Wah Chan Gold & Jewellery: 10 French Phrases You Should Really Learn Before You Visit Paris

You’ve been waiting sooo long for it, and now you are finally on your way to France. Do you want to get a warm welcome throughout your visit in Paris? You might be worry now because you can’t speak French and you doubt they can understand English very well. Perhaps you can make a little effort to learn few basic French phrases that are very useful when you need help.

By knowing these 10 French phrases you won’t be seen as a tourist, but perhaps a new friend that the locals would love to talk to, sounds interesting?

Bonjour or Bonsoir Monsieur / Mademoiselle (Boh(n)-zhoor or Boh(n) swarh muh-syuhr/ mah-dah-mwa-sell: Hello, Mr / Miss

This is a big opener before you plan to ask anyone in France. Just as you like people to greet you, start with a friendly “hello” or “good day”. If it is already late, use “bonsoir” instead to say “good evening” or even “goodbye”.

Say bonjour to anyone you meet in Paris
is a lovely way to make friends

Excusez-moi (Ex-kyou-say mwa): Excuse me

Alternatively, this phrase is also very helpful to begin your question when you are trying to find or buy something.

Où est…? (Oo ay): Where is…?

You can find most of the tourist spots in Paris on a map, but perhaps not for toilets, cafes and restaurants. You can use this phrase to ask “where is…?”

When you are lost, do not hesitate to use
ou est to ask for directions

S'il vous plaît (Seal voo play): Please

For example, if you wish the person to speak slower, say “Parle lentment, s'il vous plait”. Always remember to show appreciation after someone has done you a favour.

You can use si'l vous plait during menu ordering too

Pouvez-vous m'aider? (Poo-vay voo meh - day?): Can you help me?

This is another helpful phrase when you are loss at words and need a favour. It can be used together with s'il vous plait, for example “Pouvez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît?”

Again, there are many ways to ask for favours in French

Je ne comprends pas (Zhuh nuh comp-rond pah): I don’t understand

And if you don’t understand, tell the person so that he or she can reformulate the sentence or use other words.

Parlez-vous anglais? (Par - lay vooz ah(n)-glay?): Do you speak English?

Though you are able to ask questions in French, you’ll still hope to be answered in English, which the local people might be reluctant to. Most of them speak basic English, and asking them politely helps you to communicate better with them.

Merci (Mare-see): Thank you

This is the second most important word in French, formally or informally. Whenever you have received a favour or a help, always end the interaction pleasantly with a thank you.

Say thank you to them who take photos with or for you
too as a gesture of friendship

Oui / Non (Wee / No): Yes / No

When you have limited vocabulary, saying "yes" and "no" in French is very useful. The person will realize and perhaps change interaction by asking you questions instead.

Au revoir (Ah reh-vwarh): Goodbye

“Au revoir” is the preferred way to say “goodbye” because “adieu” (ah-dyooh) though more informal, can be mistaken as “never going to see you again”.

At the end of a conversation, say au revoir to
indicate that you hope to see the person again

Source: ask, etsy, howtosurviveinparis, natgeotraveller, speaking-agency,

theguardian, stilettobeats, huffingtonpost

And One More Thing...

If knowing a few phrases can make a huge difference in your meeting with people in Paris, what's more with a piece of two of symbolical jewellery of the city itself. It helps to immerse yourself in the local culture and show your eagerness to discover the city, and locals might be much happier to help you.

We can think of nothing better than these Paris-themed gold charms: