French phrasebook

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French is a Romance language originating in France but spoken in many other parts of the world: in Europe in Southern Belgium and Western Switzerland; in North America in Quebec, New Brunswick, other parts of Canada, and parts of Louisiana; in the former French colonies in North Africa and West Africa; in Haiti and Martinique in the Caribbean; in French Guiana in South America; in Tahiti and numerous other islands in Oceania. It has long been the language of international diplomacy and communication, and although replaced largely by English since World War II, it remains de rigueur for educated people around the world to have some level of basic French ability.

Francophonie can help you to organize you travels if you are looking for a French speaking country or city.

Pronunciation

Like English and unlike most other Romance languages, it is not phonetic. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. In general, it's not impossible to sound out words, but suffice it to say that many experienced non-native French speakers -- and some native speakers -- mispronounce words often.

One thing to note is that final consonants of a word are usually dropped: allez (go) is pronounced ahl-AY, not ahl-AYZ; tard (late) is pronounce tar, not tard. Also a final "e" is usually silent. But if the next word begins with a vowel, the consonant may be pronounced; this is called liaison.

Stress is usually on the last syllable of a phrase, but sometimes when a word is emphasized, the stress moves to the middle of the word.

For many French words, it is impossible to write something which, when pronounced as English, sounds like the French word. Use the transliteration as a guide to liaison and the French spelling to pronounce the vowels.

Vowels

Vowels in French can have accent marks; except for "e", this doesn't usually change the sound.

a: like "a" in "father"
e: like "uh" in "duh"
é: like "e" in "deja vu"
ê: like "e" in "set"
è: like "e" in "set"
i: like "ee" in "feed"
o: like "o" in "home", but rounder
u: like "ee" in "feed" said with pursed lips; written uu in transcriptions
y: like "ee" in "feed"

Consonants

b: like "b" in "bed"
c: like "k" in "kill" (before "a", "o", and "u"), like "s" in "sun" (before "e" and "i")
ç: like "s" in "sun"
d: like "d" in "death"
f: like "f" in "fun"
g: like "g" in "go" (before "a", "o", and "u"), like "g" in "sabotage" (before "e" and "i" and at the end of words).
h: usually silent
j: like "g" in "sabotage"
k: like "k" in "kill"
l: like "l" in "like"
m: like "m" in "me"
n: like "n" in "nurse" (but see Diphthongs below)
p: like "p" in "push"
q(u): like "k" in "kill" (not like "qu" in "quick")
r: gutteral; kind of like coughing up a hairball
s: like "s" in "sun"; like "z" in "zero" (between two vowels)
t: like "t" in "take"
v: like "v" in "value"
x: like "x" in "exit"
z: like "z" in "zero"

Diphthongs

ai: like "i" in "fight", like "ay" in "hay" (at the end of a word)
ail: like "i" in "fight"
ais: like "ea" in "bread" (at the end of a word)
au, eau: like "ow" in "blow"
an: nasal; kind of like "ahng", but without the hard "g" at the end

eu: between "ew" in "dew" and "ur" in "burp"; written eu in transcriptions
œ: more or less like "eu", slighlty more "open"
er (end of a word): like "e" in "deja vu"
ez: like "e" in "deja vu"
en, em: nasal; same as "an"

in: nasal; like "ang" in "Tang", but without the hard "g" at the end

oi: like "wa" in "walk"
oin: nasal; like "wang", but without the hard "g" at the end
ou: like "oo" in "food"
on: nasal; like "ong" in "long", but without the hard "g" at the end
oui: like "wee" in "week"

ui: like "wee" in "week", but with the tongue forward
un: nasal; like "ung" in "hung", but without the hard "g" at the end

ch: like "sh" in "bush"
gn: like "ny" in "canyon". This is particularly difficult (even for little French kids) when followed by oi, as in baignoire (beh-NYWAR) "bathtub".
ill: like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (ville is veel)
ll: like "l"
ph: like "f" in "fun"
tch: like "ch" in "chew" (but kind of rare)
th: like "t" in "tin"
tr: "t" followed by a short gargle

Exceptions

When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: énergumène, (rowdy character), réunion (meeting).
A diaeresis (") may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: maïs (maize).
In the combinations "gue" and "gui", the "u" should not be pronounced, it is there only to force the prononciation of "g" as in "go". If the "u" is pronounced, a diaeresis is added: aiguë (sharp).
In the combination "geo", the "e" should not be pronounced, it is only there to force the prononciation of "g" as in "sabotage" (in the case the "e" should be pronounced, it is indicated with an accent mark as in géologie).

