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.