You arrive in France tomorrow. You only know « bonjour » and « merci ». And suddenly, you need to take a taxi, check in at the hotel, order food, ask for directions in the metro...
And nobody, absolutely nobody, is going to speak to you in English.
Don’t panic.
I’m going to give you the 100 phrases that will literally save your life. Not textbook vocabulary. Real phrases. The ones French people use every day.
The 100 Essential Phrases Organized by Situation
At the Airport (Phrases 1-12)
You land at Paris Charles de Gaulle. You get off the plane, follow the signs, and there it is — your first contact with France. Here is what you need to know how to say.
Bonjour.
(Hello)
This is the most important phrase of your entire experience in France. In France, you ALWAYS start with bonjour. Always. Before asking for anything. If you forget « bonjour », you start with a disadvantage. French people are very sensitive to this.
Voici mon passeport.
(Here's my passport)
The border officer will probably ask you: « Votre passeport, s'il vous plaît. » No stress. You hand over your passport and say this.
Je suis en vacances.
(I'm on vacation)
The most common reason for coming to France.
Je suis ici pour le travail.
(I'm here for work)
Use this if you are here for a business trip.
Je reste une semaine.
(I'm staying for one week)
Or two weeks, three days... adapt it depending on your stay.
Où est le tapis à bagages ?
(Where is the baggage carousel?)
To collect your suitcase when you arrive.
Excusez-moi, j'ai perdu ma valise.
(Excuse me, I lost my suitcase)
If you cannot find your suitcase.
Où est le bureau des réclamations ?
(Where is the lost and found office?)
To report your missing suitcase.
Où est la station de taxi ?
(Where is the taxi stand?)
To leave the airport.
Je voudrais aller à cette adresse, s'il vous plaît.
(I'd like to go to this address, please)
Show the address on your phone. This always works.
C'est loin ?
(Is it far?)
To know how long the trip will take.
Ça prend combien de temps ?
(How long does it take?)
To ask how long it takes to reach your destination.
In the Taxi or Uber (Phrases 13-20)
You are in the taxi. The driver talks to you. They will probably ask where you are from. Time to practice.
Je viens des États-Unis.
(I'm from the United States)
You can also say: du Canada, d'Angleterre, du Brésil, d'Australie... just use your country.
C'est ma première fois en France.
(It's my first time in France)
French people love knowing if this is your first visit.
Je suis déjà venu, mais c'était il y a longtemps.
(I've been before, but it was a long time ago)
Use this if you visited France in the past.
Vous pouvez me déposer ici, s'il vous plaît ?
(Can you drop me off here, please?)
To ask the driver to stop at your destination.
Je peux payer par carte ?
(Can I pay by card?)
Very important in France. Sometimes the answer is no, so ask before the ride ends.
Vous avez la monnaie ?
(Do you have change?)
If you are paying in cash.
Gardez la monnaie.
(Keep the change)
To leave a tip for the driver.
Merci beaucoup, bonne journée !
(Thank you so much, have a good day!)
Always end with this. Always. French people really appreciate polite people.
At the Hotel (Phrases 21-35)
You arrive at your hotel. You open the door. The receptionist smiles at you. What should you say?
Bonjour, j'ai une réservation au nom de...
(Hello, I have a reservation under the name...)
Then you give your name.
C'est pour deux nuits.
(It's for two nights)
To confirm the length of your stay.
Est-ce que le petit-déjeuner est inclus ?
(Is breakfast included?)
Important to know if it is included in the price.
À quelle heure est le petit-déjeuner ?
(What time is breakfast?)
To organize your day.
Où est l'ascenseur ?
(Where is the elevator?)
To get to your room.
Est-ce qu'il y a le wifi ?
(Is there wifi?)
An essential question in the 21st century.
Quel est le mot de passe du wifi ?
(What's the wifi password?)
You will need it right away.
La climatisation ne marche pas.
(The air conditioning isn't working)
Sad, but useful.
Est-ce que je peux avoir une serviette supplémentaire ?
(Can I have an extra towel?)
A simple request, and often useful.
À quelle heure est le check-out ?
(What time is check-out?)
To know when you need to leave.
Est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages après le check-out ?
(Can I leave my luggage after check-out?)
Very practical if your flight is in the evening.
Vous pouvez m'appeler un taxi ?
(Can you call me a taxi?)
To leave the hotel.
Est-ce qu'il y a un bon restaurant dans le quartier ?
(Is there a good restaurant in the area?)
Receptionists always know the best places.
Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ?
(What do you recommend?)
