Visiting France is a passionate dream of many, not only romantic people who have read sentimental novels.
Gourmets will not refuse to come here to taste dishes from classic French cuisine; there is something for winemakers to taste and learn; car dealers also visit the country for business purposes.
Unfortunately, times when every self-respecting, educated Russian man fluent in French are long gone.
The average tourist has a maximum of five or six phrases in his arsenal, and even those are drawn mainly from films and proverbs: “Cherche la femme”, “Mercy side”, “C'est la vie” and so on in the same spirit.
However, this is not enough to explain yourself in a hotel or store!
It is worth studying the minimal Russian-French phrasebook for tourists - and, of course, using it, since you are lucky enough to get to know France closely.
We do not present those words and phrases that are generally known or the meaning of which is easy to guess from the meaning, consonance or accompanying picture. Only the main ones that are really needed on a trip, but have never been encountered by a person who does not speak French.
What to say at customs
This is where it all starts. You have crossed the border line, where to go now and what to say? Look for the inscription “Douane” (Duan) - customs, or “Controle douanier” (Customs inspection), or “Controle-t-on les passeport” (Control ton le passeport) - passport control.
Frequent answers:
- 1. Je suis citoyen(ne) de russie – Je suis citoyen de russie – I am a citizen of Russia
- 2. Pour affaires – pure scam – business trip
- 3. Comme touriste - com tourist - like a tourist
- 4. Sur invitation - sur evitation - for personal purposes
- 5. Je n’ai rien a daclarer - wife erien a daclarer - I have nothing to declare
- 6. Ce sont des cadeaux - se sont de cadeaux - these are gifts
- 7.Je n’ai que mes bagages a main - not ke me luggage but mann - I only have hand luggage
How to explain yourself at the hotel
The French are a hospitable but proud people. They love their language very much and will be very happy if you at least try to communicate with them not in English, but even in broken French using gestures.
They will meet you halfway, try to understand or guess what exactly you need.
- 1. Deposez-moi a l’hotel - depose moi a letel - take me to the hotel
- 2. On m’a reserve une chambre - he’s on reserve une chambre - a room is reserved for me
- 3. Puis-je reserver une chambre? – puige reserve un chambre? – can I reserve a room?
- 4. Combien coute cette chambre - combien coute cette chambre - how much does a room cost?
- 5. Une chambre pour une(Deux) personne - un chambre pour une(de) person - room for one (two)
- 6. Je voudrais la clef de ma chambre - same voudrais la clef de ma chambre - I wish you the key to the room
- 7. Pouvez-vous me reveiller demain matin a 7 heures? - puve vu my reveye deman matan, and set(o)er? – could you wake me up at 7 am?
- 8. Je voudrais regler la note - Je voudrais regler la note - I would like to pay
- 9. Рortez mes valises dans ma chambre - porte me valises dan ma chambre - take my suitcases to the room, please
- 10. A quel etage se trouve ma chambre? - And kaletazh setruv ma chambre? – What floor is my room on?
- 11. A quelle heure servez-vous le petit dejeuner? - A kel yor servevu lepeti dezhene? – what time is breakfast served?
Place an order at a restaurant
Ordering food in a French restaurant or cafe by randomly pointing your finger at the menu would be very reckless. Often the menu is given in both French and English, but this does not always help. Remember a few important phrases.
- 1. Puis-je reserver la table - can I reserve a table?
- 2. Le menu, s’il vous plait - Le menu sil vous plait - menu, please
- 3. Que pouvez-vouz nous recommander? - Kyo puwe-wu nu ryokomande? — what would you recommend to us?
- 4. specialites maison - special maison - signature dish
- 5. Manger bon et pas trop cher - Manzhe bon e pas trop cher - eat delicious and inexpensive
- 6. Manger sur le pouce - Manger sur le pouce - have a snack
- 7. C'est un plat de viande / de poisson? — Seten place de viand/de poisson? Is this a meat (fish) dish?
- 8. Qu’est-se que vous avez comme boissons? - Keskyo wu zawe com buason? - What can you drink?
- 9. Je suis vegetarien - Je suis vegetarien - I am a vegetarian
- 10. L'addition, s'il vous plait - Ladisyon silvuple - please calculate
- 11. C'est tr'es bon! - Se tre bon! - delicious!
