The Ultimate Guide to Most Important French Words & Phrases

Learning French opens up a world of rich cultural experiences, from savoring delicious cuisine in Paris to exploring picturesque villages in Provence. Whether you’re planning a trip, building a professional relationship, or simply enhancing your language skills, mastering the most important French words and phrases is essential. This comprehensive video guide covers essential vocabulary, useful expressions, and practical phrases for everyday situations, helping you communicate effectively and confidently in French-speaking environments.

Essential French Lessons for Day to Day Conversations

1. Essential French Greetings and Courtesies

Understanding basic greetings and courtesies is crucial for making a good impression and establishing rapport. Here are some of the most fundamental phrases you should know:

1.1 Basic Greetings

Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) – Good morning / Hello
Bonsoir (bohn-swahr) – Good evening
Salut (sa-loo) – Hi (informal)
Bonne nuit (bohn nwee) – Good night
Au revoir (oh ruh-vwar) – Goodbye
À bientôt (ah byehn-toh) – See you soon
À demain (ah duh-mahn) – See you tomorrow
Enchanté(e) (ahn-shan-tey) – Nice to meet you

1.2 Courteous Expressions

S’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) – Please
Merci (mehr-see) – Thank you
Merci beaucoup (mehr-see boh-koo) – Thank you very much
De rien (duh ryehn) – You’re welcome
Excusez-moi (ehk-skew-zay mwah) – Excuse me
Je suis désolé(e) (zhuh swee deh-zoh-lay) – I am sorry
Oui / Non (wee / noh) – Yes / No
D’accord (dah-kohr) – Okay / Agreed
Pas de problème (pah duh proh-blehm) – No problem
Pardon (par-dohn) – Sorry / Pardon (often used when asking someone to repeat something)

1.3 Asking for Clarification or Help

Pouvez-vous m’aider ? (poo-veh voo meh-dey) – Can you help me?
Je ne comprends pas (zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah) – I don’t understand
Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? (poo-veh voo ray-pey-tey seel voo pleh) – Can you repeat, please?
Parlez-vous anglais ? (par-lay voo ahn-glay) – Do you speak English?
Comment dit-on… en français ? (koh-mohn dee-tohn… ahn frahn-sey) – How do you say… in French?
Qu’est-ce que cela veut dire ? (kes-kuh suh-lah vuh deer) – What does this mean?

2. Numbers and Counting in French

Being able to count and understand numbers is fundamental, especially when handling money, telling time, or navigating transportation.

2.1 Basic Numbers

Un (uhn) – One
Deux (duh) – Two
Trois (trwah) – Three
Quatre (katr) – Four
Cinq (sank) – Five
Six (sees) – Six
Sept (set) – Seven
Huit (weet) – Eight
Neuf (nuhf) – Nine
Dix (dees) – Ten

2.2 Larger Numbers

Onze (ohnz) – Eleven
Douze (dooz) – Twelve
Treize (trehz) – Thirteen
Quatorze (ka-tohrz) – Fourteen
Quinze (kanz) – Fifteen
Vingt (vahn) – Twenty
Trente (trahnt) – Thirty
Quarante (ka-rahn) – Forty
Cinquante (sank-ahnt) – Fifty
Cent (sahn) – Hundred

2.3 Useful Phrases with Numbers

Il est deux heures. (eel ay duh zuhr) – It’s two o’clock.
Combien ça coûte ? (kohm-byen sah koot) – How much does it cost?
J’ai besoin de trois billets. (zhay buh-zwan duh trwah bee-yay) – I need three tickets.
Mon numéro de téléphone est… (mohn noo-may-roh duh te-leh-fohn eh…) – My phone number is…

3. Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons

Understanding how to talk about dates and time in French is crucial for planning activities, making reservations, and understanding schedules.

3.1 Days of the Week

Lundi (luhn-dee) – Monday
Mardi (mahr-dee) – Tuesday
Mercredi (mehr-kruh-dee) – Wednesday
Jeudi (zhuh-dee) – Thursday
Vendredi (vahn-druh-dee) – Friday
Samedi (sahm-dee) – Saturday
Dimanche (dee-mahnsh) – Sunday

3.2 Months of the Year

Janvier (zhahn-vyay) – January
Février (fay-vree-yay) – February
Mars (mahrs) – March
Avril (ah-vreel) – April
Mai (meh) – May
Juin (zhwan) – June
Juillet (zhwee-yay) – July
Août (oot) – August
Septembre (sep-tahmbr) – September
Octobre (ok-tohbr) – October
Novembre (noh-vahmbr) – November
Décembre (day-sahmbr) – December

3.3 Seasons

Le printemps (luh pran-tahns) – Spring
L’été (lay-tay) – Summer
L’automne (loh-tohn) – Autumn
L’hiver (lee-vair) – Winter

3.4 Useful Phrases for Dates and Time

Quelle est la date aujourd’hui ? (kel ay lah daht oh-zhoor-dwee) – What is the date today?
Nous sommes le… (noo sohm luh…) – Today is the…
Je pars en vacances en juillet. (zhuh par ahn va-kahns ahn zhwee-yay) – I’m going on vacation in July.
L’été est ma saison préférée. (lay-tay eh mah seh-zohn preh-feh-ray) – Summer is my favorite season.

4. Common French Phrases for Travelers

When traveling, it’s important to know specific phrases that can help you navigate new cities, check into hotels, order food, and ask for directions.

4.1 At the Airport and Train Station

Où est la gare ? (oo eh lah gahr) – Where is the train station?
Je voudrais acheter un billet pour Paris. (zhuh voo-dray ah-shuh-tay uhn bee-yay poor pah-ree) – I would like to buy a ticket to Paris.
À quelle heure part le train ? (ah kel uhr pahr luh trahn) – What time does the train leave?
Où est l’embarquement ? (oo eh lahm-bahr-kuh-mahn) – Where is the boarding gate?
Avez-vous des informations sur les départs ? (ah-veh voo day zan-for-mah-syon sur lay day-par) – Do you have information on departures?