Phrase List

In French, there are several levels of politeness. But to keep things simple this phrasebook is limited to two levels -- formal and informal -- with complex rules about age and social rank that determine which level you use. In France and most of the rest of the world, formal speech is the default; in Canada, it's informal that's used more often. This phrasebook gives everything in the formal level of politeness, on the principle that your friends or peers will just laugh if you address them too formally (vouvoyer), but strangers and "superiors" will find it offensive if you address them too intimately (tutoyer). Except a few phrases, such as "Buzz off", when you want to be offensive.

Note you should try not to pronounce the "G" where "NG" is used in the prononciation hint.

Basics

Hello.: Bonjour. (bohng-ZHOOR)
Hello. (informal): Salut. (sah-LUU)
How are you?: Comment allez-vous? (kuh-mahng tah-lay VOO?)
Fine, thank you.: Bien, merci. (byahng, mehr-SEE)
What is your name?: Comment vous appelez-vous? (kuh-MAWNG vooz ah-puhll-ay VOO?)
My name is ______ .: Je m'appelle ______ . (zhuh mah-PEHLL _____)
Nice to meet you.: Enchanté(e). (ahng-chahng-TAY)
Please.: S'il vous plaît. (seell voo PLEH)
Thank you.: Merci. (mehr-SEE)
You're welcome.: De rien. (duh RYANG)
Yes.: Oui. (WEE)
No.: Non. (NOHNG)
Excuse me. (getting attention): S'il vous plaît (seell voo PLEH)
Excuse me. (you're in my way): Pardon. (pahr-DOHNG)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Excusez-moi. (ehks-kuu-zay MWAH)
What's the time?: Quelle heure est-t'il? (kel ehr e-til?)
I'm sorry.: Désolé(e). (day-zoh-LAY)
Goodbye: Au revoir. (oh RVWAHR)
Goodbye (informal): Salut. (sah-LUU)
I can't speak French well.: Je ne parle pas bien français. (zhuh nuh PAHRL pah byahng frahng-SEH)
Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais? (PAHR-lay VOOZ ahng-LEH?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais? (ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHNG ee-SEE kee PAHRL ahng-LEH?)
Help!: Au secours ! (os-KOOR!)
Look out!: Attention !! (ah-TAHNG-see-ohng)
Good morning.: Bonjour. (bohng ZHOOR)
Good evening.: Bonsoir. (bohng SWAHR)
Good night.: Bonsoir. (bohng SWAHR)
Good night (to sleep): Bonne nuit. (buhn NWEE)
I don't understand.: Je ne comprends pas. (ZHUH nuh kohm-PRAHNG pah)
Where is the toilet?: Où sont les toilettes ? (OOH sohng lay twa-LEHT?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Laissez-moi tranquille! (less-ay mwah trahng-KEEL!)
Buzz off.: Dégage ! (Day-GAZH!)
Don't touch me!: Ne me touchez pas ! (nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!!!)
I'll call the police.: J'appelle la police. (zhah-PELL la poh-LEESS)
Police!: Police ! (POHL-ees)
Stop! Thief!: Arrêtez ! Au voleur ! (ah-reh-TAY! OH vo-LEUR!)
Help!: Au secours ! (OH suh-KOOR!)
I need your help.: Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît! (ay-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLAY!)
It's an emergency.: C'est une urgence. (seh tuun uur-ZHAHNS)
I'm lost.: Je suis perdu. (ZHUH swee pehr-DUU')
I lost my bag.: J'ai perdu mon sac. (ZHAY pehr-DUU mong sak)
I lost my wallet.: J'ai perdu mon porte-monnaie. (ZHAY pehr-DUU mong port-moh-NAY)
I'm sick.: J'ai mal. (zhay MAHL)
I've been injured.: Je suis blessé. (zhuh swee bless-AY)
I need a doctor.: J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (ZHAY bez-WANG dun mayd-SANG)
Can I use your phone?: Je voudrais utiliser votre téléphone. (ZHUH voo-DRAY uu-TILL-ee-ZAY votr tay-lay-FOHNG)

