French phrasebook

French speaking areas French (français) is a Romance language originating in France but spoken in many other parts of Europe including Southern Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels), Western Switzerland, Monaco and Luxembourg. In North America, French is spoken primarily in Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario and parts of Manitoba but is present in almost every other province in Canada. Although Canada is a bilingual nation, French is spoken by a minority of citizens in all the other provinces and territories. It is also found in parts of the United States, primarily in the state of Louisiana and the northern part of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Other countries speaking French include former French colonies in North Africa and West Africa; in Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin in the Caribbean; in French Guiana in South America; in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Southeast Asia; in New Caledonia, Tahiti and numerous other islands in the Indian Ocean and in Oceania. It has long been the language of international diplomacy and communication, and although largely supplanted by English since World War II, it remains de rigueur (of obligatory requirement) for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. It is also an official language of the UN and the EU. There are many differences between French spoken in Québec and that spoken in France. One is state and one is king french. The two main differences are that Québec has retained many 18th & 19th century French words, while French spoken in France has incorporated many English words. Furthermore, aside from Europe & Québec, many French-speaking regions have incorporated many local words or formed a distinctive dialect/language known as creole. Francophonie can help you locate French-speaking regions. Pronunciation Like that of English, unlike almost all the other Romance languages, French spelling is not very phonetic. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. In general, it's not impossible to sound out words, but suffice it to say that many experienced non-native French speakers(and even some native speakers) mispronounce words often. One thing to note is that final consonants of a word are usually dropped: allez (go) is pronounced ahl-AY, not ahl-AYZ; tard (late) is pronounce tar, not tard. But if the next word begins with a vowel, the consonant may be pronounced; this is called liaison. A final 'e' is also usually silent if the word has more than one syllable, except in parts of southern France, especially Toulouse. Stress is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable. For many French words, it is impossible to write something which, when pronounced as English, sounds like the French word. Use the transliteration as a guide to liaison and the French spelling to pronounce the vowels. Vowels Vowels in French can have accent marks, which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (ou, meaning or, and où, meaning where, are pronounced the same). The only really important one is é, which is always pronounced "ay", and changes the meaning of the word. a, à  like "a" in "fat" â  like "a" in "father" e  in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like "a" in "about", sometimes not pronounced at all, sometimes like "é" or "è" é, è, ê, ai, -er, -es, -ez  é is towards "e" in "set" or "ay" in "day", and è is more nasal, like the a in "cake" in English, except without the "y" sound at the end. They are not equivalent and they make very distinct sounds. i, î  like "ee" in "see" but shorter and tenser o, ô, au, eau  generally like "oa" in "boat" in American English or "aw" in "law" in British English, can be considered equivalent u, ù  like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to pronounce "oo" as in "soon" but try to pronounce "ee") - uu in transcriptions ou  like "oo" in "food", but a pure vowel y  like "ee" in "see" ; also sometimes used as a consonant, pronounced the same as in English (in 'yes' for example). eu  between "ew" in "dew" and "ur" in "burp"; written eu or uh in transcriptions Semi-vowels oi  like "wa" in "walk" oui  like "wee" in "week" ui  like "wee" in "week", but with a French u instead of the w œ  a bit like "eu" but more "open". The distinction between œ and "eu" is very subtle and often irrelevant. Consonants Note: Most final consonants are silent except for c, q, f, l, and r (except in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives). Note that the plural ending "-ent" for verbs is never pronounced, though it is pronounced in other words. b  like "b" in "bed" c  like "k" in "sky" (before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonent), like "s" in "sun" (before "e", "i", and "y") ç  like "s" in "sun" (this letter can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u") d  like "d" in "death" (but a bit heavier than in English, and pronounced on the tongue) f  like "f" in "fun" g  like "g" in "go" (before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonent), like "g" in "sabotage" (before "e", "i" and "y"). gu  like "g" in "goose" (before "e", "i", "y") gn  like "ny" in "canyon". This is particularly difficult when followed by oi, as in baignoire (beh-NYWAR) "bathtub". h  usually silent, but may sometimes prevent a liaison with the former word j  like "g" in "sabotage" k  like "k" in "sky" (not native to French) l, ll  like "l" in "like"; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (pronounced ee-y) m  like "m" in "me" n  like "n" in "nurse" (but see Nasals below) p  like "p" in "sport" q(u)  most of the time like "k" in "sky" (not like "qu" in "square"); in some words like "qu" in "square" (generally before an "a") or the same but with a French u (generally before an "i") r  guttural; kind of like coughing up a hairball (similar to a German "ch") s  like "s" in "sun"; like "z" in "zero" (between two vowels) ch  like "sh" in "bush"; sometimes like "k" in "sky" (in words of Greek origin mostly) t, th  like "t" in "stop" v  like "v" in "value" w  only in foreign words, mostly like "w" in "wise" and sometimes like "v" in "value" (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!) x  either ks (like "x" in "exit") or gz z  like "z" in "zero" ph  like "f" in "fun" and like "ph" in "Philadelphia" Nasals an, en, em  in standard French, like "an" in "croissant" and in Quebec French, like "uh" in "uh-huh" (not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: emmental is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound) on  nasal ô - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound in, ain  in standard French, like "uh" in "uh-huh" and in Quebec French, like "ain" in "rain" un  nasal eu (pronounced the same as 'in' in Parisian French) Diphthongs ail  like "i" in "fight" ill  either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (ville is veel, fille is feey) Exceptions When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: énergumène, (rowdy character), réunion (meeting). A diaeresis (") may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: maïs (Indian corn or maize). In the combinations "gue" and "gui", the "u" should not be pronounced: it is there only to force the prononciation of "g" as in "go". If the "u" is pronounced, a diaeresis is added on the 2nd vowel : aiguë (sharp). In the combination "geo", the "e" should not be pronounced, it is only there to force the prononciation of "g" as in "sabotage" (in the case the "e" should be pronounced, it is indicated with an accent mark as in géologie). Note you should not pronounce the "G" where "NG" is used in the prononciation hint. Phrase list Basics Common signs OPEN  Ouvert CLOSED  Fermé ENTRANCE  Entrée EXIT  Sortie PUSH  Poussez PULL  Tirez TOILET  Toilette MEN  Hommes WOMEN  Femmes FORBIDDEN  Interdit, Défendu Hello. (formal) Bonjour. (bohn-ZHOOR) Hello. (informal)  Salut. (sah-LUU) How are you? (formal) Comment allez-vous ? (kaw-mahng t-AH-lay VOO) How are you? (informal) Comment vas-tu? (kaw-mahng vah TEW) How are you? (informal) Comment ça va ? (kaw-mahng sah VAH) Fine, thank you.  