100 Basic French Sentences Every Beginner Should Learn with English translations, pronunciation guides, and simple explanations. This is your complete starter guide to speaking real French, fast.
| 100 Sentences | 9 Categories | Pronunciation Included |
| ✍️ Cute French | 📅 2026 | ⏱ 10 min read | 🎯 Beginner Level |
Why These 100 French Sentences Matter
Learning French doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The secret is simple: start with real sentences you’ll actually use. Not grammar rules. Not verb conjugation tables. Actual, living language.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Paris, watching French films, or just want to impress your friends, these 100 basic French sentences are your shortcut. Each one comes with an English translation and a pronunciation guide you can read without any music training. No symbols, no IPA, just simple phonetic sounds.
This guide is organized into 9 categories so you can jump straight to what you need most. Tourists will love the travel and restaurant sections. Students will appreciate the greetings and daily conversation parts. And everyone benefits from the emergency phrases, because you never know when you’ll need them.
Ready? Let’s dive in. Allons-y! (That means “Let’s go!” — and yes, it’s already in the list.)
💡How to use this guide: Read each sentence out loud. Repeat the pronunciation three times. Then try to say the French without looking at the English. That’s how your brain locks it in.
📋 Table of Contents
| 1. Greetings | 2. Introductions |
| 3. Asking Questions | 4. Shopping |
| 5. Restaurant | 6. Travel |
| 7. Emergency | 8. Daily Conversation |
| 9. Feelings & Emotions | 10. FAQ Section |
| 11. Conclusion |
Greetings
🎓 Beginner tip:
The most important words in any language. Master these first; you’ll use them every single day.
| 1. Bonjour! |
| Hello! / Good morning! |
| bbon-ZHOOR |
2. Bonsoir!
| Good evening! |
| bon-SWAHR |
3. Salut!
| Hi! (casual) |
| sah-LEW |
4. Au revoir!
| Goodbye! |
| oh ruh-VWAR |
5. À bientôt!
| See you soon! |
| ah byan-TOH |
6. Ça va?
| How are you? / How’s it going? |
| sah VAH |
7. Ça va bien, merci!
| I’m fine, thank you! |
| sah VAH byan, mair-SEE |
8. Enchanté(e)!
| Nice to meet you! |
| on-shon-TAY |
9. Merci beaucoup!
| Thank you very much! |
| mair-SEE boh-KOO |
10. S’il vous plaît.
| Please. (formal) |
| seel voo PLAY |
11. De rien!
| You’re welcome! |
| duh RYEN |
12. Pardon!
| Sorry! / Excuse me! |
| par-DOHN |
Introductions
Tell people who you are, where you’re from, and what you do. These are always the first sentences you’ll need in any language.
13. Je m’appelle Marie.
| My name is Marie. |
| zhuh mah-PEL mah-REE |
14. J’ai vingt ans.
| I am twenty years old. |
| zhay VAN on |
15. Je suis français(e).
| I am French. |
| zhuh swee frahn-SAY |
16. J’habite à Londres.
| I live in London. |
| Zha-beet ah Lohn-druh |
17. Je suis étudiant(e).
| I am a student. |
| zhuh swee ay-tood-YON |
18. Je parle un peu français.
| I speak a little French. |
| zhuh parl un puh frahn-SAY |
19. J’apprends le français.
| I am learning French. |
zhah-PRON luh frahn-SAY
20. J’aime la musique.
| I love music. |
| zhem lah mew-ZEEK |
21. J’ai une sœur et un frère.
| I have a sister and a brother. |
| zhay oon SUHr ay un FRAIR |
22. C’est un plaisir de vous connaître.
| It’s a pleasure to meet you. |
| seh tun play-ZEER duh voo koh-NAIT-ruh |
Asking Questions
Asking the right question unlocks any conversation. These are the question phrases every French beginner needs to know.
💡Quick tip:
In spoken casual French, you can turn almost any statement into a question just by raising your voice at the end. Vous parlez anglais? said with a rising tone = “Do you speak English?”