Numbers

1: un (ung)
2: deux (deu)
3: trois (trwa)
4: quatre (katr)
5: cinq (sank)
6: six (seece or see)
7: sept (set)
8: huit (wheat)
9: neuf (neuf)
10: dix (deece or dee)
11: onze (ohnz)
12: douze (dooz)
13: treize (trayz)
14: quatorze (kat-ORZ)
15: quinze (cans)
16: seize (sayz)
17: dix-sept (dee-SET)
18: dix-huit (dee-ZWEET)
19: dix-neuf (dee-ZNEUF)
20: vingt (vang)
21: vingt-et-un (vang-tay-UNG)
22: vingt-deux (vang-DEU)
23: vingt-trois (vang-TRWA)
30: trente (trongt)
40: quarante (kar-AHNGT)
50: cinquante (sank-AHNGT)
60: soixante (swah-SAHNGT)
70: soixante-dix (swah-sahngt-DEE) or septante (set-AHNGT) in Belgium and Switzerland
80: quatre-vingt (katr-VANG) or huitante (wee-TAHNGT) in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva)
90: quatre-vingt-dix (katr-vang-DEE) or nonante (noh-NAHNGT) in Belgium and Switzerland
100: cent (sahng)
200: deux cent (deu sahng)
300: trois cent (trwa sahng)
1000: mille (meel)
2000: deux mille (deu meel)
1,000,000: un million (ung mee-LYOHNG)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): numéro _____ (nuu-may-ROH)
half: demi (deh-MEE), moitié (mwah-tee-AY)
less: moins (mwang)
more: plus (pluu)

Time

now: maintenant (mang-NAHNG)
later: plus tard (ploo TAHR)
before: avant (AH-vahng)
morning: le matin (luh mat-TANG)
in the morning: dans la matinée (dahn lah mah-TEEN-ay)
afternoon: l'après-midi (lah-PRAY-mee-dee)
evening: le soir (luh SWAH)
in the evening: dans la soirée (dahng la SWAH-ray)
night: la nuit (lah nwee)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: une heure du matin (ewn er dew ma-TANG)
two o'clock AM: deux heures du matin (duz er dew ma-TANG)
noon: midi (mee-DEE)
one o'clock PM, 13:00: une heure de l'après-midi (ewn er duh la-pre-mee-DEE), treize heures
two o'clock PM, 14:00: deux heures de l'après-midi (duz er duh la-pre-mee-DEE), quatorze heures
six o'clock PM, 18:00: six heures du soir (sees er dew SWAR), dix-huit heures
quarter to seven, 18:45: sept heures moins le quart, dix-huit heures quarante-cinq
quarter past seven, 19:15: sept heures et quart, dix-neuf heures quinze
half past seven, 19:30: sept heures et demi, dix-neuf heures trente
midnight: minuit (mee-NWEE)

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____ minute(s) (mee-NUUT)
_____ hour(s): _____ heure(s) (eur)
_____ day(s): _____ jour(s) (zhoor)
_____ week(s): _____ semaine(s) (smen)
_____ month(s): _____ mois (mwa)
_____ year(s): _____ année(s) (ah-NAY)
weekly: hebdomadaire (eb-doh-ma-DAYR)
monthly: mensuel (mang-suu-ELL)
yearly: annuel (an-uu-ELL)

Days

today: aujourd'hui (aw-zhoor-DWEE)
yesterday: hier (YEHR)
tomorrow: demain (duh-MANG)
this week: cette semaine (set SMEN)
last week: la semaine dernière (lah SMEN dehr-NYEHR)
next week: la semaine prochaine (lah SMEN proh-SHEN)

