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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Fun and Easy French by FrenchPod101.com!
Don't know any French before traveling around France?
Salut, je suis Lya.
Hi everyone! I’m ya.
In this lesson, you’ll learn all about French Travel Phrases.
When visiting a foreign country for the first time, it is a good idea to learn some of the most basic words in the host language.
These phrases represent the most basic tasks while traveling, such as finding a bathroom, or saying you don’t understand.
Most people will assume you know no French at all, but showing that you know a few key phrases will always break the ice, and natives will be more than happy to help.
In this video you'll learn...
-Some survival basic phrases,
-what to say in case you are lost in translation,
-what to say when shopping,
-what to say when moving around, looking for accommodations, eating in restaurants, asking for directions, and in case of an emergency
While getting around France, you might run into folks who don't speak English at all. Here are some phrases for the most common situations.
If you can express even simple ideas in your host's language, it will go a long way to improve your image.
Here are some of the simplest words or phrases:
First, Yes and No,
Oui
“Yes”
[SLOW] Oui
Oui
Non
“No”
[SLOW] Non
Non
Next, Hello and goodbye.
Laureen:
Bonjour!
Which means “Good day!”
[SLOW] Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonsoir!
“Good Evening!”
[SLOW] Bonsoir!
Bonsoir!
Au revoir.
“Goodbye!”
[SLOW]Au revoir.
Au revoir.
Quelle heure est-il?
"What time is it?"
[SLOW]Quelle heure est-il?
Quelle heure est-il?
And of course, the most important,
Où sont les toilettes?
“Where is the bathroom?”
[SLOW]Où sont les toilettes?
Où sont les toilettes?
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, there will be times when you just can't quite understand quick speech or a thick accent.
So, here are some phrases to help you if you get lost in translation.
First, let’s ask if they speak English:
Tu parles Anglais?
"Do you speak English?"
[SLOW]Tu parles Anglais?
Tu parles Anglais?
This is the casual way of asking someone if they speak English.
In case you are talking to someone older than you, it might be better to address them politely, like this:
Parlez-vous Anglais?
"Do you speak English?"
[SLOW]Parlez-vous Anglais?
Parlez-vous Anglais?
Next, if they are speaking too quickly, you can ask:
Tu peux répéter?
"Can you repeat?"
[Slow] Tu peux répéter?
Tu peux répéter?
Lya:
Again, you might want to be more formal in some situations:
Pouvez-vous répéter s’il vous plaît?
"Can you repeat please?"
[SLOW] Pouvez-vous répéter s’il vous plaît?
Pouvez-vous répéter s’il vous plaît?
You can also say
Un peu plus lentement, s’il te plaît. [Casual]
"A bit slower, please."
[SLOW]Un peu plus lentement, s’il te plaît.
Un peu plus lentement, s’il te plaît.
To say that in a more formal way:
Un peu plus lentement, s’il vous plaît. [Formal]
"A bit slower, please."
[SLOW]Un peu plus lentement, s’il vous plaît.
Un peu plus lentement, s’il vous plaît.
Lya:
Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas.
"I’m sorry, I don’t understand."
[SLOW]Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas.
Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas.
Que signifie ___?
"What does ___ mean?"
[SLOW]Que signifie ___?
Que signifie ___?
Sometimes, it helps to ask how something is said in French.
This will show that you are willing to learn!
Comment on dit ___ en Français? [Casual]
"How do you say ___ in French?"
[SLOW]Comment on dit ___ en Français?
Comment on dit ___ en Français?
And, the more formal way:
Comment dire ___ en Français?[Formal]
"How to say ___ in French?"
[SLOW]Comment dire ___ en Français?
Comment dire ___ en Français?
Next we’ll talk about phrases that will help you get around those fancy shops in Paris!
Combien ça coûte
"How much is it?"
[SLOW]Combien ça coûte
Combien ça coûte
Or to ask about a specific item:
Combien coûte ce ___?
"How much is this __?"
[SLOW]Combien coûte ce ___?
Combien coûte ce ___?
Combien ça coûte à l’unité?
"How much is it for one?"
[SLOW]Combien ça coûte à l’unité
Combien ça coûte à l’unité
And, how about payment methods?
Je peux payer par carte?
"Can I pay with card?"
[SLOW]Je peux payer par carte?
Je peux payer par carte?
Je vais payer en espèce.
"I will pay with cash."
[SLOW]Je vais payer en espèce.
