Greetings
Bonjour
bon-ZHOOR
Hello — the single most important word in France. Say it when you enter ANY shop, café or office before asking anything; skipping it reads as rude and sinks the interaction.
Merci (beaucoup)
mair-SEE (bo-KOO)
Thank you (very much). 'Merci' and a smile smooth almost everything; 'de rien' is 'you're welcome'.
Daily life
S'il vous plaît
seel-voo-PLEH
Please — pair it with every request. The formal 'vous' is the safe default with strangers and staff.
Excusez-moi / Pardon
ex-koo-zay-MWAH / par-DOHN
Excuse me / sorry — to get attention, squeeze past on the métro, or apologise. 'Pardon' also works as a quick 'sorry'.
Parlez-vous anglais ?
par-lay-voo on-GLEH
Do you speak English? Crucially, ask it AFTER 'Bonjour' — leading with English is the classic faux pas. Many Parisians do, then happily switch.
Je ne parle pas (bien) français
zhuh nuh parl pah (byan) fron-SEH
I don't speak French (well). An honest, polite opener after Bonjour that usually earns patience.
C'est combien ?
say kom-BYAN
How much is it? Most shops are fixed-price; markets (marchés) are where you'll use it most.
Food
Un café, s'il vous plaît
an ka-FAY seel-voo-PLEH
A coffee, please. 'Un café' is an espresso; 'un café crème' (or 'noisette') has milk. Terrace café-sitting is a Parisian birthright.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît
la-dee-SYON seel-voo-PLEH
The bill, please. In France the bill never comes until you ask — lingering is expected, not rushed.
Social
Bonne journée
bun zhoor-NAY
Have a good day — the standard sign-off leaving a shop, alongside 'Au revoir'. 'Bonne soirée' for the evening.
Désolé(e)
day-zo-LAY
Sorry (add an 'e' sound is the same; spelling differs by gender). For genuine apologies, beyond the lighter 'pardon'.
Emergency
Au secours !
oh suh-KOOR
Help! For emergencies: 112 (EU, English), 15 (SAMU medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire/pompiers).
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