50 VERY USEFUL phrases for expats in France

🛍️ In stores

1. "Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît."

   (/bɔ̃.ʒuʁ ʒə vu.dʁɛ yn ba.ɡɛt sil vu plɛ/)

   👉 When you buy bread at the bakery.

   = Hello, I would like a baguette, please.
    

2. "Combien ça coûte ?"

   (/kɔ̃.bjɛ̃ sa kut/)

   👉 When you want to know the price of a product.

   = How much does it cost?
    

3. "Je voudrais payer par carte."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ pe.je paʁ kaʁt/)

   👉 When you pay for your purchases.

   = I would like to pay by card.
    

4. "Est-ce que vous prenez la carte bancaire ?"

   (/ɛs kə vu pʁə.ne la kaʁt bɑ̃.kɛʁ/)

   👉 To check if the store accepts cards.

   = Do you take credit cards?
    

5. "Je peux avoir une facture, s’il vous plaît ?"

   (/ʒə pø a.vwaʁ yn fak.tyʁ sil vu plɛ/)

   👉 When you need an invoice for your purchase.

   = Can I have an invoice, please?

🏛️ At the town hall

1. "Où se trouve la mairie ?"

   (/u sə tʁuv la mɛ.ʁi/)

   👉 When you are looking for the town hall in your city.

   = Where is the town hall?
    

2. "Je dois m’inscrire à la sécurité sociale."

   (/ʒə dwa mɛ̃s.kʁiʁ a la se.ky.ʁi.te sɔ.sjal/)

   👉 When you handle administrative procedures.

   = I need to register for social security.
    

3. "Quels papiers faut-il fournir ?"

   (/kɛl pa.pje fo til fuʁ.niʁ/)

   👉 When you ask which documents are needed.

   = Which papers are required?
    

4. "Je ne comprends pas ce formulaire."

   (/ʒə nə kɔ̃.pʁɑ̃ pa sə fɔʁ.my.lɛʁ/)

   👉 When you have trouble with administrative forms.

   = I don’t understand this form.
    

5. "Je dois prendre un rendez-vous en ligne ?"

   (/ʒə dwa pʁɑ̃dʁ ɛ̃ ʁɑ̃.de.vu ɑ̃ liɲ/)

   👉 When you’re not sure about the procedure.

   = Do I need to book an appointment online?

🏥 At the doctor’s

1. "Je cherche un médecin / une pharmacie."

   (/ʒə ʃɛʁʃ ɛ̃ med.sɛ̃ / yn faʁ.ma.si/)

   👉 When you need medical care.

   = I’m looking for a doctor / a pharmacy.
    

2. "C’est une urgence."

   (/sɛ‿tyn yʁ.ʒɑ̃s/)

   👉 To explain that it’s an emergency.

   = It’s an emergency.
    

3. "J’ai besoin d’un rendez-vous, s’il vous plaît."

   (/ʒe bə.zwɛ̃ dɛ̃ ʁɑ̃.de.vu sil vu plɛ/)

   👉 To ask for a medical appointment.

   = I need an appointment, please.
    

4. "Pouvez-vous me conseiller un médecin généraliste ?"

   (/pu.ve vu mə kɔ̃.se.je ɛ̃ med.sɛ̃ ʒe.ne.ʁa.list/)

   👉 When you’re looking for a family doctor.

   = Can you recommend a general practitioner?
    

5. "Je ne suis pas dans mon assiette aujourd’hui."

   (/ʒə nə sɥi pa dɑ̃ mɔ̃ na.sjɛt o.ʒuʁ.dɥi/)

   👉 To say you’re not feeling well.

   = I don’t feel well today.

🏘️ With neighbors

1. "Je suis nouveau/nouvelle dans le quartier."

   (/ʒə sɥi nu.vo / nu.vɛl dɑ̃ lə kaʁ.tje/)

   👉 To introduce yourself to your neighbors.

   = I’m new in the neighborhood.
    

2. "Excusez-moi, cette place est libre ?"

   (/ɛks.ky.ze mwa sɛt plas ɛ li.bʁ/)

   👉 Par exemple, pour demander au parking. (For example, to ask in a parking lot.)

