Helpful Expressions in French | Navigate a new city with ease

Bonjour! I’ve put together a list of basic expressions you can use on your next trip to Brussels (or any Francophone country) that should help you do most day to day activities. Because French is not a phonetic language, I’ve decided to include the IPA spelling next to each word so that you can be understood :)

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Good day/ evening Bonjour/ bonsoir

(bon jour/ bon swah)

How much does this cost? Ça coûte combien? 

(sa coot kom byan)

Do you speak English? (formal) Parlez-vous anglais?

(parley voo anglay)

Sorry, I don’t understand Pardon, je ne comprende pas.

(parhdohn, juh nuh compron pah)

The menu, please. La carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît. 

(lah kart/ luh menu, sil voo play)

I would like…. please. Je voudrais…. s’il vous plait.

(je voodrai…. sil voo play) 

Thank you. Merci.

(mair see)

Goodbye/ see you later. Au revoir/ À bientôt! 

(oh ruh vwah)/ (ah byan toe)

It was delicious/ really good. C’était délicieux/ très bon. 

(setayh deliciooz/ treh bon)

Excuse me. Excusez-moi.

(eh skyoo zay mwah/pah don)

Where is….? Où est…?

(oo eh)