100 French Phrases Every Beginner Should Know

If you only learn random single words, French can feel like a bag of loose socks. Useful phrases are better. They help you actually do things: greet people, order coffee, ask for help, apologize when you accidentally walk into the wrong bakery line, and generally sound like a functioning human.

This guide gives you 100+ popular French phrases that beginners genuinely use in real life. You’ll get the French phrase, simple pronunciation help, the English meaning, and a practical example so the phrase sticks.

We’ll use standard France French by default, with a few quick notes when something matters for tone or usage. If you want to build your basics first, you can also browse more lessons in Learn French.

Table of Contents

How To Use This List

Don’t try to memorize all 100 phrases in one dramatic sitting. Steal 10, use them, then come back for more. That’s how people actually learn.

Pronunciation guides here are simple and beginner-friendly, not fancy phonetics. Close enough is fine at first. French is very used to learners trying their best.

Greetings And First Conversations

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Bonjour	bon-ZHOOR	Hello / Good morning	Bonjour, madame.	Hello, ma’am.	The safest all-purpose greeting in daytime.
Bonsoir	bon-SWAR	Good evening	Bonsoir, vous allez bien ?	Good evening, are you well?	Use this in the evening, not bonjour.
Salut	sa-LUU	Hi / Bye	Salut, ça va ?	Hi, how are you?	Casual. Great with friends, less great in formal situations.
Au revoir	oh ruh-VWAR	Goodbye	Merci, au revoir !	Thanks, goodbye!	Neutral and polite.
À bientôt	ah byan-TOE	See you soon	À bientôt, j’espère.	See you soon, I hope.	Friendly and common.
À demain	ah duh-MAN	See you tomorrow	On se voit demain ? À demain alors.	Are we seeing each other tomorrow? See you tomorrow then.	Very practical and easy.
Comment ça va ?	koh-MAHN sa VAH	How are you?	Bonjour, comment ça va aujourd’hui ?	Hello, how are you today?	Neutral and common.
Ça va ?	sa VAH	You okay? / How’s it going?	Salut, ça va ?	Hi, how’s it going?	Very common in everyday speech.
Ça va bien	sa va BYAN	I’m well / It’s going well	Oui, ça va bien, merci.	Yes, I’m well, thanks.	A simple reply to ça va ?
Comme ci, comme ça	kom si kom sa	So-so	Aujourd’hui ? Comme ci, comme ça.	Today? So-so.	A bit textbook, but still understood.
Je m’appelle…	zhuh mah-PEL	My name is…	Je m’appelle Emma.	My name is Emma.	Literally “I call myself.”
Enchanté(e)	ahn-shahn-TAY	Nice to meet you	Enchanté, moi c’est Paul.	Nice to meet you, I’m Paul.	Add -e in writing if the speaker is female.

Polite Everyday Essentials

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
S’il vous plaît	seel voo PLAY	Please	Un café, s’il vous plaît.	A coffee, please.	Polite; use with strangers, staff, or groups.
S’il te plaît	seel tuh PLAY	Please	Ferme la porte, s’il te plaît.	Close the door, please.	Use with one person you know well.
Merci	mer-SEE	Thank you	Merci pour ton aide.	Thank you for your help.	Small word, giant usefulness.
Merci beaucoup	mer-SEE boh-KOO	Thank you very much	Merci beaucoup, c’est gentil.	Thank you very much, that’s kind.	Very common and warm.
De rien	duh RYAN	You’re welcome	— Merci ! — De rien.	— Thanks! — You’re welcome.	Casual and common.
Je vous en prie	zhuh voo zahn PREE	You’re welcome	— Merci beaucoup. — Je vous en prie.	— Thank you very much. — You’re welcome.	More formal than de rien.
Pardon	par-DON	Sorry / Excuse me	Pardon, je passe.	Sorry, I’m coming through.	Useful for bumping, passing, or interrupting.
Excusez-moi	ex-kew-zay-MWAH	Excuse me	Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?	Excuse me, where is the station?	Polite and very handy.
Désolé(e)	day-zoh-LAY	Sorry	Je suis désolé, je suis en retard.	I’m sorry, I’m late.	Désolée if the speaker is female.
Pas de problème	pa duh proh-BLEM	No problem	— Merci pour ton aide. — Pas de problème.	— Thanks for your help. — No problem.	Relaxed and natural.
Bien sûr	byan SOOR	Of course	— Tu peux m’aider ? — Bien sûr.	— Can you help me? — Of course.	Very common.
D’accord	da-KOR	Okay / Agreed	D’accord, on y va.	Okay, let’s go.	One of the most useful French phrases ever.

