French phrases
Useful French phrases for beginners
28 phrases and set expressions you will use in your first week of French: greetings, thanks, getting help and asking the price. Tap the speaker, then say each one back.
| # | English | French |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | to be afraid | avoir peur |
| 2 | to be hungry | avoir faim |
| 3 | to be thirsty | avoir soif |
| 4 | to be right | avoir raison |
| 5 | to be named | s'appeler |
| 6 | to be missing | manquer |
| 7 | to matter | importer |
| 8 | to ignore | ignorer |
| 9 | to avoid | éviter |
| 10 | to damage | abîmer |
| 11 | cheers | santé |
| 12 | good luck | bonne chance |
| 13 | congratulations | félicitations |
| 14 | happy birthday | joyeux anniversaire |
| 15 | see you later | à plus tard |
| 16 | see you tomorrow | à demain |
| 17 | nice to meet you | enchanté |
| 18 | I don't know | je ne sais pas |
| 19 | I don't understand | je ne comprends pas |
| 20 | how are you | comment vas-tu |
| 21 | I'm fine | je vais bien |
| 22 | what is your name | comment t'appelles-tu |
| 23 | my name is | je m'appelle |
| 24 | where is | où est |
| 25 | how much does it cost | combien ça coûte |
| 26 | I would like | je voudrais |
| 27 | I need help | j'ai besoin d'aide |
| 28 | do you speak English | parlez-vous anglais |
Questions, answered
How do you say hello in French?
A common greeting is “Bonjour”. To say thank you, say “Merci”.
How do you ask someone's name in French?
Say “comment t'appelles-tu” (what is your name). To answer, say “je m'appelle” followed by your name.
How do you ask how much something costs in French?
Say “combien ça coûte” (how much does it cost).
What is the best way to learn French phrases?
Say them out loud, not only read them. Hear the phrase, repeat it, then use it in a sentence of your own. That hear-then-speak loop is how every 4ToSpeak lesson works.
Now say it out loud
Reading a list does not teach you to talk. Practise these in full French sentences, free, no card.