Although the level of English spoken along the Riviera is excellent, it is only polite and courteous to at least attempt to use a little of your host country's language during your visit. Below you will find some basic phrases to help you get by.
Everyday Phrases
|
French |
Yes |
Oui |
No |
Non |
Please |
S'il vous plaît |
Thank you |
Merci |
Excuse me |
Excusez-moi |
Sorry (apology AND request to repeat previous phrase) |
Pardon |
Hello |
Bonjour |
Goodbye |
Au revoir |
How are you? |
Comment allez-vous? |
I'm very well, thankyou. |
Ça va bien, merci. |
Do you speak English? |
Parlez-vous anglais? |
I don't understand. |
Je ne comprends pas. |
Could you speak slowly and clearly, please. |
Pourriez-vous parler lentement et clairement, S'il vous plaît. |
Could you repeat that please? |
Pouvez-vous répéter cela, s'il vous plait? |
Good evening (arriving or leaving) |
Bonsoir |
See you later. |
A plus tard. |
See you soon. |
A bientôt. |
Goodnight |
Bonne nuit |
Introductions
English |
French |
Delighted to meet you. |
Enchanté de faire votre connaissance. |
As a shorter alternative you can simply say: |
Enchanté. |
What is your name? |
Comment vous appellez-vous? |
My name is... |
Je m'appelle... |
There follows a series of nationalities given in the masculine form. |
For the female form an 'e' is added to the end of the word, which affects the pronunciation. |
Are you French? |
Etes-vous français(e)? |
I am ... |
Je suis ... |
... English. |
... anglais(e). |
... American. |
... americain(e). |
... Irish. |
... irlandais(e). |
... Scottish. |
... écossais(e). |
... Welsh. |
... gallois(e). |
... Canadian |
... canadien(ne). |
... Australian. |
... australien(ne). |
... a New Zealander |
... néo-zélandais(e). |
... South African |
... sud-africain(ne). |
...German. |
... allemand(e). |
Mealtimes
English |
French |
A meal |
Un repas |
Breakfast |
Le petit déjeuner |
Lunch |
Le déjeuner |
Dinner |
Le diner |
To order |
Commander |
To eat |
Manger |
To drink |
Boire |
The menu |
La carte |
A set menu |
Un menu |
Today's special |
Plat du jour |
Toasted cheese and ham sandwich |
Croque-monsieur |
The bill (US; the check) |
L'addition |
Is the tip included? |
Est-ce que le service est compris? |
Wine |
Le vin |
A glass/A bottle of red/white wine |
Un verre/Une bouteille de vin rouge/blanc |
A jug of wine |
Un pichet de vin |
A beer (usu 25cl draught lager) |
Une bière (or 'un demi') |
A large beer (50cl) |
|
A (small) coffee (usu an espresso) |
Un (petit) café |
A large white coffee (as compared to espresso) |
Un grand café au lait |
A cup of tea (tea comes black as standard, you'll need to specify if you want milk) |
Un thé (au lait) |
Bread |
Du pain |
An orange juice |
Un jus d'orange |
A jug of water |
Une carafe d'eau |
A bottle of (flat/fizzy) water |
Une bouteille d'eau (plate/gazeuse) |
Questions
|
French |
I'm sorry to bother you, but... |
Je suis désolé de vous déranger, mais... |
Who |
Qui |
What |
Quoi (or 'que' in many questions) |
What is it? |
Qu'est-ce que c'est? |
When |
Quand |
What time is it? |
Quelle heure est-il? |
Where |
Où |
Where is the railway station? |
Où est la gare? |
Where is the tourist information office? |
Où est l'office de tourisme? |
Where are the toilets? |
Où sont les toilettes? |
Where can I find a city plan? |
Où est-ce qu'on peut trouver un plan de la ville? |
Where can I change some money? |
Où est-ce que je peux changer de l'argent? |
Where are the nearest public toilets? |
Où se trouvent les toilettes publiques les plus près d'ici? |
Which way is the town centre from here? |
Il faut prendre quelle direction, pour aller vers le centre ville? |
Why? |
Pourquoi? |
How much? |
Combien? |
How many? |
Combien? |
What are you doing? |
Que faîtes-vous? |
Is it allowed? |
Est-ce permis? |
Is it forbidden? |
Est-ce interdit? |
Emergency
|
French |
Excuse me! |
Excusez-moi! |
Help! |
Au secours! |
Help me, please! |
Aidez-moi, je vous prie! |
I'm lost. |
Je suis perdu. |
Stop! |
Arretez! |
Police |
La police |
Ambulance |
Le Samu |
Fire-service |
Les pompiers |
Forbidden |
Interdit |
Numbers
|
French |
one |
un |
two |
deux |
three |
trois |
four |
quatre |
five |
cinq |
six |
six |
seven |
sept |
eight |
huit |
nine |
neuf |
ten |
dix |
eleven |
onze |
twelve |
douze |
thirteen |
treize |
fourteen |
quatorze |
fifteen |
quinze |
sixteen |
seize |
seventeen |
dix-sept |
eighteen |
dix-huit |
nineteen |
dix-neuf |
20 |
vingt |
42 |
Quarante-deux |
50 |
Cinquante |
100 |
cent |
1000 |
mille |
10000 |
dix mille |
74,357 |
Soixante-quatorze mille, trois cent cinquante-sept |
