Bonjour, mes amis! Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of the French language? With its romantic allure and rich history, French is not only an elegant language but also a practical one to learn. So, let's get started with these essential beginner words and phrases, broken down into several delightful themes.
Unlock the language with these easy words, and start having simple conversations in French today!
Greetings and Polite Expressions
Nothing begins a conversation better than a warm greeting. These are the building blocks of any interaction, be it with native French speakers or an enthusiastic fellow learner.
Here are common French greetings and goodbyes:
French
English
Bonjour
Good morning, Good afternoon
Bonsoir
Good evening
Salut
Hi
Au revoir
Goodbye
À bientôt
See you soon
When in France, it's important to maintain politeness. Here are some basic French phrases that will help you make a good impression:
French
English
S'il vous plaît
Please
Merci
Thank you
Je vous en prie
Thank you (formal)
De rien
You're welcome
Excusez-moi
Excuse me
Pardon
Pardon
Now, let's add some basic French words and phrases to help you engage in small talk and get to know people:
French
English
Comment vous appelez-vous?
What's your name?
Je m'appelle...
My name is…
Enchanté(e) de faire votre connaissance.
Nice to meet you.
D'où venez-vous?
Where are you from?
Je viens de...
I am from…
Quel âge avez-vous?
How old are you?
J'ai... ans.
I am... years old.
Comment ça va?
How are you?
Comment allez-vous?
How are you doing?
Je vais bien, merci.
I'm doing well, thanks.
These useful French phrases will allow you to connect with others on a more personal level. As you continue to learn French, your ability to communicate and make new friends will only grow stronger.
Numbers and Counting
Whether you're counting baguettes at a bakery, savoring macarons at a Parisian café, or bargaining at a bustling market, knowing numbers in French will come in handy.
Let's learn to count up to twenty — a solid foundation for your numeric vocabulary.
French
English
Un
One
Deux
Two
Trois
Three
Quatre
Four
Cinq
Five
Six
Six
Sept
Seven
Huit
Eight
Neuf
Nine
Dix
Ten
Once you've mastered the first ten numbers, counting up to twenty is just a small step away. Here's the next set of numerals:
French
English
Onze
Eleven
Douze
Twelve
Treize
Thirteen
Quatorze
Fourteen
Quinze
Fifteen
Seize
Sixteen
Dix-sept
Seventeen
Dix-huit
Eighteen
Dix-neuf
Nineteen
Vingt
Twenty
With these numbers in your repertoire, you're ready to tackle everything from shopping and dining to booking hotels and travel tickets.
But, why stop there? Challenge yourself to learn higher French numbers like trente (thirty), quarante (forty), cinquante (fifty), and so on — all the way up to cent (one hundred).
As you expand your numeric knowledge, familiarize yourself with some useful phrases related to numbers:
French
English
Combien?
How many?
Je voudrais...
I would like…
Je vais prendre...
I will take…
Let’s illustrate with an example:
French
English
J'en voudrais un verre de vin, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a glass of wine, please.
Now that you're equipped with French numbers and counting skills, you're prepared to navigate basic transactions with ease. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be able to discuss dates, time, prices, and quantities like a seasoned francophone!
Days of the Week and Time
Asking about days and time is crucial in making plans or finding out when places are open.
Days of the Week:
French
English
Lundi
Monday
Mardi
Tuesday
Mercredi
Wednesday
Jeudi
Thursday
Vendredi
Friday
Samedi
Saturday
Dimanche
Sunday
Time-related Phrases:
French
English
Quelle heure est-il?
What time is it?
Il est deux heures.
It's two o'clock.
À quelle heure...?
At what time...?
Food and Drink Vocabulary
French cuisine is famous worldwide and for a good reason! From croissants to escargot, knowing some basic food vocabulary will make your culinary experience even more delectable.
Let's explore French vocabulary for a wide range of foods and beverages you'll likely encounter in France:
French
English
Le pain
Bread
La baguette
Baguette
Les croissants
Croissants
Le fromage
Cheese
Les fruits
Fruits
Les légumes
Vegetables
La viande
Meat
Le poisson
Fish
Les fruits de mer
Seafood
Desserts and Sweets:
French
English
La pâtisserie
Pastry
Le gâteau
Cake
La tarte
Pie
La crème brûlée
Crème brûlée
Les macarons
Macarons
Beverages:
French
English
Le vin
Wine
La bière
Beer
L'eau
Water
Le café
Coffee
Le thé
Tea
Le jus de fruits
Fruit juice
When dining out or shopping for food, it's also helpful to know some common French words and phrases related to meals and dietary preferences:
French
English
Je suis végétarien(ne)
I am vegetarian.
Je suis allergique à...
I am allergic to…
Quels sont les ingrédients?
What are the ingredients?
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The bill, please.