French politeness is not optional decoration. It is social glue. Learn bonjour, merci, and s’il vous plaît early, and many tiny interactions get much easier.

Understanding And Communication Repair

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Je ne comprends pas	zhuh nuh kom-PRAHN pa	I don’t understand	Désolé, je ne comprends pas.	Sorry, I don’t understand.	The ne is often dropped in speech, but keep it as a beginner.
Je comprends	zhuh kom-PRAHN	I understand	Oui, je comprends maintenant.	Yes, I understand now.	Useful in class and conversation.
Répétez, s’il vous plaît	ray-pay-TAY seel voo PLAY	Please repeat	Répétez, s’il vous plaît, plus lentement.	Please repeat, more slowly.	Formal/polite version.
Plus lentement, s’il vous plaît	ploo lon-tuh-MAHN seel voo PLAY	More slowly, please	Parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît.	Speak more slowly, please.	A life-saving phrase.
Comment ?	koh-MAHN	Sorry? / What?	Comment ? Je n’ai pas entendu.	Sorry? I didn’t hear.	Can sound blunt alone; Pardon ? is softer.
Pardon ?	par-DON	Sorry? / Come again?	Pardon ? Vous pouvez répéter ?	Sorry? Can you repeat?	Safer than Comment ? in many situations.
Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire ?	kess kuh sa vuh DEER	What does that mean?	Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire, “boulangerie” ?	What does “boulangerie” mean?	Que becomes qu’ before a vowel.
Comment on dit… en français ?	koh-MAHN on dee ahn frahn-SAY	How do you say… in French?	Comment on dit “bus stop” en français ?	How do you say “bus stop” in French?	Excellent classroom and travel phrase.
Ça s’écrit comment ?	sa say-KREE koh-MAHN	How is that spelled?	Votre nom, ça s’écrit comment ?	Your name, how is it spelled?	Very useful for names and addresses.
Vous parlez anglais ?	voo par-LAY ahn-GLAY	Do you speak English?	Excusez-moi, vous parlez anglais ?	Excuse me, do you speak English?	Useful, but try French first if you can.
Je parle un peu français	zhuh parl uhn puh frahn-SAY	I speak a little French	Je parle un peu français, mais pas très bien.	I speak a little French, but not very well.	Honest and charmingly practical.
Parlez-vous français ?	par-lay voo frahn-SAY	Do you speak French?	Parlez-vous français à la maison ?	Do you speak French at home?	Formal inversion question.

Basic Conversation Phrases

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Oui	wee	Yes	Oui, je veux venir.	Yes, I want to come.	Short and essential.
Non	noh(n)	No	Non, merci.	No, thank you.	Simple, useful, complete.
Peut-être	puh-TETR	Maybe	Peut-être demain.	Maybe tomorrow.	The final r is light.
Je pense que oui	zhuh pahnss kuh wee	I think so	Tu viens ? Je pense que oui.	Are you coming? I think so.	Very natural.
Je ne pense pas	zhuh nuh pahnss pa	I don’t think so	Il va pleuvoir ? Je ne pense pas.	Will it rain? I don’t think so.	Another useful negation pattern.
Bien entendu	byan ahn-tahn-DU	Of course / certainly	Bien entendu, je peux vous aider.	Of course, I can help you.	A bit more formal than bien sûr.
Je crois que oui	zhuh krwah kuh wee	I believe so	Elle est là ? Je crois que oui.	Is she there? I believe so.	Softens your answer.
Je ne sais pas	zhuh nuh say pa	I don’t know	Je ne sais pas où il habite.	I don’t know where he lives.	Top-tier beginner phrase.
Je sais	zhuh say	I know	Oui, je sais déjà.	Yes, I already know.	Short, direct, common.
Ça dépend	sa day-PAHN	It depends	On sort ce soir ? Ça dépend.	Are we going out tonight? It depends.	Natural and conversational.
Pas mal	pa MAL	Not bad	Ton français est pas mal.	Your French is not bad.	Usually a compliment, not an insult.
Très bien	tray BYAN	Very good	Très bien, on commence.	Very good, let’s begin.	Formal or neutral depending on tone.

