Ten French phrases that make life in France easier

You do not need fluent French to make daily life in France smoother. You need a small set of polite, reliable phrases, and the cultural instinct for when to use them. These ten will carry you a remarkably long way.

Before the list, one principle that matters more than any single phrase: French daily life runs on politeness formulas. A greeting on the way in, a thank you and a farewell on the way out, and the conditional “I would like” rather than a blunt “I want.” Get the courtesies right and people meet you halfway.

The ten

1. Bonjour – say it the instant you enter any shop or office. It is not optional politeness in France, it is the price of entry, and it changes how you are treated.
2. Excusez-moi de vous déranger – “sorry to bother you.” A lovely soft opener when you need to interrupt or ask for help.
3. Pourriez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît? – “could you help me, please?” The conditional pourriez is warmer and more polite than the blunt present tense.
4. Je voudrais... – “I would like...” The single most useful structure for shops, cafes and offices. Pair it with anything: je voudrais un café, je voudrais un rendez-vous.
5. Je ne comprends pas, pouvez-vous parler plus lentement? – “I don't understand, could you speak more slowly?” Honest, polite, and it nearly always works.
6. C'est combien? – “how much is it?” Simple and everyday. You will also hear ça fait combien?, which means the same.
7. Avez-vous...? – “do you have...?” For asking after a product, a table, an appointment or a size.
8. Je suis désolé(e), je débute en français – “I'm sorry, I'm a beginner in French.” This one is quietly magic. Said with a smile, it earns patience and goodwill almost every time.
9. Merci beaucoup – “thank you very much.” Generously used, it smooths every interaction. Add c'est gentil, “that's kind,” for extra warmth.
10. Bonne journée, au revoir – “have a good day, goodbye.” The farewell that closes the loop opened by your bonjour. In the evening, switch to bonne soirée.

Notice how many of these are not vocabulary at all, but courtesy. In France, politeness is not decoration. It is the practical tool that gets things done.

Why “tu” can wait

You may have learned that French has two words for “you,” the familiar tu and the formal vous. As a newcomer, default to vous with anyone you do not know well. It signals respect, and no one is ever offended by it. A French person will invite you to switch to tu when the time is right, often with the phrase on peut se tutoyer.

Try French first, even badly

Many expats reach nervously for vous parlez anglais? straight away. By all means keep it in your pocket, but try opening in French first, even imperfectly. The effort is noticed and appreciated, and it is precisely the goodwill that turns a transaction into a relationship with the people you will see week after week.

None of this requires fluency. It requires a handful of phrases, a smile, and the willingness to begin. The rest, genuinely, comes with practice, and that is the part I love helping with.

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Enjoyed this? Lessons are where it all comes together. See pricing or say bonjour.

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