Bien, merci. (byang, mair-SEE) What is your name? (lit. "How do you call yourself?") Comment vous appelez vous ? (kaw-mahng vooz AP-lay VOO?) What is your name? (informal)  Comment t'appelles-tu? (kaw-mahng tah-pell TEW?) My name is ______ .  Je m'appelle ______ . (zhuh mah-PELL _____) Nice to meet you.  Enchanté(e). (ahn-shahn-TAY) Enchanté (said by a male) Enchantée (said by a female) Please (formal) S'il vous plaît. (seel voo PLEH) or Je vous prie. (zhuh vous PREE) Please (informal) S'il te plaît. (seel tuh PLEH) Thank you.  Merci. (merr-SEE) You're welcome. (lit. "of nothing") De rien. (duh RYANG). Yes.  Oui. (WEE) No.  Non. (NOHN) Excuse me.  Pardon. (pahr-DOHN) or Excusez-moi. (ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH) (I am) Sorry.  (Je suis) Désolé(e). (zhuh swee DAY-zoh-LAY) or Excusez-moi. (eck-SKEW-zay MWAH) What's the time?  Quelle heure est-il ? (kel euhr et-EEL?); Goodbye  Au revoir. (oh ruh-VWAHR) Goodbye (informal)  Salut. (sah-LUU) I can't speak French [well].  Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byang] frahn-SEH) Do you speak English?  Parlez-vous anglais ? (par-lay VOO ahng-LEH?) Is there someone here who speaks English?  Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL lahng-LEH) or Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui parle anglais ? (ee yah-TEEL kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL lahng-LEH) Help!  Au secours! (oh suh-KOOR) Look out!  Attention ! (ah-tahn-see-OHN) Have a nice day Bonne journee (bong zhoor-NAY) Good Day Bonjour (bong-zhoo(r)) Good morning.  Bon matin. (bong mah-TANG) Good evening.  Bonsoir. (bong-SWAHR) Good night.  Bonne nuit. (bawn-NWEE) Good night (to sleep)  Bonne nuit. (bawn-NWEE) Sweet dreams  Fais de beaux reves (feh duh bo RAI-vuh) I don't understand.  Je ne comprends pas. (zhuh nuh KOHM-prahn pah) Where is the toilet?  Où sont les toilettes ? (OOH sohn lay twah-LET?) How do you say _____?  Comment dit-on _____ ? (koh-mahn dee-TONG _____ ?) What is this/that called?  Comment appelle-t-on ceci/ça ? (koh-mahn tah-pell-TONG suh-SEE/SAH?) Problems Leave me alone.  Laissez-moi tranquille! (less-ay mwah trahn-KEEL!) Buzz off.  Dégage! (day-GAHZH!) / Va t'en! (va TAHN) / Décâlisse ! (day-kaw-LISSE) Don't touch me!  Ne me touchez pas! (nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!) I'm calling the police.  J'appelle la police. (zhah-PELL la poh-LEES) Police!  Police! (poh-LEES) Stop! Rapist!  Arrêtez! Au viol! (ah-reh-TAY! oh vee-YOL!) Stop! Thief!  Arrêtez! Au voleur! (ah-reh-TAY! oh vo-LEUR!) Help!  Au secours! (oh suh-KOOR!) Fire!  Au feu! (oh FUH!) I need your help.  Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît! (aih-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLEH!) It's an emergency.  C'est une urgence! (seh tuun uur-ZHAHNS) I'm lost.  Je suis perdu. (ZHUH swee pehr-DUU') I've lost my bag.  J'ai perdu mon sac. (zhay pehr-DUU mohn SAK) I've lost my wallet.  J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. (zhay pehr-DUU mohn POHR-tuh-fuhy) I'm sick.  Je suis malade. (zhuh swee mah-LAD) I've been injured.  Je me suis blessé. (zhuh muh swee bleh-SAY) I need a doctor.  J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (zhay buh-ZWAHN dun may-TSAN) Can I use your phone?  Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone? (pwee zhuh uu-tee-lee-ZAY vot-ruh tay-lay-FONE) What is it?  