Sunday: dimanche (dee-MAHNSH)
Monday: lundi (luhn-DEE)
Tuesday: mardi (mahr-DEE)
Wednesday: mercredi (mehr-kruh-DEE)
Thursday: jeudi (juh-DEE)
Friday: vendredi (vahn-druh-DEE)
Saturday: samedi (sahm-DEE)

Months

January: janvier (zhahng-VYAY)
February: février (fay-VRYAY)
March: mars (mahrs)
April: avril (ah-VREEL)
May: mai (meh)
June: juin (zhwang)
July: juillet (zhwee-YAY)
August: août (oot)
September: septembre (set-TAHMBR)
October: octobre (ock-TOHBR)
November: novembre (noh-VAHMBR)
December: décembre (day-SAHMBR)

Writing Time and Date

As in most of the world outside America, dates are written with the month in the middle. So if you see 04-12-2003, you know that's le quatre décembre, not April 12. A date (18-12-1963) fully spelled out is le dix-huit décembre dix-neuf cent soixante-trois (you can either use dix-neuf cent or mille neuf cent and so on for years from 1100 to 1999). The ordinal is used only with the first (premier) of the month.

Times are written with the letter 'h' after the hours: 18h30. If there is no indication of matin or soir, it's in the 24-hour clock.

Colors

black: noir/noire (nwahr)
white: blanc/blanche (blahng/blahnsh)
gray: gris/grise (gree/greez)
red: rouge (roozh)
blue: bleu/bleue (bluh)
yellow: jaune (zhawn)
green: vert/verte (vehr/vehrt)
orange: orange (oh-RAHNZH)
purple: violet (vee-oh-LEH)
brown: brun/brune (bruh/bruhn)

Transportation

Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Combien coûte le billet pour aller à _____? (kom-BYAN koot luh bee-LAY poor a-LAY a)
One ticket to _____, please.: Un billet pour _____, je vous prie. (ung bee-LAY poor ____ zhe voo PREE)
Where does this train/bus go?: Où va ce train/bus ? (oo va suh trang/buus?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Où est le train/bus pour _____? (oo eh luh trang/buus poor ____)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____? (suh trang/buus sah-ret-TEEL ah _____)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Quand le train/bus pour _____ part-il ? (kahng luh trang/buus poor _____ par-TEEL)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Quand ce train/bus arrivera-t-il à _____? (kahng suh trang/buus ah-reev-rah-TEEL ah _____)
the/this shuttle: la/cette navette (lah/set nah-VET) (also means a tatting shuttle)
a one-way ticket: un aller simple
a round trip ticket: un aller-retour

