The Most Important French Phrases For Courtesy And Politeness
Written byAmélie Pinon
It's a general misconception that French people are obnoxious and rude (okay, sometimes it's accurate!).
French people are generally wonderful and very courteous, so it pays to know some courteous French phrases to show respect and earn friends.
Being polite gets you a long way in France.
The two most important and well-known are merci (thanks) and s'il vous plaît (please). As you'd expect in any country, make sure to use these often when dealing with French people you meet.
Here are some of the most common French phrases for being courteous and polite.
| English | French |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Merci |
| No thank you. | Non Merci |
| You are welcome | De rien |
| Please | S’il vous plait |
| Excuse me | Excusez moi |
| I am sorry. | Je suis desole |
| Forgive me. | Pardonnez-moi |
| You are very nice. | Vous etes tres gentil |
| Thank you for your help | Merci de votre aide |
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French people are generally wonderful and very courteous, so it pays to know some courteous French phrases to show respect and earn friends.
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