Survivalist's French Language Course

Learn the Essentials on the Plane Ride to France

Oh no! You are heading to France, and you don't know a word of French. No need to panic. With the aid of body language and a handy pad, you can get by if you memorize these ultra-basics during the plane ride over.

Perhaps you kept meaning to learn French, and never found the time. Or maybe you are only visiting for a day and it didn't seem worth the trouble. Either way, it is crucial to know at least the basic words and phrases. With this guide, you should be able to navigate many of the basic communications needs for your trip.

I have reduced everything down to the least number of words necessary to get your point across, while many phrasebooks tend to have the most grammatically acceptible versions. You won't be debating existential philosophy in a Parisian cafe, but you will get by.

Print this page (see "Printer-Friendly Version" to the right) and take it with you. It is helpful to have a second person so you can quiz one another. Start by memorizing the terms at the top section, and work your way down because these are in order of importance.

Below are the words in French in italics, followed by pronunciation (even when you see an "R," don't say it very strongly. The French R is nasal and more like an "H.") The next is the English version. In parentheses you may also see some tips. Bon chance! (That means, "Good luck!" See! You're learning already...)

Absolutely crucial

• Au secours! - pronounced OH suh-KOOHR - Help!
• Je suis blessé! - ZJUH swee BLESS-ay - I am hurt
• Bonjour - BOHN-joohr - Hello (Always start a conversation with the French by saying Bonjour!)
• Parlez-vous anglais? - PAHR-lay vew zon-GLAY - Do you speak English?
• Je parle anglais - ZJUH pahr LAHN-glay - I speak Engish
• Attention! - UH-tin-SHEE-ahn - Watch out!
• Oui - WEE - Yes
• Non - NOH - No
• S'il vous plait - SEE vew PLAY - Please (This may not sound like a crucial one, but if you expect the French to help you when you don't speak their language, I highly recommend being as polite as possible).
• Pardon - PAH-dahn - Excuse me (Not just for excusing yourself. Also great for when people are standing in your way. A firm "Pardon" will often clear a path.)
• Merci - Mayhr-SEE - Thank you
• Desole - DEH-so-LAY - Sorry
• Combien? - COM-bee-ENN - How much?/How many?
• Ecrivez - EK-ree-VAY - Write it (This is a great way to avoid memorizing the many numbers in French. In a store, hand the shopkeeper a pad so they can write the price for the item you want. I'd include a, "S'il vous plait," or please, at the end. It's also great for directions, because you can ask someone to draw a map.)
• Montrez-moi - MON-tray MWAH - Show me

Pretty darn important

Handy

• Sortie - SOHR-tee - Exit
• Boulangerie - beww-LAHM-juh-REE - bakery
• Monsieur - mohn-SYUH - Sir/Mr.
• Madame - MUH-dahm - Ma'am/Madam/Mrs.
• Mademoiselle - MAH- duh-mwuh-ZELL - Miss
• Je ne comprends pas - ZJUH nuh COHM-prahn PAS - I don't understand.