Learning French - Insider Tips And Some Useful French Phrases
There can be no substitute for learning the language of the country in which you're living or are about to live. If you have a basic knowledge of French and a desire to really get into the mix then you will probably surprise yourself at how quickly your knowledge and vocabulary improves the more you mingle with the natives. But in the meantime, how do you make yourself understood?
Sign language can go a long way just about anywhere in the world of course, but when the chips are down it helps to have some basic phrases handy. You'll find that far more French people speak a little English than vice-versa. But they're often frightened to practice their English-speaking skills. So an added advantage of having a few phrases in French is that once the person you're speaking to realises you're trying your best to speak to them in their own language you'll often find they will try to speak to you in English.
You'll find many French phrase books are available, and it will pay you to seek some advice from a French speaker as to which is the best, buy it and keep it on you at all times. Even more valuable though is a notebook. In the course of trying to make yourself understood, sharing stories in a mixture of French, English and sign language, you'll pick up words and expressions which you won't necessarily find in the phrase book. Write them down, with a note about context if possible, and you'll be well on your way to writing your own phrase book before long!
Below are a few phrases you may find useful in various circumstances. You will find that most phrase books differentiate the word "you" by "tu" (informal singular) and "vous" (plural or formal singular) Until or unless you're learning the language properly, it is probably best to forget the informal "tu" unless you're talking to a child or a pet animal (and frankly the pet animal won't really mind if you speak in English) It's safer and easier to use "vous" for the time being in all circumstances.
Author's Note: Beneath each French phrase below is my best attempt at a phonetic pronunciation for the complete non French speaker. After many years of studying and speaking French I have never mastered or even fully understood the official phonetic alphabet - so I'm guessing you may not have either. If you have, please accept my apologies and feel free to have a laugh at my expense!
Asking for Directions This is something you may need to do as soon as you land on French soil. Signposting is generally very good, but if you're lost in a large ferry port or major town...
Can you direct me to (Paris), please? Pouvez-vous me diriger vers (Paris) s'il vous plait? [poo-vay voo mer dee-ree-jay vair Paree, see-voo-play?]
How far is (Cherbourg) from here? (Cherbourg) est à quelle distance d'ici? [(Shairbourg )ett a kell deestornce dee-see?]
Is this the road for (Bordeaux)? Est-ce la route de(Bordeaux)? [Esser la root der (Bordeaux)?]
Where is the nearest service (petrol) station, please? Ou est la station-service la plus proche, s'il vous plait? [oo ay lar stashion-servees la ploo prosh, see-voo-play?]
Note that in French the word "garage" means a place where vehicles are repaired and may not be a service (petrol) station.
Time to eat If you're stopping for lunch along the way, it's a good idea to look for a small café/restaurant with delivery vans or small goods vehicles parked outside. The French are great lovers of food, and this is generally a good indication that you'll get a decent meal at a fair price. Don't expect a huge menu here though. Usually you'll get a choice of just two or three dishes for a main course. The French tend to stick far more rigidly to meal times than the English. You're unlikely to be served with a cooked lunch here after about 1pm, though fast food outlets are far more flexible.
What is....(menu item)? Qu'est-ce que c'est que...[kess ker say ker..] (but bear in mind the answer is likely to be in French, and you may be none the wiser!) So....
Could you show me that? Pourriez-vous me montrer ça? [pooryay-voo mer montray sar?]
Do you accept debit/credit card payment (many small businesses may not) Acceptez-vous la paiement par carte? [Acceptay-voo la paymon par cart?]
Is there a cash machine nearby? Y a-t-il un DAB (Distributeur Automatique de Billets) près d'ici? [yat-eel un DAB (Distribooter Automateek der bee-yay pray dee-see?]
I would like my steak... blue/rare/medium/well cooked/very well cooked please J'aimerai mon steak... bleu/ saignant/ à point / bien cuit / très bien cuit s'il vous plait [jaymerray mon steak..bler/senyon/a pwan/byarn cwee/tray byarn cwee see-voo-play]
The French idea of a well-cooked steak is not in line with the British tradition. If you don't like to see any blood on your steak, you would be wise to ask for it very well cooked.
What vegetables do you have? Qu'est-que vous avez comme légumes? [kess-ker vooz avay com laygoom?]
It's not unusual for a meal in France to be served with little or no vegetables. It doesn't hurt to ask for some vegetables and often the chef will find you some green beans (haricots verts) or peas (petits pois), even if they're out of a tin.
May I have the bill, please? L'addition, s'il vous plait? [l'add-ee-shon, see-voo-play]
And, just in case you've arrived after 1,30pm...
Is it too late to get a meal? On est trop tard pour manger? [on ay trow tar por mon-jay?] (Use your most pathetic facial expression here and sometimes you'll be accommodated or at least offered some alternative such as an omelette or burger.)
Arriving at your hotel Do you have a room for tonight? Avez-vous une chambre libre pour ce soir? [Av-ay-voo oon chombr leebr por ser swar?]
And if not... Can you recommend another nearby hotel? Pouvez-vous recommander un hôtel pas loin d'ici? [poovay-voo rer-comm-on-day un otel par lwarn dee-see?]
Do you have a private car park? Avez-vous un parking privé? [Avay-voo un parking preevay?]
Can I leave my luggage, please? Puis-je laisser la bagage, s'il vous plait? [pwee-jer lay-say la bag-arge, see-voo-play?]
Do you have an iron, please? Avez-vous un fer à repasser, s'il vous plait? [avay-voo un fair a rerpassay, see-voo-play]
What time does your restaurant open? Votre restaurant s'ouvre à quelle heure? [Votrer restaurant s'oovr a kell er?] Or, if the hotel doesn't have its own restaurant...
Can you recommend a nearby restaurant? Pouvez-vous recommander un restaurant près d'ici? [poovay-voo rer-com-mon-day un restaurant pray dee-see?]
What time is breakfast served? Le petit déjeuner est servi à quelle heure? [ler pertee day-jern-ay ay servee a kell er?]
Enjoy France and embrace the French way of life as much as possible. There will be many things that are strange to you; some you'll like and some you'll no doubt find difficult to get used to. But that's what makes the world turn. France just wouldn't be France unless it was so ….well ... French!
About the Author
For more on the French language, superb guides to some of the top towns in France, advice for holiday home renters, owners and swappers, visit Holiday Home Advice. Get advice from British journalists on property laws in France and more. http://holidayhomeadvice.co.uk/
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