50 Basic French Phrases Every Beginner Needs (With Pronunciation)

50 Basic French Phrases You Need to Know

You do not need to be fluent to get by in French. With just 50 key phrases, you can greet people, order food, ask for directions, go shopping, and handle most everyday situations — whether you are traveling to France or starting your French learning journey.

This list is organized by situation so you can find exactly what you need. Every phrase includes a pronunciation guide written for English speakers.

Greetings & Politeness (10 Phrases)

These are the foundation. Use them everywhere, every day. French people notice politeness — always start with a greeting before asking for anything.

1. Bonjour /bohn-ZHOOR/

Hello / Good day. The most important French word. Say it when entering a shop, meeting someone, or starting any conversation.

2. Bonsoir /bohn-SWAHR/

Good evening. Use this after about 6 PM instead of bonjour.

3. Au revoir /oh ruh-VWAHR/

Goodbye. Works in every situation, formal or casual.

4. Merci /mair-SEE/

Thank you. You will say this a hundred times a day in France.

5. Merci beaucoup /mair-SEE boh-KOO/

Thank you very much. The P at the end is silent.

6. S'il vous plait /seel voo PLAY/

Please (formal). Use this every time you ask for something. It makes a huge difference in how people treat you.

7. Excusez-moi /ex-koo-zay MWAH/

Excuse me. Use it to get someone's attention or to apologize for bumping into someone.

8. Pardon /par-DOHN/

Sorry / Pardon me. More casual than excusez-moi, used for small mistakes.

9. De rien /duh ree-EN/

You're welcome. The standard response to merci.

10. Oui / Non /WEE / NOHN/

Yes / No. The basics that everyone knows.

Introducing Yourself (5 Phrases)

11. Je m'appelle... /zhuh mah-PEL/

My name is... Example: Je m'appelle Magali.

12. Comment vous appelez-vous ? /koh-mahn voo zah-play VOO/

What is your name? (formal). Use this with strangers and in professional settings.

13. Enchante(e) /ahn-shahn-TAY/

Nice to meet you. Literally means "enchanted." Add an E at the end if you are female.

14. Je suis americain(e) / anglais(e) /zhuh swee ah-may-ree-KAN / ahn-GLAY/

I am American / English. Change the ending based on your nationality and gender.

15. Je ne parle pas bien francais /zhuh nuh parl pah bee-EN frahn-SAY/

I don't speak French very well. This humble phrase actually makes French people more willing to help you and speak slowly.

Essential Conversation (5 Phrases)

16. Parlez-vous anglais ? /par-lay VOO ahn-GLAY/

Do you speak English? Useful as a last resort, but always try French first.

17. Je ne comprends pas /zhuh nuh kohn-PRAHN pah/

I don't understand. Very useful when someone speaks too fast.

18. Pouvez-vous repeter ? /poo-vay VOO ray-pay-TAY/

Can you repeat that? Polite way to ask someone to say it again.

19. Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ? /poo-vay VOO par-LAY ploo lahnt-MAHN/

Can you speak more slowly? Most French people are happy to slow down if you ask.

20. Comment dit-on... en francais ? /koh-mahn dee TOHN ... ahn frahn-SAY/

How do you say... in French? Great for learning new words on the spot.

At the Restaurant (10 Phrases)

Eating in France is a highlight of any trip. These phrases will get you through any restaurant experience.

21. Une table pour deux, s'il vous plait /oon tahbl poor DUH seel voo PLAY/

A table for two, please. Change "deux" to any number.

22. La carte, s'il vous plait /lah KART seel voo PLAY/

The menu, please. In French, "la carte" is the menu. "Le menu" actually means a fixed-price set meal.

23. Je voudrais... /zhuh voo-DRAY/

I would like... The most useful restaurant phrase. Follow it with whatever you want: Je voudrais un cafe. Je voudrais le poulet.

24. L'addition, s'il vous plait /lah-dee-see-OHN seel voo PLAY/

The bill, please. In France, the waiter will never bring the bill until you ask for it. This is not rude — it is polite, giving you time to enjoy your meal.

25. C'est delicieux ! /say day-lee-see-UH/

It's delicious! Complimenting the food makes everyone happy.

26. Un verre de vin rouge / blanc /uhn vair duh van ROOZH / BLAHN/

A glass of red / white wine.

27. Une carafe d'eau /oon kah-RAF DOH/

A carafe of water. Free tap water — just ask for it this way.

