Il n'y a pas de mal.

      No harm done.

  5. Pardon, je n'ai pas compris.

    Sorry, I didn't understand.

    You may hear

    • Pas de souci, je répète plus lentement.

      No problem, I'll say it again more slowly.

    • C'est plus clair ?

      Is that clearer?

  6. Vous parlez anglais ?

    Do you speak English?

    Ask in French, after bonjour; it usually gets a friendlier answer than opening in English.

    You may hear

    • Un petit peu.

      A little bit.

    • Non, je regrette.

      No, I'm afraid not.

  7. Vous pouvez parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît ?

    Could you speak more slowly, please?

    You may hear

    • Oui, bien sûr, pardon.

      Yes, of course, sorry.

  8. Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes ?

    Excuse me, where are the toilets?

    Café toilets are usually meant for customers, so order something first.

    You may hear

    • Au fond, à droite.

      At the back, on the right.

    • C'est réservé aux clients.

      They're for customers only.

  9. Merci, au revoir !

    Thanks, goodbye!

    Say it to the staff as you leave a shop or café, even if you bought nothing.

    You may hear

    • Au revoir, bonne journée !

      Goodbye, have a good day!

    • Bonne fin de journée !

      Enjoy the rest of your day!

Ordering at a French café and boulangerie

At a café you can stand at the counter (le comptoir) or sit inside or on the terrace, where a waiter serves you and drinks often cost a little more. The boulangerie, the bakery, is where you buy bread and croissants, usually to take away.

  1. Un café, s'il vous plaît.

    A coffee, please.

    Un café is an espresso; for a longer, milder coffee ask for un café allongé.

    You may hear

    • Sur place ou à emporter ?

      For here or to take away?

    • Je vous apporte ça.

      I'll bring that over.

  2. Un café crème et un croissant, s'il vous plaît.

    A white coffee and a croissant, please.

    A café crème is an espresso with hot milk in a bigger cup; a noisette has just a dash of milk.

    You may hear

    • Grand ou petit ?

      Large or small?

    • Ah, il n'y a plus de croissants.

      Oh, there are no croissants left.

  3. Un demi, s'il vous plaît.

    A small draught beer, please.

    Un demi is a glass of draught beer, usually 25 cl; for a bigger one ask for une pinte.

    You may hear

    • On a de la blonde et de la blanche.

      We have lager and wheat beer.

    • Ça marche !

      Coming right up!

  4. Un verre de vin rouge, s'il vous plaît.

    A glass of red wine, please.

    You may hear

    • Un bordeaux ou un côtes-du-rhône ?

      A Bordeaux or a Côtes du Rhône?

    • Au verre, on n'a que celui-ci.

      By the glass, we only have this one.

  5. On peut s'asseoir en terrasse ?

    Can we sit outside?

    You may hear

    • Oui, installez-vous où vous voulez.

      Yes, sit wherever you like.

    • Je vous apporte la carte.

      I'll bring you the menu.

  6. Une baguette tradition, s'il vous plaît.

    A traditional baguette, please.

    A tradition is made to a stricter recipe with no additives and costs a little more than a plain baguette.

    You may hear

    • Ce sera tout ?

      Will that be all?

    • Un euro trente, s'il vous plaît.

      One euro thirty, please.

  7. Je vous dois combien ?

    How much do I owe you?

    Service is included in French prices, so a tip is never required; leaving a few coins is a kind extra.

    You may hear

    • Ça fait quatre euros quarante.

      That's four euros forty.

    • Vous payez comment ?

      How are you paying?

French phrases for the restaurant

Wait to be shown to a table, and expect lunch to be served from about noon to two and dinner from about half past seven, with many kitchens closed in between. Meals are unhurried, and the bill only comes when you ask for it.

  1. Bonsoir, vous avez une table pour deux ?

    Good evening, do you have a table for two?

    You may hear

    • Vous avez réservé ?

      Have you booked?

    • En salle ou en terrasse ?

      Inside or on the terrace?

  2. On peut avoir la carte, s'il vous plaît ?

    Could we have the menu, please?

    In French, le menu is a fixed-price set meal; the list of dishes is la carte.

    You may hear

    • Tenez, voici la carte.

      Here you are, here's the menu.

    • Les plats du jour sont sur l'ardoise.

      Today's dishes are on the board.

  3. Vous avez une formule du midi ?

    Do you have a set lunch?

    A formule is a fixed-price deal, most common at lunch, that pairs two courses from a short list.

    You may hear

    • Oui, entrée-plat ou plat-dessert à dix-huit euros.