23. Parlez-vous anglais?
| Do you speak English? |
| par-LAY voo on-GLAY |
24. Où est la gare?
| Where is the train station? |
| oo eh lah GAR |
25. Combien ça coûte?
| How much does it cost? |
| kom-BYAN sah KOOT |
26. Quelle heure est-il?
| What time is it? |
| kel UHR eh-TEEL |
27. Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît?
| Can you repeat, please? |
| poo-VAY voo ray-pay-TAY seel voo PLAY |
28. Je ne comprends pas.
| I don’t understand. |
| zhuh nuh kom-PROHN pah |
29. Comment dit-on… en français?
| How do you say… in French? |
| koh-MON dee-TON… on frahn-SAY |
30. Qu’est-ce que c’est?
| What is this? |
| kes-kuh SEH |
31. Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement?
| Can you speak more slowly? |
| poo-VAY voo par-LAY plew lon-tuh-MON |
32. Comment vous appelez-vous?
| What is your name? |
| koh-MON voo zah-play-LAY voo |
Shopping
Shopping in France is an experience, especially in the markets. These phrases will make sure you get what you want, at the right price
33. Je cherche une boutique.
I am looking for a shop.
| zhuh SHAIRSH oon boo-TEEK |
34. Avez-vous ça en rouge?
Do you have this in red?
| ah-VAY voo sah on ROOZH |
35. C’est trop cher.
It’s too expensive.
| seh troh SHAIR |
36. Je vais prendre celui-ci.
I’ll take this one.
| zhuh vay PRAHN-druh suh-LWEE-see |
37. Vous acceptez les cartes?
Do you accept cards?
| voo ak-sep-TAY lay KART |
38. Je voudrais un sac.
I would like a bag.
| zhuh voo-DRAY un SAK |
39. Où sont les cabines d’essayage?
Where are the fitting rooms?
| oo son lay kah-BEEN day-say-YAZH |
40. Je regarde, merci.
I’m just looking, thank you.
| zhuh ruh-GARD mair-SEE |
41. Avez-vous ma taille?
Do you have my size?
| ah-VAY voo mah TY |
42. Je peux avoir un reçu ?
Can I have a receipt?
| zhuh puh ah-VWAR un ruh-SEW |
Restaurant
French cuisine is world-famous. These sentences will help you order confidently and enjoy every course.
43. Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît.
A table for two, please.
| oon TAH-bluh poor DUH seel voo PLAY |
44. La carte, s’il vous plaît.
The menu, please.
| lah KART seel voo PLAY |
45. Je voudrais le poulet rôti.
I would like the roasted chicken.
| zhuh voo-DRAY luh poo-LAY roh-TEE |
46. Je suis végétarien(ne).
I am vegetarian.
| zhuh swee vay-zhay-tar-YAN |
47. C’est délicieux.
It’s delicious!
| seh day-lee-SYUH |
48. L’addition, s’il vous plaît.
The bill, please.
| lah-dee-SYON seel voo PLAY |
49. Je suis allergique aux noix.
I am allergic to nuts.
| zhuh swee ah-lair-ZHEEK oh NWAH |
50. Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît.
A jug of water, please
| oon kah-RAF doh seel voo PLAY |
51. Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez?
What do you recommend?
| kes-kuh voo ruh-koh-mon-DAY |
52. On partage l’addition?
Shall we split the bill?
| on par-TAZH lah-dee-SYON |
53. Serveu(r) (se), s’il vous plaît!
Waiter, please!
| gar-SON seel voo PLAY |
54. Je prendrais un café, s’il vous plaît.
I’ll have a coffee, please.
| zhuh pron-DRAY un kah-FAY seel voo PLAY |
Travel
Whether you’re navigating Paris’s Métro or exploring the French countryside, these travel sentences are essential for any visitor.
55. Où est le métro?
Where is the metro?
| oo eh luh may-TROH |
56. Un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît.
A ticket to Paris, please.
| un bee-YAY poor pah-REE seel voo PLAY |
57. À quelle heure part le train?
What time does the train leave?
| ah kel UHR par luh TRAN |
58. Je cherche l’hôtel.
I’m looking for the hotel.
| zhuh SHAIRSH loh-TEL |
59. C’est quelle direction?
Which direction is it?
| seh kel dee-rek-SYON |
60. J’ai perdu mon passeport
I have lost my passport.
| zhay pair-DEW mon pah-SPO |
61. Est-ce loin d’ici?
Is it far from here?
| ess LWAN dee-SEE |
62. Appelez-moi un taxi, s’il vous plaît.
Please call me a taxi.
| ah-play-LAY mwah un tak-SEE seel voo PLAY |
63. J’ai une réservation.
I have a reservation.
| zhay oon ray-zair-VAH-syon |
64. Pouvez-vous m’indiquer le chemin?
Can you show me the way?
| poo-VAY voo man-dee-KAY luh shuh-MAN |
65. Tournez à gauche.
Turn left.
| toor-NAY ah GOHSH |
66. Continuez tout droit.
Continue straight ahead.
| kon-tee-NWAY too DRWAH |
Emergency Phrases
Hopefully you’ll never need these — but knowing them could make a real difference. Memorise these before your first trip.