Qu'y a-t-il? (kee ah-TEEL) Numbers 1  un/une (uhn)/(uun) 2  deux (duh) 3  trois (trwah) 4  quatre (kahtr) 5  cinq (sank) 6  six (sees) 7  sept (set) 8  huit (weet) 9  neuf (neuf) 10  dix (deece) 11  onze (onz) 12  douze (dooz) 13  treize (trez) 14  quatorze (kat-ORZ) 15  quinze (kangz) 16  seize (sez) 17  dix-sept (dees-SET) 18  dix-huit (dee-ZWEET) 19  dix-neuf (deez-NUF) 20  vingt (vang) 21  vingt-et-un (vang-tay-UHN) 22  vingt-deux (vant-DUH) 23  vingt-trois (vant-TRWAH) 30  trente (trahnt) 40  quarante (ka-RAHNT) 50  cinquante (sang-KAHNT) 60  soixante (swah-SAHNT) 70  soixante-dix (swah-sahnt-DEES) septante (sep-TAHNT) in Belgium and Switzerland 80  quatre-vingt (kah-truh-VANG) in Belgium also huitante (weet-AHNT) in Switzerland (except Geneva) octante (oct-AHNT) in Switzerland 90  quatre-vingt-dix (kah-truh-vang-DEES) nonante (noh-NAHNT) in Belgium and Switzerland 100  cent (sahng) 200  deux cent (duh sahng) 300  trois cent (trwah sahng) 1000  mille (meel) 2000  deux mille (duh meel) 1,000,000  un million (ung mee-LYOHN) Note: treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be un million d'euros. number _____ (train, bus, etc.)  numéro _____ (nuu-may-ROH) half  demi (duh-MEE), moitié (mwah-tee-AY) less  moins (mwihn) more  plus (pluus) / no more : plus (pluu) so this time, the "S" is mute Time now  maintenant (mant-NAHNG) later  plus tard (plew TAHR) before  avant (ah-VAHNG) after  après (ah-PREH) morning  le matin (luh mah-TANG) in the morning  au matin (oh mah-TANG) dans la matinée (dahn lah mah-tee-NAY) afternoon  l'après-midi (lah-preh-mee-DEE) in the afternoon  à l'après-midi (ah lah-preh-mee-DEE) evening  le soir (luh SWAHR) in the evening dans la soirée (dahn lah swah-RAY) au soir (oh SWAHR) night  la nuit (lah NWEE) in the night  à la nuit (ah lah NWEE) Clock time (Note on time: the French use the 24 hour clock, with midnight being 0h00 (note that, except on digital clocks, the in France an 'h' is used as a seperator between hours and minutes as opposed to a colon in many other countries). However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood. hour  heure (ur) minute  minute (mee-NUUT) From 1-30 past the hour / ___ plus ___  [hour] + plus (pluu') + [number] Example: 10h20 dix heure plus vignt (deez er pluu VAGN) For 1-29 until the hour / __ 'til ___  [next hour] + moins (mwan) quarter  quart/le quart (KAHR/luh KAHR) 7h15 = sept heures et quart (set er eh luh KAHR) 16h45 = dix sept heures moins le quart (deez SET er mwan luh KAHR) half-past : demie (duh-MEE); demi (after midnight or noon, duh-MEE) 10h30 = dix heure et demie (deez er eh duh-MEE) one o'clock AM, 1h00  une heure du matin (uun er duu ma-TAN) two o'clock AM, 2h00  deux heures du matin (dooz er duu ma-TAN) noon, 12h00  midi (mee-DEE) one o'clock PM, 13h00  treize heure (traiyz er) une heure de l'après-midi (uun er duh la-preh-mee-DEE) two o'clock PM, 14h00  quatorze heure (KAH-torz er) deux heures de l'après-midi (duz er duh la-preh-mee-DEE) six o'clock PM, 18h00  dix-huit heure (deez-weet ER) six heures du soir (sees er dew SWAR) half past seven, 19h30  sept heures et demi (SET er eh duh-MEE) dix-neuf heures trente (DEE-znuf er TRAHNT) midnight 0h00 minuit (mee-NWEE) Duration _____ minute(s)  _____ minute(s) (mee-NUUT) _____ hour(s)  _____ heure(s) (er) _____ day(s)  _____ jour(s) (zhoor) _____ week(s)  _____ semaine(s) (suh-MEN) _____ month(s)  _____ mois (mwa) _____ year(s)  _____ an(s) (ahng), année(s) (ah-NAY) daily  quotidienne (ko-tee-DYEN) weekly  hebdomadaire (eb-doh-ma-DAIYR) monthly  mensuel (mang-suu-WEL) yearly  annuel (ah-nuu-WEL) Days today  aujourd'hui (oh-zhoor-DWEE) yesterday  hier (ee-yair) tomorrow  demain (duh-MANG) this week  cette semaine (set suh-MEN) last week  la semaine dernière (lah suh-MEN dehr-NYAIR) next week  la semaine prochaine (lah suh-MEN praw-SHEN) Note: French calendars normally start on Monday. Monday  lundi (luhn-DEE) Tuesday  mardi (mahr-DEE) Wednesday  mercredi (mehr-kruh-DEE) Thursday  jeudi (juh-DEE) Friday  vendredi (vahn-druh-DEE) Saturday  samedi (sahm-DEE) Sunday  dimanche (dee-MAHNGSH) Colors Note: Like other romance languages, nouns in french are either "masculine" or "feminine" and adjectives vary accordingly. black  noir/noire (nwahr) white  blanc/blanche (blahng/blahnsh) gray  gris/grise (gree/greez) red  rouge (roozh) blue  bleu/bleue (bluh) yellow  jaune (zhohn) green  vert/verte (vair/vairt) orange  orange (aw-RAHNGZH) purple  violet/violette (vyaw-LEH/vyaw-LET) brown  brun/brune (bruhn/brewn) or marron (MAH-rohn) pink  rose (rohz) Transportation Bus and Train How much is a ticket to _____?  Combien coûte le billet pour _____? (kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor) One ticket to _____, please.  Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (ung bee-YEH poor ____ seel voo pleh) Where does this train/bus go?  Où va ce train/bus? (OO va suh trahn/buus?) Where is the train/bus to _____?  Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (OO eh luh trahn/buus poor ____) Does this train/bus stop in _____?  Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____? (suh trahn/buus sah-reh-tuh-TEEL ah _____) When does the train/bus for _____ leave?  Quand part le train/bus pour _____? (kahn par luh trahn/buus poor _____) When will this train/bus arrive in _____?  Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____? (kahn suh trahn/buus ah-ree-vuh-RAH ah _____) the/this shuttle  la/cette navette (lah/set nah-VET) (also means a tatting shuttle) a one-way ticket un aller simple (uhn ah-LAY SAM-pluh) a round trip ticket un aller-retour (uhn ah-LAY ruh-TOOR) Directions Where is _____?  Où se trouve _____? (oo suh tr-OO-v _____) ...the train station?  ...la gare? (lah gahr?) ...the bus station?  ...la gare routière? (lah gahr roo-TYEHR?) ...the airport?  ...l'aéroport? (lehr-oh-POR?) ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy?  ...l'ambassade americaine/canadienne/australienne/anglaise? (lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN/ka-na-DYEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ) Taxi Taxi!  Taxi ! (tack-SEE!) Take me to _____, please.  Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE) How much does it cost to get to _____?  Combien cela coûte-t-il d'aller à _____ ? (kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?) Take me there, please.  Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (am-nay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE) Money Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?  Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?) Do you accept British pounds?  Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?) Do you accept credit cards?  Acceptez-vous les cartes de credit ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?) Can you change money for me?  Pouvez-vous me faire le change ? (poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH?) Where can I get money changed?  Où puis-je faire le change ? (oo PWEEZH fehr luh SHAHNZH?) Can you change a traveler's check for me?  Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un traveler's chèque ? (poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung trahv-leurz SHECK?) Where can I get a traveler's check changed?  Où puis-je changer un traveler's chèque ? (oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung trahv-leurz SHECK?) What is the exchange rate?  Quel est le taux de change ? (KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?) Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?  Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YEAH?) Eating fixed-price meal  menu (muh-NUU) à la carte  à la carte (ah lah KAHRT) breakfast (in France) petit-déjeuner (ptee-day-zheu-NAY) breakfast (in Switzerland/Belgium/Canada/Nord-Pas-de-Calais) déjeuner (day-zheu-NAY) lunch (in France) déjeuner (day-zhuh-NAY) lunch (Switzerland/Belgium/Quebec/Nord-Pas-de-Calais) dîner (dee-NAY) tea (meal)  thé (tay) dinner/supper (in France) dîner (dee-NAY) dinner/supper (Elsewhere) souper (soo-PAY) I would like _____.  Je voudrais _____. (zhuh voo-DREH _____) I would like a dish containing _____.  Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (zhuh voo-DREH ung plah ah-VEK _____) chicken  (du) poulet (duu poo-LEH) beef  (du) boeuf (duu BUFF) deer  du cerf (dü SEHR) fish  du poisson (duu pwa-SONG) salmon  du saumon (duu so-MONG) tuna  du thon (duu TONG) whiting  du merlan (duu mehr-LANG) cod  de la morue (duh lah moh-RUU) seafood  des fruits de mer (deh frwee duh MEHR) Literally "fruits of the sea" dulse  de la dulse (duh lah DUULS) lobster  du homard (duu oh-MAR) de la langouste (duh lah lan-goost) (rock lobster) clams  des palourdes (deh pah-LOORD) oysters  des huîtres (dez WEETR) mussels  des moules (deh MOOL) snails  des escargots (dez es-car-GOH) frogs  des grenouilles (deh gruh-NOOEY) ham  du jambon (duu zhahng-BONG) pork  du porc/cochon (dü POHR/dü coh-SHONG) Note: cochon is much less formal. boar  du sanglier (dü sahng-GLYAY) sausage  des saucisses (deh so-SEESS) cheese  du fromage (duu froh-MAHZH) eggs  des oeufs (dehz UH) one egg  un oeuf (un UF) salad  une salade (uun sah-LAHD) (fresh) vegetables  des légumes (frais) (deh lay-guum FREH) (fresh) fruit  des fruits (frais) (frwee (freh)) bread  du pain (dew pang) toast  rôtis (roh-TEE) coffee  café (kah-FAY) tea (drink)  thé (tay) juice  jus (zhuu) (bubbly) water  eau gazeuse (oh gah-ZUHZ) water  eau (oh) Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (OH doo roh-bee-NEH) or ask for a carafe of water "une carafe d'eau" (OON cahr-AHF doh). beer  bière (byehr) red/white wine  vin rouge/blanc (vang roozh/blahng) May I have some _____?  Puis-je avoir du _____ ? (pwee zhuh ah-VWAHR duu) salt  sel (sel) black pepper  poivre (pwavr) garlic  ail (aigh) butter  beurre (bur) vegetarian (male) végétarien (vey-zhey-tar-YENG) vegetarian (female) végétarienne (vey-zhey-tar-YEN) Excuse me, waiter/waitress?  S'il vous plaît, monsieur/madame ? (seell voo PLEH muh-syuh/ma-dahm) Note: "garçon" (boy) is offensive and should be avoided. I'm finished.  J'ai fini. (zhay fee-NEE) It was delicious.  C'était délicieux. (say-tay deli-SYUH) Can you please clear the plates?  Pouvez-vous débarrasser la table, s'il vous plaît? (poovay voo DEH-bahr-a-seh lah tah-bluh seel voo play) The check, please.  L'addition s'il vous plait. (lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo play) Bars Do you serve alcohol?  Servez-vous des boissons alcoolisées ? (sur-VAY voo day bwa-sson al-co-ol-ee-SAY) Is there table service?  Est-ce que vous servez à la table ? (Ess-ser ker voo ser-VAY ah lah TAHBL?) A beer/two beers, please.  Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plait. (...) A glass of red/white wine, please.  Un verre de vin rouge/blanc, s'il vous plait. (...) A quarter liter of beer, please  Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît. (...) A pint, please.  Une pinte, s'il vous plait. (oon peent, seel-voo-PLEH) A bottle, please.  Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (...) _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.  _____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (...) whiskey  whisky (...) vodka  vodka (...) rum  rhum (...) water  de l'eau (duh loh) club soda  soda (...) tonic water  Schweppes (...) orange juice  jus d'orange (joo d'or-AHNJ) Coke (soda)  Coca (...) One more, please.  Encore un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (ahn-KOHR ahn/oon oh-truh, seel-voo-PLEH) Another round, please.  Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (...) When is closing time?  À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (ah kell er fer-MAY voo) Shopping Do you have this in my size?  Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (AH-veh-VOO say-SEE dan sma THAI) How much (is this)?  Combien (ça) coûte ? (COMM-bee-yen (SAH) coot) That's too expensive.  C'est trop cher. (say-TRO-shair) Would you take _____?  Pourriez-vous accepter _____ ? (poor-yay-VOOZ ahk-sep-TAY) expensive  cher (shehr) cheap  bon marché (bong mar-SHAY) (not declined. Elles sont bon marché.) or pas cher (pah shehr) ("not expensive". Less formal but more common.) I can't afford it.  