Minimum vocabulary for shopping
It’s a sin in France – especially in Paris – not to visit the boutiques, souvenir shops and markets. To avoid getting into trouble, learn these common expressions.
- 1. Combien ca coute? - Kombyan sa kut? - How much does it cost?
- 2. Montrez-moi cela - Montrez moi cela - show me...
- 3. C’est cher / bon marche - Se cher / bon marche - it’s expensive (cheap)
- 4. Soldes/promotions/ventes - Soldes/promotion/ventes - sale, discounts
- 5. Ou est la cabine d’essayage? — U la kabin désayage? - Where is the fitting room?
- 6. C'est quelle taille (pointure)? — Se kel tai (pointure)? — what size clothes (shoes) is this?
- 7. J’ai besoin de la taille / pointure - J’ai besoin de la taille / pointure - I need a size...
- 8. Acceptez-vous les cartes de credit? — Acceptevu le carte de cred? - Do you accept credit cards?
- 9. Ou est-il fabrique? — At the ethyl factory? – who produces it?
- 10. merci, je regarde tout simplement - merci, je regard tou sampleman - thank you, I’m just looking
Other useful phrases
Of course, you can’t insure yourself for every eventuality; very different situations can arise in a foreign city in a foreign country. We are sure that you will be able to figure out from the signs and display windows what kind of establishment is in front of you: a store, restaurant, confectionery, theater, museum or exhibition hall.
You can buy the necessary products yourself at the market or in a supermarket; many of the names sound international. As a last resort, you can simply indicate what exactly you would like.
We also do not provide translations of numbers, days of the week, names of months and words of politeness when meeting, acquaintance, farewell, gratitude, etc.
These are clichés that you will hear many times a day and are easy to remember without a dictionary or phrase book. But a few especially necessary phrases, which are not used so often, are worth learning.
- 1. Ou puis-je prendre un taxi? — U puige prand en taxi? — where can I hire a taxi?
- 2. Je suis a paris pour la premiere fois - Je suis a paris pour la premiere fois. — this is my first time in Paris
- 3. Qu’est ce que vous conseillez de visiter en premier lieu -Keske vous conseillez de visiter en premier lieu? — what would you recommend watching first?
- 4. Au secours! - Oh sekur! - help!
- 5. Appelez un medecin! - Apple en medsen! - Call a doctor!
- 6. Appelez la police! - Apple la polis! - Call the police!
- 7. Au feu! - Oh phew! - fire!
- 8. Aidez-moi, s’il vous plait - Ede mua sil vu plait - help me, please
- 9. J’ai un malaise - Same (o)yon malaise - I don’t feel good
- 10. Je ne comprends pas - Je ne comprends pas - I don’t understand
- 11. Repetez - Repeat - repeat
Where else do they speak French?
Officially, French is one of the official languages in more than 30 countries around the world. This:
- France;
- Belgium;
- Switzerland;
- Monaco;
- Canada;
- numerous African countries;
- French Guiana;
- Caribbean states;
- part of Mexico;
- state of Louisiana in the USA.
In total, more than 100 million people speak Moliere’s language in the world. We hope that after studying this article one more will be added to this number!
I read it myself - tell your friends! Give it a like!
Preliminary remarks
1. French pronunciation is quite difficult, in particular due to the presence of nasal vowels. When pronouncing them, the air comes out partly through the nose and partly through the mouth. When a syllable ends in a single "n" or "m", they are not pronounced, but indicate that the preceding vowel is nasal. There are three in total; in Russian transcription of words and phrases, two letters are highlighted in bold, which means one nasal sound - an (yan, am), on (om) or en.
2. The standard French “r” sound is pronounced as follows: the back of the tongue arches towards the palate, preventing the passage air flow, and the tip of the tongue lies flat, resting on the front lower teeth.
3. For transfer French sound“eu”, where it is fundamental for understanding, two Russian letters “оё” are used, placed together. To pronounce the sound correctly, just slightly round your lips (your tongue lies flat) and try to say “o” in this position, thinking about “e”.
4. Emphasis on French falls on last syllable.
5. The French are very proud of their language. Therefore, even if you are going to communicate in English language, any question or sentence should begin with the standard phrase: “Excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais?”
