Bonjour! If you’re interested in learning how to say common things in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll provide you with useful phrases and expressions that you can use in various situations, whether formal or informal. From greetings to basic conversations, we’ll cover it all. So, let’s get started on your French language journey!
Table of Contents
Greetings and Introductions
When meeting someone or saying hello in French, there are a few common phrases you can use:
- Bonjour – Hello (used in formal and informal situations)
- Salut – Hi/Hello (used in more informal situations)
- Comment ça va ? – How are you? (informal)
- Comment allez-vous ? – How are you? (formal)
- Enchanté(e) – Nice to meet you (used when introducing yourself)
Basic Conversations
Here are some useful phrases you can use when engaging in basic conversations:
Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?
Je ne comprends pas – I don’t understand
Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? – Can you repeat, please?
Excusez-moi – Excuse me
Merci – Thank you
De rien – You’re welcome
S’il vous plaît – Please
Asking for Directions
If you find yourself lost or needing directions, these phrases will come in handy:
- Où est la gare ? – Where is the train station?
- Comment je vais à l’hôtel ? – How do I get to the hotel?
- Est-ce loin ? – Is it far?
- À gauche – To the left
- À droite – To the right
- Tout droit – Straight ahead
Ordering Food and Drinks
When dining out or ordering something to drink, these phrases will be useful:
Je voudrais une baguette – I would like a baguette
Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît – A table for two, please
Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? – What do you recommend?
L’addition, s’il vous plaît – The bill, please
Un café, s’il vous plaît – A coffee, please
Un verre de vin rouge/blanc, s’il vous plaît – A glass of red/white wine, please
Numbers and Time
Knowing numbers and telling time is essential. Here are some important phrases:
- Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq – One, two, three, four, five
- Quelle heure est-il ? – What time is it?
- Il est 9 heures – It’s 9 o’clock
- Je suis en retard – I am late
- Je suis en avance – I am early
Farewells
When saying goodbye to someone, you can use the following phrases:
Au revoir – Goodbye
À bientôt – See you soon
À plus tard – See you later
Bonne journée – Have a nice day
Bonne soirée – Have a nice evening
Bonne nuit – Goodnight
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have a range of useful phrases and expressions to navigate common situations in the French language. Remember to adapt your language to the appropriate level of formality based on the context. Practice speaking with native French speakers to improve your pronunciation and fluency. With perseverance and dedication, you’ll be conversing in French with ease before you know it!
