Handy French Phrases

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Ever wanted to learn a little French? Here are some select French phrases that may be of use to you, for every occasion!

Please note that, there is different usage for 'tu' and 'vous'. Although they both essentialy mean 'you', 'tu' is only said if you are familiar to the person that you are speaking to, and misusage could cause offense. Anyone older than you or superior to you, or anyone that you do not know, refer to as 'vous'

Phrases

Greetings/ Meeting people

Salut Greetings!
BonjourHello
BonsoirGood evening (arriving or leaving)
Enchanté de faire votre connaissance.Delighted to meet you.
quel est votre nom?What is your name? (formal)
Comment t'appelles tu? What is your name? (familiar)
My name is...Je m'appelle...
Are you French?Etes-vous français?
I am ...Je suis ...
...anglais.... English.
...canadien ... Canadian.
...australien....Australian.
...néo-zélandais. ... a New Zealander.
...sud-africain. ... South African.
...allemand....German.
Comment allez-vous?How are you?
I'm very well, thankyou.Ca va bien, merci.
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous Anglais?
S'il vous plaîtPlease
MerciThankyou
Excusez-moiExcuse me
PardonSorry
How are you? Comment allez-vous?
I'm fine (good) ça va bien
What is your name? Comment t'appelles tu?

Insults

Vous êtes gros You are fat
Votre famille est une bande de idiots Your family is a band of idiots
Votre mère est un cheval Your mother is a horse
Vous avez un grand nez You have a big nose
fermé là Shut it (rude)
Votre mère est un hamster et votre père a l'odeur de baie de sureau Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberry

Talking about yourself and others

Je ne suis pas un poisson I am not a fish
Il a un chien He has a dog
Je t'adore I love you
Je vous déteste I hate you
Je me lave les cheveux I'm washing my hair
Je suis maladroit I am clumsy
J'étudie le français à l'école, mais je suis très mauvais à cela I study French at school, but I'm very bad at it

Misc

Joyeux Nöel Merry Christmas
Joyeux Anniversaire Happy Birthday
Je ne comprends pas.I don't understand.
Le Guide Galactique The Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy
Parle plus lentement s'il vous plait.Speak more slowly please.

Going out

Bon Voyage Good journey!
J'ai oublié I've forgotten
Je voudrais une bière, s'il vous plaît I would like a beer, please
Tu veux venir? Would you like to come? (invitation)
oui yes
non no
Ennuyeux Boring
Escargots Snails (the ones you eat)
Gardez la monnaie Keep the change

Illness/ at the Doctor's

J'ai mal à la tête I've got a head-ache
Je suis malade I'm ill
Je ne peux pas dormir I can't sleep
Je suis enceinte I'm pregnant

Parting

Désolé Sorry
Au revoir Good-bye
À bientôt See you soon
See you later.A plus tard.
GoodnightBonne nuit

If there are any suggestions or alterations to these phrases, post below. Happy French-speaking!


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