Published: May 23, 2025 • 15 min read
Whether you're planning a trip to France or starting your French learning journey, mastering essential phrases is your first step to confident communication. This comprehensive guide covers the most important French phrases every beginner should know, including how to say sorry in French, common expressions with 'with' in French, and polite phrases that will help you navigate any French-speaking environment with confidence.
Learning essential French phrases is like having a master key to French-speaking cultures. These fundamental expressions form the backbone of everyday communication and show respect for the local culture. When you know how to say basic phrases like "French for sorry" or understand how to use "with in French," you're not just speaking words—you're opening doors to meaningful connections.
Cultural Note
Starting with essential phrases builds confidence because they're immediately useful. Unlike complex grammar rules, these phrases can be used right away in real situations. Whether you're learning how to say good night in French or mastering travel expressions, each phrase you learn is a small victory that motivates further learning.
Each French phrase carries cultural weight. Understanding when and how to use expressions properly helps you integrate more naturally into French-speaking environments. This cultural awareness is especially important for travelers who want to show respect and avoid misunderstandings.
Language Tip
Mastering French greetings is crucial for making good first impressions. These phrases set the tone for all your interactions in French-speaking environments.
"Bonjour"
Pronunciation: bon-ZHOOR
English: Hello/Good morning
Usage: Used until about 6 PM. Essential for entering shops, greeting colleagues, or starting any conversation.
"Bonsoir"
Pronunciation: bon-SWAHR
English: Good evening
Usage: Used after 6 PM for greetings. Also used as a polite goodbye in the evening.
"Salut"
Pronunciation: sah-LUU
English: Hi/Bye
Usage: Informal greeting used with friends, family, or people your age. Can be used for both hello and goodbye.
"Comment allez-vous?"
Pronunciation: koh-mahn tah-lay VOO
English: How are you? (formal)
Usage: Formal way to ask how someone is doing. Use with strangers, older people, or in professional settings.
"Comment ça va?"
Pronunciation: koh-mahn sah VAH
English: How are you? (informal)
Usage: Casual way to ask how someone is doing. Perfect for friends and informal situations.
French culture emphasizes politeness, making these expressions absolutely essential for positive interactions.
"S'il vous plaît"
Pronunciation: see voo PLAY
English: Please (formal)
Usage: Used in formal situations or with strangers. Essential for polite requests.
"S'il te plaît"
Pronunciation: see tuh PLAY
English: Please (informal)
Usage: Used with friends, family, or people you're familiar with.
"Merci"
Pronunciation: mer-SEE
English: Thank you
Usage: Universal expression of gratitude. Can be enhanced with 'merci beaucoup' (thank you very much).
"De rien"
Pronunciation: duh ree-AHN
English: You're welcome
Usage: Standard response to 'merci.' Literally means 'of nothing.'
Knowing how to apologize properly in French is crucial for maintaining good relationships and showing respect when mistakes happen.
"Désolé (masculine) / Désolée (feminine)"
Pronunciation: day-zoh-LAY
English: Sorry
Usage: The most common way to say sorry in French. Adjust the ending based on your gender.
"Je suis désolé(e)"
Pronunciation: zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY
English: I am sorry
Usage: More formal and complete way to express an apology. Shows sincerity and respect.
"Pardon"
Pronunciation: par-DOHN
English: Excuse me/Sorry
Usage: Used for minor mistakes, getting someone's attention, or asking someone to repeat something.
"Excusez-moi"
Pronunciation: ek-skuu-zay MWAH
English: Excuse me
Usage: Formal way to get attention, ask for help, or apologize for interrupting.
Cultural Note
The word "with" in French is "avec," one of the most frequently used prepositions. Mastering this word and its usage patterns is essential for building more complex sentences and expressing relationships between ideas.
"Avec"
Pronunciation: ah-VEK
English: With
Usage: Used to indicate accompaniment, means, or manner. Essential for expressing relationships between people, objects, or ideas.
"Avec moi"
Pronunciation: ah-VEK mwah
English: With me
Usage: Inviting someone to join you: 'Venez avec moi' (Come with me).
"Avec plaisir"
Pronunciation: ah-VEK play-ZEER
English: With pleasure
Usage: Polite way to accept an invitation or request. Shows enthusiasm and politeness.
"Avec qui?"
Pronunciation: ah-VEK kee
English: With whom?
Usage: Asking who someone is going somewhere or doing something with.
"Café avec du lait"
Pronunciation: kah-FAY ah-VEK duu LAY
English: Coffee with milk
Usage: Ordering drinks or describing food combinations.
Language Tip
Beyond "avec," these prepositions are crucial for basic French communication:
"Dans"
Pronunciation: dahn
English: In/Inside
Usage: Indicates location inside something: 'dans la maison' (in the house).
"Sur"
Pronunciation: suur
English: On/Upon
Usage: Indicates position on top of something: 'sur la table' (on the table).
"Pour"
Pronunciation: poor
English: For
Usage: Indicates purpose or destination: 'pour vous' (for you).
"Sans"
Pronunciation: sahn
English: Without
Usage: The opposite of 'avec': 'sans sucre' (without sugar).
Time-related phrases are essential for scheduling, making plans, and polite conversation. These expressions help you navigate daily interactions with confidence.
"Bonne nuit"
Pronunciation: bun NWEE
English: Good night
Usage: Said when someone is going to sleep or when leaving late in the evening.
"Bonne journée"
Pronunciation: bun zhoor-NAY
English: Have a good day
Usage: Said when leaving someone during the day, wishing them well for the rest of their day.
"Bon après-midi"
Pronunciation: bohn nah-pray mee-DEE
English: Good afternoon
Usage: Greeting or farewell used in the afternoon hours.