      Yes, starter and main or main and dessert for eighteen euros.

    • Seulement le midi, en semaine.

      Only at lunchtime, on weekdays.

  4. Qu'est-ce que vous nous conseillez ?

    What would you recommend?

    You may hear

    • Le plat du jour, c'est une blanquette de veau.

      The dish of the day is a veal blanquette.

    • Le poisson est très frais aujourd'hui.

      The fish is very fresh today.

  5. Pour moi, le steak-frites, s'il vous plaît.

    The steak and chips for me, please.

    Steak is cooked rarer than in many countries: saignant is rare, à point is about medium-rare, bien cuit is well done.

    You may hear

    • Quelle cuisson ?

      How would you like it cooked?

    • Et comme boisson ?

      And to drink?

  6. Je ne mange pas de viande.

    I don't eat meat.

    Salads, quiches and soups often contain lardons or ham, or are made with meat stock, so ask.

    You may hear

    • Et le poisson ?

      What about fish?

    • Il y a des lardons, mais on peut les enlever.

      It has bacon in it, but we can leave it out.

  7. Vous avez des plats sans gluten ?

    Do you have any gluten-free dishes?

    You may hear

    • Je vais demander en cuisine.

      I'll ask in the kitchen.

    • Les allergènes sont indiqués sur la carte.

      The allergens are marked on the menu.

  8. Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.

    A jug of tap water, please.

    Tap water in a carafe is free with a meal; ask for it by name, or you may be offered bottled water.

    You may hear

    • Oui, tout de suite.

      Yes, right away.

    • Vous désirez autre chose ?

      Would you like anything else?

  9. S'il vous plaît !

    Excuse me! (to call the waiter)

    Say it with a raised hand or when you catch the waiter's eye; calling out garçon is old-fashioned and can sound rude.

    You may hear

    • J'arrive !

      Coming!

    • Vous avez choisi ?

      Have you decided?

  10. L'addition, s'il vous plaît.

    The bill, please.

    It will not come until you ask, and if you pay by card the waiter usually brings the machine to the table.

    You may hear

    • Tout de suite.

      Right away.

    • Vous réglez ensemble ou séparément ?

      Are you paying together or separately?

Train tickets and platforms

SNCF runs the national network: TGV trains on the high-speed routes, which need a booked seat, and TER trains on regional lines. At big stations the platform (voie) appears on the departure board only about twenty minutes before the train leaves.

  1. Un billet pour Lyon, s'il vous plaît.

    A ticket to Lyon, please.

    You may hear

    • Aller simple ou aller-retour ?

      One way or return?

    • Vous partez quand ?

      When are you travelling?

  2. Excusez-moi, le train pour Paris part de quelle voie ?

    Excuse me, which platform does the Paris train leave from?

    You may hear

    • Voie sept, au fond.

      Platform seven, at the far end.

    • Ce n'est pas encore affiché.

      It isn't up on the board yet.

  3. Ce train s'arrête à Dijon ?

    Does this train stop at Dijon?

    You may hear

    • Oui, c'est le deuxième arrêt.

      Yes, it's the second stop.

    • Non, il faut changer à Lyon.

      No, you have to change at Lyon.

  4. Où est-ce que je peux acheter un billet de TER ?

    Where can I buy a regional train ticket?

    You may hear

    • Aux bornes, juste là.

      At the machines, just over there.

    • Au guichet, ou sur l'appli SNCF Connect.

      At the ticket office, or in the SNCF Connect app.

  5. Le train a du retard ?

    Is the train late?

    You may hear

    • Oui, une vingtaine de minutes.

      Yes, about twenty minutes.

    • Il est supprimé, je regrette.

      It's been cancelled, I'm afraid.

  6. Excusez-moi, je crois que c'est ma place.

    Excuse me, I think this is my seat.

    Coaches are called voitures, and your ticket shows the voiture and place number.

    You may hear

    • Ah bon ? Ici, c'est la voiture six.

      Really? This is coach six.

    • Oh, pardon, je vous laisse la place.

      Oh, sorry, I'll move.

  7. Il y a une grève aujourd'hui ?

    Is there a strike today?

    Rail strikes are announced ahead, and SNCF Connect shows which trains still run, so check before you travel.

    You may hear

    • Oui, un train sur deux circule.

      Yes, one train in two is running.

    • Votre train est maintenu.

      Your train is still running.

Métro, buses, taxis and directions

Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse and Rennes have a métro, and many other cities run trams and buses. Buy your ticket before you travel, at a machine or in the local app, and validate it at the start of every journey: at the gates in the métro, or as you board a bus or tram.

