From Wikitravel

French is a Romance language originating in France but spoken in many other parts of the Europe including Luxembourg, Southern Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels) and Western Switzerland. There are also small French speaking regions in northwestern alpine Italy. In North America, French is spoken primarily in Quebec and New Brunswick, but it is found almost every other province in Canada. It is also found in parts of the US state of Louisiana. The majority of Quebec is francophone and the only bilingual province in Canada is New Brunswick. Although Canada is a bilingual nation, french is spoken by a minority of citizens in all the other provinces and territories. Other countries speaking French include former French colonies in North Africa and West Africa; in Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean; in French Guiana in South America; in Tahiti and numerous other islands in Oceania. It has long been the language of international diplomacy and communication, and although largely surplanted by English since World War II, it remains de rigueur (of obligatory requirement) for educated people in many societies around the world to have some level of basic French ability. It is also an official language of the UN and the EU.

There are many differences between French spoken in Québec and that spoken in France. The two main differences are that Québec has retained many 18th & 19th century French words and that the French incorporate more English words. Furthermore, aside from Europe & Québec, many French-speaking regions have incorporated many local words or formed a distinctive dialect/language known as creole.

Francophonie can help you locate French-speaking regions.

[edit] Pronunciation

Like that of English -- and unlike almost all the other Romance languages -- French spelling is not necessarily phonetic. The same letter used in two different words can make two different sounds, and many letters are not pronounced at all. In general, it's not impossible to sound out words, but suffice it to say that many experienced non-native French speakers -- and some native speakers -- mispronounce words often.

One thing to note is that final consonants of a word are usually dropped: allez (go) is pronounced ahl-AY, not ahl-AYZ; tard (late) is pronounce tar, not tard. Also a final "e" is usually silent. But if the next word begins with a vowel, the consonant may be pronounced; this is called liaison.

Stress is fairly even in French, but the stress almost always falls on the last syllable.

For many French words, it is impossible to write something which, when pronounced as English, sounds like the French word. Use the transliteration as a guide to liaison and the French spelling to pronounce the vowels.

[edit] Vowels

Vowels in French can have accent marks, which generally have no noticeable impact on pronunciation, but they often distinguish between homophones in writing (ou, meaning or, and où, meaning where, are pronounced the same). The only really important one is é, which is always pronounced "ay", and changes the meaning of the word.

a, à, â 

like "a" in "father"

e 

in most cases a central neutral vowel ("schwa") like "a" in "about", sometimes not pronounced at all, sometimes like "é" or "è"

é, è, ai, -er, -es, -ez 

é is a bit like "ay" in "day", è is more towards "e" in "set", but many French people don't even distinguish them, you can consider them equivalent

i, î 

like "ee" in "see" but shorter and tenser

o, ô, au, eau 

generally like "oa" in "boat" or "aw" in "law", can be considered equivalent

u, ù 

like a very tight, frontal "oo" sound (purse your lips as if to say "oo" as in "soon" but try and say "ee") - uu in transcriptions

ou 

like "oo" in "food", but a pure vowel

y 

like "ee" in "see"

eu 

between "ew" in "dew" and "ur" in "burp"; written eu in transcriptions

[edit] Semi-vowels

oi 

like "wa" in "walk"

oui 

like "wee" in "week"

ui 

like "wee" in "week", but with a French uu instead of the w

œ 

a bit like "eu" but more "open"

[edit] Consonants

Note: Most final consonants are silent except for c, q, f, l, and r (except in the combination "-er", normally found in verb infinitives). Note that the "-ent" ending for verbs is never pronounced, though it may be pronounced in other places.

b 

like "b" in "bed"

c 

like "k" in "kill" (before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonent), like "s" in "sun" (before "e", "i", and "y")

ç 

like "s" in "sun" (this letter can only be written before "a" ,"o", or "u")

d 

like "d" in "death" (but a bit heavier than in English, and pronounced on the tongue)

f 

like "f" in "fun"

g 

like "g" in "go" (before "a", "o", and "u" or before a consonent), like "g" in "sabotage" (before "e", "i" and "y").

gu 

like "g" in "goose" (before "e", "i", "y")

gn 

like "ny" in "canyon". This is particularly difficult (even for little French kids) when followed by oi, as in baignoire (beh-NYWAR) "bathtub".

