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50 essential French phrases with pronunciation hints — everything you need to get around Paris, navigate the Métro, order at a bistro, and handle any emergency.
Pronunciation hints in italics — not perfect IPA, just enough to be understood.
The foundation of French courtesy
Navigating the Métro, trains, and streets
Ordering in cafés, bistros, and boulangeries
Markets, boutiques, and department stores
Stay safe — know these before you need them
A little cultural awareness goes a long way in France.
In France, walking into a shop without saying 'Bonjour' (or 'Bonsoir' in the evening) is considered rude. Always greet the staff first — it opens doors, literally and figuratively.
Use 'vous' with strangers, shopkeepers, and anyone older than you. Use 'tu' only with friends, children, and people who invite you to. Getting this wrong can offend — when in doubt, use 'vous'.
Between 12pm and 2pm, many small shops close and restaurant kitchens are at their busiest. Don't expect to grab a quick bite at 1:30pm — plan ahead. Dinner rarely starts before 7:30pm.
Reading phrases on a page is one thing — actually pronouncing them in front of a native speaker is another. One session with a French teacher will build your confidence faster than any app.
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