| 🆘 Important: In France, the emergency number is15(medical), 17(police) and18(fire). The EU-wide number 112 also works on any mobile phone. |
67. Au secours!
Help!
| oh suh-KOOR |
68. Appelez la police!
Call the police!
| ah-play-LAY lah poh-LEES |
69. J’ai besoin d’un médecin.
I need a doctor.
| zhay buh-ZWAN dun med-SAN |
70. Je me suis blessé(e).
Je me suis blessé(e).
| zhuh muh swee bleh-SAY |
71. J’ai trouvé mon sac.
I have found my bag.
| Zhay troo-vay mon sak |
72. Où est l’hôpital?
Where is the hospital?
| oo eh loh-pee-TAL |
73. Je suis perdu(e).
I am lost.
| zhuh swee pair-DEW |
74. J’ai besoin d’aide.
I need help.
| zhay buh-ZWAN DAY-duh |
75. C’est urgent !
It’s urgent!
| seh oor-ZHON |
76. Appelez une ambulance!
Call an ambulance!
| ah-play-LAY oon om-bew-LONSS |
Daily Conversation
These are the phrases that come up in everyday French life at work, at home, with friends, and in the street.
77. C’est une bonne idée.
That’s a good idea.
| seh toon bohn ee-DAY |
78. Je suis d’accord.
I agree.
| zhuh swee dah-KOR |
79. Pas de problème!
No problem!
| pah duh proh-BLEM |
80. Bien sûr!
Of course!
| byan SEWR |
81. Je ne sais pas.
I don’t know.
| zhuh nuh SAY pah |
82. Qu’est-ce que tu fais ce soir?
What are you doing tonight?
| kes-kuh tew FAY suh SWAHR |
83. Je suis en retard.
I am late.
| zhuh swee on ruh-TAR |
84. À tout à l’heure!
See you later!
| ah too tah LUHR |
85. Bonne journée!
Have a good day!
| bohn zhoor-NAY |
86. Quelle bonne surprise!
What a lovely surprise!
| kel bohn soor-PREEZ |
87. On y va!
Let’s go!
| on ee VAH |
88. Tu as raison.
You are right.
| tew ah ray-ZON |
Feelings & Emotions
Express how you really feel in French. These emotional phrases make your conversations warmer, richer, and more human
89. Je suis très content(e).
I am very happy.
| zhuh swee treh zuh-RUH |
90. Je suis fatigué(e).
I am tired.
| zhuh swee fah-tee-GAY |
91. J’ai peur.
I am scared.
| zhay PUHR |
92. Je suis triste.
I am sad.
| zhuh swee TREEST |
93. Je me sens bien.
I feel good.
| zhuh muh son BYAN |
94. Je suis stressé(e).
I am stressed.
| zhuh swee streh-SAY |
95. Ça m’énerve!
That annoys me!
| sah may-NAIRV |
96. Je t’aime.
I love you.
| zhuh TEM |
97. J’ai honte.
I am ashamed.
| zhay OHNT |
98. Je suis fier(ière) de toi.
I am proud of you.
| zhuh swee FYAIR duh TWAH |
99. Tu me manques.
I miss you.
| tew muh MONK |
100. J’adore apprendre le français!
I love learning French!
| zhah-DOR ah-PROHN-druh luh frahn-SAY |
You made it to 100! That’s a massive vocabulary milestone. If you can understand and say all 100 sentences above, you’re already ahead of most beginners. Keep going, you’re doing brilliantly.
Quick French Pronunciation Tips
French pronunciation trips up many beginners, but once you know the rules, it becomes much more predictable. Here are the most important patterns to remember:
Silent final consonants: In French, the last consonant is almost always silent. “Vous” sounds like “voo”; the S is silent. Bonjour, the R at the end is barely heard.
The French R: It comes from the back of the throat, not the front like in English. Think of gargling gently. It sounds like a soft “gh” sound
The French U: There’s no English equivalent. Round your lips as if you’re saying “oo,” then try to say “ee” at the same time. That’s the French “u” sound in words like “tu,” “rue,” and “plus.”
Liaisons: When one word ends in a consonant and the next starts with a vowel, French speakers often link them. “Vous avez” sounds like “voo-zah-VAY.” This is normal; embrace it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Answering the questions every beginner has about learning French, honestly and simply.
The easiest French sentences to start with are short, common, and instantly useful. Top picks for beginners: Bonjour. Hello.
Merci, thank you
Ça va? How are you?
Je ne comprends pas. I don’t understand.
S’il vous plaît. Please.
These five alone will get you through most basic interactions. Once you’re comfortable, expand outward to the full 100 in this guide.
