Basic French phrases for travel

Excuse me

ex-kew-zay-MWAH

Use it to get someone’s attention before a question, or to squeeze past on a crowded metro.

• Shorter Pardon par-DON

Please

seel voo PLEH

Add it to any order or request.

Thank you

mehr-SEE

Say it after any small service, such as a waiter bringing a dish or a shopkeeper handing over change.

Thank you very much

mehr-SEE boh-KOO

Use it when someone has gone out of their way to help and you want to show extra gratitude.

You’re welcome

zhuh voo zon PREE

Use it after someone thanks you. “No problem” is a more casual alternative.

The polite reply. “De rien” is the casual everyday version.

• Casual De rien duh RYAN

I’m sorry

zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY

Use it to apologise when you’ve made a mistake or caused someone trouble.

Spelled with an extra -e if you’re a woman. It sounds identical either way.

• If you’re a woman Je suis désolée zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY

Yes

wee

Useful for confirming a price or accepting an offer.

No

non

Use it to turn down an offer or an extra you didn’t ask for.

Okay

dah-KOR

Use it to agree to a plan, a price, a meeting time or a pickup point.

Perfect

par-FEH

A warmer “okay” for when a suggestion suits you.

That works for me

sah MARSH

Use it to accept a suggestion, such as a later table or a different room.

Literally “that walks”, the universal French way to say “works for me”. Relaxed but fine almost anywhere.

No problem

pah duh proh-BLEM

Use it when someone apologises to you, or to wave off a small inconvenience.

One moment, please

un nan-STON seel voo PLEH

Buy yourself a few seconds at the counter while you find your wallet or decide what to buy.

Could you help me, please?

poo-ree-ay-voo meh-DAY seel voo PLEH

The polite way to open a request for assistance.

Hello

bon-ZHOOR

An everyday greeting polite enough for staff and strangers. One of the first things you should learn in any language.

Say it before anything else when you walk into a shop or café. Skipping it comes across as rude in France.

Hi

sah-LEW

The casual “hello” for friends and anyone you know well.

Good morning

bon-ZHOOR

Use it until around midday when you greet staff in a shop, café or hotel.

French has no separate “good morning”; “bonjour” covers the whole day until evening.

Good evening

bon-SWAHR

The greeting for later in the day: walking into a restaurant for dinner, or checking in after dark.

Switch from “bonjour” around 6 pm. Locals track the switchover with surprising precision.

Goodbye

oh ruh-VWAHR

Say it as you leave a shop or get out of a taxi.

See you later

ah too tah LUHR

For people you’ll see again, such as hotel staff or the barista you visit each morning.

For the same day. “À plus tard” (or just “à plus”) is the casual anytime version.

• Casual À plus tard ah plew TAR

Have a good day

bonn zhoor-NAY

A sign-off after a short exchange, such as paying in a shop.

The standard parting after any exchange. You’ll hear it leaving every shop. Say it back.

My name is [name]

zhuh mah-PEL [nom]

It’s useful to introduce yourself in the local language, especially when meeting people during your travels.

How are you?

koh-mon tah-lay-VOO

Follow your greeting with it. Some people answer briefly, others treat it as a real question.

• Casual Ça va ? sah VAH

I’m well, thank you

treh BYAN mehr-SEE

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Ask the question back if you want to continue the conversation.

Nice to meet you

on-shon-TAY

A useful phrase when meeting someone new on your travels. Saying it in the local language is a nice touch.

An extra -e in writing if you’re a woman; it sounds the same aloud.

• If you’re a woman Enchantée on-shon-TAY