French words and phrases you need to know?

[mez]

Anne, When I asked for any other relevant shopping questions, I was kind of thinking more along the lines of 'It only costs xx?? I'll take one in every colour" but I think your blood sausage comment wins hands down.

I might make it my mission to use the sentence at least once

Mez

[Anne]

Oh yes, you should use it (even if it isn't relevant for you at all ) : you know, this is familiar French, and I guess that it must be really funny to hear it from someone who is obviously a foreigner, preferably with a thick accent

[geordy]

I've written that sausage sentence on my list!!!

and unfortunately with some of the French fashions and sizes I might have to use it!!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Here's a useful web site for help with French (grammar and pronunciation, as well as some colloquial expressions, etc.): french.about.com/

[Jody]

Does anyone here use the Google translate feature. You put the cursor over any word on any web page and it gives the French word..or whatever language you want.

[annettecinca]

Hey, this sounds cool, Demarias! How does it work? Do you download something?

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Demarais - I have used Google for translation where you type in a sentence or whatever and it tranlates it, but have not tried the type of thing you describe - interesting!

[Jody]

If you go to settings on your google toolbar you'll see settings, then options. It then says Translate menu and you choose your language. It really is fun to use .

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Demarais - well, that could explain it, I always refuse to download the myriad toolbars that various sites and software offer (or try to surreptitiously foist on unsuspecting users). So, no Google toolbar (or Yahoo, or any of the others!), and hence no auto translation feature! Perhaps I shall have to reconsider?

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I thought I would give this a boost, and ask whether any of the travelers who recently have returned have other phrases to add that they used often?

[roundtowngirl]

I agree, what a great idea! I know a fair amount of "textbook" French and enough conversational French to feel comfortable, but I was unaware of things like giving as close to exact change as possible.

I am an elementary teacher and in anticipation of my upcoming trip my class is learning and practicing some basic French. They are absolutely loving it! I'm going to print this out and share it with them!

[roundtowngirl]

I just thought of something...

If I'm at a restaurant and I'm ready to order what is the correct way to say "I would like --- ."
I am also wondering what is the polite way to ask for the check when we are finished?

[arrowcapet]

"Je voudrais..." will work just fine. And to ask for the check, just say "l'addition s'il vous plait"...it's the only way to ask for it....so to do it politely, you only have to ask in a polite tone. The impolite way might be to say..."Alors...l'addition, eh?"

[Happygoin]

roundtowngirl, where is your class' trip that they are practicing their French?

[roundtowngirl]

Happygoin - I'll have to clarify. I wish that I could take them all, but it's just me and my husband who get to go. They volunteered to help me practice my French if I would teach them some also.

It is amazing how they are little sponges at this age. These children are such quick learners. I certainly wish that we had foreign language in our elementary schools. It is also nice for students to see that their teachers are learners as well. In fact today they were giggling when we went over how to ask where the restroom was. Believe it or not I had 22 eight year olds asking me "Ou sont les toilettes?" They also enjoy practicing their French on my fellow staff members. Thank goodness everyone is such a good sport!

On another note, the class has a list of questions about French life. I'll have to sit down one evening and start a thread with some of their questions!

I hope everyone keeps adding to this thread though as it has been helpful!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

RTG - I think it's a great idea to help them get answers to their questions. Who knows, you could start them very early on a lifelong path of curiosity and discovery of the world - and, as you say, at that age they find learning really fun and absorb information easily. They might enjoy the webcams of Paris (among other things, it illustrates the time difference!) You might even want to get them onto some of the other web sites, such as the ones with word games in French, spoken versions of words and sentences, etc., if they get really interested.

Good for you, you're obviously a natural teacher and doing exactly what you should be doing!

[gertie]

I sure could have used this thread before my first trip to Paris. Thanks, Anne, for

- (Est-ce-que) Je peux l'essayer ?
- Où sont les cabines (d'essayage) ?

I stood in a clothing store drawing a complete blank on any possible word or description for fitting room to try on a skirt, with me trying to hand signal a box shape with curtain. I'm sure it was hilarious. I guess one thing about it, I'll remember Où sont les cabines ever after. Now, how do they usually signify them in signs? Or do they?

[cybee]

OH, those are very good words! I recall trying on a top in Paris that was ...well, a bit snug..and I wanted to say "is it too small?" but I said "plus petite?"...ha! And the salesclerk hurriedly assured me the shirt was fine! ha! Any smaller , they would have had to resuscitate me!
Since then I have learned a few extra bon mots for when I shop....I always hope "Je regarde seulement" is a correct answer to most of their questions! ha!

[Shoesy]

;D Cybee - I agree that choosing the correct modifier is often so confusing. My advice is that when in doubt, you should limit yourself to one word such as "Petite ?" (in the case you described above), and then do your best to find the proper facial expression to accompany that word, such as , , .

[Anne]

Gertie, I can think of no specific hand signal for the cabines.

Cybee, yes when I want to be left alone by the salesperson, I say "Je regarde seulement" or "Je ne fais que regarder" with a thank-you smile.

Too = trop, more = plus, less = moins