50 French
phrases for
your new life
in France
Because it changes everything.
Native French teacher · 15 years' experience
Small online groups · in-person groups in Taunton
How to use this guide
Plenty of people in France speak English, and you'll get by. But getting by and feeling at home are two different things — and the second one is what these phrases are for.
Don't try to learn all fifty at once. Take one chapter a week and say the phrases out loud — not word by word, but as single blocks of sound, the way you'd learn a line of a song. That is how they'll come out of your mouth when you actually need them, which is the only test that matters.
| 1. | Always say bonjour first. Every shop, every office, every time — and bonjour Madame or bonjour Monsieur rather than a bare bonjour. Skipping this is the single thing that makes visitors seem rude without ever knowing why. |
| 2. | Use vous. With everyone, until they invite you to do otherwise. It is never wrong, and getting it the other way round is genuinely awkward. Your neighbour will tell you when it's time to switch. |
| 3. | Apologise once, then carry on. Say je ne parle pas encore très bien français and then keep going in French anyway. People switch to English out of kindness — a little cheerful persistence is all it takes to stay in the conversation you came for. |
1. Your first week — 10 phrases
2. Everyday life — 10 phrases
3. The mairie & the paperwork — 10 phrases
4. Builders & repairs — 10 phrases
5. Your neighbours — 10 phrases
Your first week
| Hello, I'm your new neighbour. | Bonjour, je suis votre nouveau voisin. (woman: nouvelle voisine) |
| We've just bought the house next door. | Nous venons d'acheter la maison d'à côté. |
| We're English. / We're British. | Nous sommes anglais. — Nous sommes britanniques. (woman, on her own: anglaise) |
| My name is… | Je m'appelle… |
| I don't speak French very well yet. | Je ne parle pas encore très bien français. |
| I'm learning French — please be patient with me! | J'apprends le français, soyez patient avec moi, s'il vous plaît ! |
| Could you speak more slowly, please? | Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît ? |
| Could you repeat that, please? | Pourriez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? |
| Could you help me, please? | Pourriez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ? |
| Thank you so much, that's very kind. | Merci beaucoup, c'est très gentil. |
Everyday life
| I'd like… | Je voudrais… |
| That one, please. (pointing) | Celui-là, s'il vous plaît. (feminine object: celle-là) |
| How much is it? | C'est combien ? |
| That's all, thank you. | Ce sera tout, merci. |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ? |
| Do you deliver? | Est-ce que vous livrez ? |
| What time do you close? | Vous fermez à quelle heure ? |
| Which days is the tip open? | La déchèterie est ouverte quels jours ? |
| Where's the nearest chemist? | Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ? |
| I'd like to see a doctor. | Je voudrais voir un médecin. |
The mairie & the paperwork
| I'd like to make an appointment. | Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous. |
| I've just moved here. | Je viens de m'installer ici. |
| Who should I speak to? | À qui dois-je m'adresser ? |
| What documents do I need? | Quels documents faut-il ? |
| Could you write it down for me? | Pourriez-vous me l'écrire ? |
| Could you send it to me by email? | Pourriez-vous me l'envoyer par mail ? |
| I don't understand this form. | Je ne comprends pas ce formulaire. |
| Is that everything? | C'est tout ce qu'il faut ? |
| Do I need to come back? | Est-ce que je dois revenir ? |
| When will I get an answer? | Quand est-ce que j'aurai une réponse ? |
Builders & repairs
| Hello, I'm calling about… | Bonjour, je vous appelle au sujet de… |
| I have a problem with… | J'ai un problème avec… |
| There's a leak. | Il y a une fuite. |
| The heating isn't working. | Le chauffage ne marche pas. |
| There's no hot water. | Il n'y a pas d'eau chaude. |
| Could you come and have a look? | Pourriez-vous venir voir ? |
| Could you send me a quote? | Pourriez-vous m'envoyer un devis ? |
| How long will it take? | Ça prendra combien de temps ? |
| When can you come? | Quand pouvez-vous venir ? |
| It's urgent. | C'est urgent. |
Your neighbours
| Lovely weather today! | Il fait beau aujourd'hui ! |
| How are you? | Comment allez-vous ? |
| Come round for a drink whenever you like. | Passez boire un verre quand vous voulez. |
| With pleasure, thank you! | Avec plaisir, merci ! |
| Would you like a coffee? | Vous voulez un café ? |
| Sorry, I didn't catch that. | Pardon, je n'ai pas compris. |
| How do you say … in French? | Comment dit-on … en français ? |
| What does that mean? | Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? |
| See you soon! | À bientôt ! |
| Have a good day! | Bonne journée ! |
Ready to go further?
These 50 phrases will carry you through your first months. After that, you'll want to hold a real conversation — and that's what I do.
I teach French to complete beginners moving to France. No previous French needed, ever. And if it's the sound of the language you're worried about — understanding people at normal speed, and being understood — that's exactly what we train, out loud, from the first session.
A new beginners' group starts soon.
Small online groups · in-person groups in Taunton
Small on purpose — everyone speaks, every session.
→ Current dates and how to join:
www.thefrenchclass.co.uk
Adeline · native French teacher · 15 years' experience
Master's in Teaching French · Master's in Instructional Design