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Top 50 Phrases in French
French is spoken across five continents. These 50 essential phrases cover polite greetings, café ordering, shopping, and more — with native audio for every phrase.
Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
👋 Salutations — Greetings & Goodbyes
1.
Bonjour.
Hello. / Good morning.
Always say bonjour when entering a shop. Skipping it is considered rude in France.
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2.
Bonsoir.
Good evening.
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3.
Au revoir.
Goodbye.
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4.
Salut !
Hi! / Bye! (Casual)
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5.
Comment allez-vous ?
How are you? (Formal)
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6.
Ça va ?
How's it going? (Casual)
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7.
Enchanté(e).
Pleased to meet you.
Men say enchanté, women say enchantée. Often accompanied by a handshake.
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8.
À bientôt.
See you soon.
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9.
Bonne nuit.
Good night.
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10.
Bienvenue !
Welcome!
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🙏 Politesse essentielle — Essential Politeness
11.
Merci.
Thank you.
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12.
Merci beaucoup.
Thank you very much.
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13.
De rien.
You're welcome. / It's nothing.
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14.
S'il vous plaît.
Please. (Formal)
Also used to attract a waiter's attention. Say it while making eye contact — never click your fingers.
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15.
Excusez-moi.
Excuse me.
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16.
Pardon.
Sorry. / Pardon?
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17.
Je suis désolé(e).
I am sorry.
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18.
Oui.
Yes.
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19.
Non.
No.
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20.
D'accord.
OK. / Agreed.
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🗺️ Se débrouiller — Getting By
21.
Parlez-vous anglais ?
Do you speak English?
Always say bonjour first. Jumping straight to 'Do you speak English?' without a greeting is considered rude.
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22.
Je ne comprends pas.
I don't understand.
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23.
Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
Can you repeat that, please?
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24.
Où est... ?
Where is... ?
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25.
Je voudrais...
I would like...
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26.
C'est combien ?
How much is it?
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27.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The bill, please.
Waiters never bring the bill unprompted in France — it would be seen as rushing you. Always ask for it.
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28.
Je ne parle pas bien français.
I don't speak French very well.
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29.
Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?
Can you speak more slowly?
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30.
J'ai besoin d'aide.
I need help.
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🥐 Manger et boire — Food & Drink
31.
Un café, s'il vous plaît.
A coffee, please.
Un café in France is always an espresso. For a milky coffee ask for un café crème.
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32.
Une baguette, s'il vous plaît.
A baguette, please.
You can specify bien cuite (crispy) or pas trop cuite (soft) in a boulangerie.
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33.
C'est délicieux !
It's delicious!
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34.
Je suis végétarien(ne).
I am vegetarian.
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35.
Santé !
Cheers! (Toast)
Always make eye contact when clinking glasses. Crossing arms is considered bad luck.
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36.
Bon appétit !
Enjoy your meal!
Always wait for the host to say bon appétit before beginning to eat.
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37.
La carte, s'il vous plaît.
The menu, please.
La carte is the à-la-carte menu. Le menu is a fixed-price set meal — don't mix them up!
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38.
Je suis allergique à...
I am allergic to...
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39.
C'était excellent.
It was excellent.
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40.
De l'eau, s'il vous plaît.
Some water, please.
Ask for une carafe d'eau (a jug of tap water) — it's free by law in French restaurants.
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🏙️ Vie quotidienne — Everyday Life
41.
Où sont les toilettes ?
Where are the toilets?
Say les toilettes not la salle de bain when out in public. Cafes often have a door code — ask at the bar.
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42.
Je cherche...
I am looking for...
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43.
Combien ça coûte ?
How much does it cost?
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44.
Je voudrais payer par carte.
I would like to pay by card.
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45.
C'est trop cher.
It's too expensive.
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46.
J'habite à...
I live in...
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47.
J'apprends le français.
I am learning French.
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48.
Je ne sais pas.
I don't know.
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49.
Appelez la police !
Call the police!
Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · Pan-European 112.
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50.
C'est magnifique !
It's magnificent! / It's beautiful!
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