Language Basics
Although the level of English spoken along the Riviera is excellent, it is only polite and courteous to at least attempt to use a little of your host country's language during your visit. Below you will find some basic phrases to help you get by.
Everyday Phrases
| English | French |
| Yes | Oui |
| No | Non |
| Please | S'il vous plaît |
| Thank you | Merci |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi |
| Sorry (apology AND request to repeat previous phrase) | Pardon |
| Hello | Bonjour |
| Goodbye | Au revoir |
| How are you? | Comment allez-vous? |
| I'm very well, thankyou. | Ça va bien, merci |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? |
| I don't understand | Je ne comprends pas |
| Could you speak slowly and clearly, please | Pourriez-vous parler lentement et clairement, S'il vous plaît. |
| Could you repeat that please? | Pouvez-vous répéter cela, s'il vous plait? |
| Good evening (arriving or leaving) | Bonsoir |
| See you later | A plus tard |
| See you soon | A bientôt |
| Goodnight | Bonne nuit |
Introductions
| English | French |
| Delighted to meet you | Enchanté de faire votre connaissance |
| As a shorter alternative you can simply say | Enchanté |
| What is your name? | Comment vous appellez-vous? |
| My name is... | Je m'appelle... |
| There follows a series of nationalities given in the masculine form | For the female form an 'e' is added to the end of the word, which affects the pronunciation |
| Are you French? | Etes-vous français(e)? |
| I am ... | Je suis ... |
| ... English | ... anglais(e) |
| ... American | ... americain(e) |
| ... Irish | ... irlandais(e) |
| ... Scottish | ... écossais(e) |
| ... Welsh | ... gallois(e) |
| ... Canadian | ... canadien(ne) |
| ... Australian | ... australien(ne) |
| ... a New Zealander | ... néo-zélandais(e) |
| ... South African | ... sud-africain(ne) |
| ... German | ... allemand(e) |
Mealtimes
| English | French |
| A meal | Un repas |
| Breakfast | Le petit déjeuner |
| Lunch | Le déjeuner |
| Dinner | Le diner |
| To order | Commander |
| To eat | Manger |
| To drink | Boire |
| The menu | La carte |
| A set menu | Un menu |
| Today's special | Plat du jour |
| Toasted cheese and ham sandwich | Croque-monsieur |
| The bill (US; the check) | L'addition |
| Is the tip included? | Est-ce que le service est compris |
| Wine | Le vin |
| A glass/A bottle of red/white wine | Un verre/Une bouteille de vin rouge/blanc |
| A jug of wine | Un pichet de vin |
| A beer (usu 25cl draught lager) | Une bière (or 'un demi') |
| A large beer (50cl) | Un sérieux |
| A (small) coffee (usu an espresso) | Un (petit) café |
| A large white coffee (as compared to espresso) | Un grand café au lait |
| A cup of tea (tea comes black as standard, you'll need to specify if you want milk) | Un thé (au lait) |
| Bread | Du pain |
| An orange juice | Un jus d'orange |
| A jug of water | Une carafe d'eau |
| A bottle of (flat/fizzy) water | Une bouteille d'eau (plate/gazeuse) |
Questions
| English | French |
| I'm sorry to bother you, but... | Je suis désolé de vous déranger, mais... |
| Who | Qui |
| What | Quoi (or 'que' in many questions) |
| What is it? | Qu'est-ce que c'est? |
| When | Quand |
| What time is it? | Quelle heure est-il? |
| Where | Où |
| Where is the railway station? | Où est la gare? |
| Where is the tourist information office? | Où est l'office de tourisme? |
| Where are the toilets? | Où sont les toilettes? |
| Where can I find a city plan? | Où est-ce qu'on peut trouver un plan de la ville? |
| Where can I change some money? | Où est-ce que je peux changer de l'argent? |
| Where are the nearest public toilets? | Où se trouvent les toilettes publiques les plus près d'ici? |
| Which way is the town centre from here? | Il faut prendre quelle direction, pour aller vers le centre ville? |
| Why? | Pourquoi? |
| How much? | Combien? |
| How many? | Combien? |
| What are you doing? | Que faîtes-vous? |
| Is it allowed? | Est-ce permis? |
| Is it forbidden? | Est-ce interdit? |
Emergency
| English | French |
| Excuse me! | Excusez-moi! |
| Help! | Au secours! |
| Help me, please! | Aidez-moi, je vous prie! |
| I'm lost | Je suis perdu |
| Stop! | Arretez! |
| Police | La police |
| Ambulance | Le Samu |
| Fire-service | Les pompiers |
| Forbidden | Interdit |
Numbers
| English | French |
| one | un |
| two | deux |
| three | trois |
| four | quatre |
| five | cinq |
| six | six |
| seven | sept |
| eight | huit |
| nine | neuf |
| ten | dix |
| eleven | onze |
| twelve | douze |
| thirteen | treize |
| fourteen | quatorze |
| fifteen | quinze |
| sixteen | seize |
| seventeen | dix-sept |
| eighteen | dix-huit |
| nineteen | dix-neuf |
| 20 | vingt |
| 42 | Quarante-deux |
| 50 | Cinquante |
| 100 | cent |
| 1000 | mille |
| 10000 | dix mille |
| 74,357 | Soixante-quatorze mille, trois cent cinquante-sept |
