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.

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.

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.

Knowing some common French greetings and good-byes will be indispensable when traveling in French-speaking countries. Saying hello and good-bye in French will quickly become second nature because you'll use them day in and day out with everyone you come across.In most French-speaking countries it's considered good manners to greet everyone.

Know how to ask for help in French before you have an actual emergency. Save valuable time in a crisis by knowing simple French words and phrases to cover emergencies with illness or theft. The simplest way to ask for assistance is Au secours!, which means Help! You can also use the phrases: Est-ce que vous pourrez m’aider?

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.

Exploring French-speaking countries can be quite an adventure, but you need to know how to ask for directions in French and to understand what you're told. After all, if you don't understand the directions, you might miss the very things you hoped to see. The first thing you need is to know how to ask for directions.

Knowing how to order food in French is essential, whether you're on a short visit to a French-speaking country or planning to live there. Eating out at French restaurants and cafes can be a lot of fun, especially if you know some basic restaurant (rehs-toh-rahn) (restaurant) vocabulary. The following phrases might help you when you're dining at a restaurant.