Here are some useful words and phrases that would be useful to know when traveling to France. French spelling can be very confusing to English speakers since the pronounciations are very different, which is why the correct pronunciation is included as well. Make sure you work on your pronounciation so as to be understood. If your pronunciation is really bad I suggest you simply learn the first three phrases and stick to English.

English - Do you speak English?
French - Parlez-vous Anglais?
Pronunciation - par-lay-VOO ZAHN-gleh

English - How do you say…?
French - Comment dit-on…?
Pronunciation - koh-mahn dee-TOHN

English - I don’t understand.
French - Je ne comprends pas.
Pronunciation - zhuh nuh KOM-pran pa

English - What do you want?
French - Que voulez-vous?
Pronunciation - KUH voo-lay-VOO

English - Where is…?
French - Ou est…?
Pronunciation - oo EH

English - How far?
French - A quelle distance?
Pronunciation - ah kehl dees-TAHNS

English - How long? (time)
French - Combien de temps?
Pronunciation - kohm-byen duh TAHN

English - How?
French - Combient?
Pronunciation - koh-MAHN

English - How much is it?
French - Combient est-ce?
Pronunciation - kom-byen EHSS

English - who? What?
French - Qui? Quoi?
Pronunciation - KEE, KWAH

English - When? Why?
French - Quand? Pourquoi?
Pronunciation - KAHN, poo-KWAH

English - Please.
French - S’il vous plait
Pronunciation - sell voo PLEH

English - Thank you very much.
French - Merci beaucoup.
Pronunciation - mehr-see boh-KOO

English - Excuse me (or pardon).
French - Excusez-moi.
Pronunciation - exh-kew-say-MWAH

English - Can you help me?
French - Pouvez-vous m’aider?
Pronunciation - poo-vay-voo meh-DAY

English - Yes. No.
French - Oui. Non.
Pronunciation - WEE, NOHN

English - Enough. Too much.
French - Assez. Trop.
Pronunciation - ah-SAY, TROP

English - Much (or many)
French - Beaucoup
Pronunciation - boh-KOO

English - Good. Better.
French - Bien. Mieux.
Pronunciation - BYEN, MYUH

English - Bad. Worse.
French - Mal. Pire.
Pronunciation - MAHL, PEER

English - Now. Later.
French - Maintenant. Plus tard.
Pronunciation - mant-NAHN, plew TAHR

English - Here. There.
French - Ici. La.
Pronunciation - ee-SEE, LAH

English - Hello (or Good day).
French - Bonjour.
Pronunciation - bohn-ZOOR

English - Goodbye
French - Au revoir
Pronunciation - oh VWAHR

English - Airplane
French - Avion
Pronunciation - ah-vee-OHN

English - Airport
French - L’aeroport
Pronunciation - lay-roh-POHR

English - Train
French - Train
Pronunciation - TRAN

English - Railroad station
French - La gare
Pronunciation - lah GAHR

English - Bus
French - Autobus
Pronunciation - oh-toe-BEWSS

English - Boat
French - Bateau
Pronunciation - bah-TOE

English - Ticket
French - Un billet
Pronunciation - UHN bee-YEH

English - Ticket Office
French - Le guichet
Pronunciation - luh ghee-SHEH

English - Hotel
French - L’hotel
Pronunciation - loh-TEHL

English - Room
French - Une chambre
Pronunciation - ewhn SHAWM-bruh

English - Ladies or Men’s Room
French - La toilette
Pronunciation - lah twah-LEHT

English - Today
French - Aujourd’hui
Pronunciation - oh-zhoor-DWEE

English - Yesterday
French - Hier
Pronunciation - YEHR

Note: Capitalized syllables in the pronunciations means that they are accented.

1. How much should I set aside for accommodations?

That depends on the kinds of accommodation you choose. French accommodations are categorized into six being 0-star, 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, 4-star and 4-star L (luxury). Prices range from 28€ to 405€ per night. Note that hotels in Paris are generally more expensive than the rest of France. This means that you need a higher budget for the same quality hotel in Paris than in, lets say, Bordeaux.

2. What is the tourist tax and how much is it?

The tourist tax is paid by all visitors and is collected by incorporating it into you hotel bill. The tax varies from 0.20€ to 1.50€ per person per day again depending on the type of accommodation you stay in. Children below 13 years old are exempt from paying this tax in places where it is not a flat-rate.

3. Do I need to bring a French phrase book with me?

Although the official language is French most people working in the tourism industry (that’s anyone in your hotel to people in tourist sites) know how to speak English. It would be good if you know a few basic phrases especially if you plan on venturing on foot and enjoying and adventure. The bigger problem is usually in the accent since most French speak English with a thick accent and you probably speak French with one too. Check the Speak French section for a few useful phrases and their pronunciation.

4. What’s the tipping custom in France? How do I know when to tip and how much should I give?

In restaurants check you bill for a service charge. If there is no service charge included a 15% tip is customary. If you find the service to be exceptional you can tip above the 15% by an additional 2-3% or simply leave your small change. Other customary tipping rates are as follows: Taxi drivers – 10-15%; Hairdressers – 10%; Hairdresser Assistant – 5%; Porters – 1.5€ per bag; Chambermaids – 1.5€ per day; Tour guides and bus drivers – 1.5-3€ ; Others - 1€ . Again you can always afjust your tipping depending on your level of satisfaction.