  1. On peut acheter un ticket dans le bus ?

    Can you buy a ticket on the bus?

    You may hear

    • Oui, auprès du chauffeur, mais c'est plus cher.

      Yes, from the driver, but it costs more.

    • Non, il faut le prendre avant, au distributeur.

      No, you have to get it beforehand, from the machine.

  2. Quel ticket vous me conseillez pour trois jours ?

    Which ticket would you recommend for three days?

    You may hear

    • Le pass trois jours, c'est le plus pratique.

      The three-day pass is the easiest.

    • Un carnet de dix tickets suffira.

      A book of ten tickets will be enough.

  3. Excusez-moi, quelle ligne pour aller à Montmartre ?

    Excuse me, which line goes to Montmartre?

    Signs give a line's direction by the name of the last station on it.

    You may hear

    • Prenez la ligne deux, direction Nation.

      Take line two, towards Nation.

    • Il faut changer à la prochaine station.

      You need to change at the next station.

  4. Vous pouvez me dire quand je dois descendre ?

    Could you tell me when to get off?

    You may hear

    • Oui, je vous préviens.

      Yes, I'll let you know.

    • C'est le prochain arrêt.

      It's the next stop.

  5. Excusez-moi, pour aller au musée d'Orsay, s'il vous plaît ?

    Excuse me, how do I get to the Musée d'Orsay, please?

    Start with excusez-moi or bonjour before asking a stranger the way; it gets a much warmer answer.

    You may hear

    • Tout droit, puis la deuxième à gauche.

      Straight on, then the second on the left.

    • Vous traversez le pont, et c'est sur votre droite.

      Cross the bridge, and it's on your right.

  6. C'est loin à pied ?

    Is it far on foot?

    You may hear

    • Non, c'est à cinq minutes.

      No, it's five minutes away.

    • Comptez un bon quart d'heure.

      Allow a good quarter of an hour.

  7. C'est combien pour aller à l'aéroport ?

    How much is it to the airport?

    Taxis between the Paris airports and the city charge a fixed fare; elsewhere, ask for an estimate before you set off.

    You may hear

    • C'est un prix fixe pour Paris.

      It's a fixed price to Paris.

    • Ça dépend de la circulation.

      It depends on the traffic.

French phrases for the hotel

Hotels often ask foreign guests for a passport and a short registration form at check-in, and many towns add a small tourist tax (taxe de séjour) per person per night. Breakfast is often charged separately, so check whether it is included.

  1. Bonsoir, j'ai une réservation au nom de Smith.

    Good evening, I have a booking under the name Smith.

    You may hear

    • Vous avez une pièce d'identité, s'il vous plaît ?

      Do you have some ID, please?

    • Vous pouvez remplir cette fiche ?

      Could you fill in this form?

  2. Le petit-déjeuner est à quelle heure ?

    What time is breakfast?

    You may hear

    • De sept heures à dix heures, en salle.

      From seven to ten, in the dining room.

    • Il n'est pas compris, c'est quinze euros.

      It isn't included, it's fifteen euros.

  3. Quel est le code du wifi ?

    What's the wifi password?

    You may hear

    • Il est noté sur la pochette de votre clé.

      It's written on your key card holder.

    • Je vous l'écris.

      I'll write it down for you.

  4. On peut laisser nos bagages ici jusqu'à cinq heures ?

    Can we leave our bags here until five?

    You may hear

    • Oui, bien sûr, je vous les mets de côté.

      Yes, of course, I'll put them aside for you.

    • Voici votre ticket.

      Here's your ticket.

  5. Vous pourriez nous apporter des serviettes propres ?

    Could you bring us some clean towels?

    You may hear

    • Quel est votre numéro de chambre ?

      What's your room number?

    • Je vous les fais monter tout de suite.

      I'll have them sent up right away.

  6. La climatisation ne marche pas.

    The air conditioning isn't working.

    Many smaller French hotels have no air conditioning at all, so check before you book a summer stay.

    You may hear

    • Vous avez mis la carte dans la fente ?

      Have you put the key card in the slot?

    • J'envoie quelqu'un tout de suite.

      I'll send someone right away.

  7. À quelle heure faut-il libérer la chambre ?

    What time do we have to check out?

    You may hear

    • Avant onze heures.

      Before eleven.

    • Vous pouvez la garder jusqu'à midi, si vous voulez.

      You can keep it until noon, if you like.

