Helpful French Phrases

Helpful French phrases are really in the eye of the beholder. No two people are going to choose the same French phrase when searching for the right way to ask, respond, praise or thank someone. First, you need to know what you want to say. Then, search among the many phrases available to you so you pick le mot juste.

Depending on the situation, you may consider 'helpful' French phrases things to say to be polite, ways to ask for something, or emergency terms.

France, like most European countries, is more formal than America. Using the proper form of address, saying please and thank you, and knowing the right way to greet people is very important. French phrases that demonstrate your suave manners include:

• Bonjour: Know when to say bonjour or bonsoir. Knowing when to say good morning, good afternoon or good evening demonstrates not just mastery of a few phrases but an understanding of French culture.
• Merci beaucoup: Thank you very much. You can shorten this to simply "merci", which is less formal.
• Excusez-moi: Excuse me.

As you travel throughout French speaking countries, there may be times when you need to ask for help, clarification or guidance. Use these polite phrases to ask for what you need.

• Je ne comprends pas: I don't understand. You may want to say, "Je ne comprends pas. Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît?" Which means, "I don't understand. Can you repeat that, please?"
• If the other person is speaking too quickly for you to follow, you can ask them to slow down. The proper way to ask the other person to speak more slowly is: "Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement?"
• Another phrase that may help you in conversation is, "J'ai oublié le mot pour…" Which translates to, "I have forgotten the word for…" You can point to the object you want or need and hopefully, your helpful French comrade will supply the missing noun.

Although no one likes to imagine problems on their vacation or travels, it's a fact of life that bad things happen to good people – and on good vacations. Wallets are stolen, accidents happen and people get sick. You may want to write down the following helpful phrases for those unfortunate times when you need to know some emergency and medical lingo. You may also want to review [[How_to_Say_French_Phrases|how to say French phrases].]

• Est-ce qu'il y a un commissariat de police près d'ici? This phrase means: "Is there a police station nearby?" It is pronounced: "Esk keel ee ah un cahmiseraht duh police pray de eecee?" You can substitute words such as l'hôpital, or hospital, for "police" should you need medical attention.
• J'ai perdu mon passeport. This translates to, "I have lost my passport."
• Il y a eu un accident. "There has been an accident."
• Pourriez-vous m'aider? That's the question you need to ask if you need help. It translates simply to, "Can you help me?" You can then ask for whatever you need: police, fire, ambulance, doctor or directions.
• Je suis perdu. "I am lost." Time to get directions!

There are also some phrases that you should know, especially if you hear them in your hotel, the airport, or a public building.

• Sortez du bâtimant, s'il vous plait. "Leave the building please" or "Evacuate the building please." This may be used in the event of a fire, bomb threat, or another general emergency.
• Il y a une alerte de bombe. "There is a bomb threat."
• Feu! "Fire!"

It's tough to think straight when you're in an emergency situation, lost, or just upset. If you're not particularly fluent in French, try these tips so that a few French phrases are always at the ready:

• Write down these and other useful phrases on an index card. Carry it in your pocket.
• Buy and use a portable French phrase booklet or guide.
• Put phrases on your cell phone or hand-held device and save as a message that you can access on screen.

Hopefully you'll never need those phrases, but if you do you will have them at the ready.

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