Do you live in a French-speaking country as an expat but don't speak French?
Maybe you recently relocated or will relocate soon?
You are going to start or you started a new adventure and this is really exciting. Moving abroad is an enriching experience, you will remember your all your life.
However, if you don't speak French, it can also be a challenge. You probably plan to learn French and this is another challenge!
Fortunately, by learning a few essential sentences, you can navigate your way through daily interactions and make your daily life easier.
In this article, we will explore some crucial French survival phrases that will help you communicate effectively and make the most out of your time in your new country. The last one could save your meals ...
Greetings and Polite Expressions:
A friendly greeting goes a long way in France or any other French-speaking country.
Start with "Bonjour" (Good morning or Good afternoon) or "Bonsoir" (Good evening) to greet people you meet.
If you need to ask for something politely, remember to say "S'il vous plaît" (Please) and always show appreciation by saying "Merci" (Thank you).
When you leave "Au revoir" (Goodbye)
Communication Assistance:
It's perfectly normal to encounter situations where you may not understand what someone is saying. In such cases, it's helpful to know how to express this.
Simply say:
"Je ne comprends pas" (I don't understand)
and ask the person to repeat or clarify their statement :
"Pouvez-vous répéter s'il vous plaît?" (Can you repeat please?)
If you find yourself struggling with the language, don't hesitate to ask :
"Parlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?)
This question will help you identify individuals who can assist you in English.
Conversely, if you're unable to communicate in French, you can say:
"Je ne parle pas français" (I don't speak French).
In case you find yourself lost or in need of help, it's important to know how to ask for assistance. To get someone's attention use :
"Excusez-moi" (Excuse me)
"Pouvez-vous m'aider ?" (Can you help me?)
If you're lost, say :
"Je suis perdu(e)" (I am lost)
Another useful sentence :
"Je ne sais pas" (I don’t know)
Basic Questions:
Knowing how to ask basic questions will greatly assist you in your daily activities. Use phrases like
"Où est... ?" (Where is...?)
to inquire about directions or locations. But most of the time your GPS will be your best friend.
If you're in a store or restaurant :
"Combien ça coûte ?" (How much does it cost?)
will come in handy when making purchases. Similarly, to allow you to inquire about specific items or services :
"Avez-vous... ?" (Do you have...?)
At the restaurant and bar, food and allergies :
Exploring cuisine your new country's cuisine and restaurants is a delightful experience but if the menu is not translated you can ask :
Avez-vous une carte en anglais, s’il vous plaît? (Do you have a menu is English, please?)
When, it's time to order :
Je voudrais ... , s’il vous plaît. (I would like .... , please)
Exploring cuisine your new country's cuisine and restaurants is a delightful experience, but it's important to communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies.
You can say :
"Je suis allergique à..." (I am allergic to...)
followed by the specific food or ingredient. This phrase will ensure that your dietary needs are taken into consideration when ordering food or dining out.
At the restaurant you can ask :
"(Est-ce que) ce plat contient.... ? (Is this dish contain... ?)
By learning these essential French survival phrases, you'll be well-equipped to navigate daily interactions in a French-speaking country. Remember to practice them and don't be afraid to use them in real-life situations.
Speaking even a few basic phrases in French will not only make your experience smoother but also demonstrate.
Do you need to learn any other sentence in French to make your daily life easier?
Hi! I'm Samantha
I help expats in French-speaking countries (mostly Luxembourg, Belgium, and France) to make their new adventures easier by learning or improving their French.
Please contact me for any information you may need, we can also book a free 15-minute video call to talk about your goals.
If you need some expat advice to master your French you will find below my 5 language tips to make your everyday life easier and understand your French learning journey.
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