French phrases for travel

96 phrases you’ll actually use, grouped by situation. Tap ▶ to hear it, ☆ to save it.

French drops most final consonants in speech, so “s’il vous plaît” sounds like “seel voo pleh”. Always open with “Bonjour” (or “Bonsoir” in the evening) before asking anything; skipping the greeting is considered rude. Use vous with anyone you don’t know.

Greetings & basics

  • Hello

    Bonjour

    Pronunciation: bon-ZHOOR

    Use until evening

  • Good evening

    Bonsoir

    Pronunciation: bon-SWAHR

  • Goodbye

    Au revoir

    Pronunciation: oh ruh-VWAHR

  • Please

    S'il vous plaît

    Pronunciation: seel voo PLEH

    Polite form

  • Thank you

    Merci

    Pronunciation: mehr-SEE

  • You're welcome

    Je vous en prie

    Pronunciation: zhuh voo zahn PREE

    Formal

  • Yes

    Oui

    Pronunciation: WEE

  • No

    Non

    Pronunciation: NOHN

  • Excuse me

    Excusez-moi

    Pronunciation: ex-koo-zay MWAH

    To get attention

  • Sorry

    Pardon

    Pronunciation: par-DOHN

  • Do you speak English?

    Parlez-vous anglais ?

    Pronunciation: par-lay voo ahn-GLEH

  • I don't understand

    Je ne comprends pas

    Pronunciation: zhuh nuh kohm-prahn PAH

Getting around

  • Where is...?

    Où se trouve... ?

    Pronunciation: oo suh troov

    Add place name at end

  • How do I get to...?

    Comment aller à... ?

    Pronunciation: koh-mahn tah-LAY ah

  • Is it far from here?

    Est-ce loin d'ici ?

    Pronunciation: ess lwahn dee-SEE

  • Where is the train station?

    Où est la gare ?

    Pronunciation: oo eh lah GAHR

  • One ticket to..., please

    Un billet pour..., s'il vous plaît

    Pronunciation: uhn bee-YEH poor... seel voo PLEH

  • Which platform, please?

    Quel quai, s'il vous plaît ?

    Pronunciation: kel keh seel voo PLEH

    For trains

  • Does this bus go to...?

    Est-ce que ce bus va à... ?

    Pronunciation: ess kuh suh boos vah ah

  • I'd like a taxi, please

    Je voudrais un taxi, s'il vous plaît

    Pronunciation: zhuh voo-DREH uhn tahk-SEE seel voo PLEH

  • Can you take me to this address?

    Pouvez-vous m'emmener à cette adresse ?

    Pronunciation: poo-VAY voo mahn-muh-NAY ah set ah-DRESS

    Show written address if possible

  • Where can I buy tickets?

    Où puis-je acheter des billets ?

    Pronunciation: oo pwee zhuh ahsh-TAY day bee-YEH

  • Is this the right way to...?

    Est-ce la bonne direction pour... ?

    Pronunciation: ess lah bun dee-rek-SYOHN poor

  • Stop here, please

    Arrêtez-vous ici, s'il vous plaît

    Pronunciation: ah-reh-TAY voo ee-SEE seel voo PLEH

    For taxi or bus driver

Hotel & accommodation

  • I have a reservation.

    J'ai une réservation.

    Pronunciation: zhay ewn ray-zair-vah-SYON

    Have your booking confirmation ready

  • Do you have any rooms available?

    Avez-vous des chambres disponibles ?

    Pronunciation: ah-vay-voo day SHAHM-bruh dee-spo-NEE-bluh

  • A room for one/two people, please.

    Une chambre pour une/deux personnes, s'il vous plaît.

    Pronunciation: ewn SHAHM-bruh poor ewn/duh pair-SUN, seel voo pleh

  • What time is check-out?

    À quelle heure est le départ ?

    Pronunciation: ah kel UR eh luh day-PAR

  • Is breakfast included?

    Le petit-déjeuner est-il inclus ?

    Pronunciation: luh puh-tee-day-zhuh-NAY eh-teel an-KLEW

  • Could I have the key, please?

    Pourrais-je avoir la clé, s'il vous plaît ?

    Pronunciation: poo-reh zhuh ah-VWAR lah clay, seel voo pleh

  • Is there Wi-Fi in the room?

    Y a-t-il le Wi-Fi dans la chambre ?

    Pronunciation: ee ah-teel luh wee-fee dahn lah SHAHM-bruh

  • The room is too noisy/cold.

    La chambre est trop bruyante/froide.

    Pronunciation: lah SHAHM-bruh eh troh brwee-YAHNT/frwahd

  • Could you call me a taxi, please?

    Pourriez-vous m'appeler un taxi, s'il vous plaît ?

