Traveling to France or any francophone (French-speaking) country? Learning French? Then here is a list of 30 essential French Words and Phrases, useful for travelers and French learners!
| French | English |
| 1. Bonjour | Hello, good morning, good afternoon |
| 2. Bonsoir | Good evening |
| 3. Au revoir | Goodbye |
| 4. Merci | Thank you |
| 5. Pardon | Excuse me |
| 6. De rien | You are welcome |
| 7. S’il vous plaît | Please |
| 8. Oui | Yes |
| 9. Non | No |
| 10. D’accord | Okay |
| 11. Monsieur | Sir, Mr. |
| 12. Madame | Madam, Mrs. |
| 13. Mademoiselle | Miss |
| 14. Je m’appelle | My name is |
| 15. Qu’est-ce que c’est? | What is it? |
| 16. Je voudrais | I would like |
| 17. Il y a | There is/there are |
When in trouble…
| 18. Pouvez-vous m’aider? | Can you help me? |
| 19. Je ne sais pas | I don’t know |
| 20. Je ne comprends pas | I don’t understand |
| 21. J’ai une question | I have a question |
| 22. J’ai un problème | I have a problem |
| 23. Parlez-vous anglais? | Do you speak English? |
| 24. Je parle un peu de français | I speak a little French |
| 25. Comment dit-on ‘….’ en français? | How do you say ‘…’ in French? |
| 26. Répétez, s’il vous plaît | Please repeat |
| 27. Je suis malade | I’m sick |
| 28. Appelez une ambulance | Call an ambulance |
| 29. J’ai mal ici | I hurt here |
| 30. J’ai besoin d’un médecin | I need a doctor |
The 30 French phrases listed in this article are just some of the very basic phrases that you need to know before you visit France or a francophone country (where French is spoken). For more useful French phrases, check out French Vocabulary Bank, a bilingual book ideal for French learners and travelers. By the end of this book, you will know more than 600 essential French phrases, to be used in everyday situations to manage well in a francophone country.
By Anchal / Last updated: November 29, 2023