Basic French phrases for travel and everyday conversation
Basic French phrases are the ready-to-speak sentences you reach for in real situations — arriving, asking directions, ordering food, checking into a hotel, shopping, and handling emergencies. This guide groups 70+ essential French phrases by situation with English translations and formal/informal notes, so you can speak from day one. To build the single words behind them, see our French words guide.
Phrasebooks help you speak immediately; stories help the patterns stick. Use the situational tables below before a trip, then read A1–A2 French stories where the same expressions appear in context with native audio and line-by-line English support.
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Definition
Basic French phrases are short, fixed expressions and full sentences — greetings, polite requests, and situational lines — that let A1–A2 learners communicate before mastering grammar, such as Je voudrais un café (I would like a coffee) or Où est la gare ? (Where is the station?).
What you will practice
- Speak full sentences for travel, dining, and shopping situations
- Switch between formal (vous) and informal (tu) registers
- Ask for directions, help, and clarification with confidence
- Handle emergencies and health needs in French
- Recycle whole phrases inside graded French stories — not isolated drills
Arrival & the airport
The first phrases you need after landing — customs, baggage, and getting out of the airport.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Je suis ici en vacances | I'm here on vacation | — |
| Je suis ici pour le travail | I'm here for work | — |
| Je n'ai rien à déclarer | I have nothing to declare | — |
| Où est la récupération des bagages ? | Where is the baggage claim? | — |
| J'ai raté mon vol | I missed my flight | — |
| Quelle est la porte d'embarquement pour Paris ? | Which gate is for Paris? | — |
| Où sont les taxis ? | Where are the taxis? | — |
| Où est l'arrêt de bus ? | Where is the bus stop? | — |
Directions & getting around
Ask for directions and buy transport tickets. Pair these with question words like où (where) and quand (when).
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Où est la gare ? | Where is the train station? | — |
| Comment aller au centre-ville ? | How do I get to the city center? | — |
| C'est loin d'ici ? | Is it far from here? | — |
| Tournez à droite / à gauche | Turn right / left | Formal (*vous*) |
| Tout droit | Straight ahead | — |
| Un billet pour Lyon, s'il vous plaît | A ticket to Lyon, please | — |
| À quelle heure part le train ? | What time does the train leave? | — |
| De quel quai part-il ? | Which platform does it leave from? | — |
| Je suis perdu / perdue | I'm lost | Masc. / fem. |
At the hotel
Check in, ask about your room, and sort out practical details.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| J'ai une réservation | I have a reservation | — |
| Avez-vous une chambre libre ? | Do you have a room available? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Je voudrais une chambre double | I'd like a double room | — |
| Je voudrais rester deux nuits | I'd like to stay two nights | — |
| À quelle heure est le départ ? | What time is check-out? | — |
| Le petit-déjeuner est-il inclus ? | Is breakfast included? | — |
| Y a-t-il du wifi ? | Is there Wi-Fi? | — |
| Puis-je laisser mes bagages ici ? | Can I leave my luggage here? | — |
| La clé, s'il vous plaît | The key, please | — |
At a restaurant or café
Order, ask for recommendations, and pay — the most-used phrases on any French trip.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît | A table for two, please | — |
| La carte, s'il vous plaît | The menu, please | *la carte* = menu; *le menu* = set menu |
| Je voudrais un café | I'd like a coffee | — |
| Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ? | What do you recommend? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Je suis végétarien / végétarienne | I'm vegetarian | Masc. / fem. |
| Pour moi, de l'eau, s'il vous plaît | Water for me, please | — |
| L'addition, s'il vous plaît | The check, please | — |
| Puis-je payer par carte ? | Can I pay by card? | — |
| C'était délicieux | It was delicious | — |
Shopping & paying
Browse, compare prices, and check out in shops and markets.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| C'est combien ? | How much is it? | Informal; *Combien ça coûte ?* also common |
| C'est trop cher | It's too expensive | — |
| Avez-vous une autre taille ? | Do you have another size? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Je regarde seulement, merci | I'm just looking, thanks | — |
| Puis-je l'essayer ? | Can I try it on? | — |
| Acceptez-vous les cartes bancaires ? | Do you accept credit cards? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Puis-je avoir un reçu, s'il vous plaît ? | Can I have a receipt, please? | — |
| À quelle heure fermez-vous ? | What time do you close? | Formal (*vous*) |
Emergencies & health
The phrases you hope not to need — but should know before you travel.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Au secours ! | Help! | — |
| Appelez une ambulance ! | Call an ambulance! | Formal (*vous*) |
| J'ai besoin d'un médecin | I need a doctor | — |
| Je ne me sens pas bien | I don't feel well | — |
| J'ai mal ici | It hurts here | — |
| Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ? | Where is the nearest pharmacy? | — |
| J'ai perdu mon passeport | I lost my passport | — |
| Appelez la police ! | Call the police! | Formal (*vous*) |
| Y a-t-il un hôpital près d'ici ? | Is there a hospital nearby? | — |
Greetings & introductions
Open and close conversations, and introduce yourself. Choose vous (formal) with strangers and tu with friends.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? | Hello, how are you? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Salut, ça va ? | Hi, how are you? | Informal (*tu*) |
| Je m'appelle… | My name is… | — |
| Comment vous appelez-vous ? | What's your name? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Enchanté / Enchantée | Pleased to meet you | Masc. / fem. |
| D'où venez-vous ? | Where are you from? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Je viens de… | I'm from… | — |
| Très bien, merci | Very well, thank you | — |
| À bientôt ! | See you soon! | — |
Polite essentials & small talk
The courtesy phrases that smooth every interaction in French.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| S'il vous plaît | Please | Formal; *s'il te plaît* informal |
| Merci beaucoup | Thank you very much | — |
| De rien | You're welcome | *Je vous en prie* more formal |
| Excusez-moi | Excuse me | Formal; *pardon* also works |
| Je suis désolé / désolée | I'm sorry | Masc. / fem. |
| Pas de problème | No problem | — |
| D'accord | OK / all right | — |
| Quelle belle journée ! | What a beautiful day! | — |
| Bonne journée ! | Have a good day! | — |
Understanding & being understood
When you need someone to slow down, repeat, or switch to English.
