French phrases you need to survive in France

Before moving abroad, all I knew were common French stereotypes but I couldn’t speak a word of French. I love other cultures and international environments but my move happened so unexpectedly that I arrived unprepared. After buying a French phrasebook, which was completely useless, I did my own research.

I thought about French words I needed to survive daily activities, such as commuting, socialising, shopping etc. I came up with the best French phrases that truly helped me get on my feet.

Babbel

Start chatting like a local with Babbel. One of the most popular language-learning apps around, it offers many courses, resources, and live online classes. And, with 13 new languages to choose from, Babbel will have the right course for you.

Go to website

Top most useful French phrases

Excusez-moi, où est…? – Excuse me, where is…?

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche? – Where is the closest metro station?

Un billet, s’il vous plaît. – One ticket, please.

Avez-vous une carte en anglais, s’il vous plaît? – Do you have a menu in English, please?

Je voudrais…, s’il vous plaît. – I would like…, please.

Au secours! – Help! Emergency!

J’ai besoin d’un médecin qui parle anglais. – I need a doctor who speaks English.

Où est la pharmacie? – Where is the pharmacy?

J’ai une douleur ici. – I have a pain here.

A bientôt – See you soon.

Vous parlez anglais? – Do you speak English?

Comment allez-vous? – How are you? (formal)

Très bien / mal / pas mal – Very good / bad / not bad

Ça va? – How are you? (informal)

Ça va. – I’m fine. (informal response to Ça va?)

Oui / non – Yes / no

Comment vous appelez-vous? – What’s your name? (formal) / Tu t’appelles comment? (informal)

Je m’appelle… – My name is… (informal)

Enchanté(e) – Nice to meet you.

Je suis de… / Je viens de… – I am from…

Où habitez-vous? – Where do you live? (formal)

J’habite à… – I live in…

Je ne parle pas espagnol. Je parle allemand. – I don’t speak Spanish. I speak German.

Parlez-vous français? Tu parles anglais? – Do you speak French? (formal) Do you speak English? (informal)

Je comprends. – I understand.

Je ne comprends pas – I don’t understand.

Pouvez-vous m’aider? / Tu peux m’aider? – Can you help me? (formal / informal)

Comment? – What?

Bien sûr. – Of course.

Je ne sais pas. Je sais. – I don’t know. I know.

Voici… / Voilà – Here is/are… / There it is.

Il y a… / Il y avait… – There is/are… / There was/were…

Comment dit-on ____ en français? – How do you say ____ in French?

Qu’est-ce que c’est que ça? – What is that?

J’ai chaud / J’ai froid. – I’m hot / I’m cold.

J’ai faim / J’ai soif. – I’m hungry / I’m thirsty.

Ce n’est pas grave. – It’s no problem. / It’s alright.

J’ai oublié. – I forgot.

Félicitations! – Congratulations!

Je vous aime / Je t’aime. – I love you. (formal and plural / informal)

Are you ready to go?