Most Useful French Phrases
#27
Join Date: Feb 2003
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We iive in Paris and have noticed how important it is to use polite phrases in shops, restaurants, buses and elsewhere. I would emphasise that, when you enter a shop, first speak to a waiter, get on the bus at the front where the driver is, that you don't just say "Bonjour/Bonsoir", but that you say "Bonjour/bonsoir madame/monsieur" etc. Using a title is very important. Also, when you leave a shop, restaurant, etc, you would say "Merci, au revoir, bonne journee/bonne soiree" (pronounce the n in bonne this time and pronounce the second word journay/soiray" - approximately). The difference between bonjour and bonne journee is "hello/good day versus "have a good day".
I've also found that when I'm trying to get past someone on the street, metro, bus, etc, it's quite effective to start with "S'il vous plait" before saying "excusez-moi". The "S'il vous plait" just seems to unclog ears - and they get out of your way more graciously and more quickly.
I've also found that when I'm trying to get past someone on the street, metro, bus, etc, it's quite effective to start with "S'il vous plait" before saying "excusez-moi". The "S'il vous plait" just seems to unclog ears - and they get out of your way more graciously and more quickly.
#30
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Messieurs/Mesdames bonsoir
Vos commentaires sont considérablement appréciés
Merci beaucoup
If I can just learn to say hello, please, thank you, excuse me, and goodbye, and a few other simple niceties such as par le vous Anglais, I'll be happy! And of course how to get to the bathroom or toilet.
Au revoir
Vos commentaires sont considérablement appréciés
Merci beaucoup
If I can just learn to say hello, please, thank you, excuse me, and goodbye, and a few other simple niceties such as par le vous Anglais, I'll be happy! And of course how to get to the bathroom or toilet.
Au revoir
#31
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One of my French teachers told me never to say "Je suis perdue," because it would mean I had lost my soul. He said to use the reflexive term instead, "Je me suis perdue," meaning "I have lost myself."
Coco???
Coco???
#34
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At what time do you start saying "soir"?
Depending on what part of France, people start to "soir" in the middle of the afternoon. Other places you don't hear "soir" into well past the five o'clock.
Bonjour is clear. It's the morning. Even the bonne nuit is fairly clear when it starts to being used. But, I'm still screwing up my "soir"s.
Blackduff
Depending on what part of France, people start to "soir" in the middle of the afternoon. Other places you don't hear "soir" into well past the five o'clock.
Bonjour is clear. It's the morning. Even the bonne nuit is fairly clear when it starts to being used. But, I'm still screwing up my "soir"s.
Blackduff
#35
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Here's another (and pardon my spelling):
Waiters will often ask: "Vous choisez?" or something similar meaning, "What have you chosen?" then you answer with your order.
Or at least this is how I interpreted it and always got some delicious food when I responded
Waiters will often ask: "Vous choisez?" or something similar meaning, "What have you chosen?" then you answer with your order.
Or at least this is how I interpreted it and always got some delicious food when I responded
#36
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I have been asked at a restaurant:
fumeur ou non fumeur?
And this summer at a cafe in Paris I heard a French lady ask for the check without using l'addition svp. Perhaps something about numbers? Sorry, can't remember exactly.
fumeur ou non fumeur?
And this summer at a cafe in Paris I heard a French lady ask for the check without using l'addition svp. Perhaps something about numbers? Sorry, can't remember exactly.
#39
Join Date: Jun 2006
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This page will give you a few ideas...and a few laughs!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/yours...s.shtml#french
P.S What does "ttt" mean? I have seen it twice now.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/yours...s.shtml#french
P.S What does "ttt" mean? I have seen it twice now.