h 

usually silent, but may sometimes prevent a liaison with the former word

j 

like "g" in "sabotage"

k 

like "k" in "kill" (not native to French)

l, ll 

like "l" in "like"; some exceptions for "ll" in the combination "ille" (pronounced ee-yuh)

m 

like "m" in "me"

n 

like "n" in "nurse" (but see Nasals below)

p 

like "p" in "push" (unaspirated like the t)

q(u) 

most of the time like "k" in "kill" (not like "qu" in "quick"); in some words like "qu" in "quick" (generally before an "a") or the same but with a French u (generally before an "i")

r 

guttural; kind of like coughing up a hairball (similar to a German "ch")

s 

like "s" in "sun"; like "z" in "zero" (between two vowels)

ch 

like "sh" in "bush"; sometimes like "k" in "kill" (in words of Greek origin mostly)

t, th 

like "t" in "take" (unaspirated, it should sound dry and on the tongue, like a spanish speaker)

v 

like "v" in "value"

w 

only in foreign words, mostly like "w" in "wise" and sometimes like "v" in "value" (in particular, "wagon" is "vagon" and "WC" is "VC"!)

x 

either ks (like "x" in "exit") or gz

z 

like "z" in "zero"

ph 

like "f" in "fun"

[edit] Nasals

an, en, em 

nasal a (not always pronounced as a nasal, especially if the n or m is doubled: emmental is pronounced as a normal "emm" sound)

on 

nasal o - distinguishing between this and "an" is tricky, it's a deeper, more closed sound

in, ain 

nasal è

un 

nasal eu (almost always pronounced the same as 'in')

oin 

nasal "wè" (thus, coin is a nasalised "cwè")

[edit] Diphthongs

ail 

like "i" in "fight"

ill 

either literally, or like "y" in "three years", with some exceptions (ville is veel, fille is fiy)

[edit] Exceptions

• When there is an accent mark on "e", it prevents diphthongs. Letters should be pronounced separately, following the rule for the accented letter. Example: énergumène, (rowdy character), réunion (meeting).
• A diaeresis (") may also be used to prevent diphthongs on "e", "u" and "i". Example: maïs (maize).
• In the combinations "gue" and "gui", the "u" should not be pronounced, it is there only to force the prononciation of "g" as in "go". If the "u" is pronounced, a diaeresis is added on the 2nd vowel : aiguë (sharp).
• In the combination "geo", the "e" should not be pronounced, it is only there to force the prononciation of "g" as in "sabotage" (in the case the "e" should be pronounced, it is indicated with an accent mark as in géologie).

Note you should try not to pronounce the "G" where "NG" is used in the prononciation hint.

[edit] Basics

Hello. 

Bonjour. (Bohn-zhur)

Hello. (informal) 

Salut. (SAH-lu)

How are you? 

Comment allez-vous ? (koh-mahn t-AH-lay voo) formal; Comment ça va ? (koh-mahn sah vah) informal

Fine, thank you. 

Bien, merci. (bee-uhn, MEHR-see)

What is your name? 

Comment vous appellez-vous ? (koh-mahn vooz AP-lay VOO?); lit. "How do you call yourself?"

What is your name? 

("informal") Comment t'appelles-tu? ("koh-mahn tah-pell tew?")

My name is ______ . 

Je m'appelle ______ . (jeh MAH-pell _____)

Nice to meet you. 

Enchanté(e). (ehn-shan-TAY)

Please. 

S'il vous plaît. (SEE voo PLEH)

Thank you. 

Merci. (MEHR-see)

You're welcome. 

De rien. (der ree-en); lit. "of nothing".

Yes. 

Oui. (WEE)

No. 

Non. (NOH)

Excuse me. 

Pardon. (pahr-DOHN); Excusez-moi. (ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH)

(I am) Sorry. 

(Je suis) Désolé(e). ("Juh swee DEH-soh-LAY); Excusez-moi. (ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH)

What's the time? 

Quelle heure est-il ? (kel euhr ay-teal?);

Goodbye 

Au revoir. (oh Ruh-vwahr)

Goodbye (informal) 

Salut. (SAH-loo)

I can't speak French [well]. 

Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byahn] frahn-SEH)

Do you speak English? 

Parlez-vous l'anglais ? (par-lay VOO lahng-LEH?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un ici qui parle l'anglais ? (ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL lahng-LEH ?)/ Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui parle l'anglais ? (ee ah-TEEL kel-KUHN ee-see kee PAHRL lahng-LEH)

Help! 

Au secours! (oh suh-koor)

Look out! 

