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The 20 most useful french phrases for travelers
**AI Image Generation Prompt:**

Create a high-quality illustration depicting a traveler looking at a city map in a charming French café. The traveler is a young adult, casually dressed and holding a French phrasebook in one hand, absorbed in studying the map. The café has outdoor seating, adorned with small round tables and colorful flowers in pots. 

The background features a quaint street scene typical of Paris, showcasing iconic elements such as a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance and a few ca

Planning a trip to France? Even just a handful of key phrases will make your travel experience smoother, friendlier, and a lot more fun.

Here are the 20 French phrases every traveler should know—plus quick tips to pronounce them like a local:

  1. Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) – Hello / Good morning
  2. Bonsoir (bohn-swahr) – Good evening
  3. Merci (mehr-see) – Thank you
  4. S’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) – Please
  5. Excusez-moi (ehk-skew-zay mwah) – Excuse me
  6. Parlez-vous anglais ? (par-lay voo ahn-glay) – Do you speak English?
  7. Je ne parle pas français (zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-say) – I don’t speak French
  8. Où sont les toilettes ? (oo sohn lay twah-let) – Where are the toilets?
  9. Combien ça coûte ? (kohm-byen sa koot) – How much does it cost?
  10. L’addition, s’il vous plaît (la-dee-syon seel voo pleh) – The bill, please
  11. Je voudrais… (zhuh voo-dray) – I would like…
  12. Un café, s’il vous plaît (uhn ka-fay seel voo pleh) – A coffee, please
  13. Oui / Non (wee / nohn) – Yes / No
  14. Je suis perdu(e) (zhuh swee pair-doo) – I’m lost
  15. Pouvez-vous m’aider ? (poo-vay voo may-day) – Can you help me?
  16. À quelle heure ? (ah kell urr) – At what time?
  17. Où est… ? (oo eh) – Where is…?
  18. Je suis allergique à… (zhuh swee al-er-zheek a…) – I’m allergic to…
  19. C’est délicieux ! (say day-lee-syuh) – It’s delicious!
  20. Au revoir (oh ruh-vwahr) – Goodbye

Practice these phrases a few times before your trip and you’ll impress locals and make your journey so much easier. Want to boost your skills? Try one of our travel-focused French classes!