Soren about to board a plane.

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.

Iggy asks Pocky, “Quelle heure est-il?” looking at the huge train schedule at the train station.

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!

 Iggy and Soren have finished their dinner at the restaurant — they had escargots

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!

Iggy asks Benji on a street, “Où se trouve le Musée du Louvre?”

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

 Iggy looks lost on a typical Parisian street. She comes to Pocky, saying, “Je suis perdue. J'ai besoin d'aide.”

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!

Blog Author Image

Ellis

Ellis is a seasoned polyglot and one of the creative minds behind Langster Blog, where she shares effective language learning strategies and insights from her own journey mastering the four languages. Ellis strives to empower learners globally to embrace new languages with confidence and curiosity. Off the blog, she immerses herself in exploring diverse cultures through cinema and contemporary fiction, further fueling her passion for language and connection.