Zoe Erotopoulos

Whether you’re planning a trip to France or to a French-speaking country or you just want to learn a little French, knowing a few helpful expressions can make you feel more comfortable with the language.In this handy Cheat Sheet, you'll find basic French expressions, questions for gathering information or asking for help, and phrases to use in a restaurant.

How do you ask basic questions in French? Well, French interrogative words mean the same as they do for English: who, what, when, where, why, and how. By knowing basic French interrogatives, you'll be able to express your questions, even without an extensive vocabulary. For example, say you're at a French street market and you want find a beautiful antique clock.

These French greetings and expressions will come in very handy when you travel to a French-speaking country. With these expressions, you can communicate politely when speaking to French natives. English French Pronunciation Hello/Good day! Bonjour! bohN-zhoohr! Good evening! Bon soir! bohN-swahr! Good-bye! Au revoir!

Knowing how to ask a few basic questions in French can come in very handy when you travel to a French-speaking country and need to know the time or where something is located or just want to get some basic information, English French Pronunciation Do you speak English? Est-ce que vous parlez anglais? ehs-kuh vooh pahr-ley ahN-gleh?

By mastering the basics of conversation in French, you put yourself and the person you're talking to at ease. Everyone should learn essential French conversational words and phrases before traveling to a French-speaking country. These words and expressions are sure to come up in most everyday conversations. Basic courtesies Being polite is important anywhere you go, here or abroad, because it shows respect for the person and the culture.

Learning the proper way to make introductions in French can help you get off to the right start. The French language tends to be a bit more formal than American English. Consequently, introductions in French follow more of a pattern than they sometimes do in the United States. Don't worry, it’s not complicated — just good manners.

Develop a French shopping vocabulary to gain a new cultural experience when traveling. Whether you're shopping for clothes, food, or souvenirs, you can use the following phrases in any French-speaking country to help you find just the right thing. The following phrases will be useful no matter what kind of shopping you plan on doing.

Traveling in French-speaking countries can be confusing if you can't read the signs or understand the instructions you're given. Learn some useful travel-related words and phrases in French before you begin your trip. You'll save time and reduce your frustration level. Here are a few general travel-related terms that everyone should know.