Je n'ai pas les moyens. (zhe nay pah leh mwah-YAHNG) I don't want it.  Je n'en veux pas. (zhe nahng veu pah) You're cheating me.  Vous essayez de me faire avoir. (vooz ess-ey-YE duh muh fehr ah-VWAHR) I'm not interested.  Je ne suis pas intéressé. (zhen swee pahz-ann-tay-ress-SAY) OK, I'll take it.  D'accord, je le/la prends. (dah-kor zhe luh/lah prahn) Can I have a bag?  Pourrais-je avoir un sac ? (poo-REHZH ah-VWAR ung sahk) Do you ship (overseas)?  Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (leev-ray-VOO ootr-MEHR/ah lay-trahn-ZHAY) I need...  J'ai besoin... (zhay buh-ZWANG) ...toothpaste.  ...de dentifrice. (deh dahn-tee-FREESS) ...a toothbrush.  ...d'une brosse à dents. (duun bross ah DAHN) ...tampons.  ...de tampons. (deh tahm-POHN) ...soap.  ...de savon. (deh sah-VOHN) ...shampoo.  ...de shampooing. (deh shahm-PWAHN) ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)  ...d'un analgésique (aspirine, ibuprofène);. (dun ah-nal-zhay-ZEEK (ahs-pee-REEN/ee-buu-proh-FEN)) ...cold medicine.  ...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (dung may-dee-kah-MAHNG poor luh RUUM) ...stomach medicine.  ...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (dung ray-MED poor less-toh-MAHK) ...a razor.  ...d'un rasoir. (dung rah-ZWAR) ...batteries.  ...de piles. (deh PEEL) ...an umbrella. (rain)  ...d'un parapluie. (doon pah-ra-ploo-ee) ...an umbrella. (sun)  ...d'une ombrelle. (doon ohm-brehl-ee) ...sunblock lotion.  ...de crème solaire. (deh crehm so-LEHR) ...a postcard.  ...d'une carte postale. (doon kahrt post-AL) ...postage stamps.  ...de timbres. (deh TAHM-burs) ...writing paper.  ...de papier à lettres. (deh pap-YEH ah LEH-TR) ...a pen.  ...d'un stylo. (doon STEE-loh) ...English-language books.  ...de livres en anglais. (deh LEE-vruhs ehn ahngh-LEH) ...English-language magazines.  ...de revues en anglais. (deh REH-voos ehn ahngh-LEH) ...an English-language newspaper.  ...d'un journal en anglais. (doon zhoar-NAL ahn ahng-LEH) ...a French-English dictionary.  ...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (uhn deect-shee-ohn-AIR frahn-SEH ahng-LEH) Authority I haven't done anything wrong.  Je n'ai fait rien de mal. (zhuh nay fay ree-AHN duh MAL) It was a misunderstanding.  C'est une erreur. (say uhn air-ehur) Where are you taking me?  Où m'emmenez-vous? (ooh mehm-en-EH voo) Am I under arrest?  Suis-je en état d'arrestation? (SWEE zhuh ahn EH-tah dahr-es-tash-ON) I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m)  Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (zhuh swee uhn see-twa-YAHN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN) I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f)  Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/anglaise/canadienne. (zhe s'wee oon see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-KEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ/ka-na-DYEN) I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate.  Je veux parler à l'ambassade ou le consulat américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (ZHUH vuh pahr-LEUR ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo KAHN-sul-aht a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN) I want to talk to a lawyer.  Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-caht) ("avocat" also means "avocado" but people don't normally talk to avocados!) Can I just pay a fine now?  Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende? (poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND) [offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine?  Acceptez-vous ceci au lieu de mon amende? (accept-eh voo suh-see oh lee-YUH duh mon deh-MAND) Note: Only consider attempting this in third world countries. DO NOT try to do this in France or Canada as it will get you in worse trouble! This is a guide phrasebook. It covers all the major topics for traveling without resorting to English. But please Plunge forward and help us make it a star!