French phrasesNote that in French you can raise your tone on the last syllable of a statement to make a question. As examples, listen to the recordings for 'Can I help you?' and 'What would you like?' in the Offering to help section below. If you cannot hear the phrase when you click on it, please read our Help with audio phrases.
|
English |
French |
|---|---|
Welcome! |
Byan-vuh-noo |
Good morning, sir |
Bon-zhoor, mur-syur |
Good morning, madam |
Bon-zhoor, ma-dam |
Good afternoon, sir |
Bon-zhoor, mur-syur |
Good afternoon, madam |
Bon-zhoor, ma-dam |
Good evening, sir |
Bon-swar, mur-syur |
Good evening, madam |
Bon-swar, ma-dam |
Mr Dupont |
Mur-syur Doo-pon |
Mrs Dupont |
Ma-dam Doo-pon |
Miss Dupont |
Mad-mwa-zel Doo-pon |
Hello informal |
Bon-zhoor |
What is your name please? |
Com-mon voo zah-pleh-voo |
My name is... |
Zhur mah-pell |
How are you? formal |
Com-mon tal-leh vou |
How are you? informal |
Sa vah |
Very well, thank you in response to 'How are you?' |
Treh byan, mair-see |
Ladies and gentlemen to attract attention |
Meh-dam zeh meh-syur |
Offering to help
English |
French |
|---|---|
Can I help you? |
Zhur puh voo zeh-deh |
What would you like? |
Voo-deh-zee-reh |
Yes |
Wee |
No |
Noh |
Yes, certainly |
Wee, byan syur |
Sorry, no |
Deh-zoh-leh, noh |
Please |
See voo pley |
Thank you |
Mair-see |
| I speak a little French |
Zhur parl uhn puh fron-seh |
Can you repeat that slowly? |
Pouvez-vous répéter lentement ? Poo-veh-voo reh-peh-teh lont-mon |
I do not understand |
Zhur nuh com-pron pah |
Do you understand? |
Voo com-pruh-neh |
One moment please |
Uhn mo-mon see voo pley |
Please wait here |
A-ton-deh eeh-see see voo pley |
I will call my colleague to help you |
J’appelle mon collègue pour vous aider Zhah-pell mon coh-leg pour voo-zed-eh J’appelle ma collègue pour vous aider Zhah-pell mah coh-leg pour voo-zed-eh use ‘mon collègue’ if your colleague is a man and ‘ma collègue’ if your colleague is a woman |
Don't worry |
Nuh voo zan-kyeh-teh pah |
Please come with me |
Venez avec moi, s’il vous plaît Vuh-neh a-vek mwah see voo pley |
You are welcome! in response to thanks from a customer |
Zhur voo zon pree |
Directions
English |
French |
|---|---|
Where do you want to go? |
Ooh al-leh voo |
Where is …? |
Ooh suh troov |
The toilets are there |
Leh twuh-let sohn lah |
The telephone is there |
Luh teh-leh-fon eh lah |
Can I show you? |
Zhur puh voo mon-treh |
Here is the map |
Vwa-see luh plon |
It is there |
Seh lah |
It is here |
Seh tee-see |
To the right |
A dwut |
To the left |
A gosh |
Straight on |
Too dwuh |
It is outside |
Seh ta lex-tair-ree-yur |
It is inside |
Seh ta lan-tair-ree-yur |
Numbers, prices and time
English |
French |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Uhn |
| 2 |
Duh |
| 3 |
Trwa |
| 4 |
Katr |
| 5 |
Sank |
| 6 |
Seess |
| 7 |
Set |
| 8 |
Weet |
| 9 |
Nerf |
| 10 |
Deess |
| 11 |
Ornz |
| 12 |
Dooz |
How much is that? |
Seh com-byan |
The price is … pounds and … pence |
Sa coot … lee-vruh … no need to put pence, just the number |
What time is it? |
Kel urr eh-teel |
It is one o'clock |
Eel eh toon urr |
It is eight o'clock |
Eel eh wee turr |
It is twelve o'clock |
Il est midi noon Eel eh mee-dee Il est minuit midnight Eel eh mi-nwee |
It is open from … to … |
Seh too-vair duh … a … |
It is closed from … to … |
Seh fair-meh duh … a … |
Ending the conversation
English |
French |
|---|---|
Is there anything else I can help you with? |
Je peux vous aider pour autre chose ? Zhur puh voo zeh-deh pour oat-ruh shoz |
Would you like anything else? |
Voo deh-zee-reh oat-ruh shoz |
Have a good day! |
Bon jor-neh |
Have a good evening! |
Bon swa-reh |
Enjoy your stay! |
Bohn seh-jor |
Enjoy your meal! |
Bohn a-peh-tee |
Goodbye |
O ruh-vwar |
Good night |
Bon nwee better to use 'au revoir' unless very late at night |