Introducing Yourself And Talking About Life

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Je suis…	zhuh swee	I am…	Je suis étudiant.	I am a student.	Use with professions, nationality, adjectives.
J’habite à…	zha-beet ah	I live in…	J’habite à Lyon.	I live in Lyon.	Je becomes j’ before a vowel.
Je viens de…	zhuh vyan duh	I come from…	Je viens des États-Unis.	I come from the United States.	Use de for origin.
J’ai … ans	zhay … ahn	I am … years old	J’ai vingt-cinq ans.	I am twenty-five years old.	French uses “have,” not “am,” for age.
Je travaille	zhuh tra-VAI	I work	Je travaille en centre-ville.	I work downtown.	Simple and versatile.
J’étudie le français	zhay-tew-dee luh frahn-SAY	I study French	J’étudie le français depuis six mois.	I’ve been studying French for six months.	Very relevant here, obviously.
J’aime…	zhem	I like…	J’aime le café.	I like coffee.	The apostrophe marks elision: je + aime.
Je n’aime pas…	zhuh nem pa	I don’t like…	Je n’aime pas le froid.	I don’t like cold weather.	Classic ne…pas negation.
J’adore…	zha-DOR	I love…	J’adore la musique française.	I love French music.	Stronger than j’aime.
Je préfère…	zhuh pray-FAIR	I prefer…	Je préfère le thé.	I prefer tea.	Very useful for choices and comparisons.
Je voudrais…	zhuh voo-DRAY	I would like…	Je voudrais une table pour deux.	I would like a table for two.	Polite and important in shops and restaurants.
J’ai besoin de…	zhay buh-ZWAN duh	I need…	J’ai besoin d’aide.	I need help.	de becomes d’ before a vowel.

Questions You Will Use All The Time

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Qu’est-ce que c’est ?	kess kuh say	What is it?	Qu’est-ce que c’est, ce mot ?	What is this word?	Very common structure for “what is…?”
Qui est-ce ?	kee ess	Who is it?	Qui est-ce à la porte ?	Who is at the door?	Short and practical.
Où est… ?	oo eh	Where is…?	Où est la pharmacie ?	Where is the pharmacy?	Essential for travel.
Quand ?	kahn	When?	Quand est le cours ?	When is the class?	Short question word.
Pourquoi ?	poor-KWAH	Why?	Pourquoi tu ris ?	Why are you laughing?	Common and easy to recognize.
Comment ?	koh-MAHN	How? / Sorry?	Comment tu fais ça ?	How do you do that?	Meaning depends on context.
Combien ça coûte ?	kom-BYAN sa KOOT	How much does it cost?	Combien ça coûte, ce livre ?	How much does this book cost?	Shopping survival phrase.
Quelle heure est-il ?	kel ur eh-TEEL	What time is it?	Excusez-moi, quelle heure est-il ?	Excuse me, what time is it?	Formal standard phrasing.
Tu peux m’aider ?	tew puh may-DAY	Can you help me?	Tu peux m’aider avec ça ?	Can you help me with that?	Casual tu form.
Vous pouvez m’aider ?	voo poo-vay may-DAY	Can you help me?	Vous pouvez m’aider, s’il vous plaît ?	Can you help me, please?	Polite vous form.
Où sont les toilettes ?	oo son lay twa-LETT	Where is the bathroom?	Pardon, où sont les toilettes ?	Sorry, where is the bathroom?	Never glamorous, always important.
Il y a… ?	eel ee ah	Is there…? / Are there…?	Il y a un supermarché ici ?	Is there a supermarket here?	A basic structure worth learning early.

Food, Cafés, And Restaurants

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Je voudrais…	zhuh voo-DRAY	I would like…	Je voudrais un croissant.	I would like a croissant.	Yes, again. It’s that useful.
Je prends…	zhuh prahn	I’ll have… / I’m taking…	Je prends le menu du jour.	I’ll have the daily special.	Natural in restaurants.
Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît	ewn tabl poor duh seel voo PLAY	A table for two, please	Bonsoir, une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît.	Good evening, a table for two, please.	Very practical.
L’addition, s’il vous plaît	la-dee-syon seel voo PLAY	The bill, please	Excusez-moi, l’addition, s’il vous plaît.	Excuse me, the bill, please.	French uses l’addition, not “check.”
C’est délicieux	say day-lee-SYUH	It’s delicious	Ce gâteau est délicieux.	This cake is delicious.	Always appreciated.
Je suis végétarien / végétarienne	zhuh swee vay-zhay-ta-ree-AN / ENN	I’m vegetarian	Je suis végétarienne, je ne mange pas de viande.	I’m vegetarian, I don’t eat meat.	Form changes with gender.
Sans sucre	sahn SUKR	Without sugar	Un café sans sucre, s’il vous plaît.	A coffee without sugar, please.	Very useful with food preferences.
Avec	a-VEK	With	Je voudrais une salade avec du fromage.	I would like a salad with cheese.	Simple but frequent.
Sans	sahn	Without	Je prends un thé sans lait.	I’ll have a tea without milk.	Another tiny powerhouse word.
J’ai faim	zhay FAN	I’m hungry	J’ai faim, on mange ?	I’m hungry, shall we eat?	French uses “have hunger.”
J’ai soif	zhay SWAF	I’m thirsty	Après la marche, j’ai soif.	After the walk, I’m thirsty.	French uses “have thirst.”
Bon appétit	bon a-pay-TEE	Enjoy your meal	Bon appétit à tous !	Enjoy your meal, everyone!	Common before eating.

