Basic French for Tourists: Essential Phrases That Work

The Secret Parisians Don't Tell You: They Respect You More If You Try French

Listen to the stereotype: "Parisians are rude to English speakers."

Truth: Parisians are dismissive to English speakers who don't try. Say ONE French sentence, and suddenly they're nice.

It's not magic. It's respect. You're visiting their city. Trying their language shows you care.

You don't need fluency. You need 15 phrases. That's it.

The 15 Phrases You Actually Need

Entering Anywhere

"Bonjour" (Hello)

Pronounced: bone-ZHOOR
When: Every time you enter a shop, café, or anywhere
Why: Non-negotiable. Parisians judge you if you don't say it
Bonus: It changes EVERYTHING. Suddenly you're not a rude tourist

"S'il vous plaît" (Please, formal)

Pronounced: see voo PLEH
When: When ordering, asking for something
Alternative: "S'il te plaît" (informal, with friends)

"Merci" (Thank you)

Pronounced: mare-SEE
When: Every time someone helps you
Why: Basic politeness, required

"Au revoir" (Goodbye)

Pronounced: oh ruh-VWAHR
When: Leaving a shop or conversation
Why: Ending on French shows respect

Ordering Food/Drink

"Un café, s'il vous plaît" (A coffee, please)

Pronounced: un cah-FAY, see voo PLEH
When: At a café bar
Why: Perfect sentence. Short, clear, French

"Un verre de vin" (A glass of wine)

Pronounced: un VAIR duh VAN
When: At a bar or wine bar
Why: Useful, and asking for wine in French is respectful

"L'eau du robinet" (Tap water)

Pronounced: lo doo roh-bee-NAY
When: You want free water
Why: It's free, and asking in French makes it easier to get

"Avec glaçons" (With ice)

Pronounced: ah-VEK glah-SAWNS
When: You want ice in your drink
Why: Parisians don't use ice, so specify if you want it

Asking for Help

"Excusez-moi" (Excuse me)

Pronounced: ex-kyu-zay-MWAH
When: You need someone's attention
Why: Polite way to get help

"Parlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?)

Pronounced: par-lay voo AHN-glay?
When: You're truly stuck
Why: After trying French, this shows you made effort

"Où est la gare?" (Where is the train station?)

Pronounced: oo eh la GAR?
When: You need directions
Why: Master sentence for asking "where is..."

"Ça coûte combien?" (How much does it cost?)

Pronounced: sah KOOT com-bee-YAN?
When: You need to know the price
Why: Essential for markets and street vendors

Social Phrases

"Enchanté" (Pleased to meet you - male) or "Enchantée" (female)

Pronounced: ahn-shan-TAY
When: Meeting someone
Why: Makes you sound cultured

"À bientôt" (See you soon)

Pronounced: ah bee-en-TOH
When: Leaving someone you might see again
Why: Friendlier goodbye

"Je m'appelle..." (My name is...)

Pronounced: zhuh mah-PEL...
When: Introducing yourself
Why: Gets conversations started

The Unspoken Rules

Do This

✓ Say "Bonjour" entering anywhere ✓ Say "Merci" when someone helps you ✓ Say "Au revoir" when leaving ✓ Attempt French phrases before English ✓ Smile when you try (even if you're terrible) ✓ Appreciate when someone responds in English (say "merci" and continue in English if needed)

Don't Do This

✗ Walk into a shop without saying "Bonjour" ✗ Speak English first (always try French first) ✗ Get frustrated if you don't understand (smile, ask for help) ✗ Expect everyone to speak English (they don't) ✗ Complain about Parisians not speaking English (you're visiting, remember?)

The Pronunciation Cheat

French R sounds: Guttural, from the throat. Like you're saying "rrr" while brushing the back of your throat. Don't worry about perfecting this.

French U sounds: Round your lips and say "oo." Different from English U.

French vowels: Usually pronounced clearly and consistently. A=AH, E=EH, I=EE, O=OH, U=OO

The Honest Truth

You won't speak French perfectly. You'll make mistakes. Parisians know this.

But making the effort? That changes everything. Suddenly you're not a lazy tourist. You're a respectful visitor.

And honestly, your broken French will make Parisians smile. They find it charming.

Apps for Extra Help

Google Translate: Offline translation, works without WiFi Duolingo: Fun way to learn basics (5 min/day for 2 weeks = solid foundation) Forvo: Hear native speakers pronounce words

The Bottom Line

Learn these 15 phrases. You don't need more.

Bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît, au revoir = respectful tourist

Add café, vin, excusez-moi = confident traveler

Add the rest = person who actually tried

That's it. You're golden.

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TikTours audio guides include French phrases and cultural context. Instead of just learning words, understand the culture behind them. Download and speak Paris like someone who actually respects the place.