    Pronunciation: poo-ree-ay-voo mah-play uhn tak-SEE, seel voo pleh

  • Is there an elevator?

    Y a-t-il un ascenseur ?

    Pronunciation: ee ah-teel uhn ah-sahn-SUR

  • I'd like to check out, please.

    Je voudrais régler ma note, s'il vous plaît.

    Pronunciation: zhuh voo-DREH ray-glay mah NOHT, seel voo pleh

    Also means 'settle my bill'

  • Could you recommend a good restaurant nearby?

    Pourriez-vous recommander un bon restaurant à proximité ?

    Pronunciation: poo-ree-ay-voo ruh-kuh-mahn-DAY uhn bon res-toh-RAHN ah prok-see-mee-TAY

Eating & drinking

  • A table for two, please.

    Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.

    Pronunciation: ewn TAH-bluh poor duh, seel voo PLEH

    Say this to the host when arriving.

  • Can I see the menu, please?

    Je peux voir la carte, s'il vous plaît ?

    Pronunciation: zhuh puh vwahr lah KART, seel voo PLEH

    'La carte' = menu, not a card.

  • What do you recommend?

    Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ?

    Pronunciation: kess kuh voo ruh-koh-mahn-DAY

  • I would like the...

    Je voudrais le/la...

    Pronunciation: zhuh voo-DRAY luh/lah

    Use 'le' or 'la' depending on the noun's gender.

  • The bill, please.

    L'addition, s'il vous plaît.

    Pronunciation: lah-dee-SYOHN, seel voo PLEH

  • Is service included?

    Le service est-il compris ?

    Pronunciation: luh sehr-VEES eh-teel kohm-PREE

    Tipping culture differs; usually included.

  • Cheers!

    Santé !

    Pronunciation: sahn-TAY

    Say before drinking.

  • I am vegetarian.

    Je suis végétarien(ne).

    Pronunciation: zhuh swee veh-zheh-tah-RYEHN

    Add extra 'e' sound for feminine form.

  • Can I have some water, please?

    Je peux avoir de l'eau, s'il vous plaît ?

    Pronunciation: zhuh puh ah-VWAHR duh loh, seel voo PLEH

    Ask for 'l'eau du robinet' for free tap water.

  • It was delicious.

    C'était délicieux.

    Pronunciation: seh-TAY day-lee-SYUH

  • Do you have a vegetarian option?

    Avez-vous une option végétarienne ?

    Pronunciation: ah-vay VOO ewn op-SYOHN veh-zheh-tah-RYEHN

  • Excuse me, where are the restrooms?

    Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes ?

    Pronunciation: ex-kew-zay MWAH, oo sohn lay twah-LET

Shopping & money

  • How much does this cost?

    Combien ça coûte ?

    Pronunciation: kohm-BYAN sah koot

  • Do you accept credit cards?

    Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ?

    Pronunciation: ak-sep-tay voo lay kart duh kray-DEE

  • Can I pay in cash?

    Puis-je payer en espèces ?

    Pronunciation: pwee zhuh pay-YAY ahn ess-PESS

  • Where is the nearest ATM?

    Où est le distributeur le plus proche ?

    Pronunciation: oo eh luh dee-stree-bew-TEUR luh ploo prosh

  • It's too expensive.

    C'est trop cher.

    Pronunciation: seh troh shair

  • Do you have a cheaper one?

    Avez-vous un moins cher ?

    Pronunciation: ah-vay voo uhn mwan shair

  • Can I try this on?

    Puis-je l'essayer ?

    Pronunciation: pwee zhuh less-say-YAY

    For clothing

  • Where is the fitting room?

    Où est la cabine d'essayage ?

    Pronunciation: oo eh lah kah-been dess-ay-AHZH

  • Can I have a receipt, please?

    Puis-je avoir un reçu, s'il vous plaît ?

    Pronunciation: pwee zhuh ah-vwar uhn ruh-SEW seel voo pleh

  • Is tax included?

    Est-ce que la taxe est incluse ?

    Pronunciation: ess kuh lah taks eh tan-KLEWZ

  • I'm just looking, thank you.

    Je regarde, merci.

    Pronunciation: zhuh ruh-GARD mair-SEE

    Polite way to decline help

  • Can you give me a discount?

    Pouvez-vous me faire une remise ?

    Pronunciation: poo-vay voo muh fair ewn ruh-MEEZ

Emergencies & health

  • Help!

    Au secours !

    Pronunciation: oh suh-KOOR

    Shout loudly

  • Call an ambulance!

    Appelez une ambulance !

    Pronunciation: ah-play oon ahm-bu-LAHNS

  • Call the police!

    Appelez la police !

    Pronunciation: ah-play lah po-LEES

  • I need a doctor.

