Basic Phrases in French

French is the first language for around 80 million people around the world. Another 190 million consider it their second language. In addition to France, where it originated, it is widely spoken in Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco and parts of Africa. It is an official language of the United Nations and the third most spoken language in the European Union (after English and French). Its widespread use means it is one of the primary languages in which the world conducts its business.

Here are some useful French phrases.

1. Pronounce It Right!

Although most letters in French are similar to their English equivalents, some can cause confusion:

c	---	like 's' before E and I; like 'k' before a, o, and u
ç	---	like 's' in 'sit'
é	---	like 'ay' in 'day'
è	---	just a little longer than the 'e' in 'very'
e	---	like 'set' or long as in 'obey'
ê	---	like the 'e' in 'let'
j	---	like the 's' in 'pleasure’
u	---	like the 'u' in 'umbrella'

2. Master the Basics

S'il vous plait	---	Please
Merci	---	Thank you
Bonjour	---	Hello
Bonne nuit	---	Good night
Bonsoir	---	Good evening
Au revoir	---	Good bye
Oui	---	Yes
Non	---	No
Parlez-vous anglais?	---	Do you speak English?
Excusez-moi	---	Excuse me
Pardon	---	Sorry
Je ne comprends pas	---	I don't understand
Comment appelez-vous?	---	What’s your name?
Je m'appelle __	---	My name is __
Comment allez-vous?	---	How are you?
Bien, merci	---	Fine, thanks
De quell pays êtes-vous?	---	Where are you from?

3. Get Around

Je cherche	---	I'm looking for
Est-ce près/loin?	---	Is it near/far?
Je voudrais un billet	---	I'd like a ticket.
À quelle heure train part/arrive?	---	What time does the train leave/arrive?
Tournez à gauche/droite	---	Turn left/right
Derriére	---	Behind
Devant	---	In front of
En face de	---	Opposite
Comment est-ce que je dois aller pur arriver à school ?	---	How do I get to the school?
L'avion	---	The airplane
L'autobus	---	The bus
Le train	---	The train
Le ferry	---	The ferry
Aller-simple	---	One way
Aller-retour	---	Return

4. Settle In

Une chamber pour une personne	---	A single room
Une chamber pour deux personnes	---	A double room
Je voudrais réserver	---	I'd like to book
Quel est le prix par nuit?	---	How much is it per night?
Est-ce que le petit déjeuner est compris?	---	Is breakfast included?

5. Time Travel

Aujourd'hui	---	Today
Demain	---	Tomorrow
Hier	---	Yesterday
Ce soir	---	Tonight
Quelle heure est-il?	---	What time is it?
Il est deux heures	---	It’s 2 O'clock.
Quand ?	---	When?

6. Grab a Bite

Je ne mange pas de viande	---	I don’t eat meat
Le petit déjeuner	---	Breakfast
le déjeuner	---	Lunch
Le diner	---	Dinner
Legume	---	Vegetable
Viande	---	Meat
Poisson	---	Fish
Volaille	---	Poultry
Bière	---	Beer
Vin	---	Wine

7. What Signs Mean

Le bureau de change	---	The exchange office
Une banque	---	A bank
L'ambassade de state	---	The embassy of state
Le bureau de poste	---	The post office
Ls toilettes	---	Public toilet

8. Numbers Talk

1	---	Un
2	---	Deux
3	---	Trois
4	---	Quatre
5	---	Cinq
6	---	Six
7	---	Sept
8	---	Huit
9	---	Neuf
10	---	Dix

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