Ask for local recommendations.
Merci pour votre aide.
(Thank you for your help)
Always say thank you.
At the Restaurant (Phrases 36-55)
Now we get into the real thing. Eating at a restaurant in France is almost a sport. This is where most learners freeze.
Why? Because everything happens fast. The waiter arrives, speaks at lightning speed, and you have about three seconds to answer.
ARRIVING AND SITTING DOWN
Bonjour, on est deux.
(Hi, there are two of us)
Not « nous sommes deux personnes ». In France, people say « on est deux ». Simple and natural.
Vous avez une table en terrasse ?
(Do you have a table on the terrace?)
French people love eating outside on terraces. If you can, do like them.
La carte, s'il vous plaît.
(The menu, please)
Careful: in France, people say « la carte », not « le menu ». A « menu » is usually the full set meal.
UNDERSTANDING AND ORDERING
Qu'est-ce que vous me conseillez ?
(What do you recommend?)
Waiters love talking about their dishes.
C'est quoi exactement, ça ?
(What exactly is this?)
Very useful when you don’t understand something on the menu. And that happens often.
Je suis allergique aux noix.
(I'm allergic to nuts)
You can also say: gluten, fruits de mer (seafood), produits laitiers (dairy products).
Je vais prendre le plat du jour.
(I'll have the daily special)
The « plat du jour » is almost always a good choice.
Pour moi, ce sera une entrecôte.
(For me, I'll have a rib-eye steak)
« Pour moi ce sera » is one of the most natural ways to order in France.
Saignant, s'il vous plaît.
(Rare, please)
Or « à point » (medium) or « bien cuit » (well done). But honestly, if you ask for « bien cuit », the waiter may look a little sad.
DRINKS AND SIDES
Un verre de vin rouge, s'il vous plaît.
(A glass of red wine, please)
The ultimate French drink.
Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
(A jug of tap water, please)
Water is free in France. You just need to ask for « une carafe d'eau ».
Est-ce que je pourrais avoir du pain, s'il vous plaît ?
(Could I have some bread, please?)
Bread is also free and unlimited in most French restaurants.
DURING AND AFTER THE MEAL
C'est délicieux.
(It's delicious)
Say it to the waiter. French people love when you appreciate their food.
Je n'ai plus faim, merci.
(I'm full, thank you)
Use this when you finish eating.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
(The check, please)
In France, the waiter will NEVER bring you the check unless you ask for it. It is considered rude to rush customers.
On peut payer séparément ?
(Can we pay separately?)
If you are with other people.
Je peux payer par carte ?
(Can I pay by card?)
Almost everywhere accepts cards nowadays.
Le service est compris ?
(Is the tip included?)
Spoiler: in France, yes. The tip is already included in the displayed price.
C'était très bon, merci.
(It was very good, thank you)
Always compliment the restaurant before leaving.
Bonne soirée !
(Have a good evening!)
Say it when you leave.
In the Street and Public Transport (Phrases 56-70)
You leave the restaurant. You need to get back to your hotel. Or maybe you just want to explore the city.
Welcome to the street. Here is how to ask for help.
Excusez-moi, je cherche la station de métro.
(Excuse me, I'm looking for the metro station)
One of the most useful questions in Paris.
C'est par où ?
(Which way is it?)
Short, simple, effective.
C'est à droite ou à gauche ?
(Is it to the right or the left?)
To better understand directions.
C'est loin à pied ?
(Is it far on foot?)
To know if you can walk there.
Je suis perdu.
(I'm lost)
Or « je suis perdue » if you are a woman. French people respect honesty.
Vous pouvez me montrer sur la carte ?
(Can you show me on the map?)
Open Google Maps. Show your screen. French people love helping when they can see the map.
Un ticket, s'il vous plaît.
(One ticket, please)
At the metro station.
C'est quelle ligne pour aller à... ?
(Which line do I take to go to...?)
To use public transportation.
Je dois changer où ?
(Where do I need to transfer?)
For metro connections.
C'est le prochain arrêt ?
(Is it the next stop?)
To make sure you get off at the right place.
Pardon, je descends.
(Excuse me, I'm getting off)
Very useful in the Paris metro when it is crowded.
Excusez-moi, vous pouvez m'aider ?
(Excuse me, can you help me?)
A general way to ask for help.
Je ne comprends pas.
(I don't understand)
One of your survival phrases.
Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
(Can you repeat that, please?)
Another survival phrase.
Vous pouvez parler plus lentement ?
(Can you speak more slowly?)