Attention ! (ah-TAHN-see-ohn)

Good Day

Bonjour ("BOHN-zhoo(r)")

Good morning. 

Bon matin. (bohn MAH-tahn)

Good evening. 

Bonsoir. (bohn SWAHR)

Good night. 

Bonsoir. (bohn SWAHR)

Good night (to sleep) 

Bonne nuit. (bohn NWEE)

I don't understand. 

Je ne comprends pas. (ZHUH nuh kohm-PRAHN pah)

Where is the toilet? 

Où sont les toilettes ? (OOH sohn lay twa-LEHT?)

How do you say _____? 

Comment dit-on _____ ? (koh-mahn dee-TON _____ ?)

What is this/that called? 

Comment appelle-t-on ceci/ça ? (koh-mahnt ah-pehl-TON suh-SEE/SAH?)

[edit] Problems

Leave me alone. 

Laissez-moi tranquille ! (less-ay mwah trahn-KEEL!)

Buzz off. 

Dégage ! (Day-GAZH!)/ Va t'en ! (va TAHN)

Don't touch me! 

Ne me touchez pas ! (nuh muh TOOSH-ay PAH!)

I'm calling the police. 

J'appelle la police. (zhah-PELL la poh-LEE-SS)

I'm going to hurt you, if you don't go. 

Je vais vous casser la figure si vous ne vous en allez pas. (slightly vulgar)

Police! 

Police ! (POHL-ees)

Stop! Rapist! 

Arrêtez! Au viol!

Stop! Thief! 

Arrêtez ! Au voleur ! (ah-reh-TAY! OH vo-LEUR!)

Help! 

Au secours ! (OH suh-KOOR!)

I need your help. 

Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît ! (ay-day MWAH, SEEL voo PLAY!)

It's an emergency. 

C'est une urgence ! (seh tuun uur-ZHAHNS)

I'm lost. 

Je suis perdu. (ZHUH swee pehr-DUU')

I've lost my bag. 

J'ai perdu mon sac. (ZHAY pehr-DUU mon sak)

I've lost my wallet. 

J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. (ZHAY PEHR-duu mon POHR-tuh-fuhye)

I'm sick. 

Je suis malade. (ZHUH swee MAU-laHD)

I've been injured. 

Je suis blessé. (zhuh swee bless-AY)

I need a doctor. 

J'ai besoin d'un médecin. (ZHAY bez-WANG dun mayd-SON)

Can I use your phone? 

Puis-je utiliser votre téléphone ? (Pwee ZHUH UUT-ee-lee-zay vOt-ruh te-LAY-phun)

[edit] Numbers

1 

un (uhn)

2 

deux (deu)

3 

trois (twa)

4 

quatre (katre)

5 

cinq (sank)

6 

six (seece)

7 

sept (set)

8 

huit (wheat)

9 

neuf (nuhf)

10 

dix (deece)

11 

onze (ohnz)

12 

douze (dooz)

13 

treize (trayz)

14 

quatorze (kat-ORZ)

15 

quinze (cans)

16 

seize (sehz)

17 

dix-sept (dee-SET)

18 

dix-huit (dee-ZWEET)

19 

dix-neuf (deez-NUHF)

20 

vingt (vang)

21 

vingt-et-un (vang-tay-UHN)

22 

vingt-deux (vang-DEU)

23 

vingt-trois (vang-TWA)

30 

trente (trongt)

40 

quarante (kar-AHNGT)

50 

cinquante (sank-AHNGT)

60 

soixante (swah-SAHNGT)

70 

soixante-dix (swah-sahngt-DEE) or septante (set-AHNGT) in Belgium and Switzerland

80 

quatre-vingt (katr-VANG); huitante (wheat-AHNT) in Belgium and Switzerland (except Geneva); octante (oct-AHNT) in Switzerland

90 

quatre-vingt-dix (katr-vang-DEE); nonante (noh-NAHNGT) in Belgium and Switzerland

100 

cent (sahn)

200 

deux cent (deu sahng)

300 

trois cent (twa sahn)

1000 

mille (meel)

2000 

deux mille (deu meel)

1,000,000 

un million (ung mee-LYOHNG) (treated as a noun when alone: one million euros would be un million d'euros.

number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

numéro _____ (nuu-may-ROH)

half 

demi (deh-MEE), moitié (mwah-tee-AY)

less 

moins (mwang)

more 

plus (pluu)