Directions

Where is the _____ ?: Où se trouve _____ ? (oo stroov _____)
...the train station?: ...la gare ? (lah gahr?)
...the bus station?: ...la gare routière ? (lah gahr roo-TYEHR?)
...the airport?: ... l'aéroport ? (lah-ay-roh-POR?)
...downtown?: ...le centre-ville ? (luh sahng-truh-VEEL?)
...the suburbs?: ... la banlieue ? (lah bahng-LYEU?)
...the youth hostel?: ...l'auberge de jeunesse ? (law-BEHRZH duh zhuh-NESS)
...the _____ hotel?: ...l'hôtel _____ ? (loh-TEL)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...l'ambassade américaine/canadienne/australienne/anglaise ? (lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN/ka-na-DYEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ)
Where are there a lot of...: Où y'a-t-il des... (oo yah-TEEL day)
...hotels?: ...hôtels? (z oh-TELL)
...restaurants?: ...restaurants? (res-taw-RAHNG)
...bars?: ...bars? (bahr)
...sites to see?: ...sites à visiter ? (seets ah vee-zee-TAY)
Can you show me on the map?: Pouvez-vous me montrer sur la carte ? (poo-vay-VOO muh mohn-TRAY suur lah KAHRT?)
street: rue (ruu)
Turn left.: Tournez à gauche. (toor-nay ah GAWSH)
Turn right.: Tournez à droite. (toor-nay ah DRWAHT)
left: gauche (gawsh)
right: droite (drwaht)
straight ahead: en face (ahng fahs)
towards the _____: vers le/la _____ (vehr luh/lah)
past the _____: après le/la _____ (ah-PREH luh/lah)
before the _____: avant le/la _____ (ah-VAHNG luh/lah)
Watch for the _____.: Repérez le/la _____. (ruh-pay-RAY luh/lah)
intersection: intersection (ang-tehr-seck-SYOHNG)
north: nord (nohr)
south: sud (suu)
east: est (est)
west: ouest (west)
uphill: en haut (ahng OH)
downhill: en bas (ahng BAH)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi ! (tahk-SEE!)
Take me to _____, please.: Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Combien cela coûte-t-il d'aller à _____? (kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?)
Take me there, please.: Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (ah-MEHN-ay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Avez-vous des chambres libres ? (ah-vay-VOO dey shahmbr LEEBR?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Combien coûte une chambre pour une personne/deux personnes ? (kohm-byahng KOOT uun shahmbr poor uun/duh pehr-SON?)
Does the room come with...: Est-ce que dans la chambre il y a... (ESK dahng lah SHAHMBR eel yah ...)
...bedsheets?: ...des draps ? (dey DRAH?)
...a bathroom?: ...une salle de bain ? (uun sahl ah BANG?)
...a telephone?: ...un téléphone ? (ung tay-lay-FOHN?)
...a TV?: ...une télé ? (uun tay-LAY?)
May I see the room first?: Puis-je visiter la chambre ? (pweezh vee-zee-TAY lah SHAHMBR?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Vous n'avez pas de chambre plus tranquille ? (voo nah-vay PAH duh shahmbr pluu trahng-KEEL?)
...bigger?: ... plus grande ? (... pluu GRAHND?)
...cleaner?: ...plus propre ? (... pluu PROHPR?)
...cheaper?: ...moins chère? (... mwang SHEHR?)
OK, I'll take it.: OK, je la prends. (oh-KAY, zhuh lah PRAHNG)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Je compte rester _____ nuit(s). (zhuh KOMT res-TAY _____ nwee)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Pouvez-vous me suggérer un autre hôtel? (poo-vay VOO muh suu-zhay-RAY ung ohtr oh-TEL?)
Do you have a safe?: Avez-vous un coffre-fort ? (ah-vay VOO ung kofr FOR?)
...lockers?: ... des casiers ? (...)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Le petit-déjeuner/souper est-il inclus ? (luh ptee day-zhuh-NAY / soo-PAY eht-eel ang-KLUU?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: À quelle heure est le petit-déjeuner/souper ? (ah kel UR eh luh ptee day-zhuh-NAY / soo-PAY?)
Please clean my room.: Veuillez nettoyer ma chambre. (vuh-YAY net-wah-YAY ma SHAHMBR)
Can you wake me at _____?: Pouvez-vous me réveiller à _____? (poo-vay VOO muh ray-vay-YAY ah _____)
I want to check out.: Je veux vous signaler mon départ. (zhuh vuh voo see-nyah-LAY mong day-PAR)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?)
Do you accept cr cards?: Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?)
Can you change money for me?: Pouvez-vous me faire le change ? (poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH?)
Where can I get money changed?: Où peux-je faire le change ? (oo PWEEZH fehr luh SHAHNZH?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un traveler's chèque ? (poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung trahv-leurz SHECK?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Où puis-je changer un traveler's chèque ? (oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung trahv-leurz SHECK?)
What is the exchange rate?: Quel est le taux de change ? (KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Une table pour une personne/deux personnes, je vous prie. (uun TAHBL poor uun/deu pehr-SOHN zhuh voo PREE)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Puis-je voir le menu? (PWEEZH ah-VWAHR luh muh-NUU?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Puis-je visiter les cuisines? (PWEEZH vee-zee-TAY lay kwee-ZEEN?)
Is there a house specialty?: Quelle est la spécialité de la maison ? (KELL eh lah spay-see-ah-lee-TAY duh lah meh-ZOHNG?)
Is there a local specialty?: Y a-t-il une spécialité locale ? (yah-TEEL uun spay-see-ah-lee-TAY loh-KAHL?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Je suis végétarien. (zhuh SWEE vay-zhay-tah-RYAHNG)
I don't eat pork.: Je ne mange pas de porc. (zhuh nuh mahnzh PAH duh POHR)
I only eat kosher food.: Je ne mange que de la viande cachère. (zhuh nuh MAHNZH kuh duh lah VYAHND kah-SHEHR)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Pouvez-vous cuisiner léger ? (poo-vay-VOO kwee-zee-NAY lay-ZHAY?)
fixed-price meal: menu (muh-NUU)
à la carte: à la carte (ah lah KAHRT)
breakfast: France:' petit-déjeuner (ptee-day-zheu-NAY); Belgium/Canada: déjeuner (day-zheu-NAY)
