Basic French Phrases to Know for Everyday Conversations

Planning a trip to France or want to talk easily with French speakers? Learning basic French phrases is a great first step. 

Whether you’re ordering in Monaco, asking for directions in Zurich, or greeting new friends in Paris, knowing these common French phrases makes conversations easier and more fun. To help you get started, we prepared this handy list of over 100 French sayings you can use!

Allons-y!

Basic French Phrases for Travel

Traveling is one of the main reasons why tourists start learning a new language. It will help you navigate faster and get assistance if you need it. We have compiled a top list of the most useful phrases for every traveler:

There's an opinion that the French are skeptical of English-speaking tourists, as parodied in an episode of Modern Family. Of course, the residents of Paris, Nice, and other tourist cities are friendly to new faces and are happy to meet tourists in their native country. However, knowing basic French phrases will be a gesture of respect that the locals will appreciate.

1

Greetings in French

First impressions matter! Learning a few friendly French greetings helps you start conversations naturally and make locals smile. Use these basic French phrases whenever you meet someone new.

With these greetings, you’ll start every conversation on the right foot. Practice them daily to make meeting people in French-speaking countries easy and natural!

Asking Questions and Basic Answers

Being able to ask and answer questions is essential for daily life. Here are 10 common questions and 10 useful answers to help you navigate everyday conversations.

Questions

Answers

Learning these basic questions and answers will help you navigate shops, streets, and casual chats with ease. They’re essential for confident, everyday communication in French!

Checking in at a Hotel

Checking into a hotel is easier when you know the right phrases. Here’s a handy list to make your stay smooth from arrival to checkout.

These phrases can help you handle reservations, questions, and basic requests at any hotel. Learn them before your trip for a stress-free stay!

Ordering at a Restaurant

Eating out is one of the best parts of traveling abroad. Here are the must-know phrases for ordering confidently in any French-speaking café or restaurant.

Use these phrases to order confidently, ask questions, and enjoy local flavors without worries. Bon appétit!

Getting Around in Transportation

Navigating buses, trains, and taxis can be easy when you know the right words. Here are essential phrases for getting around in French.

With these common French phrases, getting around will be a breeze. Practice them so you can travel confidently by bus, train, taxi, or metro!

Asking for Help (Emergencies, Doctors, Police, etc.)

Emergencies happen, so it’s important to know how to ask for help. Here are essential phrases to use in urgent or medical situations.

Knowing these phrases can make a real difference in emergencies. Review them so you’re prepared for anything during your trip.

Guide to Basic French Pronunciation: Popular French Phrases and Words

Okay, we've figured out the basic phrases. But what if you learn new words from a menu, an ad, or a conversation with the locals? How to pronounce them without sounding like Joey Tribbiani?

You've probably noticed the "illogicality" of the pronunciation of some words. For example, in "Bordeaux," the last three letters sound like "o." French has many rules depending on the level of the language. But if you are a beginner, a few basic concepts will be enough to help you navigate the basic French phrases with pronunciation:

What tips will be the most effective? Listen more! Rewatch your favorite TV shows in French with subtitles, and try reading new words out loud. Many terms, slang, and greetings are similar to English, so you can adapt faster.
Learn More About French With Promova

We know that starting to learn is always the most complicated stage. Will you be able to add learning a new language to your schedule, or will you not be able to succeed? But do not worry, Promova will help you! 

This is a one-stop solution for language enthusiasts that will expand your opportunities:

• Flexibility: Allocate 15 minutes every day for lessons in the app to move forward!
• Interactivity: Take tests, quick knowledge checks, and interactive quizzes to use the language in practice.
• Efficiency: Practice reading, grammar, and listening, and track your progress in the app.

In addition to French, Promova offers more than ten languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, and others. Start your language journey today and learn more about your favorite language daily!