With this French vocabulary for food and drink, you'll be able to navigate French menus, markets, and dining experiences with ease. Impress your fellow diners by ordering authentic French dishes and beverages like a true gastronome. Bon appétit!
Travel and Transportation
Getting around in France is easier when you know the right words. Here are some essential travel vocabulary words:
French
English
La gare
Train station
Le train
Train
Le métro
Subway
L'aéroport
Airport
Le taxi
Taxi
Now, let's delve further into the subject with the most common French words in terms of travel and transportation.
Public Transportation:
French
English
Le bus
Bus
Le tramway
Tram
Le billet
Ticket
La correspondance/ [Connection
Connection/Transfer
L'arrêt de bus
Bus stop
La station de métro
Metro station
Directions and Navigation:
French
English
La carte
Map
Le plan
City map
À gauche
Left
À droite
Right
Tout droit
Straight ahead
Le nord
North
Le sud
South
L'est
East
L'ouest
West
Travel Accommodations:
French
English
L'hôtel
Hotel
La chambre d'hôtes / Le bed and breakfast
Bed and Breakfast
L'auberge de jeunesse
Youth Hostel
Useful Phrases for Travelers:
French
English
Où se trouve...? / Où est...?
Where is...?
For example:
French
English
Où est l'arrêt de bus 127?
Where is the bus stop for bus 127?
Comment aller à...? / Comment se rendre à...?
How do I get to...?
Je cherche…
I am looking for…
For instance:
French
English
Je cherche le métro
I am looking for the subway
Pouvez-vous me montrer sur la carte? / Tu peux me montrer sur la carte?
Can you show me on the map?
Combien coûte un billet pour...?
How much is a ticket to...?
With this expanded list of travel vocabulary, you'll be well-equipped to navigate your way through French-speaking countries with ease. Whether you're exploring bustling cities like Paris or wandering through picturesque countryside villages, knowing the right French phrases will make your journey even more enjoyable. Bon voyage!
Shopping Terms
Whether you're souvenir hunting, clothes shopping, or exploring local markets, knowing some basic shopping terms will help you navigate your way through French stores.
Clothing and Accessories:
French
English
Les vêtements
Clothes
La robe
Dress
Le pantalon/ [Pants
Pants/Trousers
La chemise / Le chemisier/ [Shirt
Shirt / Blouse
Le pull
Sweater
La jupe
Skirt
Les accessoires
Accessories
Le sac
Bag
Le chapeau
Hat
Les chaussures
Shoes
La taille
Size
Types of Stores:
French
English
La boutique
Shop, Boutique
Le magasin
Store
Le centre commercial
Shopping mall
La librairie
Bookstore
L'épicerie
Grocery store
La pharmacie
Pharmacy
Payments and Discounts:
French
English
Les soldes
Sales
Le prix
Price
La réduction / La remise
Discount
L'offre spéciale
Special offer
La carte de crédit
Credit card
En espèces / En liquide
Cash
Useful Shopping Phrases:
French
English
Combien ça coûte?
How much does it cost?
C'est trop cher!
It's too expensive!
Avez-vous cela en taille...?
Do you have this in size...?
Où sont les cabines d'essayage?
Where are the fitting rooms?
Est-ce que je peux essayer...?
Can I try this on...?
With this shopping vocabulary, you'll be able to successfully browse and purchase items in French stores, markets, and boutiques. Enjoy your shopping experience while immersing yourself in the French language and culture!
Asking for Help
In case you need assistance or find yourself lost, knowing how to ask for help is vital. Here are some basic French phrases that will help you out in virtually any situation:
French
English
Où sont les toilettes?
Where is the bathroom?
Je ne comprends pas
I don't understand
Je ne sais pas
I don't know
J'ai besoin d'aide
I need help
Je suis perdu(e)
I'm lost
Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas français.
I’m sorry, I don't speak French.
Parlez-vous anglais?
Do you speak English?
Comment dit-on... en français?
How do you say... in French?
Parlez lentement
Speak slowly
The Bottom Line
Et voilà! Equipped with this diverse range of easy French words and phrases, you're now prepared to dive into the enchanting world of French language and culture.
From exchanging pleasantries to indulging in exquisite cuisine, exploring bustling city streets to unearthing hidden gems at local shops, your linguistic journey will be filled with unforgettable experiences.
As you continue to practice and expand your vocabulary with our Langster app, you'll also learn more about the culture, traditions, and unique je ne sais quoi that make the French language so alluring. Embrace the challenges and triumphs of learning French, knowing that each new word mastered brings you closer to fluency.
So, don’t shy away from engaging with native speakers or exploring new facets of the language. With persistence and dedication, you'll soon be able to navigate the French-speaking world with ease and finesse. À bientôt et bonne chance dans vos études de français!