Shopping and paying

Say bonjour when you walk into any shop and au revoir when you leave, even if you buy nothing. Most shops are shut on Sundays, though bakeries and food markets often open on Sunday morning.

  1. Je regarde seulement, merci.

    I'm just looking, thanks.

    You may hear

    • Très bien, n'hésitez pas si vous avez besoin.

      Very well, just ask if you need anything.

    • Pas de souci.

      No problem.

  2. Je peux l'essayer ?

    Can I try it on?

    You may hear

    • Oui, les cabines sont au fond.

      Yes, the fitting rooms are at the back.

    • Vous faites quelle taille ?

      What size are you?

  3. Vous l'avez dans la taille au-dessus ?

    Do you have it in the next size up?

    You may hear

    • Je vais regarder en réserve.

      I'll look in the stockroom.

    • C'est le dernier qu'il nous reste.

      It's the last one we have.

  4. Je peux payer par carte ?

    Can I pay by card?

    Cards are taken almost everywhere, but some small shops and market stalls set a minimum or take only cash.

    You may hear

    • Oui, allez-y, sans contact.

      Yes, go ahead, contactless.

    • Seulement à partir de dix euros.

      Only from ten euros up.

  5. Vous auriez un sac, s'il vous plaît ?

    Could I have a bag, please?

    Single-use plastic bags are banned, so shops offer paper or reusable ones, sometimes for a small charge; bring your own.

    You may hear

    • Oui, il est à vingt centimes.

      Yes, it's twenty cents.

    • C'est pour offrir ?

      Is it a gift?

  6. Un kilo de tomates, s'il vous plaît.

    A kilo of tomatoes, please.

    You may hear

    • Et avec ceci ?

      Anything else?

    • Il y en a un peu plus, ça va ?

      It's a little over, is that OK?

  7. Un morceau de comté, s'il vous plaît.

    A piece of Comté, please.

    At the cheese counter the seller shows you the size with the knife before cutting; say plus or moins until it is right.

    You may hear

    • Comme ça, ça vous va ?

      About this much, is that all right?

    • Douze ou dix-huit mois ?

      Twelve or eighteen months?

  8. Je vais réfléchir, merci.

    I'll think about it, thanks.

    You may hear

    • Pas de problème.

      No problem.

    • Je vous le mets de côté, si vous voulez.

      I can put it aside for you, if you like.

Museums and sightseeing

Book timed tickets online for the big sights, since places like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower can sell out days ahead. Most national museums close one day a week, usually Monday or Tuesday, and many are free for EU residents under 26.

  1. Deux entrées, s'il vous plaît.

    Two tickets, please.

    You may hear

    • Plein tarif ?

      Full price?

    • Vous avez réservé en ligne ?

      Did you book online?

  2. Il y a un tarif réduit pour les étudiants ?

    Is there a student discount?

    Free and reduced entry often depends on your age and where you live, so carry your passport or ID.

    You may hear

    • Oui, sur présentation de la carte étudiante.

      Yes, if you show your student card.

    • C'est gratuit pour les moins de vingt-six ans résidant dans l'Union européenne.

      It's free for under-26s living in the European Union.

  3. Le musée ferme à quelle heure ?

    What time does the museum close?

    You may hear

    • À dix-huit heures, mais la dernière entrée est à dix-sept heures.

      At six, but last entry is at five.

    • Il est fermé le mardi.

      It's closed on Tuesdays.

  4. C'est bien la file pour les billets ?

    Is this the queue for tickets?

    You may hear

    • Non, ici c'est pour ceux qui ont déjà un billet.

      No, this one is for people who already have a ticket.

    • Oui, comptez une heure d'attente.

      Yes, expect about an hour's wait.

  5. Excusez-moi, où est l'entrée ?

    Excuse me, where's the entrance?

    You may hear

    • De l'autre côté, au coin de la rue.

      On the other side, round the corner.

    • Ici, c'est seulement la sortie.

      This is only the exit.

  6. On peut prendre des photos ?

    Can we take photos?

    You may hear

    • Oui, mais sans flash.

      Yes, but no flash.

    • Non, c'est interdit ici.

      No, it's not allowed here.

  7. Il y a un audioguide en anglais ?

    Is there an audio guide in English?

    You may hear

    • Oui, c'est cinq euros.

      Yes, it's five euros.

    • Vous pouvez le télécharger sur votre téléphone.

      You can download it to your phone.

Pharmacy, doctor and emergencies

Pharmacies have a green cross sign, and medicines, even paracetamol and ibuprofen, are sold only there, so the pharmacist is the first stop for minor problems. For an emergency, call 112 from any phone, or 15 for an ambulance.