   = Excuse me, is this spot free?
    

3. "Merci beaucoup pour votre aide !"

   (/mɛʁ.si bo.ku puʁ vɔ.tʁ‿ɛd/)

   👉 When a neighbor helps you.

   = Thank you very much for your help!
    

4. "Est-ce qu’il y a des associations locales ?"

   (/ɛs k‿il i‿a dez‿a.sɔ.sja.sjɔ̃ lɔ.kal/)

   👉 To find local community activities.

   = Are there local associations?
    

5. "Je voudrais participer à une activité sportive."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ paʁ.ti.si.pe a yn ak.ti.vi.te spɔʁ.tiv/)

   👉 To integrate into the neighborhood.

   = I’d like to join a sports activity.

🏠 Apartment hunting – with the landlord

1. "Je cherche un appartement à louer."

   (/ʒə ʃɛʁʃ ɛ̃ na.paʁ.tə.mɑ̃ a lwe/)

   👉 When you start looking for a place to live.

   = I’m looking for an apartment to rent.
    

2. "Est-ce que les charges sont incluses ?"

   (/ɛs kə le ʃaʁʒ sɔ̃.t‿ɛ̃.kluz/)

   👉 When you visit an apartment.

   = Are utilities included?
    

3. "Quels documents dois-je apporter ?"

   (/kɛl dɔ.ky.mɑ̃ dwa ʒə a.pɔʁ.te/)

   👉 When the landlord asks for supporting documents.

   = Which documents should I bring?
    

4. "Pouvez-vous m’expliquer le bail ?"

   (/pu.ve vu mɛk.spli.ke lə baj/)

   👉 When you’re signing your rental agreement.

   = Can you explain the lease to me?
    

5. "Quand est-ce que je peux emménager ?"

   (/kɑ̃ ɛs kə ʒə pø ɑ̃.me.na.ʒe/)

   👉 To fix the move-in date.

   = When can I move in?

🏦 At the bank

1. "Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ u.vʁiʁ ɛ̃ kɔ̃t bɑ̃.kɛʁ/)

   👉 When you arrive in a new city.

   = I’d like to open a bank account.
    

2. "Quels sont vos horaires d’ouverture ?"

   (/kɛl sɔ̃ vo.z‿ɔ.ʁɛʁ du.vɛʁ.tyʁ/)

   👉 When you want to visit the bank.

   = What are your opening hours?
    

3. "Est-ce que je peux avoir un RIB ?"

   (/ɛs kə ʒə pø a.vwaʁ ɛ̃ ʁib/)

   👉 To give your bank account details.

   = Can I have my bank details (RIB)?
    

4. "Comment puis-je faire un virement ?"

   (/kɔ.mɑ̃ pɥi ʒə fɛʁ ɛ̃ viʁ.mɑ̃/)

   👉 To transfer money.

   = How can I make a transfer?
    

5. "Ma carte ne fonctionne pas."

   (/ma kaʁt nə fɔ̃k.sjɔn pa/)

   👉 When your card is blocked or declined.

   = My card isn’t working.

💡 With the electricity provider

1. "Je voudrais signer un contrat d’électricité."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ si.ɲe ɛ̃ kɔ̃.tʁa de.lɛk.tʁi.si.te/)

   👉 When you move into a new home.

   = I’d like to sign an electricity contract.
    

2. "Pouvez-vous m’expliquer ma facture ?"

   (/pu.ve vu mɛk.spli.ke ma fak.tyʁ/)

   👉 When you receive your first bill.

   = Can you explain my bill?
    

3. "Je déménage, comment transférer mon contrat ?"

   (/ʒə de.me.naʒ kɔ.mɑ̃ tʁɑ̃s.fe.ʁe mɔ̃ kɔ̃.tʁa/)

   👉 When you move to a new home.

   = I’m moving, how can I transfer my contract?
    

4. "Quel est le délai d’activation ?"

   (/kɛl ɛ lə de.lɛ dak.ti.va.sjɔ̃/)

   👉 When you’re waiting for your electricity to be activated.