You can most quickly master a spoken language by teaching Russian to foreigners, as well as by translating Russian classical literature and Russian educational literature to foreign. To do this, you need to have a good knowledge of the Russian language and Russian literature.
Russia is a world leader in attractions and cultural places. In the future, Russia should become the most popular country for foreign tourists. The historical value of cultural sites and the opportunity for tourists to relax in Russia are much higher than any other country.
It has been noticed that many people do not know elementary rules Russian language, for example:
1. The number of quotation marks should always be even, like parentheses in mathematics.
Adjacent quotation marks can be of two types – “…” and “…” (paws and Christmas trees).
Correct: “words “words”” or “words “words””
Incorrect: “words” and “words”
These errors are even in the names of large companies and some articles and books.
2. If there is information in brackets at the end of a sentence, the period is placed after the brackets, not before the brackets and inside before the closing bracket.
Correct: words (words).
Incorrect: words. (words.)
Sincerely, Shevchuk Denis, www.deniskredit.ru
First few words
Yes. Oui. Oui.
No. Non. Non.
Please. Sil wu ple. S"il vous plait.
Thank you. Mercy. Merci.
Thank you very much. Mercy side. Merci beaucoup.
Hello (Good afternoon). Bonjour. Bonjour.
Hello. Salyu. Salut.
Sorry (to get attention). Excuse mua. Excusez-moi.
Sorry. Sorry. Pardon.
Unfortunately, I don't speak French. Desole, jeu ne parle pas français. Desole, je ne parle pas francais.
Where is…? U se truv...? Ou se trouve...?
Where are...? U se truv...? Ou se trouvent...?
Emergencies
Help! Oh sekur! Au secours!
Call the police! Apple la polis! Appelez la police!
Call a doctor. Apple en medsen! Appelez un medecin!
I'm lost! Zhe myo shui egare. Je me suis egare(e)
Stop the thief! Oh aviary! Au voleur!
Fire! Oh fyo! Au feu!
I have a (small) problem, but J "ai un (petit) probleme
Help me please ede mua sil vu pla Aidez-moi, s"il vous plait
What's wrong with you? Que vous til Que vous arrive-t-il?
I feel bad Zhe (o)yon malaise J"ai un malaise
I'm sick of Je mal e coeur J"ai mal au coeur
I have a headache / stomach ache Zhe mal a la tete / au ventre J "ai mal a la tete / au ventre
I broke my leg Je me suis casse la jambe
Greetings and politeness formulas
Good afternoon. Bonjour. Bonjour.
Good evening. Bonsoir. Bonsoir.
Bye/Hello. Salyu. Salut.
Good night Bon Nui. Bonne nuit.
Goodbye. Oh revoir. Au revoir.
See you later. A bianto. A bientot.
Bye (in Belgium) A tantot A tantot
Good luck. Bon chance. Bonne chance.
Have a good day. Bon Journey. Bonne journee.
Have a nice weekend Bon weekend Bon week-end
See you tomorrow A deman A demain
Until evening A ce soir A ce soir
Bon appetit Bon appetit
Your health (at the table) A votre sante A votre sante!
Be healthy (when saying goodbye) Portez-vous bien!
Be healthy (when sneezing) A vos souhaits!
This is Mister Durand. Sir, Monsieur Durand. C "est monsieur Durand.
This is Madame Durand. Se Madame Durand C "est madame Durand.
This is Mademoiselle Durand. C "est mademoiselle Durand.
What is your name? Coman vous appellez-vous Comment vous appellez-vous?
What is your name? Koman tapel tu Comment t"appelles-tu?
My name is Petya, Mr. Smirnov Je m'appelle Petia (Monsieur Smirnov)
Very nice Anchante Enchante(e)
How are you? Sa va? Ca va?
Everything is fine. And you? Tre bian. Eh woo? Tres bien. Et vous?
How are you doing? Coman ale-vous Comment allez-vous?
How are you doing? Koman va tu Comment vas-tu?
So-so Komsi - Komsa Comme ci, comme ca
How old are you? Quel avez-vous?
How old are you? Quel age as-tu?
Where are you from? D"ou venez-vous?
I'm from Russia, and you? Je viens de Russie, et vous?
