English to French Common Words and Phrases
When learning a new language or taking a quick refresher course, it's important to learn the most basic commonly spoken words and phrases. This can be as basic as words like Yes and No, but also extend to other useful phrases like Do you speak English? or I speak a little bit of French.
It's these types of basic words that this page is all about, so you can remember the more common words in French, by comparing them to their English translations. Scroll down to see what common words and phrases you still need to learn or use the quick links provided below to skip to a certain section.
Common Words from English to French:
Words in bold added during the last update. You can also view this list of common words and phrases from French to English.
Quick Links:
Yes and No from English to French
English to French of Please and Thank You
Do You Speak English? / French?
What is Your Name? from English to French
English to French Question Words
Other Useful Phrases from English to French
Yes and No from English to French
Yes ➔ Oui
No ➔ Non
English to French of Please and Thank You
Please ➔ S'il te plaît.
Please ➔ S'il vous plaît.
Thanks (a lot). ➔ Merci (beaucoup).
Thank you, Madam / Sir. ➔ Merci, madame / monsieur. (formal)
I thank you. ➔ Je vous remercie.
Thanks a million. ➔ Merci infiniment.
You're welcome. / Don't mention it. ➔ De rien.
With pleasure. ➔ Avec plaisir.
Do You Speak English? / French?
Do you speak English? ➔ Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
I don't speak English. ➔ Je ne parle pas anglais.
Do you speak French? ➔ Est-ce que vous parlez français?
Do you speak French? ➔ Parlez-vous français?
Yes, I speak French. ➔ Oui, je parle français.
I speak French a little. ➔ Je parle le français un peu.
I speak a little bit of French. ➔ Je parle un petit peut de français.
No, I don't speak French. ➔ Non, je ne parle pas français.
I don't understand. ➔ Je ne comprends pas.
Could you repeat that please? ➔ Pourriez-vous répéter s'il vous plait?
What is Your Name? from English to French
What's your name? ➔ Comment t'appelles-tu?
What is your name? ➔ Comment vous appelez-vous?
What do you call yourself? ➔ Tu t'appelle comment?
My name is (name). ➔ Je m'appelle (name).
I am (name). ➔ Je suis (name).
English to French Question Words
Qui ➔ Who
Qu'est-ce que ➔ What
Quand ➔ When
Où ➔ Where
Pourquoi ➔ Why
Comment ➔ How
Other Useful Phrases from English to French
Excuse me. ➔ Excusez-moi.
How are you? ➔ (Comment) ça va?
I'm sorry. ➔ Je suis désolé(e).
What is it? ➔ Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Where are the toilets? ➔ Où sont les toilettes?
Where is the ATM? ➔ Où est le distributeur automatique?
This English to French basic words list was last updated on March 18, 2025.
Next Up
Numbers in French: Learn how to say number words in French.
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