- Bonjour! Parlez-vous anglais? Hello! Do you speak english?
- Je ne sais pas. I don’t know. My French teacher applauded me in class when I had no idea what she was asking and responded “je ne sais pas!” Apparently knowing how to say that was enough for her ha!
- Ou est… ? Where is… ?
- Çava bien! I’m good, or it’s good. Used in response to the greeting or question “Çava?” (how are you, how is it?)
- Merci beaucoup! Thank you very much!
- Combien? How much? As in how much does that cost?
- S’il vous plaît. Please.
- Pardon! Excuse me! Used in the sense of get out of my way I need to get off at this metro stop!!
- Excusez-moi. Excuse me. Used to get someone’s attention.
- Je veux… I want… and fill in the blank with the delicious food you want to order.
So I speak elementary French and tend to get lost a lot. It’s the thought that counts and I’m here to learn after all.
*Note: Bonjour is used to say “hello” but literally means good day. In French they have a specific greeting for night. Bonsoir… good night. Don’t be a dummy like me and approach the cashier at the grocery store at 8 p.m. with “Bonjour!” She’ll look at you funny and reply “Bonsoir.”
Au revoir! xoxo.
-T