Say hello to your parents (Mr. Petrov) / (official var.) Dites bon jour a vos parents (Monsieur Petrov) / Mes salutations a ...
Search for mutual understanding
Do you speak Russian? Parle vu rus? Parlez-vous russe?
Do you speak English? Parle vu anglais? Parlez-vous anglais?
You understand? Comprone wu? Comprenez-vous?
I understand. Same comprand. Je comprends.
I don't understand. Zhe ne compran pa. Je ne comprends pas.
Does anyone here speak English? Es-kyo kelken isi parl anglais? Est-ce que quelqu"un ici parle anglais?
Can you speak slowly? Purje vu parle muen vit? Pourriez-vous parler moins vite?
Repeat please. Rapete, sil vu ple. Repetez, s"il vous plait.
Please write this. Ecrive le, sil vu ple. Ecrivez-le, s"il vous plait.
A French phrasebook is a collection of words and phrases that will help you on your journey. An online Russian-French phrasebook is an excellent opportunity to prepare for your trip. We deliberately do not give too much material so that you do not get confused. If necessary, you can download a French phrasebook for tourists and take it with you.
- Numbers in French. Phrasebook for travelers.
- Phrasebook for tourists: greetings and farewells.
- French phrasebook for travel: pronouns.
- Weather and time in French: phrasebook.
- Find out how to get there in French.
- Basic questions in French: phrasebook.
- Communication at the airport in French.
- Cafe and restaurant in France.
- About yourself in French.
French for travel
French for travel is a very limited range of topics. We will not learn the names of animals and musical instruments, as they do in school: it is better to remember numbers, polite phrases, basic questions and a few sentences for frequently encountered situations.
Buy phrasebooks in French:
- Can ;
- or .
A Russian-French phrasebook for tourists is an opportunity not to get lost in a foreign city, to communicate with those who do not know English or Russian, and also to pass the border and customs without fear.
If you want more than just a list of words in French, then go to the lessons for beginners or to the section with grammar tables - they give more in-depth knowledge.
Russian-French phrasebook with transcription (pronunciation)
French for travel is an emergency. It is assumed that you may not know the rules of French pronunciation, moreover, you may not have any information about international transcription at all. Our goal is not to practice perfect pronunciation, because for a couple of trips this is absolutely not required. In this regard, in our phrasebook the transcription of French words is given in the Russian version. Of course, it is quite “flawed”, because French has many sounds that we don’t have, but don’t worry - the locals will still understand you!
We invite you to look higher and immerse yourself in the world French phrases. Have fun with the online phrasebook! Have a nice trip!
The French language is deservedly considered the most sensual language in the world - it uses several hundred verbs denoting emotions and feelings of various kinds. The lyrical melody of the throat sound “r” and the exquisite precision of “le” give a special charm to the language.
Gallicisms
Used in Russian French words are called Gallicisms, they have become firmly established in Russian-language conversation big amount words and derivatives from them, similar in meaning or, conversely, only in sound.
The pronunciation of French words differs from Slavic ones in the presence of throat and nasal sounds, for example, “an” and “on” are pronounced by passing the sound through the nasal cavity, and the sound “en” through the lower part of the front wall of the throat. This language is also characterized by stress on the last syllable of a word and soft sibilant sounds, as in the words “brochure” and “jelly”. Another indicator of Gallicism is the presence in the word of the suffixes -azh, -ar, -ism (plume, massage, boudoir, monarchism). Already these subtleties make it clear how unique and diverse official language France.
Abundance of French words in Slavic languages
Few people realize that “metro”, “baggage”, “balance” and “politics” are native French words borrowed from other languages, the beautiful “veil” and “nuance” too. According to some data, about two thousand Gallicisms are used every day in the post-Soviet space. Items of clothing (knickers, cuffs, vest, pleated, overalls), military themes (dugout, patrol, trench), trading (advance, credit, kiosk and regime) and, of course. words associated with beauty (manicure, cologne, boa, pince-nez) are all Gallicisms.
Moreover, some words are similar to the ear, but have a distant or different meaning. For example:
- A frock coat is an item of men's wardrobe, and literally means “on top of everything.”
- A buffet table is a festive table for us, but for the French it’s just a fork.
