French phrases for everyday use: common ones to learn first

French phrases are easier to learn in small groups: greetings, thanks, apologies and a few lines for when you are stuck. This page gives the common ones, each with its English meaning and, for the main words, a recording you can play. The meanings come from Larousse’s French-English conversation guide and dictionary [1][2][3][4]. For where to practise them aloud, see French speaking practice and French pronunciation practice. If a phrase sounds different in Québec, English to Quebec French covers that.

What are common French phrases to start with?

Start with the greetings and the polite words. These are the common French phrases that open almost every conversation, and Larousse’s guide lists them first under “se saluer” (greeting people) [1].

What are basic French phrases for meeting someone?

The basic French phrases for meeting someone are a greeting, a question about how the person is, and your name. Larousse’s guide gives “Comment allez-vous / vas-tu ?” for “How are you?” and “Très bien, merci” for “Fine, thanks” [1]. The two forms in the first question are the formal and the informal way to say “you”.

For names it gives “Je m’appelle Julie” (My name is Julie) and “Comment vous appelez-vous ?” (What’s your name?) [1]. To say you are pleased to meet someone, it lists “Ravi(e) de vous connaître” and “Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance” [1].

To say goodbye, the guide lists “À tout à l’heure !” (See you later), “À bientôt !” (See you soon) and “À demain !” (See you tomorrow) [1]. To welcome someone, it gives “Bienvenu(e)” [1].

What are useful phrases in French when you are stuck?

The most useful phrases in French when you are stuck are the ones that tell the other person what you need. Larousse’s guide groups them under “pour mieux comprendre” (to understand better) [1]:

• Je ne comprends pas: I don’t understand [1].
• Excusez-moi, mais je n’ai pas compris: Sorry, but I didn’t understand [1].
• Pouvez-vous parler plus fort ?: Can you speak up? [1]
• Pourriez-vous répéter plus lentement, s’il vous plaît ?: Would you mind saying that again more slowly, please? [1]
• Pourriez-vous me l’écrire, s’il vous plaît ?: Could you write that for me, please? [1]

Note that s’il vous plaît (please) closes the polite versions. The guide writes the plain “please” as “S’il te / vous plaît”, with both the informal and the formal form [1]. If you want to practise hearing these phrases at speed, French listening practice is the next step.

What French language common phrases show politeness?

The French language common phrases for politeness are thanks, apologies, compliments and good wishes. Larousse’s guide separates them into four short lists [1].

On the phone, Larousse’s guide opens with allô and translates it as “Hello?” [1]. It adds “Je voudrais parler à Luke, s’il vous plaît” (I’d like to speak to Luke, please) [1].

How can you practise these phrases?

Say each phrase aloud with its recording, then use it once in a real situation, even if that is a greeting to yourself in the mirror. That is a general suggestion, not a sourced method. Then try the quiz below.

Common mistakes

• Saying bonjour after dark. Larousse gives bonsoir for “good evening” [1][3]. Bonjour covers hello, good morning and good afternoon [4].
• Reading bonsoir only as a greeting. Larousse also gives “good night” for bonsoir when you are leaving [3]. For going to bed, the guide uses “bonne nuit” [1].
• Using salut with everyone. Larousse labels salut familiar [2]. With people you do not know, bonjour is the safer word. That register advice is a general observation, not a dictionary finding.
• Mixing up “you” forms. The guide gives both “Comment allez-vous ?” and “Comment vas-tu ?” for “How are you?” [1]. Pick the form that fits the person.
• Dropping the ending on désolé. The guide writes “désolé(e)” and “ravi(e)” because the ending changes with who is speaking [1].
• Relying on a phrase list from a blog, including this one. Dictionary entries and guides change. Compare the date on each source with the date at the top of this page.

See also: hello in French and French quotes and sayings.

See also: how are you in French and my name is in French.

See also: French slang and French for travel.

See also: French sentence structure.

See also: happy birthday and holidays in French and good morning and good night in French.

See also: thank you in French.

Sources