Greetings

1. Bonjour

   Hello / Good day

   Usage

   The most common French greeting, used from morning to evening

   Grammar Note

   Combines "bon" (good) and "jour" (day). More formal than "salut" (casual hi)

2. Merci beaucoup

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Standard expression of gratitude; beaucoup intensifies the thanks

   Grammar Note

   "Merci" alone is sufficient; adding "beaucoup" makes it warmer and more emphatic

3. S'il vous plaît

   Please

   Usage

   Polite form of "please", used in formal settings or with strangers

   Grammar Note

   Literally "if it pleases you". Informal version "s'il te plaît" is used with friends

4. Au revoir

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Standard farewell in French, implying you expect to see the person again

   Grammar Note

   Literally "until seeing again". The standard farewell equivalent to "goodbye"

5. Excusez-moi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologize for minor inconveniences

   Grammar Note

   "Excusez-moi" is for getting attention; "Pardon" is for light apologies or asking to repeat

6. Enchanté(e)

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Said when meeting someone for the first time, often accompanied by a handshake or bisous

   Grammar Note

   Masculine: Enchanté, feminine: Enchantée. Pronunciation is nearly identical

7. Comment allez-vous ?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Formal way to ask how someone is doing. Common reply: Très bien, merci (Very well, thank you)

   Grammar Note

   "Aller" means to go, but here it describes one's state. With friends, use "Tu vas bien?"

8. Je suis désolé(e)

   I'm sorry

   Usage

   A more sincere apology than "Excusez-moi", used for genuine regret

   Grammar Note

   "Désolé" is masculine, "désolée" feminine. "Être désolé(e)" means to be sorry

9. Bonne nuit

   Good night

   Usage

   Said when parting for the night or before going to sleep

   Grammar Note

   "Nuit" is feminine, hence "bonne". "Bonne soirée" is used during the evening, not at bedtime

10. Bienvenue en France !

    Welcome to France!

    Usage

    Welcoming visitors or travelers to France

    Grammar Note

    Use "en" for feminine country names (en France) and "au" for masculine (au Japon)

11. Je ne parle pas français.

    I can't speak French

    Usage

    Letting someone know you cannot speak French

    Grammar Note

    French negation sandwiches the verb between "ne" and "pas". In speech "ne" is often dropped

12. Je reviendrai.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

    Grammar Note

    Simple future of "revenir" (to come back); casually people also say "Je reviens !"

13. J'ai passé un très bon moment.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

    Grammar Note

    "Passer un bon moment" is a set phrase meaning "to have a good time"

14. Merci, à bientôt !

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

    Grammar Note

    More casual than "Au revoir"; suited to someone you address with "tu"

15. Dormez bien.

    Good night

    Usage

    A formal (vous) bedtime alternative to "Bonne nuit", said just before sleep

16. J'y vais.

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

17. Je suis rentré(e).

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

    Grammar Note

    "Rentré" agrees with the speaker's gender since it takes "être". Female speakers say "rentrée"

18. Excusez-moi, je dois y aller.

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

19. De rien.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you

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