Five French Travel Phrases To Learn

Although Paris is a major hub of international business travel, the English speaking population is far smaller than in a city like Tokyo. Business travelers should not assume that the average cab driver, waiter, or passerby is going to speak English, and should prepare with phrases accordingly. These five phrases will help anyone communicate clearly with all levels of Parisian society.

French Travel Phrase 1: I would like…

• French: Je Voudrais
• Sounds like: Juh voo-dray
• Means: I would like…
• In a sentence: "Je voudrais un croissant." "I would like a croissant."
• Explanation: this is the most commonly used form of expression when ordering something in a restaurant or at a café.

French Travel Phrase 2: Thank you/You're welcome

• French: Merci / Du Rien
• Sounds like: Mare-see / doo ree en
• Means: Thank you / You are welcome
• In a sentence: Person 1: "Merci, madame." Person 2: "Du rien." "Thank you, ma'am." "You're welcome."
• Explanation: one of the most commonly used French words. Thank people liberally, and always be sure to return a "merci" with "du rien."

French Travel Phrase 3: I don't speak French

• French: Je ne parle pas Francais
• Sounds like: Ju neigh parl pa luh fran-says
• Means: I don't speak French
• In a sentence: Person 1: "Parles vous Francais?" Person 2: "Je ne parle pas Francais" "Do you speak French?" "I don't speak French."
• Explanation: use this phrase liberally if you don't speak French. After hearing it, most people will either try to speak to you in English, or will realize you cannot help them.

French Travel Phrase 4: Please / Excuse me

• French: Sil vous plait / pardon
• Sounds like: see voo play / pair-don
• Means: Please / Excuse me
• In a sentence: "Sil vous plait, je voudrais un fraise." "Please, I would like a strawberry." "Pardon, ou est le gare?" "Excuse me, where is the station?"
• Explanation: Use these two words liberally as well. Sil vous plait has any number of uses, and will never be considered out of place. Pardon should be used whenever you would be tempted to say "excuse me", i.e. if you happen to bump into someone on the street.

French Travel Phrase 5: Where is

• French: Ou est…
• Sounds like: Ooh ay…
• Means: where is
• In a sentence: "Ou est le gare?" "Where is the station?"
• Explanation: this form of question will get you directions to anywhere, so long as the person you ask knows how to get there and you have the name or address of your destination. Be sure to follow it up with a "Je ne parle pas Francais" if they begin explaining in French, and carry around a map that they can use to show you if necessary.