[edit] Time

now 

maintenant (mat-NAHN)

later 

plus tard (ploo TAHR)

before 

avant (AH-vahn)

after 

après (Ah-PRAY)

morning 

le matin (luh mat-TAN)

in the morning 

au matin ("oh mat-AHN"); dans la matinée (dahn lah mah-TEEN-ay)

afternoon 

l'après-midi (lah-PREH-mee-dee)

in the afternoon 

à l'après-midi (ah lah-PREH-mee-dee)

evening 

le soir (luh SWAHR)

in the evening

dans la soirée (dahng la SWAH-ray); au soir (oh swahr)

night 

la nuit (lah nwee)

in the night 

à la nuit (ah lah nwee)

[edit] Clock time

(Note on time: the French use the 24 hour clock, with midnight being 0h00 (note that, except on digital clocks, the in France an 'h' is used as a seperator between hours and minutes as opposed to a colon in many other countries). However, the 12-hour clock is making some inroads and saying 1-11 in the afternoon or evening will be understood.

hour 

heure (air)

minute 

minute (ME-noot)

From 1-30 past the hour / ___ plus ___ 

[hour] + plus (ploo') + [number]

Example: 10h20 dix heure plus vignt (deez air ploo VAGN)

For 1-29 until the hour / __ 'til ___ 

[next hour] + moins (mwan)

quarter 

quart/le quart (KAHR/luh KAHR)

7h15 = sept heures et quart (set air eh luh KAHR)

16h45 = dix sept heures moins le quart (deez SET air mwan luh KAHR)

half-past : demie (duh-mee); demi (after midnight or noon, duh-mee)

10h30 = dix heure et demie (deez air eh deh-mee)

one o'clock AM, 1h00 

une heure du matin (ewn er dew ma-TAN)

two o'clock AM, 2h00 

deux heures du matin (duz er dew ma-TAN)

noon, 12h00 

midi (mee-DEE)

one o'clock PM, 13h00 

treize heure (trays air)

une heure de l'après-midi (ewn er duh la-pre-mee-DEE)

two o'clock PM, 14h00 

quatorze heure (kaht-orz air)

deux heures de l'après-midi (duz er duh la-pre-mee-DEE)

six o'clock PM, 18h00 

dix-huit heure (deez-wheat air)

six heures du soir (sees er dew SWAR)

half past seven, 19h30 

sept heures et demi

dix-neuf heures trente

midnight 0h00

minuit (mee-NWEE)

[edit] Duration

_____ minute(s) 

_____ minute(s) (mee-NOOT)

_____ hour(s) 

_____ heure(s) (air)

_____ day(s) 

_____ jour(s) (zhoor)

_____ week(s) 

_____ semaine(s) (SUH-men)

_____ month(s) 

_____ mois (mwa)

_____ year(s) 

_____ an(s) (ahng), année(s) (ah-NAY)

daily 

quotidienne (ko-ti-dyen)

weekly 

hebdomadaire (eb-doh-ma-DAYR)

monthly 

mensuel (mang-suu-ELL)

yearly 

annuel (an-oo-EL)

[edit] Days

today 

aujourd'hui (aw-zhoor-DWEE)

yesterday 

hier (EE-EUR)

tomorrow 

demain (duh-MAN)

this week 

cette semaine (set SUH-men)

last week 

la semaine dernière (lah SUH-men dehr-NYEHR)

next week 

la semaine prochaine (lah SUH-men proh-SHEN)

Note: French calendars normally start on Monday.

Monday 

lundi (luhn-DEE)

Tuesday 

mardi (mahr-DEE)

Wednesday 

mercredi (mehr-kruh-DEE)

Thursday 

jeudi (juh-DEE)

Friday 

vendredi (vahn-druh-DEE)

Saturday 

samedi (sahm-DEE)

Sunday 

dimanche (dee-MAHNSH)

[edit] Colors

Note: Like other romance languages, nouns in french are either "masculine" or "feminine" and adjectives vary accordingly.

black 

noir/noire (nwahr)

white 

blanc/blanche (blahng/blahnsh)

gray 

gris/grise (gree/greez)

red 

rouge (roozh)

blue 

bleu/bleue (bluh)

yellow 

jaune (zhawn)

green 

vert/verte (verre/vehrt)

orange 

orange (oh-RAHNZH)

purple 

violet/violette (vee-oh-LEH/vee-oh-LET)

brown 

brun/brune (bruh/bruhn); marron (MAH-rohn)

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to _____? 

