Ooh là là, Paris! Where romance unfurls beneath the Eiffel Tower, where crêpes are flipped in quaint sidewalk cafés, and where you can pretend to be an art expert at the Louvre. Now, let’s get down to brass tacks: if you want to get the most out of the City of Love, you should probably know how to ask for more than just a baguette.
Here’s your trusty cheat sheet of French phrases to learn before stepping onto a train carriage headed for Paris. After all, if you’re going to travel like a pro, you might as well speak like one too.
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The basics
- Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) — Good morning/Hello
Sure, you can get away with “Hi” in most places, but when in Paris, bonjour is your golden ticket to politeness. And it turns into bonsoir (bohn-swahr) after 5 p.m.
- Merci (mehr-see) — Thank you
Never underestimate the power of merci. It turns a transaction into a cordial exchange and could earn you a smile, which in Paris is as precious as a vintage Bordeaux.
For the foodies
- Un café, s'il vous plaît (uhn kah-fey seel voo pleh) — A coffee, please
Start your day off right, and that usually means coffee in Paris. Even if you butcher the pronunciation, your earnest attempt might just land you an extra croissant.
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît (la-dee-syon seel voo pleh) — The check, please
Use this phrase to get your bill after feasting on escargot and sipping wine like it’s grape juice. A Trainline trip to the Loire Valley for wine-tasting can be your next stop!
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Getting around
- Où est la gare? (oo eh la gahr) — Where is the station?
Never get lost looking for your Trainline departure again!
- Un billet pour Marseille, s'il vous plaît (uhn bee-yeh poor Mar-sey seel voo pleh) — A ticket to Marseille, please
Mastered the basic French phrases? Fantastic! Now let’s secure your train ticket to the vibrant port city of Marseille.
Just in case
- Parlez-vous anglais? (par-lei vooz on-gleh) — Do you speak English?
Sometimes your French won’t cut it, and that’s fine. Just ask if they speak your native tongue and proceed from there.
- Je suis perdu(e) (zhuh swee pehr-doo) — I am lost
It’s okay to get lost, especially when you’re in Paris. But knowing how to ask for help is key.
Making friends
- Ça va? (sah vah) — How are you?
The French aren’t always as aloof as they might appear. Sometimes, all it takes to strike up a conversation is a simple ça va?
- Le meilleur restaurant ici? (luh mehy-euhr res-toh-rahn ee-see) — The best restaurant here?
Take your chance, and you might end up discovering a hidden culinary gem just around the corner, all thanks to a local's recommendation.
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For the flirts
- T'es mignon(ne) (tey meen-yon) — You’re cute
You never know when romance will strike, especially in the most romantic city in the world.
When all else fails
- Je ne comprends pas (zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah) — I don’t understand
Because sometimes admitting that you’re clueless is the best course of action.
- Où sont les toilettes? (oo sohn lay twa-let) — Where are the bathrooms?
Because you don’t want to be dancing around looking for a restroom while trying to remember this phrase.
- Pardon (par-dohn) / Excusez-moi (ehk-skew-zeh mwah) — Excuse me
Whether you’re squeezing past someone in a crowded café or making your way to your train seat, pardon is your go-to word. But if you’re trying to catch a waiter’s eye for that extra glass of Châteauneuf du Pape, opt for the slightly more formal excusez-moi.
- À bientôt! (ah byan-toh) — See you soon!
Because after your first Trainline journey to Paris, you’ll undoubtedly be planning the next one.
There you have it, 15 phrases to make your Paris trip a little more authentique. So, fire up that Trainline app, book your ticket, and get practicing. Paris awaits, mon ami!
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Get your tickets to the banter train: 3 bonus French phrases for your journey
- “Ce n'est pas le Pérou!” (Suh nay pah luh Pay-roo)
Literal translation: “It’s not Peru!”
Meaning: Something isn’t as awesome as it’s made out to be.
So, your train’s running a tad late? Hey, you’re still en route to Paris, the city where even waiting is a form of art.
- “Il y a anguille sous roche!” (Eel yah on-gwee so rosh)
Literal translation: “There’s an eel under the rock!”
Meaning: Something fishy is going on.
Keep an eye out for pickpockets at bustling train stations. Better to be vigilant than to discover your wallet’s taken an unscheduled detour!
- “J'ai d'autres chats à fouetter!” (Zhay doh-truh sha a foo-et-tay)
Literal translation: “I have other cats to whip!”
Meaning: I have other things to do.
Why fret over train schedules and ticket fares? With Trainline’s hassle-free booking, you’ll have more time to decide which Parisian café deserves your presence.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Martin Barraud