French phrases for travel: at the café, in shops and on the street
You do not need fluent French to get around a French-speaking country. With a few phrases said well, you can order, shop and find your way, and people will appreciate the effort.
The basics
In French
In English
Bonjour !
Hello! / Good morning! (during the day)
Bonsoir !
Good evening! (when arriving, from late afternoon)
Merci beaucoup.
Thank you very much.
S'il vous plaît.
Please.
Excusez-moi.
Excuse me. (to get someone's attention)
Pardon.
Sorry. (if you bump into someone or didn't hear)
Je ne comprends pas.
I don't understand.
Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
Could you repeat that, please?
Vous parlez anglais ?
Do you speak English?
Always say «Bonjour» when you walk into a shop or a café, and before asking anything. In France, starting to talk without a greeting comes across as rude.
At the café or restaurant
In French
In English
Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
I'd like a coffee, please.
Un café crème et un croissant, s'il vous plaît.
A white coffee and a croissant, please.
Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.
A table for two, please.
Sur place ou à emporter ?
For here or to go?
Sur place. / À emporter.
For here. / To go.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The check, please.
Je peux payer par carte ?
Can I pay by card?
One detail: in France, a plain café is a small espresso. If you want it with milk, ask for a café crème.
In a shop
In French
In English
Je regarde, merci.
I'm just looking, thanks.
Je cherche un pull.
I'm looking for a sweater.
Vous l'avez en taille M ?
Do you have it in a medium?
Je peux l'essayer ?
Can I try it on?
C'est combien ?
How much is it?
Je le prends.
I'll take it.
Asking for directions
In French
In English
Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?
Excuse me, where is the train station?
Où est le métro le plus proche ?
Where is the nearest metro?
C'est loin d'ici ?
Is it far from here?
C'est à droite. / C'est à gauche.
It's on the right. / It's on the left.
Tout droit.
Straight ahead.
Je suis perdu. / Je suis perdue.
I'm lost. (said by a man / by a woman)
Three tips to use them well
Use «vous» with strangers. It is the polite form of «you». «Tu» is for friends and young people in casual settings.
Don't worry if people answer in English. It happens a lot in tourist areas. You can keep going in French: Je préfère parler français, je suis en train d'apprendre. (I'd rather speak French, I'm learning.)
Say them out loud before your trip. Reading them is not the same as saying them: the first time you say them out loud is harder than it looks.