Getting Around And Travel Phrases

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Où est la gare ?	oo eh la gar	Where is the station?	Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?	Excuse me, where is the station?	Swap gare for many places.
Je cherche…	zhuh shersh	I’m looking for…	Je cherche mon hôtel.	I’m looking for my hotel.	Very useful in cities.
C’est loin ?	say lwahn	Is it far?	Le musée, c’est loin ?	Is the museum far?	Short and practical.
C’est près ?	say pray	Is it near?	La banque, c’est près ?	Is the bank nearby?	Great partner phrase with loin.
À gauche	ah gosh	To the left	La pharmacie est à gauche.	The pharmacy is on the left.	Useful for directions.
À droite	ah drwat	To the right	Tournez à droite.	Turn right.	Another direction essential.
Tout droit	too drwah	Straight ahead	Allez tout droit.	Go straight ahead.	Very common in directions.
Je suis perdu(e)	zhuh swee pair-DU	I’m lost	Je suis perdu, pouvez-vous m’aider ?	I’m lost, can you help me?	Add -e in writing for a female speaker.
Un billet pour…	uhn bee-YAY poor	A ticket to…	Un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît.	A ticket to Paris, please.	Train and bus magic phrase.
À quelle heure part le train ?	a kel ur par luh trahn	What time does the train leave?	À quelle heure part le train pour Lille ?	What time does the train to Lille leave?	Super useful for transport.

Time, Plans, And Daily Life

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Aujourd’hui	oh-zhoor-DWEE	Today	Aujourd’hui, je travaille à la maison.	Today, I’m working from home.	Common everyday word.
Demain	duh-MAN	Tomorrow	On se voit demain ?	Shall we see each other tomorrow?	Easy and useful.
Hier	ee-AIR	Yesterday	Hier, j’étais fatigué.	Yesterday, I was tired.	The h is silent.
Maintenant	man-tuh-NAHN	Now	Je dois partir maintenant.	I have to leave now.	High-frequency word.
Tout de suite	too duh sweet	Right away	J’arrive tout de suite.	I’m coming right away.	Also means “immediately.”
À tout à l’heure	ah too ta lurr	See you later	Je reviens, à tout à l’heure.	I’ll be back, see you later.	Used when you expect to see the person the same day.
On y va ?	on ee va	Shall we go?	Il est tard, on y va ?	It’s late, shall we go?	Very natural in spoken French.
Allons-y	a-lon-ZEE	Let’s go	Le film commence, allons-y.	The movie is starting, let’s go.	A little more formal than on y va ?
Je suis en retard	zhuh swee zahn ruh-TAR	I’m late	Désolé, je suis en retard.	Sorry, I’m late.	Notice the liaison in suis en.
Je suis fatigué(e)	zhuh swee fa-tee-GAY	I’m tired	Après le travail, je suis fatiguée.	After work, I’m tired.	Written ending changes with gender.
J’ai chaud	zhay show	I’m hot	En été, j’ai toujours chaud.	In summer, I’m always hot.	French uses “have hot.”
J’ai froid	zhay frwah	I’m cold	Ferme la fenêtre, j’ai froid.	Close the window, I’m cold.	French uses “have cold.”

Social Phrases And Friendly Reactions

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Ça me plaît	sa muh PLAY	I like it	Cette idée me plaît.	I like that idea.	Literally “that pleases me.”
Ça marche	sa marsh	That works / Okay	Rendez-vous à huit heures ? Ça marche.	Meet at eight? That works.	Very natural spoken French.
Pas possible !	pa poh-see-BL	No way!	Il a gagné ? Pas possible !	He won? No way!	Informal reaction.
C’est super	say suu-PAIR	That’s great	Tu viens avec nous ? C’est super !	You’re coming with us? That’s great!	Very common.
C’est dommage	say doh-MAZH	That’s a shame	Tu ne peux pas venir ? C’est dommage.	You can’t come? That’s a shame.	Useful sympathetic phrase.
Bonne chance	bun shahns	Good luck	Bonne chance pour ton examen !	Good luck with your exam!	Friendly and common.
Félicitations	fay-lee-see-ta-SYON	Congratulations	Félicitations pour ton nouveau travail !	Congratulations on your new job!	Good high-value phrase.
Bon courage	bon koo-RAZH	Hang in there / Good luck with that	Tu travailles ce week-end ? Bon courage.	You’re working this weekend? Hang in there.	Very French and very useful.
Amuse-toi bien	a-myzz twa byan	Have fun	Tu vas à la fête ? Amuse-toi bien !	You’re going to the party? Have fun!	Use with tu.
Profitez bien	pro-fee-TAY byan	Enjoy	Vous partez en vacances ? Profitez bien !	You’re going on vacation? Enjoy!	Use with vous.