4.2 At the Hotel

J’ai une réservation. (zhay uhn ray-zair-va-syon) – I have a reservation.
À quelle heure est le check-in ? (ah kel uhr eh luh chek-in) – What time is check-in?
Pouvez-vous me montrer ma chambre ? (poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray mah shahmbr) – Can you show me my room?
Y a-t-il un restaurant ici ? (ee yah teel uhn res-toh-ron ee-see) – Is there a restaurant here?
Où est la sortie de secours ? (oo eh lah sor-tee duh suh-koor) – Where is the emergency exit?

4.3 At a Restaurant or Café

La carte, s’il vous plaît. (lah kart, seel voo pleh) – The menu, please.
Je voudrais commander… (zhuh voo-dray kohm-an-day) – I would like to order…
Avez-vous des options végétariennes ? (ah-veh voo dez op-syon veh-zheh-tah-ryen) – Do you have vegetarian options?
L’addition, s’il vous plaît. (lah-dee-syon, seel voo pleh) – The bill, please.
C’était délicieux ! (say-tay day-lee-syuh) – It was delicious!

4.4 Asking for Directions

Où est… ? (oo eh…) – Where is…?
Comment puis-je aller à… ? (koh-mohn pwee zhuh ah-lay ah…) – How can I get to…?
C’est loin ? (say lwan) – Is it far?
Tournez à gauche / à droite. (toor-nez ah gohsh / ah drwaht) – Turn left / right.
Continuez tout droit. (kon-tee-nu-ay too drwah) – Go straight ahead.

5. Shopping and Money-Related Phrases

Whether you are shopping for souvenirs, clothing, or essentials, these phrases will help you navigate French markets and stores.

5.1 Shopping Phrases

Combien ça coûte ? (kohm-byen sah koot) – How much does it cost?
Avez-vous des réductions ? (ah-veh voo day ray-dew-ksyon) – Do you have any discounts?
Je cherche… (zhuh sher-sh) – I am looking for…
Puis-je essayer ceci ? (pwee zhuh eh-say-yay suh-see) – Can I try this on?
Quelle est votre taille ? (kel eh vo-truh tah-yuh) – What is your size?

5.2 Money and Payment

Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? (ahk-sep-teh voo lay kart duh kray-dee) – Do you accept credit cards?
Où est le distributeur automatique ? (oo eh luh dees-tree-bew-ter oh-toh-mah-teek) – Where is the ATM?
Pouvez-vous me donner un reçu ? (poo-veh voo muh doh-nay uhn ruh-syu) – Can you give me a receipt?
Je voudrais échanger de l’argent. (zhuh voo-dray ay-shan-jay duh lar-zhon) – I would like to exchange money.
C’est trop cher. (say tro shayr) – It’s too expensive.

6. Emergency and Safety Phrases

Knowing what to say in an emergency can be crucial. Here are some phrases that could be lifesavers:

6.1 In Case of Emergency

Aidez-moi ! (eh-day mwah) – Help me!
Appelez une ambulance ! (ah-peh-lez oon ahm-bew-lahns) – Call an ambulance!
J’ai besoin d’un médecin. (zhay buh-zwan dun may-sahn) – I need a doctor.
Où est l’hôpital le plus proche ? (oo eh loh-pee-tal luh plew prohsh) – Where is the nearest hospital?
Je suis perdu(e). (zhuh swee pair-dyoo) – I am lost.

6.2 Safety and Health

C’est une urgence. (say-t oon ur-zhans) – This is an emergency.
J’ai une allergie à… (zhay oon al-ler-zhee ah…) – I have an allergy to…
Je ne me sens pas bien. (zhuh nuh muh sohn pah byen) – I don’t feel well.
Y a-t-il une pharmacie ouverte ? (ee yah-teel oon fahr-mah-see oo-vair-t) – Is there an open pharmacy?
J’ai été volé(e). (zhay ay-tay voh-lay) – I have been robbed.

7. Cultural Insights and Expressions

Understanding cultural nuances and expressions helps in forming deeper connections. French, like any language, is filled with idioms and expressions that reflect its culture.

7.1 Popular French Expressions

Ça va ? (sah vah) – How are you? (literally, “It goes?”)
C’est la vie. (say lah vee) – That’s life.
Il pleut des cordes. (eel pluh day kord) – It’s raining cats and dogs. (literally, “It’s raining ropes.”)
Avoir le cafard. (ah-vwar luh kah-far) – To feel down. (literally, “To have the cockroach.”)
Mettre la main à la pâte. (meht-ruh lah man ah lah paht) – To lend a hand. (literally, “To put a hand in the dough.”)

7.2 Conversational Phrases

Quoi de neuf ? (kwah duh nuhf) – What’s new?
Ça me plaît. (sah muh pleh) – I like it. (literally, “It pleases me.”)
C’est incroyable ! (say an-kwroy-ab-luh) – That’s incredible!
Tu me manques. (tyoo muh mank) – I miss you. (literally, “You are missing from me.”)
Fais attention ! (feh ah-tahn-syon) – Be careful!

8. Conclusion

Mastering these essential French words and phrases can significantly enhance your experience, whether you’re visiting a French-speaking country, working with French colleagues, or simply engaging with French culture. The key is practice and immersion. By integrating these phrases into your daily life and practicing with native speakers, you can build confidence and fluency in French.

Remember, language learning is not just about memorizing words—it’s about understanding cultural contexts, building connections, and embracing new ways of thinking. Bonne chance (good luck) on your journey to mastering French!