French for a weekend in Paris
Start with the little courtesies that make every Paris café, shop, and conversation feel easier.
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Basic French phrases for travellers
Find the English phrase first, then practise saying it.
| You want to say | In French | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello & manners | ||
| Hello / good day. | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you. | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Please. | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLEH |
| Goodbye. | Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR |
| Thank you very much. | Merci beaucoup | mair-SEE boh-KOO |
| Café & bistro | ||
| I would like… | Je voudrais… | zhuh voo-DREH |
| An espresso. | Un café | uh(n) ka-FAY |
| A coffee with milk. | Un café crème | uh(n) ka-fay KREM |
| A jug of tap water. | Une carafe d'eau | ewn ka-raf DOH |
| The bill, please. | L'addition, s'il vous plaît | lah-dee-SYOH(n) seel voo PLEH |
| Getting around & paying | ||
| Where is the metro? | Où est le métro ? | oo eh luh may-TROH |
| How much is it? | C'est combien ? | say koh(m)-BYAH(n) |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ? | zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART |
| If you need help | ||
| Do you speak English? | Vous parlez anglais ? | voo par-lay ah(n)-GLEH |
| Excuse me. | Excusez-moi | ex-kew-zay-MWAH |
More than just bonjour. These phrases are the useful first step; the free TripYapper course lets you practise them in context.
Pronunciation spellings are rough guides; listen to native speakers when you can.
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French pronunciation in 60 seconds.
- 01
Start with bonjour.
In Paris, greet people before making a request. It makes even a simple café order feel more polite.
- 02
Use vous with people you don't know.
The phrases in this guide use the polite form, a safe choice in shops, cafés, and other everyday exchanges.
- 03
French final consonants are often quiet.
In bonjour, the final r is light. Listening for the shape of a word helps more than pronouncing every written letter.
- 04
Un café is usually an espresso.
If you'd like coffee with milk, ask for un café crème.
Paris questions, answered.
Can I get by with English in Paris?
Often, but a greeting and a few polite French phrases make everyday interactions easier. Starting with bonjour is a good habit.
What French should I learn before a weekend in Paris?
Focus on greetings, please and thank you, ordering, asking for directions, and paying. Those phrases cover many short city-break interactions.
Is the TripYapper Paris course free?
Yes. Paris Weekend Essentials is free in the TripYapper app and opens in your browser without a download or signup.
How do I ask for a coffee in French?
Say “Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît” for an espresso, or “Je voudrais un café crème” for coffee with milk.
Do I need to speak French well to visit Paris?
No. A few useful phrases help with greetings, cafés, shops, and transport. This guide gives you a practical place to start.