Basic French Phrases For Tourist & Travellers

Are you planning a trip to France or a French-speaking country? Learning basic French phrases can make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Even if you don’t speak the language fluently, locals appreciate the effort, and it can help you easily navigate daily situations.

Here are some essential and basic French phrases to help you on your journey!

These are the most common french phrases that a traveller or a tourist can use while travelling in France, These phrases include everything from greeting public in french, to asking for help, to ordering foods and drinks –

French Phrases to greet the public in French

First impressions matter! Knowing how to greet people politely is important in French culture.

Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) – Hello / Good morning
Bonsoir (bohn-swahr) – Good evening
Salut (sa-loo) – Hi (informal)
Au revoir (oh ruh-vwahr) – Goodbye
Merci (mehr-see) – Thank you
S’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) – Please

French Phrases to ask for help in French

Excusez-moi (ehk-skew-zay mwa) – Excuse me
Pouvez-vous m’aider? (poo-vay voo meh-day?) – Can you help me?
Je ne parle pas français. (zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-sey) – I don’t speak French.
Parlez-vous anglais? (par-lay voo ahn-glay?) – Do you speak English?

French Phrases for getting around in French

Navigating a new place is easier with these key phrases.

Où est…? (oo eh…?) – Where is…?
La gare (lah gahr) – The train station
L’aéroport (lay-roh-por) – The airport
Un taxi (uhn tak-see) – A taxi
À droite (ah drwaht) – To the right
À gauche (ah gohsh) – To the left

French Phrases for ordering food and drinks

Are you enjoying French cuisine? These phrases will be useful in restaurants and cafés.

These are the most common phrases that you can use to order food and drinks

Je voudrais… (zhuh voo-dray…) – I would like…
L’addition, s’il vous plaît. (lah-dee-syon seel voo pleh) – The bill, please.
Un café (uhn kah-fay) – A coffee
De l’eau (duh loh) – Some water
Un croissant (uhn krwah-sahn) – A croissant

French Phrases for buying and selling souvenirs

Make shopping fun and easy with these helpful phrases.

Combien ça coûte? (kohm-byen sah koot?) – How much does it cost?
Avez-vous une taille plus grande? (ah-vay voo uhn tay-yee ploo grahnd?) – Do you have a bigger size?
Je regarde, merci. (zhuh ruh-gard, mehr-see) – I’m just looking, thank you.
C’est trop cher. (say tro shair) – It’s too expensive.

French Phrases for emergency and safety

Hopefully, you won’t need these, but being prepared is good.

Appelez une ambulance! (ah-puh-lay uhn ahm-byoo-lahns!) – Call an ambulance!
J’ai besoin d’un médecin. (zhay buh-zwan dun med-sahn) – I need a doctor.
Où est l’hôpital? (oo eh loh-pee-tal?) – Where is the hospital?
Au secours! (oh suh-koor!) – Help!

Here are some additional French tips –

Speak slowly and clearly.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—locals will appreciate your effort.
Use gestures to help communicate.
Download a translation app for extra support.

These are simple phrases that will help you get around in French.

By learning these simple phrases, you’ll feel more confident and enjoy a smoother, more immersive travel experience. Master these phrases and more with our beginner courses! Bon voyage!

Feel free to take a look at our French classes in Paris with the best accommodation and hospitality. Learn immersively while you stay in France.

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10 most insane tips to learn French