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