    J'ai besoin d'un médecin.

    Pronunciation: zhay buh-ZWAN duhn mayd-SAN

  • Where is the nearest hospital?

    Où est l'hôpital le plus proche ?

    Pronunciation: oo eh loh-pee-TAL luh ploo PROSH

  • I'm allergic to penicillin.

    Je suis allergique à la pénicilline.

    Pronunciation: zhuh swee ah-lehr-ZHEEK ah lah pay-nee-see-LEEN

    Swap allergen as needed

  • I'm lost.

    Je suis perdu(e).

    Pronunciation: zhuh swee pehr-DU

    Add e if female speaker

  • I've had an accident.

    J'ai eu un accident.

    Pronunciation: zhay oo uhn ak-see-DAHN

  • It's an emergency.

    C'est une urgence.

    Pronunciation: seh oon oor-ZHAHNS

  • I feel sick.

    Je me sens malade.

    Pronunciation: zhuh muh sahn mah-LAHD

  • I need a pharmacy.

    J'ai besoin d'une pharmacie.

    Pronunciation: zhay buh-ZWAN dune far-mah-SEE

  • My arm hurts.

    J'ai mal au bras.

    Pronunciation: zhay mal oh BRAH

    Swap body part as needed

Small talk

  • How are you?

    Comment allez-vous ?

    Pronunciation: koh-mahn tah-lay VOO

    Polite/formal form

  • I'm fine, thank you

    Je vais bien, merci

    Pronunciation: zhuh vay byan, mehr-SEE

  • What's your name?

    Comment vous appelez-vous ?

    Pronunciation: koh-mahn voo zah-play VOO

    Formal; use 'tu t'appelles' with friends

  • My name is...

    Je m'appelle...

    Pronunciation: zhuh mah-PELL

  • Where are you from?

    D'où venez-vous ?

    Pronunciation: doo vuh-nay VOO

    Formal register

  • I'm from...

    Je viens de...

    Pronunciation: zhuh vyan duh

  • Nice to meet you

    Enchanté(e)

    Pronunciation: ahn-shahn-TAY

    Add 'e' if speaker is female (pronunciation unchanged)

  • Do you speak English?

    Parlez-vous anglais ?

    Pronunciation: par-lay voo ahn-GLAY

  • What do you do for work?

    Que faites-vous dans la vie ?

    Pronunciation: kuh fet voo dahn lah VEE

    Common polite way to ask about job

  • It's nice weather today

    Il fait beau aujourd'hui

    Pronunciation: eel fay boh oh-zhoor-DWEE

    Classic small talk opener

  • Have a nice day

    Bonne journée

    Pronunciation: bun zhoor-NAY

    Said when parting

  • See you soon

    À bientôt

    Pronunciation: ah byan-TOH

    Casual farewell

Time, dates & numbers

  • What time is it?

    Quelle heure est-il ?

    Pronunciation: kel UR eh-TEEL

  • Today

    Aujourd'hui

    Pronunciation: oh-zhoor-DWEE

  • Tomorrow

    Demain

    Pronunciation: duh-MAN

  • Yesterday

    Hier

    Pronunciation: YEHR

  • What time does it open?

    À quelle heure ça ouvre ?

    Pronunciation: ah kel UR sah OO-vruh

    Casual, works for shops/sites

  • What time does it close?

    À quelle heure ça ferme ?

    Pronunciation: ah kel UR sah FEHRM

  • How much does it cost?

    Combien ça coûte ?

    Pronunciation: kom-BYAN sah KOOT

  • At what time?

    À quelle heure ?

    Pronunciation: ah kel UR

  • Now

    Maintenant

    Pronunciation: man-tuh-NAHN

  • Later

    Plus tard

    Pronunciation: plew TAR

  • A table for two, please

    Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît

    Pronunciation: ewn TAH-bluh poor DUH seel voo PLEH

    Useful for restaurants

  • What day is it?

    Quel jour sommes-nous ?

    Pronunciation: kel ZHOOR som NOO

Need a sentence that isn’t here? Try the quick translator. Want to understand the verbs? See French conjugation.

FAQ

What are the most important French phrases for travel?

Start with greetings and politeness (Bonjour, Bonsoir, Au revoir), then learn how to ask for directions, order food and ask for the bill. Those cover most interactions on a short trip.

How should I pronounce French phrases?

French drops most final consonants in speech, so “s’il vous plaît” sounds like “seel voo pleh”. Always open with “Bonjour” (or “Bonsoir” in the evening) before asking anything; skipping the greeting is considered rude. Use vous with anyone you don’t know.

Does the audio work offline?

The audio uses your device’s built-in text-to-speech voices, so it works without sending anything to a server. Quality depends on the voices installed on your phone or computer.