Useful Phrases in French
For Travelers

Ou sont les toilettes?
& other phrases you need to know

A few useful phrases in French will help you feel more at ease in many real-life situations when you're in Paris.

For instance, once we learned that pas encore means not yet, we were able to relax in bistros and restaurants and take our time, even when the server was eager to take our orders. (It takes a while to figure out those menus!)

Many visitors expect that everyone in Paris speaks English, but that simply is not true. English certainly is more common in Paris shops and hotels than in previous decades, but it's still a good idea to practice a little French before your trip.

Although your goal may not be to become a fluent French speaker, learning a few useful phrases in French will help you in all kinds of situations, including restaurants, hotels and emergencies. And it you want to go further in French than these few phrases, look into some of the easy online French lessons.

Amusez-vous bien a Paris! — Have a good time in Paris!

Useful phrases in French At l'Hotel

J'ai une reservation — I have a reservation.
Je voudrais faire une reservation — I'd like to make a reservation.
J'ai retenu deux chambres — I have a reservation for two rooms.
Est-ce que le petit dejeuner est compris? — Is breakfast included?
Y a-t-il un ascenseur? — Is there an elevator?

Excusez-moi, monsieur — Excuse me sir.
Il y a une probleme — There's a problem.
Pourriez-vous m'aider? — Can you help me?
Merci beaucoup! — Thanks very much!
Je m'appelle… — My name is…
Qu'est-ce qui c'est? — What's that?
Ou sont les toilettes? — Where is the bathroom?

Useful Phrases in French at la pharmacie

The local pharmarcies, identified by neon green crosses, are found on practically every street in Paris. Not only do pharmacies fill prescriptions, you can also get advice on medical issues. If there's not an English-speaking pharmacist, here are some useful French phrases to help you out.

Je voudrais des medicaments contres les allergies — I would like allergy medicine.
Je suis allergique aux pennicilin — I'm allergic to pennicilin.
J'ai des douleurs cardiaques — I'm having heart pains.
J'ai besoin d'un medecin — I need a doctor.

J'ai un mal de ventre — I have a stomachache.
J'ai un mal de tête — I have a headache.
J'ai diarrhée — I have diarrhea.

Useful Phrases in French at Le restaurant

Nous avons un reservation pour ce soir — We have a reservation for tonight.
Avez-vous un table pour ce soir? — Do you have a table for tonight?
Je voudrais la carte — I'd like a menu.
Est-ce qu'il y a une prix fixe menu? — Is there a set menu?
Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait — A carafe of (tap) water, please.

Pas encore — Not yet.
Qu'est-ce que c'est? — What is it?
Je voudrais un cafe, s'il vous plait — I'd like a coffee.
Ou sont les toilettes? — Where is the bathroom?
L'addition, s'il vous plait — The bill please.

Useful French Phrases Faire la Shopping

Combien ca coute? — How much is this?
Avez-vous ma taille? — Do you have my size?
Puis-je essayer…? — Can I try… (this on)?
Je voudrais trois tranches — I'd like three slices.