lunch: France: déjeuner (day-zheu-NAY); Belgium/Canada: dîner (dee-NAY)
tea (meal): thé (tay)
supper: souper (soo-PAY)
I want _____.: Je voudrais _____. (zhuh voo-DREH _____)
I want a dish containing _____.: Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (zhuh voo-DREH ung plah ah-VEK _____)
chicken: du poulet (duu poo-LEH)
beef: du boeuf (duu BUFF)
deer: du cerf (dü SEHR)
fish: du poisson (duu pwa-SONG)
salmon: du saumon (duu saw-MONG)
tuna: du thon (duu TONG)
whiting: du merlan (duu mehr-LANG)
cod: de la morue (duh lah moh-RUU)
seafood: des fruits de mer (deh frwee duh MEHR)
dulse: de la dulse (duh lah DUULS)
lobster: du homard (duu oh-MAR)
clams: des palourdes (deh pah-LOORD)
oysters: des huîtres (dez WEETR)
mussels: des moules (deh MOOL)
snails: des escargots (dez es-car-GOH)
frogs: des grenouilles (deh gruh-NOOEY)
ham: du jambon (duu zhahng-BONG)
pork: du porc/cochon (dü POHR/dü coh-SHONG). cochon is less formal.
boar: du sanglier (dü sahng-GLYAY)
sausage: des saucisses (deh saw-SEESS)
cheese: du fromage (duu froh-MAHZH)
eggs: des oeufs (dehz UH)
one egg: un oeuf (un UF)
salad: une salade (uun sah-LAHD)
(fresh) vegetables: des légumes (frais) (deh lay-guum FREH)
(fresh) fruit: des fruits (frais) (frwee (freh))
bread: du pain (pang)
toast: rôtis (roh-TEE)
noodles: des pâtes (deh PAHT), des nouilles (deh NOOEY)
rice: du riz (duu REE)
beans: des haricots (dez ah-ree-KOH)
May I have a glass of _____?: Puis-je avoir un verre de _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR ung VEHR duh _____?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Puis-je avoir une tasse de _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR uun TAHSS duh _____?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Puis-je avoir une bouteille de _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR uun boo-TEYY duh _____?)
coffee: café (kah-FAY)
tea (drink): thé (tay)
juice: jus (zhuu)
(bubbly) water: eau gazeuse (oh gah-ZUHZ)
water: eau (oh)
beer: bière (byehr)
red/white wine: vin rouge/blanc (vang roozh/blahng)
May I have some _____?: Puis-je avoir du _____? (pweezh ah-VWAHR duu)
salt: sel (...)
black pepper: poivre (...)
butter: beurre (...)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server, note "garçon" is offensive and should be avoided): S'il vous plaît, monsieur/madame ? (...)
I'm finished.: J'ai fini. (...)
It was delicious.: C'était délicieux. (...)
Please clear the plates.: Est-ce que vous pouvez débarasser la table. (...)
The check, please.: L'addition je vous prie. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Servez-vous de l'alcool ? (...)
Is there table service?: Est-ce qu'il y a du service à la table ? (ESK-eel-ee-AH duh sehr-VEESS ah lah TAHBL?)
A beer/two beers, please.: Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plait. (...)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Un verre de vin rouge/blanc, s'il vous plait. (...)
A pint, please.: Une grande bière , s'il vous plait. (...)
A bottle, please.: Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (...)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: _____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (...)
whiskey: whisky (...)
vodka: vodka (...)
rum: rhum (...)
water: de l'eau (...)
club soda: soda (...)
tonic water: Schweppes (...)
orange juice: jus d'orange (...)
Coke (soda): Coca (...)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Est-ce que vous avez des chips ou des cacahuètes ? Est-ce que vous avez des trucs à grignoter?(...)
One more, please.: Encore un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (...)
Another round, please.: Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (...)
When is closing time?: À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (...)
How much is this?: Combien ça coûte ? (...)
That's too expensive.: C'est trop cher. (...)
Would you take _____?: Pourriez-vous accepter _____? (...)
expensive: cher (...)
cheap: bon marché (...)
I can't afford it.: Je n'ai pas les moyens. (...)
I don't want it.: Je ne le veux pas. (...)
You're cheating me.: Vous me trompez. (...)
I'm not interested.: Je ne suis pas intéressé. (..)
OK, I'll take it.: OK, je vais le/la prendre. (...)
Can I have a bag?: Je pourrais avoir un sac ? (...)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (...)
I need...: J'ai besoin... (...)
...toothpaste.: ...de dentifrice. (...)
...a toothbrush.: ...d'une brosse à dents. (...)
...tampons.: ...de tampons. (...)
...soap.: ...de savon. (...)
...shampoo.: ...de shampooing. (...)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...d'un analgésique (aspirine, ibuprofen);. (...)
...cold medicine.: ...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (...)
...stomach medicine.: ...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (...)
...a razor.: ...d'un rasoir. (...)
...batteries.: ...de piles. (...)
...an umbrella. (rain): ...d'un parapluie. (...)
...an umbrella. (sun): ...d'une ombrelle. (...)
...sunblock lotion.: ...d'écran solaire. (...)
...a postcard.: ...d'une carte postale. (...)
...postage stamps.: ...de timbres. (...)
...writing paper.: ...de papier à lettres. (...)
...a pen.: ...d'un stylo. (...)
...English-language books.: ...de livres en anglais. (...)
...English-language magazines.: ...de magazines en anglais. (...)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...d'un journal en anglais. (...)
...a French-English dictionary.: ...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (...)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Je voudrais louer une voiture. (...)
Can I get insurance?: Je pourrais être assuré(e) ? (...)
stop (on a street sign): stop (...)
one way: sens unique (...)
yield: cédez le passage (...)
no parking: stationnement interdit (...)
speed limit: limite de vitesse(...)
gas (petrol) station: station-service(...)
gas (petrol): essence (...)
diesel: diesel (...)

