These are the phrases that will carry you through almost any situation in France. Before you learn to order at a café or navigate the metro, these basics come first. A simple bonjour when you walk into a shop, a polite s'il vous plaît when you order — these small things make a genuine difference to how locals respond to you. French people notice and appreciate the effort, even if the rest of the conversation happens in English.

Greetings

The standard daytime greeting — use this when you walk into any shop, restaurant, or hotel

Use this from around 6pm onwards — replaces Bonjour for evening greetings

How to say goodbye — works in any situation, formal or casual

Use this to get someone's attention politely before asking a question

A lighter 'sorry' — use this when you didn't quite hear something, or to get past someone

Yes

No

How to tell someone your name

What to say when you're introduced to someone for the first time

Use this if you get lost for words — most French people will then try English or slow down

Useful if you'd prefer to continue the conversation in English

For when someone has said something too fast — pair with a gesture and they'll usually repeat