How do you say hello in French?

Bonjour is hello (and good morning). In the evening, say Bonsoir; among friends, the casual Salut works for both "hi" and "bye."

How do you say thank you in French?

Merci means thank you. "You're welcome" is De rien (literally "it's nothing").

How do you say please in French?

S'il vous plaît is the formal please; s'il te plaît is the casual version used with friends and family.

How do you count to ten in French?

un (1), deux (2), trois (3), quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6), sept (7), huit (8), neuf (9), dix (10).

← All phrasebooks

Basic French Phrases for Beginners (with Pronunciation)

Starting French? Learn these first — the greetings, manners, and survival phrases you'll reach for immediately. A key habit: always open with Bonjour before you ask anything. Pronunciation is included, and the quick answers cover the most-asked questions.

Greetings

Bonjour

bon-ZHOOR

Hello / Good morning

Bonsoir

bon-SWAHR

Good evening

Salut

sah-LOO

Hi (casual)

Au revoir

oh ruh-VWAHR

Goodbye

À bientôt

ah byan-TOH

See you soon

Please, thank you & manners

Merci

mer-SEE

Thank you

De rien

duh RYAN

You're welcome

S'il vous plaît

seel voo PLEH

Casual: s'il te plaît.

Please (formal)

Pardon / Excusez-moi

par-DON / ek-skew-zeh MWAH

Sorry / Excuse me

Oui / Non

wee / non

Yes / No

Getting by

Vous parlez anglais ?

voo par-LEH ahn-GLEH

Do you speak English?

Je ne comprends pas

zhuh nuh kom-PRAHN pah

I don't understand

Plus lentement, s'il vous plaît

ploo lahnt-MAHN

Slower, please

C'est combien ?

seh kom-BYAN

How much is it?

Où sont les toilettes ?

oo son leh twah-LET

Where is the bathroom?

Introduce yourself

Enchanté(e)

ahn-shahn-TEH

Add an -e in writing if you're female.

Nice to meet you

Je m'appelle [nom]

zhuh mah-PEL

My name is [name]

Comment vous appelez-vous ?

koh-mahn voo zah-puh-LEH voo

What's your name?

Numbers 1–10

uhn

deux

duh

trois

trwah

quatre

KAH-truh

cinq

sank

six

sees

sept

set

huit

weet

neuf

nuhf

dix

dees

French alphabet & writing →Learn to speak French →Scenario guides →

Don't just read them — say them

Practice these phrases out loud in a real conversation with an AI partner in French, at your level. 15 minutes free.

Practice French free