"À bientôt"
Pronunciation: ah bee-ahn-TOH
English: See you soon
Usage: Casual way to say goodbye when you expect to see the person again soon.
Cultural Note
These time expressions help you make plans and discuss schedules:
"Aujourd'hui"
Pronunciation: oh-zhoor-DWEE
English: Today
Usage: Essential for discussing current plans: 'Qu'est-ce que vous faites aujourd'hui?' (What are you doing today?)
"Demain"
Pronunciation: duh-MAHN
English: Tomorrow
Usage: Making future plans: 'À demain' (See you tomorrow).
"Hier"
Pronunciation: ee-YAIR
English: Yesterday
Usage: Talking about past events: 'Hier, j'ai visité Paris' (Yesterday, I visited Paris).
"Maintenant"
Pronunciation: mahn-tuh-NAHN
English: Now
Usage: Expressing immediacy: 'Je dois partir maintenant' (I have to leave now).
These supportive expressions help you encourage others and show care in various situations.
"Bonne chance"
Pronunciation: bun SHAHNSS
English: Good luck
Usage: Wishing someone success before an important event, exam, or challenge.
"Bon courage"
Pronunciation: bohn koo-RAHZH
English: Good courage/Hang in there
Usage: Encouraging someone facing a difficult task or challenging situation.
"Félicitations"
Pronunciation: fay-lee-see-tah-see-YOHN
English: Congratulations
Usage: Celebrating someone's achievement or success.
"Bon voyage"
Pronunciation: bohn voy-YAHZH
English: Have a good trip
Usage: Wishing someone well before they travel.
Language Tip
These phrases help you express feelings and react appropriately to situations:
"C'est formidable!"
Pronunciation: say for-mee-DAH-bluh
English: That's wonderful!
Usage: Expressing enthusiasm and positive reaction to good news.
"Quelle surprise!"
Pronunciation: kel suur-PREEZ
English: What a surprise!
Usage: Reacting to unexpected but pleasant news or events.
"C'est dommage"
Pronunciation: say doh-MAHZH
English: That's a shame/too bad
Usage: Expressing sympathy or disappointment about unfortunate news.
"Pas de problème"
Pronunciation: pah duh proh-BLEM
English: No problem
Usage: Reassuring someone that something isn't an issue or responding to thanks.
These essential phrases help travelers navigate French-speaking countries with confidence:
"Parlez-vous anglais?"
Pronunciation: par-lay voo ahn-GLAY
English: Do you speak English?
Usage: Polite way to ask if someone can communicate in English when your French is limited.
"Pouvez-vous m'aider?"
Pronunciation: poo-vay voo may-DAY
English: Can you help me?
Usage: Asking for assistance in any situation where you need help.
"Où est...?"
Pronunciation: oo ay
English: Where is...?
Usage: Essential for asking directions: 'Où est la gare?' (Where is the train station?)
"Combien ça coûte?"
Pronunciation: kohn-bee-ahn sah KOOT
English: How much does it cost?
Usage: Essential for shopping, dining, and any transaction involving money.
These phrases can be crucial in urgent situations:
"Au secours!"
Pronunciation: oh suh-KOOR
English: Help!
Usage: Emergency call for help in dangerous or urgent situations.
"Appelez la police!"
Pronunciation: ah-play lah poh-LEES
English: Call the police!
Usage: Emergency request when police assistance is needed.
"Je ne comprends pas"
Pronunciation: zhuh nuh kohn-prahn PAH
English: I don't understand
Usage: Honest admission when you don't understand something, often leading to helpful clarification.
"Répétez, s'il vous plaît"
Pronunciation: ray-pay-TAY see voo PLAY
English: Please repeat
Usage: Polite request to have something said again when you didn't catch it the first time.
French has distinct formal and informal registers. Formal phrases use "vous" (you formal) and are used with strangers, older people, or in professional settings. Informal phrases use "tu" (you informal) and are for friends, family, or peers. For example, "Comment allez-vous?" (formal) vs "Comment ça va?" (informal). When in doubt, start with formal phrases - it's better to be too polite than too casual.
Use "désolé(e)" for genuine apologies when you've made a mistake or caused inconvenience. "Pardon" works for minor bumps, interruptions, or when asking someone to repeat something. "Excusez-moi" is for getting attention, asking permission to pass, or formal apologies. The key is matching the severity of your expression to the situation - don't over-apologize for minor things, but be sincere for real mistakes.
These essential phrases provide a solid foundation for basic travel needs, covering greetings, politeness, asking for help, and emergency situations. However, you'll want to supplement them with specific vocabulary for your travel activities (dining, transportation, accommodation). The phrases in this guide will help you be polite and get basic assistance, which often leads to people being more helpful and patient with your French learning efforts.
Practice these phrases daily by incorporating them into your routine. Start your day saying "bonjour" to yourself, practice ordering coffee "avec du lait," and end with "bonne nuit." Use language exchange apps to practice with native speakers, watch French videos to hear natural pronunciation, and don't be afraid to use them in real situations - most French speakers appreciate the effort and will help you improve.
After mastering these essentials, focus on expanding vocabulary in areas relevant to your goals: travel phrases for specific situations, numbers and time expressions, food and dining vocabulary, or professional phrases for business. Build on these foundations by learning to ask questions, express opinions, and describe experiences. The key is to gradually increase complexity while maintaining confidence in your basic phrase foundation.
Take your French learning to the next level with InstantlyFluent's interactive platform. Practice these essential phrases with native speaker audio, get personalized feedback, and build confidence through real conversation scenarios.
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