Je vais payer en espèce.
Transportation also plays a big role in your visit.
First, let’s talk about the words used for common modes of transportation.
Note that many of these words are very similar to English.
The words for
"Bus"
Bus
and
"Taxi"
Le taxi
are very similar to their English counterparts.
And finally:
L’avion
"Plane"
[SLOW]L’avion
L’avion
Next are some common phrases that might come in handy when looking for transportation!
Je voudrais aller à l’aéroport.
"I would like to go to the airport."
[SLOW]Je voudrais aller à l’aéroport.
Je voudrais aller à l’aéroport.
Pouvez-vous m’indiquer la gare?
"Could you show me where the railway station is?"
[SLOW]Pouvez-vous m’indiquer la gare?
Pouvez-vous m’indiquer la gare?
Où est la station de métro la plus proche?
"Where is the closest metro station?"
[SLOW]Où est la station de métro la plus proche?
Où est la station de métro la plus proche?
If you need a taxi, you can say:
Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi?
"Could you call a taxi for me?"
[SLOW]Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi?
Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi?
Here is what you can say when looking for a bus:
Je cherche le terminal de bus.
"I’m looking for the bus terminal."
[SLOW]Je cherche le terminal de bus.
Je cherche le terminal de bus.
Next, let’s talk about where you might be staying
As the most visited country in the world , France has tons of accommodations of all shapes, sizes, and prices.
Most visitors in France will book their room through the internet, but there are times when you just want to stroll around and find the perfect place all by yourself. Here’s how to ask for a room in French:
Avez-vous une chambre disponible pour deux personnes?
"Do you have a room available for two people?"
[SLOW]Avez-vous une chambre disponible pour deux personnes?
Avez-vous une chambre disponible pour deux personnes?
J’ai une réservation au nom de Bob Wilson.
"I have a booking in the name of Bob Wilson."
[SLOW]J’ai une réservation au nom de Bob Wilson.
J’ai une réservation au nom de Bob Wilson.
Once you have a place to stay, you’ll want to find places to eat. France is famous for its food, so here are some phrases to use when trying out restaurants.
When you are at a restaurant, here is how to ask about dining in or taking out:
A emporter / Sur place
"To take away / To eat here"
[SLOW]A emporter / Sur place
A emporter / Sur place
Now that you are eating in, let’s ask for today’s Special:
Quel est le plat du jour?
“What is today's special?”
[SLOW]Quel est le plat du jour?
Quel est le plat du jour?
Je voudrais un plat du jour.
“I would like today's special.”
[SLOW]Je voudrais un plat du jour.
Je voudrais un plat du jour.
You might be familiar with “du jour.”
It means “...of the day.”
For example, Soup du jour, or Menu du jour.
After your meal, thank the chef and staff!
C’était délicieux, merci!
"That was delicious, thank you!"
[SLOW]C’était délicieux, merci!
C’était délicieux, merci!
When sightseeing, don’t be afraid to ask for directions.
Here are some common ways to get help finding your next stop!
Explain the problem:
Je suis perdu.
"I am lost."
[SLOW]Je suis perdu.
Je suis perdu.
Où se trouve le Panthéon?
"Where is the Pantheon?"
[SLOW]Où se trouve le Panthéon?
Où se trouve le Panthéon?
Next, we’ll talk about phrases to use in an emergency.
Sometimes in an emergency, simple is best:
A l’aide !
"Help!"
[SLOW]A l’aide !
A l’aide !
Here are some more specific phrases:
Je dois aller à l’hôpital.
"I need to go to the hospital!"
[SLOW]Je dois aller à l’hôpital.
Je dois aller à l’hôpital.
Appelez la police!
"Call the police!"
[SLOW]Appelez la police!
Appelez la police!
Now, let’s practice.
You are in a French restaurant, looking for the bathroom.
Politely ask the server where the bathroom is.
Où sont les toilettes?
[SLOW]Où sont les toilettes?
He says “au fond”
How do you ask:
"What does 'au fond' mean?"
Que signifie “au fond”?
[SLOW]Que signifie “au fond”?
He replies with “In the back”
Now say “Thank you” in French.
Merci
[SLOW]Merci
In this lesson, you learned how to communicate very basic but important words and questions in French. This will keep you from being completely lost when performing basic tasks, or in case of emergencies.
You are now ready to visit France and try out some phrases. You will surely impress your hosts with your knowledge of basic French.
See you next time! A la prochaine!

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