Emergency And Problem Phrases

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Au secours !	oh suh-KOOR	Help!	Au secours ! J’ai besoin d’aide !	Help! I need help!	For emergencies.
Appelez la police	a-play la poh-LEESS	Call the police	Vite, appelez la police !	Quick, call the police!	Hopefully never needed.
J’ai besoin d’un médecin	zhay buh-ZWAN duhn med-SAHN	I need a doctor	J’ai besoin d’un médecin immédiatement.	I need a doctor immediately.	Very important travel phrase.
Je suis malade	zhuh swee ma-LAD	I’m sick	Je suis malade depuis hier.	I’ve been sick since yesterday.	Common health phrase.
J’ai mal à la tête	zhay mal a la tet	I have a headache	Je ne peux pas sortir, j’ai mal à la tête.	I can’t go out, I have a headache.	French uses “have pain at the head.”
J’ai perdu mon téléphone	zhay pair-DU mon tay-lay-FON	I lost my phone	J’ai perdu mon téléphone dans le train.	I lost my phone on the train.	Another phrase you may sadly need.
Mon portefeuille a disparu	mon port-fuy a dees-pa-RU	My wallet disappeared	Mon portefeuille a disparu ce matin.	My wallet disappeared this morning.	Useful in a police report situation.
Je cherche l’ambassade	zhuh shersh lam-ba-SAD	I’m looking for the embassy	Je cherche l’ambassade de mon pays.	I’m looking for my country’s embassy.	Travel-specific but good to know.

Tiny But Mighty French Fillers

These little phrases show up everywhere. They make your French sound less robotic and more alive.

French	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Eh bien	ay byan	Well…	Eh bien, je ne sais pas.	Well, I don’t know.	Useful thinking filler.
Alors	a-LOR	So / Then	Alors, on commence ?	So, shall we begin?	Extremely common.
Donc	donk	So / Therefore	Il pleut, donc on reste ici.	It’s raining, so we’re staying here.	Common connector.
D’abord	da-BOR	First	D’abord, on mange, après on part.	First, we eat, then we leave.	Great for sequencing.
Ensuite	ahn-SWEET	Then / Next	Ensuite, prends à gauche.	Then, take a left.	Useful in instructions.
Enfin	ahn-FAN	Finally / Anyway	Enfin, ce n’est pas grave.	Anyway, it’s not serious.	Meaning depends on context.

Quick Notes That Save Beginners Trouble

Tu is informal singular “you.” Vous is formal singular or plural “you.” When unsure, start with vous.
French often uses apostrophes before vowels: j’aime, j’habite, l’addition. That’s called elision, and yes, French loves it.
In phrases like vous avez and les amis, sounds link together. That’s liaison. You do not need to master it on day one, but hearing it early helps.
Age, hunger, thirst, heat, and cold use avoir in French: j’ai 20 ans, j’ai faim, j’ai chaud.
For polite requests, je voudrais is your best friend. It sounds much softer than a blunt direct command.

Mini Practice: Can You Recognize These?

Je ne sais pas = I don’t know
Où sont les toilettes ? = Where is the bathroom?
L’addition, s’il vous plaît = The bill, please
Bon courage = Hang in there / Good luck with that
Je suis perdu(e) = I’m lost

If these feel manageable, your beginner French is already becoming usable French, which is the whole point.

Where To Go Next

Once these phrases start feeling familiar, build out your core vocabulary with 100 essential French words, then practice using them in fuller exchanges with conversational French. If you want to test yourself, try the French vocabulary test or check your overall level with the French placement test. And when you’re ready for the fun weird stuff, dive into popular French idioms.

Yak Takeaway

You do not need perfect French to start speaking French. You need useful chunks. Learn phrases like bonjour, je voudrais, je ne comprends pas, and où est… ?, and suddenly the language stops being abstract and starts being something you can actually use. Which is much nicer than just staring at verbs and hoping for the best.