# French (Français)

Updated October 9, 2026
Your free starter guide to French (Français). More than 300 million speakers on five continents. Master 30 essential phrases, 40 core words, and the sounds that matter most.

French is a Romance language spoken by more than 300 million people, from Paris to Dakar to Montreal. It is a working language of diplomacy, the historic language of cuisine and the arts, and the second most studied language in the world. The phrases below use standard modern French and will serve you anywhere from a Paris cafe to a market in Marrakech.

## At a glance

**Speakers:** More than 300 million speakers on five continents
**Where it is spoken:** France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and much of West and Central Africa

## 30 essential phrases

  Hello**Bonjour**Good morning**Bonjour**Good evening**Bonsoir**Good night**Bonne nuit**Goodbye**Au revoir**See you later**À plus tard**Please**S'il vous plaît**Thank you**Merci**You're welcome**De rien**Yes**Oui**No**Non**Excuse me / Sorry**Excusez-moi**I don't understand**Je ne comprends pas**Do you speak English?**Parlez-vous anglais ?**My name is...**Je m'appelle...**What is your name?**Comment vous appelez-vous ?**Nice to meet you**Enchanté(e)**Where are you from?**D'où venez-vous ?**How are you?**Comment allez-vous ?**I'm fine, thank you**Je vais bien, merci**How much does this cost?**Combien ça coûte ?**Where is the bathroom?**Où sont les toilettes ?**Where is the train station?**Où est la gare ?**I need help**J'ai besoin d'aide**Can you help me?**Pouvez-vous m'aider ?**I love you**Je t'aime**Cheers! (a toast)**Santé !**Good luck!**Bonne chance !**Congratulations!**Félicitations !**Welcome!**Bienvenue !**

## Core vocabulary

### Greetings
Hello / Hi**Salut**Good morning**Bonjour**Good evening**Bonsoir**Goodbye**Au revoir**Please**S'il vous plaît**Thank you**Merci**Yes**Oui**No**Non**Excuse me**Excusez-moi**Welcome**Bienvenue**

### Food
Bread**Pain**Water**Eau**Coffee**Café**Tea**Thé**Cheese**Fromage**Fruit**Fruit**Vegetables**Légumes**Meat**Viande**Fish**Poisson**Restaurant**Restaurant**

### Travel
Train**Train**Bus**Bus**Car**Voiture**Airplane**Avion**Ticket**Billet**Hotel**Hôtel**Passport**Passeport**Map**Carte**Street**Rue**Bathroom**Toilettes**

### Numbers
One**Un**Two**Deux**Three**Trois**Four**Quatre**Five**Cinq**Six**Six**Seven**Sept**Eight**Huit**Nine**Neuf**Ten**Dix**

## Pronunciation tips

- The French R is made in the back of the throat, like a soft gargle. Practice with 'rouge' and 'rue' until it feels natural.
- Nasal vowels (an, en, on, un) are single sounds made through the nose: 'enfant', 'bon', 'vin'. Do not pronounce the N itself.
- Final consonants are usually silent: 'Paris' sounds like 'pa-ree'. The consonants in CaReFuL (C, R, F, L) are the common exceptions.
- The U sound, as in 'tu', does not exist in English. Round your lips as if to say 'oo' but say 'ee' instead.
- Stress is gentle and falls on the last syllable: bon-JOUR, mer-CI. Every syllable gets roughly equal weight.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is French hard to learn?

It takes effort, but English speakers have a head start: about a third of English vocabulary comes from French. The US Foreign Service Institute rates French among the easier languages for English speakers, roughly 600 class hours to working fluency.

### Should I use 'tu' or 'vous'?

Both. Use 'vous' with strangers, elders, and in shops; 'tu' with friends, children, and family. When in doubt, start with 'vous': it is never rude, and people will invite you to use 'tu'.

### What is the difference between 'bonjour' and 'salut'?

'Bonjour' is the safe all-purpose hello during the day; 'salut' is casual, for friends. After about 6pm, switch to 'bonsoir'. Always say bonjour when entering a shop: it is basic politeness in France.

### How can I practice every day?

Label objects in your home with their French names, listen to French radio or podcasts daily, and say the phrases on this page out loud. Ten minutes of speaking practice a day beats an hour of silent study a week.