| French | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Je ne comprends pas | I don't understand | — |
| Parlez-vous anglais ? | Do you speak English? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? | Can you repeat, please? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ? | Can you speak more slowly? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Comment dit-on… en français ? | How do you say… in French? | — |
| Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? | What does that mean? | — |
| Je ne sais pas | I don't know | — |
| Pouvez-vous l'écrire, s'il vous plaît ? | Can you write it down, please? | Formal (*vous*) |
| Je comprends un peu le français | I understand a little French | — |
How to learn French phrases with stories
Phrasebooks give you lines to repeat; graded stories show you when to use them. MeloLingua French readers recycle the same expressions inside café scenes, métro rides, and hotel check-ins — with tap-to-gloss English support so the phrases stick in context.
- Pick a situation before a trip (restaurant, hotel), then read an A1 French story set in that scene.
- Say each phrase aloud with native audio so rhythm and liaison come naturally.
- Note the register — vous (formal) with strangers, tu with friends — as characters switch in dialogue.
- Move to A2 stories when A1 feels easy, where the same phrases appear in longer exchanges.
Related French hubs & story collections
French words
Core vocabulary by theme — the nouns, verbs, and adjectives behind these phrases.
A1 French stories
Beginner vignettes with glossed vocabulary — cafés, markets, and daily routines.
French reading practice
Graded passages by CEFR level with audio and comprehension support.
French short stories for beginners
Editorial guide with sample scenes and a path into the full story library.
Answers
Basic French phrases — FAQ
Q01What are the most useful basic French phrases for travel?
What are the most useful basic French phrases for travel?
Start with greetings (bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît), polite requests (je voudrais…), and high-frequency situational lines: C'est combien ? (How much is it?), Où est la gare ? (Where is the station?), L'addition, s'il vous plaît (The check, please), and Parlez-vous anglais ? (Do you speak English?). These cover most everyday interactions.
Q02How do I say "excuse me" politely in French?
How do I say "excuse me" politely in French?
Use excusez-moi (formal, with vous) or pardon to get someone's attention or apologize. For "I'm sorry" in the sense of regret, say je suis désolé (masc.) or désolée (fem.). To ask someone to repeat, add pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
Q03What is the difference between formal and informal French phrases?
What is the difference between formal and informal French phrases?
French distinguishes vous (formal) from tu (informal). With strangers, officials, and older people, use vous: Comment allez-vous ? (How are you?). With friends and peers, use tu: Ça va ? Many phrases on this page show both registers so you choose the right one.
Q04How many French phrases do I need before a trip?
How many French phrases do I need before a trip?
Around 50–70 situational phrases cover arrival, directions, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and emergencies — enough to handle most travel interactions. Combine them with core French words so you can swap nouns into patterns like Je voudrais… (I would like…) and Où est… ? (Where is…?).
Q05What is the difference between French phrases and French words?
What is the difference between French phrases and French words?
This page lists full, ready-to-speak sentences grouped by situation, like Puis-je payer par carte ? (Can I pay by card?). For the single nouns, verbs, and adjectives behind them, see our French words guide, which groups core vocabulary by theme.
Q06Where can I practice French phrases for free?
Where can I practice French phrases for free?
Use this situational guide, then read free graded French stories on the MeloLingua website — beginner and intermediate collections with inline glosses and English line support. The same phrases reappear in dialogue, which is how they move into long-term memory.
Apply what you learned
Essential phrases in French stories
Read graded French stories that recycle this grammar pattern — native audio, line-by-line English support, and a quick comprehension check after each story.