Going to France soon? The French have an undeserved reputation for being 'snooty' - especially in Paris. However, by making an effort to learn a few travel-oriented phrases before your trip, you'll be able to communicate well enough to discover more than a few French people who are exceptionally hospitable and willing to help.
Getting Around
The best way to travel through France is generally by train. However, depending on where you are going and what you're doing, you may want to rent or take a cab. The following are a few phrases that can come in handy.
Taking the Train
The train is the easiest way to get around in Paris, the surrounding neighborhoods, and through France. It is relatively cheap, and most people use it to travel through Europe as well. The following phrases may come in handy.
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Est-ce que c'est le bon quai pour le train de. . .(Paris, Marseilles, etc.) | eh-skuh say luh bohn kay poor luh trehn duh | Is this the right platform for the train to. . . |
| Est-ce que la place est prise? | eh-skuh lah plahs ay preez | Is this seat taken? |
| Je voudrais l'horaire. | zhuh-voo-dray l'oorair | I'd like the schedule. |
| Je voudrais un billet en aller retour pour. . . | zhuh-voo-dray uhn-bee-yay ehn-ah-lay ruh-toor poor... | I'd like a round trip ticket to. . . |
| Je voudrais un billet en aller simple pour... | zhuh-voo-dray uhn-bee-yay ehn-ah-lay sahm-pluh poor... | I'd like a one way ticket to. . . |
| Où est le guichet? | ooh-ay-luh-gee-shay | Where's the ticket counter? |
| Où sommes-nous? | oo sum-noo | Where are we? |
| Quand part le prochain train pour | kahn pahr luh proh-shehn trehn poor. . . | When does the next rain for ____ leave? |
| Quel est le tarif jusqu'à Paris? | kell-ay luh-tah-reef zhuh-skah Pah-ree | How much does it cost for a ticket to Paris? |
Taking a Cab
If you're not willing or able to take the train, a cab is your next best bet. You'll pay more, but at least you won't get lost. Additionally, most taxicab drivers, at least in Paris itself, speak some English.
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Combien est-ce que je vous dois? | coh-bee-ehn eskuh zhuh voo dwah | How much do I owe you? |
| Est-ce que vous pouvez m'emmener à. . . | eh-skuh voo poo-vay muh-muh-nay ah | Can you take me to. . . |
| Je suis pressé(e). | zhuh-swee-preh-say | I'm in a hurry. |
| Je voudrais aller à | zhuh voo-dray ah-lay ah | I'd like to go to. . . |
| Pouvez-vous m'attendre? | poo-vay voo mah-tahn-druh | Can you wait for me? |
| Tourner à gauche/droite | toor-nay ah goe-sh/dwot | Turn right/left |
Renting a Car
Renting a car is generally only advisable for tourists who want to traverse the country. With that said, if renting a car is in your plans, the following translations can be helpful.
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Dois-je payer par kilomètre ? | dwah-zhuh pay-yay pahr kee-lo-met-ruh | Do I pay by kilometer? |
| Je voudrais louer un voiture s'il vous plaît | zhuh voo-dray loo-ay uhn vwah-toor see-voo-play | I'd like to rent a car please |
| L'assurance est-elle comprise ? | lah-soor-ahns et-ell cohm-preez | Is insurance included? |
| Le plein s'il vous plaît. | luh plehn see-voo-play | Fill it up, please |
| Où est le station-service le plus proche? | oo ay luh-stah-see-ohn luh ploo prosh? | Where is the closest gas station? |
| Où puis-je prendre la voiture ? | oo pwee-zhuh prohn-druh | Where do I pick up the car? |
| Quand dois-je la rendre ? | kahn dwah-zhuh lah rohn-druh | When do I have to return the car? |
Out and About
Dining Out
Regardless of your business in France, you will need to eat while you're there. Something to remember is that tipping is strictly optional in France - it is completely acceptable to not leave a tip.
| French | Pronunciation | English |
| J'ai terminé | zhay tair-mee-nay | I am finished |
| Je vais prendre | zuh vay prohn-druh | I'll have. . . |
| Je voudrais | zhuh voo dray | I would like |
| L'addition, s'il vous plaît | lah-dee-see-ohn see-voo-play | The check please |
| Je n'en peux plus | zhuh nohn puh ploo | I'm full |
| Je vous écoute | zuh vooz-ay-coot | What would like (less formal)? |
| la carte | lah cahrt | What American speakers would call 'the menu.' |
| le menu | luh meh-noo | The fixed-price menu; offers two or more course meals for a fixed price |
| Servis compris | sair-vee cohm-pree | service charge included (takes the place of a tip) |
At the Hotel
Remember in France that you may need to request a bathroom and shower in your room if that's what you expect. It is not at all uncommon for guests to have to share a bathroom or walk down the hall to the showers.
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Avez-vous une piscine? | ah-vay voo oon pee-seen | Do you have a pool? |
| Complet | cohm-pleh | There's no vacancy. |
| Je vais payer en espèces | zhuh vay pay-yay ohn eh-spehs | I'll pay cash |
| Je voudrais être réveillé à six heures | zhuh voo-ray eh-truh ray-vay-yay ah seez-ur | I want a six o'clock wake up call. |
| Je voudrais une chambre à deux lits | zhuh voo-dray uhn shom-bruh ah duh lee | I'd like a room with two beds |
| Je voudrais une chambre avec une douche dans la chambre. | zhuh voo-dray oon shom-bruh ah-vek oon doosh dahn la shom-bruh | I'd like a room that has a shower in it. |
| Quelle est l'heure limite d'occupation ? | kell ay lur lee-meet doh-coo-pah-see-ohn | When is check-out? |
Daily Activities
These phrases come in handy no matter where you are, or what you're doing.
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Combien coûte. . . | cohm-bee-ehn coot | How much does ______ cost? |
| Je cherche. . . | zhuh shairsh | I'm looking for. . . |
| Je suis perdu | zhuh-swee pair-doo | I'm lost |
| Où se trouve. . . | oo suh-troove | Where is. . . |
| Pouvez-vous m'aider? | poo-vay voo med-ay | Can you help me? |
If you need help downloading the printable, check out these helpful tips.
Resources for Learning Basic Tourist French Phrases
Having something with you such as a translator can help greatly, especially if you're going to need to get around on your own. Below are a few recommended resources:
- Useful Expressions in French for the English Speaking Tourist: The title is pretty self-explanatory and the phrases are indeed useful. If you can only purchase one thing and you want a book, this is the book to purchase.
- Rick Steven's French Phrase Book: This book, all in all, is pretty good for basic tourist phrases and is a little less pricey than the aforementioned selection. It is easy to use as well.
- The Electronic Phrase Book: If you'd rather purchase an electronic option, this is your best bet. If is very small, so it will fit well in your purse - and it will look like you're using your smartphone instead of looking things up!
It is, of course, okay to dig out a dictionary to look up terms that you need help with. Generally, you'll find that the French are quite delighted when someone attempts to use the language, and will be very helpful.
