Yes, no and the essentials in French
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten French words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 French phrases in this lesson
- OuiWEE
- Yes
- NonNOHN
- No
- D'accordda-KOR
- Okay
- Je ne comprends paszhuh nuh com-prahn PAH
- I don't understand
- Vous parlez anglais ?voo par-LAY ahn-GLAY
- Do you speak English?
- Vous pouvez répéter ?voo poo-VAY ray-pay-TAY
- Can you repeat that?
- Plus lentement, s'il vous plaîtploo lahnt-MAHN, seel voo PLEH
- Slowly, please
- Qu'est-ce que c'est ?KES-kuh SAY
- What is this?
- J'ai besoin de...zhay buh-ZWAN duh
- I need...
- Vous pouvez m'aider ?voo poo-VAY may-DAY
- Can you help me?
The standard yes. In casual speech you may hear "ouais" (way), which is the French equivalent of "yeah." Stick to oui in formal situations.
Clear and direct. The French are generally comfortable with a plain non, so do not feel you need to soften it excessively.
Means "okay" or "agreed." Very commonly shortened to "d'acc" in casual speech. Used to confirm you understand or agree.
Useful in any situation where you need more clarity. You can follow it with "pouvez-vous répéter ?" (can you repeat?) to ask them to say it again.
Use vous here for politeness with strangers. Starting with "Bonjour" before this question is strongly recommended. Jumping straight to English without greeting first is often considered rude in Paris.
Point at anything in the bakery window.
"J'ai besoin d'un médecin", I need a doctor.
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