French phrases you need to survive in France

Before moving abroad, all I knew were common French stereotypes but I couldn’t speak a word of French. I love other cultures and international environments but my move happened so unexpectedly that I arrived unprepared. After buying a French phrasebook, which was completely useless, I did my own research.

I thought about French words I needed to survive daily activities, such as commuting, socialising, shopping etc. I came up with the best French phrases that truly helped me get on my feet.

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Top most useful French phrases

Excusez-moi, où est…? , Excuse me, where is…?

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche? , Where is the closest metro station?

Un billet, s’il vous plaît. , One ticket, please.

Avez-vous une carte en anglais, s’il vous plaît?, Do you have a menu in English, please?

Je voudrais…, s’il vous plaît., I would like…, please.

Au secours! , Help! Emergency!

J’ai besoin d’un médecin qui parle anglais. , I need a doctor who speaks English.

Où est la pharmacie?, Where is the pharmacy?

J’ai une douleur ici. , I have a pain here.

A bientôt, See you soon.

Vous parlez anglais?, Do you speak English?

Comment allez-vous?, How are you? (formal)

Très bien / mal / pas mal, Very good / bad / not bad

Ça va?, How are you? (informal)

Ça va., I’m fine. (informal response to Ça va?)

Oui / non, Yes / no

Comment vous appelez-vous?, What’s your name? (formal) / Tu t’appelles comment? (informal)

Je m’appelle… , My name is… (informal)

Enchanté(e), Nice to meet you.

Je suis de… / Je viens de…, I am from…

Où habitez-vous? , Where do you live? (formal)

J’habite à…, I live in…

Je ne parle pas espagnol. Je parle allemand. , I don’t speak Spanish. I speak German.

Parlez-vous français? Tu parles anglais? , Do you speak French? (formal) Do you speak English? (informal)

Je comprends., I understand.

Je ne comprends pas, I don’t understand.

Pouvez-vous m’aider? / Tu peux m’aider?, Can you help me? (formal / informal)

Comment? , What?

Bien sûr., Of course.

Je ne sais pas. Je sais., I don’t know. I know.

Voici… / Voilà, Here is/are… / There it is.

Il y a… / Il y avait… , There is/are… / There was/were…

Comment dit-on ____ en français?, How do you say ____ in French?

Qu’est-ce que c’est que ça? , What is that?

J’ai chaud / J’ai froid., I’m hot / I’m cold.

J’ai faim / J’ai soif. , I’m hungry / I’m thirsty.

Ce n’est pas grave. , It’s no problem. / It’s alright.

J’ai oublié., I forgot.

Félicitations! , Congratulations!

Je vous aime / Je t’aime. , I love you. (formal and plural / informal)

Are you ready to go?