French Polite Expressions: Essential Words to Know Before Coming to Paris

Vocabulary and grammar are important when you come to Paris to learn French, but knowing how to be polite in French is just as essential.
A few small words can make a big difference in France. Saying Bonjour when you walk into a shop, s’il vous plaît when you ask for something and merci when someone helps you are very important parts of everyday French communication.
The good news is that you only need to learn a few key expressions to make the right impression!

The Essential French Polite Expressions

Bonjour (Hello/Good morning)
This may be the most important word to remember. When you walk into a shop, bakery, café or other public place, always say Bonjour!
For example: Bonjour, je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. (Hello, I would like a coffee, please.)
In the evening, you can say: Bonsoir! (Good evening)

Merci (Thank you)
Never forget to say Merci!
Or: Merci beaucoup! (Thank you very much)
The usual response is: De rien! (You’re welcome)

S’il vous plaît (Please)
Use this expression to ask for something politely: Un café, s’il vous plaît. (A coffee, please.)
Pouvez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît? (Can you help me, please?)

Excusez-moi (Excuse me)
This one will come in handy in Paris!
Use it to ask for directions, get someone’s attention or apologise: Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche? (Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?)
You can also say: Pardon! (Sorry/ Excuse me).

Je voudrais… (I would like…)
Instead of saying Je veux (I want), which can sound too direct, French people often say Je voudrais…
For example: Je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a baguette please.)
It’s a simple but effective way to make your French sound more polite.

Je ne comprends pas (I don’t understand)
If someone speaks too fast, you can say: Excusez-moi, mais je ne vous comprends pas. (I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying).
Or: Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît? (Could you repeat, please?)
Or: Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît? (Could you speak more slowly, please?)
These expressions will certainly come in handy when you first arrive in Paris!

Tu or Vous? An Important French Rule
English has only one word for you but French has two.
Tu (informal): use it with friends, family and people you know well.
Vous (polite and formal): use it with people you do not know or not well enough, and in professional situations.
When in doubt, use vous. It is usually better to be slightly too formal than too familiar.

Saying Goodbye Politely
Don’t forget to say goodbye! Useful expressions include:
Au revoir! (Goodbye)
Bonne journée! (Have a nice day)
Bonne soirée! (Have a nice evening)
À bientôt! (See you soon)
These easy expressions make everyday conversations warmer and friendlier. 

Why Is French Politeness So Important?

Learning polite expressions helps international students:

  • make a good first impression
  • communicate more confidently
  • avoid misunderstanding
  • understand French culture
  • make friends more easily

Grammar helps you build sentences, vocabulary gives you the words, but politeness teaches you how to communicate naturally with other people.

Learn French and Use It Every Day at ACCORD Paris

One of the best ways to learn polite French is to use it in real life. When studying at ACCORD Paris, you learn these expressions in class and put them into practice during your French lessons and throughout the city:

Bonjour, in the morning to greet your teacher, classmates, people in the bakery, etc.
S’il vous plait, when ordering something or asking for something.
Excusez-moi, when asking for directions or requesting clarification in class.
Merci beaucoup, when someone helps you.
Bonne journée, when you leave ACCORD Paris after class.

That’s what makes learning French at the ACCORD French Language School so special: you don’t simply memorize the language, you live it.

Here are the three most important words for you to add to your vocabulary before you arrive in France: Bonjour. S’il vous plaît. Merci.

Come to ACCORD Paris, learn French in France, and discover how to communicate naturally and politely in everyday French life!