Combien coûte le billet pour _____ ? (kom-BYAN koot luh bee-YEH poor)

One ticket to _____, please. 

Un billet pour _____, s'il vous plaît. (ung bee-YEH poor ____ see voo pleh)

Where does this train/bus go? 

Où va ce train/bus ? (oo va suh trahn/boos?)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

Où est le train/bus pour _____ ? (oo eh luh trahn/boos poor ____)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

Ce train/bus s'arrête-t-il à _____ ? (suh trahn/boos sah-ret-TEEL ah _____)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

Quand part le train/bus pour _____ ? (kahn par luh trahn/boos poor _____)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

Quand ce train/bus arrivera à _____ ? (kahn suh trahn/boos AH-reev-ehr-AH ah _____)

the/this shuttle 

la/cette navette (lah/set nah-VET) (also means a tatting shuttle)

a one-way ticket

un aller simple (uhn AH-leur SAM-pluh)

a round trip ticket

un aller-retour (uhn AH-leur REH-tour)

[edit] Directions

Where is _____? 

Où se trouve _____ ? (oo suh tr-OO-v _____)

...the train station? 

...la gare ? (lah gahr?)

...the bus station? 

...la gare routière ? (lah gahr roo-TYEHR?)

...the airport? 

... l'aéroport ? (lehr-oh-POR?)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy? 

...l'ambassade americaine/canadienne/australienne/anglaise ? (lahm-bah-SAHD a-may-ree-KEN/ka-na-DYEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ)

[edit] Taxi

Taxi! 

Taxi ! (tahk-SEE!)

Take me to _____, please. 

Déposez-moi à _____, je vous prie. (DAY-poh-zay-MWAH ah _____, zhuh voo PREE)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

Combien cela coûte-t-il d'aller à _____ ? (kahm-BYENG suh-LA koo-TEEL dah-LAY ah _____?)

Take me there, please. 

Amenez-moi là, je vous prie. (ah-MEHN-ay-mwah LAH, zhuh voo PREE)

[edit] Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

Acceptez-vous les dollars américains/australiens/canadiens ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh doh-LAHR ah-may-ree-KANG/aws-trah-LYAHNG/kah-nah-DYAHNG?)

Do you accept British pounds? 

Acceptez-vous les livres Sterling ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh leevr stehr-LING?)

Do you accept credit cards? 

Acceptez-vous les cartes de credit ? (ahk-sep-tay VOO leh kahrt duh kray-DEE?)

Can you change money for me? 

Pouvez-vous me faire le change ? (poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH?)

Where can I get money changed? 

Où puis-je faire le change ? (oo PWEEZH fehr luh SHAHNZH?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

Pouvez-vous me faire le change sur un traveler's chèque ? (poo-vay-VOO muh fehr luh SHAHNZH suur ung trahv-leurz SHECK?)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

Où puis-je changer un traveler's chèque ? (oo PWEEZH shahng-ZHAY ung trahv-leurz SHECK?)

What is the exchange rate? 

Quel est le taux de change ? (KELL eh luh TAW duh SHAHNZH?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

Où puis-je trouver un distributeur de billets ? (oo PWEEZH troo-VAY ung dees-tree-buu-TEUR duh bee-YAY?)

[edit] Eating

fixed-price meal 

menu (muh-NUU)

à la carte 

à la carte (ah lah KAHRT)

breakfast 

France:' petit-déjeuner (ptee-day-zheu-NAY); Belgium/Canada/Nord-Pas-de-Calais (north of France): déjeuner (day-zheu-NAY)

lunch 

France: déjeuner (day-zheu-NAY); Belgium/Canada/Nord-Pas-de-Calais (north of France): dîner (dee-NAY)

tea (meal) 

thé (tay)

dinner/supper 

France: dîner (dee-NAY); Elsewhere: souper (soo-PAY)

I would like _____. 

Je voudrais _____. (zhuh voo-DREH _____)

I would like a dish containing _____. 