- A dude is a dapper young man, and a dude in France is a pigeon.
- Solitaire means “patience” in French, but in our country it’s a card game.
- Meringue (a type of fluffy cake) is a beautiful French word meaning kiss.
- Vinaigrette (vegetable salad), vinaigrette is just vinegar among the French.
- Dessert - initially this word in France meant clearing the table, and much later - the last dish after which they clean up.
Language of love
Tete-a-tete (one-on-one meeting), rendezvous (date), vis-a-vis (opposite) - these are also words that originate from France. Amor (love) is a beautiful French word that has excited the minds of lovers so many times. A stunning language of romance, tenderness and adoration, the melodic murmur of which will not leave any woman indifferent.
The classic “zhe tem” is used to denote strong, all-consuming love, and if you add “bian” to these words, the meaning will change: it will mean “I like you.”
Peak of popularity
French words first began to appear in the Russian language during the time of Peter the Great, and since the end of the eighteenth century they have significantly moved their native speech aside. French has become the leading language high society. All correspondence (especially love) was conducted exclusively in French, beautiful long tirades filled banquet halls and meeting rooms. At the court of Emperor Alexander III, it was considered shameful (bad manners) not to know the Frankish language; a person was immediately labeled as an ignoramus, so French teachers were in great demand.
The situation changed thanks to the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin”, in which the author Alexander Sergeevich acted very subtly by writing a monologue-letter from Tatiana to Onegin in Russian (although he thought in French, being Russian, as historians say.) With this he returned the former glory of the native language.
Popular phrases in French right now
Come il faut translated from French means “as it should”, that is, something made comme il faut - made according to all the rules and wishes.
- C'est la vie! is a very famous phrase meaning “such is life.”
- Je tem - singer Lara Fabian brought worldwide fame to these words in the song of the same name “Je t’aime!” - I love you.
- Cherche la femme - also the well-known “look for a woman”
- A la ger, com ger - “in war, as in war.” Words from the song that Boyarsky sang in the popular film of all time, “The Three Musketeers.”
- Bon mo is a sharp word.
- Faison de parle is a way of speaking.
- Ki famm ve - die le ve - “what a woman wants, God wants.”
- Antr well sau di - it’s said between us.
The history of several words
Everyone famous word“marmalade” is a distorted version of “Marie est malade” - Marie is sick.
In the Middle Ages, Stewart suffered from seasickness during her travels and refused to eat. Her personal doctor prescribed her slices of peeled oranges, thickly sprinkled with sugar, and the French cook prepared quince decoctions to stimulate her appetite. If these two dishes were ordered in the kitchen, the courtiers would immediately whisper: “Marie is sick!” (mari e malad).
Shantrapa - a word meaning idle people, homeless children, also came from France. Children who did not have an ear for music and good vocal abilities were not accepted into the church choir as singers (“chantra pas” - does not sing), so they wandered around the streets, mischievous and having fun. They were asked: “Why are you idle?” In response: "Shatrapa."
Podsofe - (chauffe - heating, heater) with the prefix under-, that is, heated, under the influence of heat, taken for “warming”. A beautiful French word, but the meaning is exactly the opposite.
By the way, everyone knows why it was called that? But this is a French name, and her handbag is also from there - a reticule. Shapo is translated as “hat”, and “klyak” is akin to a slap. The slap-folding hat is a folding top hat, just like the mischievous old lady wore.
Silhouette is the surname of the controller of finances at the court of Louis the Fifteenth, who was famous for his craving for luxury and various expenses. The treasury was empty too quickly and, in order to rectify the situation, the king appointed the young incorruptible Etienne Silhouette to the post, who immediately banned all festivities, balls and feasts. Everything became gray and dull, and the fashion that arose at the same time for depicting the outline of an object of a dark color on a white background was in honor of the miser minister.
Beautiful French words will diversify your speech
IN Lately word tattoos are no longer only in English and Japanese (as fashion dictated), but are increasingly being found in French, and some of them have interesting meanings.
The French language is considered quite complex, with many nuances and details. To know it well, you need to painstakingly study for more than one year, but to use several winged and beautiful phrases it's not obligatory. Two or three words inserted at the right time into a conversation will diversify your vocabulary and make speaking French emotional and lively.
