10 helpful phrases when you’re in French-speaking countries

MANILA, Philippines – You’re probably a fan of French movies like Amelie, and know how beautifully the French language sounds. Or maybe you’ve also dreamed of traveling to Paris in France or seeing other countries in Europe, like Belgium and Switzerland, where French is widely spoken.

Knowing a bit of French when traveling to countries dominated by Francophones (French speakers) can be really useful. Though a lot of people in French-speaking countries can speak English as well, it is better to have several phrases up your sleeves to help you get into people’s good graces or out of sticky spots.

(READ: Applying for a visa? Keep these 5 tips in mind)

Here are a few phrases to help you get around:

Bonjour (Hello)

How to say it: Bon-zhourr

Je ne parle pas français (I don’t speak French)

How to say it: Zheu neu parl par fron-say

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

How to say it: Par – lay vooz ah(n)-glay?

Où est la gare? (Where is the train station?)

How to say it: Oo-ei lah gahr

Merci (Thank you)

How to say it: Mair-see

Nous sommes perdus (We’re lost)

How to say it: Noo som pair-dju

Ou est-ce qu’on peut trouver des restaurants? (Where are some restaurants?)

How to say it: Oo esk on peu troo-vay day resto-ron?

Je voudrais un verre de cafe. (I would like some coffee.)

How to say it: Zhuh voo dray uh verr du ca-fay

Prendriez-vous notre photo, s’il vous plaît? (Would you take our picture, please?)

How to say it: Pren-dray voo noh-tra/mah foh-toh, seal voo play?

Au revoir (Goodbye)

How to say it: Oh-reu-vwar

LIke how you sound? Learning French is not only useful in traveling. Exposure to the French language leads to a greater appreciation for the French culture and can lead to better ties among the French and Filipinos.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon says learning should not be a one-way process. “We want an exchange with you. We want to learn from you and you can also learn from us,” he said.

And the interest in French is indeed growing here.

In the Philippines, over 20,000 Filipinos were enrolled in French language courses in high school, college, and at the Alliance Française in Manila and in Cebu in 2013. Of this number, 1,500 are Filipino public high school students.

Meanwhile, 21 out of the 29 Filipino public school teachers teaching the French language have been to a 2-month immersion in France.

Learning French is also not just about being closer to the French people but to more countries with different cultures as well. In a press conference recently, Garachon was joined by some of the ambassadors in the Philippines whose countries are members of La Francophonie – an organization of 77 states and governments where French is spoken.

There are 5,000 French nationals in the Philippines, but they’re not the only ones who are French speakers here – there are Canadians, Belgians, and Swiss, as well as a number of Cambodians, and Lao people.

La Francophonie diplomats – among them Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder, Belgian Ambassador Roland Van Remoortele, Cambodian Ambassador Tuot Panha, Lao Ambassador Malayvieng Sakonhninhom, and Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber – join Garachon in urging Filipinos to give the French language a try. 

Garachon adds that learning French can also be useful – not just for expatriates but for Filipinos living in the Philippines as well. 

“I think either for Filipinos who want to expatriate or for Filipinos who want to have more job opportunities in the Philippines, it’s interesting to learn French language,” Garachon said. “For expatriates, it’s important to learn the language of the country where you want to go. In the case of the Filipinos in the Philippines, there will be more and more French-speaking tourists and French-speaking investors in the Philippines. So for those working in the business and tourism sector, I think it is a good asset to learn to speak French to make communicating easier.”

There were 39,042 French tourists who went to the Philippines in 2013, a 15.8% increase from 2012’s 33,709. The number doesn’t include French-speaker from La Francophonie countries.

There are an estimated 220 million French speakers all over the world, making it the 9th most spoken language. French and English are the only two languages spoken throughout 5 continents. 

Want to immerse yourself in the language further?

The French Animated Film Cycle is ongoing. On March 22, 23, 29, and 30, there will be screening of French animated films at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila at 7 pm.

Classic French chansons by Swiss-French duo Laurent Brunetti and Mario Pacchioli will also be performed on March 23, 5:30 pm, at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila, and on March 25, 7pm, at the Alliance Française de Manille in Makati. 

Can you speak French? Share a couple of useful phrases for our other readers in the comments section below! – Rappler.com