Je voudrais un plat avec _____. (zhuh voo-DREH ung plah ah-VEK _____)

chicken 

(du) poulet (duu poo-LEH)

beef 

(du) boeuf (duu BUFF)

deer 

du cerf (dü SEHR)

fish 

du poisson (duu pwa-SONG)

salmon 

du saumon (duu saw-MONG)

tuna 

du thon (duu TONG)

whiting 

du merlan (duu mehr-LANG)

cod 

de la morue (duh lah moh-RUU)

seafood 

des fruits de mer (deh frwee duh MEHR); literally: "fruits of the sea"

dulse 

de la dulse (duh lah DUULS)

lobster 

du homard (duu oh-MAR)

clams 

des palourdes (deh pah-LOORD)

oysters 

des huîtres (dez WEETR)

mussels 

des moules (deh MOOL)

snails 

des escargots (dez es-car-GOH)

frogs 

des grenouilles (deh gruh-NOOEY)

ham 

du jambon (duu zhahng-BONG)

pork 

du porc/cochon (dü POHR/dü coh-SHONG). cochon is much less formal.

boar 

du sanglier (dü sahng-GLYAY)

sausage 

des saucisses (deh saw-SEESS)

cheese 

du fromage (duu froh-MAHZH)

eggs 

des oeufs (dehz UH)

one egg 

un oeuf (un UF)

salad 

une salade (uun sah-LAHD)

(fresh) vegetables 

des légumes (frais) (deh lay-guum FREH)

(fresh) fruit 

des fruits (frais) (frwee (freh))

bread 

du pain (pang)

toast 

rôtis (roh-TEE)

coffee 

café (kah-FAY)

tea (drink) 

thé (tay)

juice 

jus (zhuu)

(bubbly) water 

eau gazeuse (oh gah-ZUHZ)

water 

eau (oh)

Note: If you ask for "water", you will get mineral water. To specify "tap water", say "eau du robinet" (OH doo roh-bee-NEH) or ask for a carafe of water "une carafe d'eau" (OON cahr-AHF doh).

beer 

bière (byehr)

red/white wine 

vin rouge/blanc (vang roozh/blahng)

May I have some _____? 

Puis-je avoir du _____ ? (pweezh ah-VWAHR duu)

salt 

sel (sel)

black pepper 

poivre (pwavr)

butter 

beurre (bur)

Excuse me, waiter/waitress? 

S'il vous plaît, monsieur/madame ? (seell voo PLEH muh syuh/madam)

Note: "garçon" (boy) is offensive and should be avoided.

I'm finished. 

J'ai fini. (zhay feenee)

It was delicious. 

C'était délicieux. (setay delisyuh)

Can you please clear the plates? 

Pouvez-vous débarrasser la table, s'il vous plaît? (poovay voo DEH-bahr-a-seh lah tah-bluh see voo play)

The check, please. 

L'addition s'il vous plait. (lah dee syohn seel voo play)

[edit] Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

Servez-vous des boissons alcoolisées ? (sur-VAY voo day bwa-sson al-co-ol-ee-SAY)

Is there table service? 

Est-ce que vous servez à la table ? (Ess-ser ker voo ser-VAY ah lah TAHBL?)

A beer/two beers, please. 

Une bière/deux bières, s'il vous plait. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please. 

Un verre de vin rouge/blanc, s'il vous plait. (...)

A quarter liter of beer, please 

Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît. (...)

A pint, please. 

Une pinte, s'il vous plait. (oon peent, seel-voo-PLEH)

A bottle, please. 

Une bouteille, s'il vous plait. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. 

_____ et _____, s'il vous plait. (...)

whiskey 

whisky (...)

vodka 

vodka (...)

rum 

rhum (...)

water 

de l'eau (duh loh)

club soda 

soda (...)

tonic water 

Schweppes (...)

orange juice 

jus d'orange (joo d'or-AHNJ)

Coke (soda) 

Coca (...)

One more, please. 

Encore un/une autre, s'il vous plait. (ahn-KOHR ahn/oon oh-truh, seel-voo-PLEH)

Another round, please. 

Un autre pour la table, s'il vous plait. (...)

When is closing time? 

À quelle heure fermez-vous ? (ah kell er fer-MAY voo)

[edit] Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

Avez-vous ceci dans ma taille ? (AH-veh-VOO say-SEE dan sma THAI)

How much (is this)? 

Combien (ça) coûte ? (COMM-bee-yen (SAH) coot)

That's too expensive. 

C'est trop cher. (say-TRO-shair)

Would you take _____? 

Pourriez-vous accepter _____ ? (poor-yay-VOOZ ahk-sep-TAY)

expensive 

cher (shehr)

cheap 

bon marché (bong mar-SHAY) (not declined. Elles sont bon marché.)

I can't afford it. 

Je n'ai pas les moyens. (zhe nay pah leh mwah-YAHNG)

I don't want it. 