Road sign captions

North: Nord
South: Sud
East: Est
West: Ouest

Begin: Debut
Squeeze Right/Right lane ends: Serrez a droite
Squeeze Left/Left lane ends: Serrez a gauche
Stop: Arrêt
To: Vers

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Je n'ai rien fait de mal. (...)
It was a misunderstanding.: C'est une erreur. (...)
Where are you taking me?: Où m'emmenez-vous ? (...)
Am I under arrest?: Suis-je en état d'arrestation ? (...)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m): Je suis citoyen américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (zhe swee see-twa-YAHN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f): Je suis citoyenne américaine/australienne/anglaise/canadienne. (zhe swee see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-KEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ/ka-na-DYEN)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Je dois parler à l'ambassade/au consulat américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (...)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende? (poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND)

Learning more

How do you say _____ ?: Comment dit-on _____ ? (koh-mahn dee-TONG _____ ?)
What is this/that called?: Comment appelle-t-on ceci/ça ? (koh-mahnt ah-pehl-TONG suh-SEE/SAH?)

Resources for Learning French (http://www.fourmilab.ch/francais/lfrench.html) - Lots of useful info from an anglophone scientist in Neuchatel
the French textbook at Wikibooks (http://www.wikibooks.org/wiki/French)
Eat Your Words (http://lafermethili.free.fr/English%20version/dico.htm) a list of culinary terms in French and English

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