   = How long does it take to activate?
    

5. "J’ai un problème avec le compteur."

   (/ʒe ɛ̃ pʁɔ.blɛm a.vɛk lə kɔ̃.tœʁ/)

   👉 When the electricity isn’t working properly.

   = I have a problem with the meter.

🌐 With the internet provider

1. "Je voudrais installer une box internet."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ ɛ̃s.ta.le yn bɔks ɛ̃.tɛʁ.nɛt/)

   👉 When you’ve just arrived and need internet service.

   = I’d like to install an internet box.
    

2. "Quel est le prix de l’abonnement ?"

   (/kɛl ɛ lə pʁi də la.bɔ.nə.mɑ̃/)

   👉 To ask about the price plans.

   = What is the subscription price?
    

3. "Est-ce que le technicien doit venir chez moi ?"

   (/ɛs kə lə tɛk.ni.sjɛ̃ dwa və.niʁ ʃe mwa/)

   👉 To check if installation is done in person.

   = Does a technician need to come to my home?
    

4. "Ma connexion est très lente."

   (/ma kɔ.nɛk.sjɔ̃ ɛ tʁɛ lɑ̃t/)

   👉 When you’re having internet issues.

   = My connection is very slow.
    

5. "Je voudrais résilier mon abonnement."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ ʁe.zi.lje mɔ̃ na.bɔ.nə.mɑ̃/)

   👉 When you’re leaving your home and want to cancel your plan.

   = I’d like to cancel my subscription.

🚇 Public transport

1. "Je voudrais acheter un ticket de métro."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ a.ʃə.te ɛ̃ ti.kɛ də me.tʁo/)

   👉 At the metro station.

   = I’d like to buy a metro ticket.
    

2. "Où est la gare la plus proche ?"

   (/u ɛ la ɡaʁ la ply pʁɔʃ/)

   👉 When you’re looking for a train station.

   = Where is the nearest train station?
    

3. "À quelle heure part le prochain train ?"

   (/a kɛl œʁ paʁ lə pʁɔ.ʃɛ̃ tʁɛ̃/)

   👉 To ask for a train schedule.

   = What time does the next train leave?
    

4. "Ce bus va-t-il à… ?"

   (/sə bys va til a …/)

   👉 To check a destination.

   = Does this bus go to…?
    

5. "Je voudrais recharger ma carte de transport."

   (/ʒə vu.dʁɛ ʁə.ʃaʁ.ʒe ma kaʁt də tʁɑ̃spɔʁ/)

   👉 To add credits to your transport card.

   = I’d like to recharge my transport card.

🗂️ Miscellaneous

1. "Est-ce qu’il y a quelqu’un qui parle anglais ?"

   (/ɛs k‿il i a kɛl.kɛ̃ ki paʁl ɑ̃.ɡlɛ/)

   👉 When you’re lost or need help.

   = Is there someone who speaks English?
    

2. "Je suis expatrié(e), je viens de…"

   (/ʒə sɥi ɛks.pa.tʁi.je ʒə vjɛ̃ də …/)

   👉 To introduce yourself.

   = I’m an expat, I come from…
    

3. "Quels sont les jours fériés en France ?"

   (/kɛl sɔ̃ le ʒuʁ fe.ʁje ɑ̃ fʁɑ̃s/)

   👉 To plan your schedule.

   = What are the public holidays in France?
    

4. "Où est la déchèterie ?"

   (/u ɛ la de.ʃɛt.ʁi/)

   👉 When you want to throw away bulky items.

   = Where is the recycling center?
    

5. "Je dois m’inscrire pour les impôts."

   (/ʒə dwa mɛ̃s.kʁiʁ puʁ lez‿ɛ̃.po/)

   👉 To handle your tax registration.

   = I need to register for taxes.

There you go! You’ve just learned 50 essential phrases for everyday life in France.

💡 These are practical, real-life sentences used by French people every day — in shops, administrations, public transport, or simply between neighbors.

And now, it’s your turn!

👉 Review them regularly.

👉 Choose 3 or 4 phrases to practice this week.

👉 And most importantly: dare to use them whenever you get the chance!