Basic French phrases with pronunciation

Basic French phrases you can pronounce and use

A phrase becomes useful when you can recognise it, say it clearly, and use it in the next turn. Learn these French phrases inside one polite everyday conversation instead of memorising a disconnected list.

Start the guidePractise it aloud
1Useful everyday phrases
2Pronunciation focus
3One complete dialogue
Practical answer

Start with phrases that solve an immediate conversation problem

The phrases below cover greeting someone, making a request, finding a place, and recovering when speech is too fast. Use the pronunciation focus as a speaking cue, not as a replacement for reviewed native audio.

Start politely

Bonjour and excusez-moi open an interaction without demanding attention.

Practise: Say the whole opening in one calm rhythm group.

Make one clear request

Je voudrais… is a dependable frame for ordering or asking for something.

Practise: Add one noun first; expand only when that feels automatic.

Keep the exchange alive

A repetition or slower-speech request is more useful than pretending you understood.

Practise: Practise the recovery phrase before you need it.

Use it in context

Useful French phrases and speaking cues

Say each complete phrase, read what it does in the conversation, and use the speaking cue to make the important sound or rhythm clearer.

Greet someoneBonjour.Hello / good day.Speaking focus: Keep the second syllable light; the final r is present but does not need to be exaggerated.
Get attention politelyExcusez-moi.Excuse me.Speaking focus: Link the middle sounds smoothly; do not pronounce the final z as a separate sound.
Say pleaseS’il vous plaît.Please.Speaking focus: Treat the three words as one familiar rhythm group.
Thank someoneMerci beaucoup.Thank you very much.Speaking focus: Keep merci short; the final p in beaucoup is silent.
Make a requestJe voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.I would like a coffee, please.Speaking focus: The final s in voudrais is not pronounced here; keep je voudrais connected.
Ask where something isOù est la gare ?Where is the station?Speaking focus: Link où est smoothly; the final t in est is silent.
Ask the priceCombien ça coûte ?How much does that cost?Speaking focus: Keep the nasal vowel in combien together; do not add a hard n at the end.
Say you do not understandJe ne comprends pas.I do not understand.Speaking focus: In careful beginner speech, keep ne; the final s in comprends is silent.
Ask for repetitionPouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?Can you repeat, please?Speaking focus: Stress the final spoken syllable of répéter and keep pouvez-vous connected.
Ask for slower speechPouvez-vous parler un peu plus lentement ?Can you speak a little more slowly?Speaking focus: Break the sentence after parler, then finish the request as one group.
Complete example

A realistic beginning-to-end conversation

Read both roles once. Then cover the “You” turns and produce your own reply before checking the example.

YouBonjour. Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?Hello. Excuse me, where is the station?
Local speakerLa gare est tout droit, puis à gauche.The station is straight ahead, then on the left.
YouJe ne comprends pas tout. Pouvez-vous répéter plus lentement ?I do not understand everything. Can you repeat more slowly?
Local speakerBien sûr. Tout droit, puis à gauche après le café.Of course. Straight ahead, then left after the café.
YouAprès le café ?After the café?
Local speakerOui, la gare est juste derrière.Yes, the station is just behind it.
YouD’accord. Merci beaucoup !Okay. Thank you very much!
Local speakerJe vous en prie. Bonne journée !You are welcome. Have a good day!
Unexpected turn

Prepare for the question that changes the script

Vous avez un billet ?
Do you have a ticket?

Pause, answer the main point, then add one useful detail:

Pas encore. Où puis-je acheter un billet ?
Not yet. Where can I buy a ticket?

Speaking guidance

Make the next reply easier to produce

  • French spelling preserves letters that are often silent. Learn the sound of the complete phrase instead of pronouncing every written consonant.
  • Nasal vowels do not end with a separate n sound. Keep the air flowing through the vowel in words such as combien and lentement.
  • French tends to group words into short connected units. Pause between ideas, not between every word.
Practise now

A focused ten-minute rehearsal

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Goal for SpeakAvatar

Practise basic French phrases for asking directions: greet someone, ask where the station is, request slower speech, confirm one detail, and handle a ticket follow-up.

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Related practice

Keep building useful French conversations

🇫🇷 French speaking practiceReturn to the French guide →Airport in FrenchAt the airport in French: phrases for the complete journey →Is French hard to learn?Is French hard to learn for an English speaker? →Situation-First PracticeEnglish conversation guides →