French for the trip, pas à pas
A free phrase guide for Australians heading to France. Start with the seventeen phrases below, then use the guides for cafés, shops and getting around.
| English | French | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / good morning | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Good evening | Bonsoir | bon-SWAHR |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLAY |
| Thank you | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Thank you very much | Merci beaucoup | mair-SEE boh-KOO |
| You're welcome | De rien | duh ree-AN |
| Excuse me (to get attention) | Excusez-moi | ex-kew-zay MWAH |
| Sorry | Pardon | par-DON |
| Yes / No | Oui / Non | wee / non |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais ? | par-lay voo on-GLAY |
| I don't understand | Je ne comprends pas | zhuh nuh kom-PRON pah |
| Could you speak more slowly? | Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ? | poo-vay voo par-LAY plew lont-MON |
| I would like… | Je voudrais… | zhuh voo-DRAY |
| How much is it? | C'est combien ? | say kom-BYAN |
| Where is…? | Où est… ? | oo AY |
| The toilets | Les toilettes | lay twah-LET |
Say “Bonjour” before anything else, every time. It is the single most useful habit in French, and it makes everything after it easier. Why it matters.
Phrase guides
Café and Restaurant French
Ordering is where most travellers first use their French. These phrases cover a café stop, a sit-down meal and paying at the end.
Shops and Pharmacy French
From a market stall to a pharmacy counter, these are the phrases that get you served and help you explain what you need.
Getting Around in French
Buying a ticket, finding your platform and following directions with a handful of words and the signs you will see everywhere.
French Politeness Basics
A small amount of French politeness goes further than a large vocabulary. These habits make every other phrase work better.
Learning before you go
Fifteen to twenty minutes a day for a few months before departure goes a long way. Compare the main learning apps to find one that suits how you like to learn.
Small-group classes
Beginner classes for travellers, taught by a native French speaker, are being planned for the Fleurieu Peninsula and online. To hear when they start, email contact@radiantlifedistributors.com.au with “French classes” in the subject line.