Je n'en veux pas. (zhe nahng veu pah)

You're cheating me. 

Vous essayez de me faire avoir. (vooz ess-ey-YE duh muh fehr ah-VWAHR)

I'm not interested. 

Je ne suis pas intéressé. (zhen swee pahz-ann-tay-ress-SAY)

OK, I'll take it. 

D'accord, je le/la prends. (dah-kor zhe luh/lah prahn)

Can I have a bag? 

Pourrais-je avoir un sac ? (poo-REHZH ah-VWAR ung sahk)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

Livrez-vous (outre-mer/à l'étranger) ? (leev-ray-VOO ootr-MEHR/ah lay-trahn-ZHAY)

I need... 

J'ai besoin... (zhay buh-ZWAHN)

...toothpaste. 

...du dentifrice. (duu dahn-tee-FREESS)

...a toothbrush. 

...d'une brosse à dents. (duun bross ah DAHN)

...tampons. 

...des tampons. (day tahm-POHN)

...soap. 

...du savon. (duu sah-VOHN)

...shampoo. 

...du shampooing. (duu shahm-PWAHN)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...d'un analgésique (aspirine, ibuprofène);. (dun ah-nal-zhay-ZEEK (ahs-pee-REEN/ee-buu-proh-FEN))

...cold medicine. 

...d'un médicament pour le rhume. (dung may-dee-kah-MAHNG poor luh RUUM)

...stomach medicine. 

...d'un remède pour l'estomac. (dung ray-MED poor less-toh-MAHK)

...a razor. 

...d'un rasoir. (dung rah-ZWAR)

...batteries. 

...des piles. (day PEEL)

...an umbrella. (rain) 

...d'un parapluie. (doon pah-ra-ploo-ee)

...an umbrella. (sun) 

...d'une ombrelle. (doon ohm-brehl-ee)

...sunblock lotion. 

...de la crème solaire. (deh lah crehm so-LEHR)

...a postcard. 

...d'une carte postale. (doon kahrt post-AL)

...postage stamps. 

...des timbres. (dayz TAHM-burs)

...writing paper. 

...du papier à lettres. (doo pap-YEH ah LEH-TR)

...a pen. 

...d'un stylo. (doon STEE-loh)

...English-language books. 

...des livres en anglais. (dayz LEE-vruhs ehn ahngh-LEH)

...English-language magazines. 

...des revues en anglais. (dayz REH-voos ehn ahngh-LEH)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...d'un journal en anglais. (doon zhoar-NAL ahn ahng-LEH)

...a French-English dictionary. 

...d'un dictionnaire français-anglais. (uhn deect-shee-ohn-AIR frahn-SEH ahng-LEH)

[edit] Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

Je n'ai fait rien de mal. (zhuh nay fay ree-AHN duh MAL)

It was a misunderstanding. 

C'est une erreur. (say uhn air-ehur)

Where are you taking me? 

Où m'emmenez-vous ? (ooh mehm-en-EH voo)

Am I under arrest? 

Suis-je en état d'arrestation ? (SWEE zhuh ahn EH-tah dahr-es-tash-ON)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (m) 

Je suis un citoyen américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (zhuh swee uhn see-twa-YAHN a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (f) 

Je suis une citoyenne américaine/australienne/anglaise/canadienne. (zhe s'wee oon see-twa-YEN a-may-ree-KEN/os-trah-lee-EN/ahn-GLEZ/ka-na-DYEN)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy or consulate. 

Je veut parler à l'ambassade ou le consulat américain/australien/anglais/canadien. (ZHUH vuh pahr-LEUR ah lahm-ba-SAHD oo KAHN-sul-aht a-may-ree-CAN/os-trah-lee-AHN/ahn-GLEH/ka-na-DYAN)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

Je voudrais parler à un avocat. (ZHUH vood-RAY par-lehr ah uhn AH-vo-caht) ("avocat" also means "avocado" but people don't normally talk to avocados!)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

Pourrais-je simplement payer une amende? (poo-RAYZH sampl-MANG pay-AY yn ah-MAHND)

[offering bribe] Will you accept this in place of my fine? 

Acceptez-vous en lieu de ma amende? (accept-eh voo ehn lee-YUH duh mah deh-MAND)

Note: Only do this in 3rd world countries, DO NOT' try to do this in France or Canada!

[edit] Utilities

• a keyboard for typing accented characters for firefox