Basic Phrases

Note: means that audio is not available for that word or phrase.

HelloBonjour
Hi/bye!Salut!
GoodbyeAu revoir
YesOui
NoNon
How are you?Comment-allez vous?
Good thanks, and you?Bien, merci, et vous? (formal)
 Bien, merci, et toi? (informal)
Very well, thanks.Très bien, merci.
Thank youMerci
Thank you very much.Merci beaucoup.
You're welcomeDe rien. (informal)
PleaseS'il vous plaît. (formal)
(often abbreviated s.v.p. in written French)
 S'il te plaît. (informal)
Good dayBonjour (til 6PM)
Good eveningBonsoir (after 1800)
Good nightBonne nuit
See you laterÀ bientôt.
What's up?Comment ça va? (informal)
What's up?Ça va? (slang)
Cheers! (toast)Santé!
Good.Bon (adj.) Bien (adv.)
May I?Vous permettez?
Sorry!Pardon!
Very good.Très bon (adj)
Very good.Très bien. (adv)
Openouvert
Closedfermé
Pulltirez
Pushpoussez
Smallpetit/petite (m/f)
Excuse me!Excusez-moi!
Biggrand/grande (m/f)
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
A little.Un peu.
I don't speak French.Je ne parle pas français.
I only speak a little French.Je parle un peu français.
I understand.Je comprends.
I don't understand.Je ne comprends pas.
Could you please say that again?Est-ce que vous pourriez répéter, s'il vous plaît
Could you please speak more slowly?Est-ce que vous pourriez parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît
Could you please write that down?Est-ce que vous pourriez écrire ça, s'il vous plaît
My bag was stolen!On m'a volé mon sac.
My wallet was stolen!On m'a volé mon porte-monnaie.
My passport was stolen!On m'a volé mon passeport!.
I need a doctor!J'ai besoin d'un médecin!
Call the police!Appelez la police!

French Phrases


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Download the full Basic Phrases mp3 Audio (3.5 MB)

Listen to the audio and follow along in the printable booklet.


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