  1. Excusez-moi, il y a une pharmacie près d'ici ?

    Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?

    At night and on Sundays a duty pharmacy (pharmacie de garde) stays open, and pharmacy doors post which one it is.

    You may hear

    • Oui, au bout de la rue.

      Yes, at the end of the street.

    • À cette heure-ci, il n'y a que la pharmacie de garde.

      At this time, only the duty pharmacy is open.

  2. J'ai mal à la tête. Vous auriez quelque chose ?

    I have a headache. Do you have anything for it?

    You may hear

    • Vous êtes allergique à un médicament ?

      Are you allergic to any medicine?

    • Prenez-en un toutes les six heures.

      Take one every six hours.

  3. Mon fils a de la fièvre.

    My son has a temperature.

    You may hear

    • Vous avez pris sa température ?

      Have you taken his temperature?

    • Il a quel âge ?

      How old is he?

  4. Je suis allergique à la pénicilline.

    I'm allergic to penicillin.

    You may hear

    • Vous prenez d'autres médicaments ?

      Are you taking any other medicines?

    • Alors je vous donne autre chose.

      Then I'll give you something else.

  5. J'ai besoin d'un médecin.

    I need a doctor.

    In many cities SOS Médecins will send a doctor to your hotel, day and night.

    You may hear

    • C'est urgent ?

      Is it urgent?

    • Allez aux urgences de l'hôpital.

      Go to the hospital emergency department.

  6. Appelez une ambulance, vite !

    Call an ambulance, quick!

    You may hear

    • Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?

      What happened?

    • Les secours arrivent.

      Help is on the way.

  7. J'ai perdu mon passeport.

    I've lost my passport.

    Report it first at a police station (commissariat) or gendarmerie; your embassy or consulate will ask for that report.

    You may hear

    • Il faut faire une déclaration de perte.

      You need to report the loss.

    • Ensuite, adressez-vous à votre consulat.

      Then contact your consulate.

  8. On m'a volé mon portefeuille.

    My wallet has been stolen.

    You may hear

    • Où est-ce que c'est arrivé ?

      Where did it happen?

    • Faites opposition sur vos cartes tout de suite.

      Cancel your cards straight away.

Questions travellers ask

01

How do you say hello and thank you in French?

Bonjour (hello) during the day and bonsoir in the evening. Say it when you walk into a shop or café, before anything else. Merci is thank you, merci beaucoup thank you very much. Salut is only for friends.

02

What are the most useful French phrases for travel?

Five get you through most of a trip: bonjour (hello), s'il vous plaît (please), merci beaucoup (thank you very much), excusez-moi (excuse me) and l'addition, s'il vous plaît (the bill, please). This page takes you further: the café and boulangerie, the restaurant, the station, the hotel and the pharmacy, with the replies you will get.

03

Do I need to speak French to travel in France?

No. In Paris and wherever tourists go, plenty of people speak some English. But starting with bonjour and a few words of French changes how you are treated, and away from the big sights the answer usually comes back in French. That is why every phrase here comes with its likely replies.

04

Should I use vous or tu?

Use vous, the polite form, with anyone you don't know and with anyone serving you: waiters, shop staff, ticket clerks, hotel reception. They will almost always call you vous too. Tu is for friends, family, children and people who use it with you first. Every phrase on this page uses vous.

05

How do I get the pronunciation right?

French spelling is a less reliable guide to sound than Italian or Spanish spelling, so listening is the quickest teacher. Play a line slowly, then at normal speed, and say it aloud with the voice. Many final letters are silent, like the s in vous and the t in petit, but a silent final consonant is often sounded when the next word starts with a vowel: in vous avez, the s is said like a z. This is called liaison. Nasal vowels, as in bonjour and combien, come partly through the nose, without sounding the n. Stress falls lightly on the last syllable of a phrase, not on each word.

06

Can I download these phrases?

Yes. The printable PDF has every phrase and reply on a few pages, with a code beside each section that opens its audio here. It is free and asks for nothing, not even an email address.

Before you go

Replies are where a phrasebook runs out. The words that come back most often are the most common words in the language, and the 1,000 most common French words are free to download. The vocabulary quiz estimates how far beyond them your vocabulary already reaches.

Staying longer than the trip? The phrases here are the same for everyone. Apera chooses words from the French you read there — a book page, subtitles or lyrics — using what you already know.

The phrases were drafted with AI, and the voices are synthetic. The audio is free for personal study; please do not use it to train AI or speech models.