Phrases 68, 69 and 70 are your lifesavers. Use them without shame. French people are not mean. They just speak fast.
At the Bakery and in Shops (Phrases 71-85)
The bakery. The French temple.
You are going to go there every morning. It is one of the most important places during your stay.
AT THE BAKERY
Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette, s'il vous plaît.
(Hello, I'd like a baguette, please)
The foundation. The essential sentence.
Et un pain au chocolat.
(And a chocolate croissant)
Not « chocolatine ». We are not starting that debate.
C'est combien ?
(How much is it?)
To know the price.
Je n'ai pas de monnaie, désolé.
(I don't have change, sorry)
If you need to pay in cash.
Vous avez un sac ?
(Do you have a bag?)
To carry your shopping.
IN SHOPS
Je regarde, merci.
(I'm just looking, thanks)
Perfect when a salesperson comes to you immediately in a store.
Est-ce que vous avez ça en plus petit ?
(Do you have this in a smaller size?)
To look for the right size.
Je peux essayer ?
(Can I try it on?)
For clothes.
Où sont les cabines d'essayage ?
(Where are the fitting rooms?)
To find the changing rooms.
Ça me va.
(It fits me)
When the size is right.
C'est trop petit.
(It's too small)
Or « trop grand » (too big).
C'est en solde ?
(Is this on sale?)
To know if there is a discount.
Vous faites des réductions ?
(Do you offer discounts?)
To negotiate the price.
Je le prends.
(I'll take it)
When you decide to buy something.
Merci, au revoir, bonne journée !
(Thanks, goodbye, have a good day!)
Always say thank you and wish people a good day.
Emergencies and Difficult Situations (Phrases 86-95)
I hope you never need these. But it is better to know them.
J'ai besoin d'aide.
(I need help)
An emergency sentence.
Appelez une ambulance, s'il vous plaît.
(Call an ambulance, please)
The emergency number in France is 15 for the SAMU, 18 for firefighters, or 112 everywhere in Europe.
Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ?
(Where is the nearest pharmacy?)
Pharmacies in France are amazing. You can ask pharmacists for advice about almost anything.
J'ai mal à la tête.
(I have a headache)
Or « j'ai mal au ventre » (I have a stomach ache) or « j'ai mal à la gorge » (I have a sore throat).
Je ne me sens pas bien.
(I don't feel well)
To say that you generally feel sick.
J'ai perdu mon portefeuille.
(I lost my wallet)
A situation you definitely want to avoid.
On m'a volé mon téléphone.
(Someone stole my phone)
Unfortunately, this can happen.
Où est le commissariat ?
(Where is the police station?)
To report a theft.
Je voudrais porter plainte.
(I'd like to file a complaint)
To file a police report.
Est-ce que vous parlez anglais ?
(Do you speak English?)
Yes, this is your last-resort sentence. There is absolutely no shame in asking it. But always try in French first.
Social Phrases That Change Everything (Phrases 96-100)
Let’s finish with the phrases you never find in textbooks, but that make all the difference.
These phrases turn a simple transactional interaction into a real human connection.
Mon français n'est pas parfait, mais j'essaie !
(My French isn't perfect, but I'm trying!)
French people will LOVE this. Trust me.
Ah, je ne connais pas ce mot en français.
(Ah, I don't know that word in French)
Instead of freezing in silence, you express it. And often, the other person will help you.
Comment on dit ça en français ?
(How do you say that in French?)
You turn every conversation into a mini French lesson.
J'adore la France.
(I love France)
Simple. Effective. It opens doors.
On garde le contact ?
(Shall we stay in touch?)
Because at the end of the day, that’s the real goal. Not just surviving. But creating connections.
How to Use These 100 Phrases
You now have enough to survive in France.
But here’s the thing: you are going to close this page, go back to your day, and in three days you will have forgotten half of these phrases.
The real key is regular practice.
These phrases are only useful if you actually use them.
When you make the effort to say them out loud, when you practice them in real conversations, that’s when the magic happens.
The good news?
That’s exactly what you will learn to do by practicing French every single day.
Not by watching videos. Not by memorizing lists.
But by speaking. In real situations. With real people.
Tu veux aller plus loin ?
If you want to go further than simply « connaître » (to know) these phrases and start using them naturally in conversations, join our free challenge.
30 days.
One exercise per day.
Short, simple and effective.
Because at the end of the day, what matters is not having the right phrases.
It’s having the courage to use them.
Ready to speak with the right words, naturally?
Join Ohlala French School and turn vocabulary into real, confident conversations.
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