28. L'entree / Le plat / Le dessert /lahn-TRAY / luh PLAH / luh day-SAIR/

The starter / The main course / The dessert. Note: in French, "entree" means starter, not main course like in American English.

29. C'est combien ? /say kohn-bee-EN/

How much is it? Works at restaurants, shops, markets — anywhere.

30. Je suis allergique a... /zhuh swee ah-lair-ZHEEK ah/

I am allergic to... Essential for dietary needs. Follow with: gluten, noix (nuts), lait (milk), oeufs (eggs).

Asking Directions (5 Phrases)

31. Ou est... ? /oo AY/

Where is...? The most useful direction phrase. Ou est la gare? (Where is the train station?) Ou est le metro? (Where is the metro?)

32. A gauche / A droite / Tout droit /ah GOHSH / ah DRWAHT / too DRWAH/

Left / Right / Straight ahead. The three directions you need to follow any instruction.

33. C'est loin ? /say LWAHN/

Is it far? Helps you decide whether to walk or take a taxi.

34. C'est pres d'ici ? /say PRAY dee-SEE/

Is it near here?

35. Je cherche... /zhuh SHAIRSH/

I'm looking for... Je cherche la boulangerie. (I'm looking for the bakery.) Je cherche le musee. (I'm looking for the museum.)

Shopping (5 Phrases)

36. Je regarde, merci /zhuh ruh-GARD mair-SEE/

I'm just looking, thanks. Shopkeepers in France always greet you and ask if you need help. This is the polite way to browse without pressure.

37. Avez-vous... ? /ah-vay VOO/

Do you have...? Follow with whatever you need.

38. Quelle taille ? /kel TIE/

What size? Useful in clothing shops.

39. C'est trop cher /say troh SHAIR/

It's too expensive. Useful at markets where prices are negotiable.

40. Je le prends /zhuh luh PRAHN/

I'll take it. When you have decided to buy something.

Getting Around (5 Phrases)

41. Un billet pour..., s'il vous plait /uhn bee-YAY poor ... seel voo PLAY/

A ticket to..., please. Works for trains, metro, buses.

42. A quelle heure part le train ? /ah kel UHR par luh TRAN/

What time does the train leave?

43. Ou est l'arret de bus ? /oo ay lah-RAY duh BOOS/

Where is the bus stop?

44. Je voudrais un taxi /zhuh voo-DRAY uhn tahk-SEE/

I would like a taxi.

45. Pouvez-vous m'emmener a... ? /poo-vay VOO mahn-NAY ah/

Can you take me to...? Perfect for taxis.

Emergencies & Problems (5 Phrases)

46. Aidez-moi ! /ay-day MWAH/

Help me! For urgent situations.

47. J'ai besoin d'un medecin /zhay buh-ZWAN duhn mayd-SAN/

I need a doctor.

48. Ou est la pharmacie ? /oo ay lah far-mah-SEE/

Where is the pharmacy? French pharmacies (green cross sign) can help with many minor health issues without a doctor.

49. J'ai perdu mon passeport /zhay pair-DOO mohn pahs-POR/

I lost my passport.

50. Appelez la police /ah-play LAH poh-LEES/

Call the police. Hopefully you will never need this one.

Tips for Using These Phrases

Always Start with Bonjour

This is the number one rule in France. Before asking a question, making a request, or entering any conversation — say bonjour first. Skipping it is considered rude and will get you worse service everywhere.

Use S'il Vous Plait Generously

Adding "s'il vous plait" to any request transforms it from a demand to a polite ask. The French notice and appreciate it.

Don't Be Afraid to Try

French people genuinely appreciate when foreigners try to speak their language, even imperfectly. A stumbling "Je voudrais un croissant" with a big smile will get you much further than a perfect English sentence.

Learn to Say "Je ne comprends pas"

This is your safety net. When someone responds too fast or uses words you do not know, this phrase buys you time and tells them to simplify.

Practice the Pronunciation

The biggest difference between being understood and not is pronunciation. The French R, nasal vowels, and silent letters take practice. Listen to native speakers on YouTube, repeat out loud, and do not be afraid to exaggerate the sounds at first.

Beyond 50 Phrases

These 50 phrases will cover most situations, but if you want to go deeper, here are your next steps:

• Download our free French flashcards at French Keys for 100 essential words and expressions
• Get our coloring book on Amazon to learn French numbers 0-100 in a fun, hands-on way
• Watch our YouTube channel for listening practice with a native French teacher
• Book a free 30-minute assessment with Magali at French Keys to get a personalized learning plan and start building real confidence in French conversation