Learn Basic French Phrases

French phrases and vocabulary, with free audio!

Once you think you've mastered these basic French phrases, try the audio flashcards or exercises to test your memory. Return to the French I Tutorial or head to the French Listening page for more French (and mp3s)!

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For more French learning through authentic videos, I recommend Yabla French and FluentU. For audiobooks and lessons of modern French, try French Today. I've recommended some French books at Amazon, and Interlinear books are great for learning French by reading literal translations in English. Need even more French? Try the French courses at Udemy

Hello / Good day / Good morning	Bonjour
Good evening	Bonsoir
Good night (only said when going to bed)	Bonne nuit
Hi / Bye	Salut
Goodbye	Au revoir
Please (formal)	S'il vous plaît
Please (informal)	S'il te plaît
Thank you (very much)	Merci (beaucoup)
You're welcome. (formal) (also Go ahead/After you)	Je vous en prie.
You're welcome. (informal)	De rien
Welcome (also You're welcome in Quebec)	Bienvenu(e)
See you in a little while	A tout à l'heure
See you later	A plus tard
See you soon	A bientôt
See you tomorrow	A demain
Yes	Oui
No	Non
I'm sorry	Je suis désolé(e)
Excuse me! (pushing through a crowd) / Sorry! (stepped on someone's foot)	Pardon !
Let's go	Allons-y !
How are you? (formal)	Comment allez-vous ?
How are you? (informal)	Ça va ?
Very good	Très bien
I'm fine / I'm well	Je vais bien
I'm fine (in response to Ça va ?)	Ça va.
Bad	Mal
Not bad	Pas mal
What's your name? (formal)	Comment vous appelez-vous ?
What's your name? (informal)	Tu t'appelles comment ?
My name is...	Je m'appelle...
Nice to meet you	Enchanté(e)
Mister / Sir	Monsieur
Mrs. / Madam / Ma'am	Madame
Miss	Mademoiselle
Ladies and gentlemen	Mesdames et messieurs
Where are you from? (formal)	Vous êtes d'où ?
Where are you from? (informal)	Tu es d'où ?
I am from...	Je suis de...
Where do you live? (formal)	Où habitez-vous ?
Where do you live? (informal)	Tu habites où ?
I live in...	J'habite à...
How old are you? (formal)	Quel âge avez-vous ?
How old are you? (informal)	Tu as quel âge ?
I am ____ years old.	J'ai ____ ans.
Do you speak French? (formal)	Parlez-vous français ?
Do you speak English? (informal)	Tu parles anglais ?
I don't speak Spanish.	Je ne parle pas espagnol.
Do you understand? (formal)	Comprenez-vous?
Do you understand? (informal)	Tu comprends?
I don't understand	Je ne comprends pas
I don't know	Je ne sais pas
Can you help me? (formal)	Pouvez-vous m'aider ?
Can you help me? (informal)	Tu peux m'aider ?
Of course	Bien sûr.
I beg your pardon? / I'm sorry?	Comment?
Where is... ?	Où est ... ?
Where are... ?	Où sont ... ?
Here is / are	Voici
There it is.	Voilà
There is / are	Il y a
There was / were	Il y avait
How do you say ________ in French?	Comment dit-on _____ en français ?
Learn French by reading books with interlinear translations in English
What is that?	Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça ?
What's the matter?	Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?
It doesn't matter.	Ça ne fait rien.
What's happening?	Qu'est-ce qui se passe ?
I have no idea	Je n'ai aucune idée.
I'm tired	Je suis fatigué(e)
I'm sick	Je suis malade
I'm hungry	J'ai faim
I'm thirsty	J'ai soif
I'm hot	J'ai chaud
I'm cold	J'ai froid
I'm bored	Je m'ennuie
It's all the same to me.	Ça m'est égal.
I don't care. (informal)	Je m'en fiche.
Don't worry! (formal)	Ne vous en faites pas.
Don't worry! (informal)	Ne t'en fais pas.
It's alright.	Ce n'est pas grave.
I forgot.	J'ai oublié.
I have to go.	Je dois y aller.
Bless you! (formal; when someone sneezes)	A vos souhaits !
Bless you! (informal; when someone sneezes)	A tes souhaits !
Congratulations!	Félicitations !
Good luck!	Bonne chance !
It's your turn! (formal)	C'est à vous !
It's your turn! (informal)	C'est à toi !
Be quiet! (formal)	Taisez-vous !
Be quiet! (informal)	Tais-toi !
I love you. (formal & plural)	Je vous aime
I love you. (informal)	Je t'aime
Here (formal; when handing something over)	Tenez
Here (informal; when handing something over)	Tiens
What's new?	Quoi de neuf ?
Not much.	Pas grand-chose.

If a phrase or question is formal, you should use it with people you do not know, people who are older, and those to whom you want to show respect. In addition, the formal you is also used as the plural you. If a phrase or question is informal, you should use it with family members, close friends, and children.

Basic French Phrases