Living in another country can be an intimidating prospect. But no matter where you live, it’s always important to try and learn some of the local lingo. It will help significantly with your new life, from finding your local neighbourhoods and cities to making new friends and fitting in with the local community.
For those of you looking to move to France, here are a selection of really useful words and phrases to learn before you get there, just to get you started so you won’t feel completely lost after your move! Basic pronunciation examples are provided for each to help.
English |
French |
Pronunciation |
| I am | Je suis | (zheu swee) |
| Please | S’il vous plait | (see-voo-play) |
| I’m looking for | Je cherche | (zheu share-sh) |
| Where is | Où se trouve | (oo suh tr-OO-v) |
| The toilet/restroom | La toilette | (lar twa-lette) |
| The train station | La gare | (lar gar) |
| The airport | L’aeroport | (l’aero-por) |
| A bank | Une banque | (une bonk) |
| Shops | Des magasins | (day magga-zan) |
| I want | Je veux | (zheu veu) |
| To eat | Manger | (mon-zhay) |
| Price | Prix | (pree) |
| How much is it | Combien ça coûte | (comm-bee-yen SAH coot) |
| To Buy | Acheter | (ash-tay) |
| To pay | Payer | (pay-yeh) |
| Excuse me | Pardon | (pahr-DOHN) |
| The bill, please | L’addition s’il vous plait | (lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo play) |
| How do you say __? | Comment dit-on __? | (koh-mahn dee-TONG __?) |
| I’m lost | Je suis perdu | (ZHUH swee pehr-DUU’) |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas | (zhuh nuh KOHM-prahn pah) |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? | (par-lay VOO sahng-LEH?) |
| Thank you | Merci | (MAYR-see) |
