travel french word meaning

French translation of 'travel'

Browse Collins English collocations travel

Video: pronunciation of travel.

Examples of 'travel' in a sentence travel

Trends of travel.

View usage for: All Years Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years

Browse alphabetically travel

• traumatized
• traumatology
• travel agency
• travel agent
• travel arrangements
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'T'

Related terms of travel

• travel pass
• rail travel
• travel book
• View more related words

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Score: 0 / 5

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

60 Basic French Words You Need to Know Before Travel

• Everything About
• The alphabet
• Funny phrases
• Common words
• Untranslateable Words
• Reading Hacks
• Writing Tips
• Pronunciation
• Telling time
• Learn FASTER
• More resources

By OptiLingo • 5 minute read

Learn Basic French Words and Phrases

French is an awesome language. If you’re traveling to France, you’ll know first hand. But, the French are really proud of their language. Before you travel, you should definitely learn the most basic French words and phrases to get by. You’ll navigate easier and receive better customer service if you speak a little bit of French. Luckily, it doesn’t take long to learn at all . Use this handy vocabulary list to learn the most common French words in less than 30 minutes, and start your journey to fluency . 

Psst! Did you know we have a language learning app?

• It teaches you useful words and phrases.
• Presented in a natural, everyday context.
• Spaced out over time, so you absorb your new language organically.
• It’s kind of like learning the words to your new favorite song!

You’re only one click away!

Common French Words

Let’s dive right in with some of the most common French words and phrases.

• Bonjour : a general greeting meaning “hello” or “good morning”
• Au revoir : goodbye
• Merci : thank you
• Merci beaucoup : thank you very much
• Fille : girl
• Garçon : boy
• Femme : woman
• Homme : man
• Amour : love
• Français : French
• S’il vous plaît : please (literally, “if you please”)
• Bonsoir : good evening
• Bonne nuit : good night
• Excusez-moi : excuse me
• De rien : a casual way of saying “you’re welcome”
• Je vous en prie : a formal way to say “you’re welcome”
• Temps : time
• Monde : world
• Monsieur : mister or gentleman
• Raison : reason
• Mademoiselle : Miss, referring to an unmarried woman
• Madame : a married or older woman
• Beau : handsome
• Belle : beautiful
• Chien : dog
• Fort : strong

Common French Phrases

Now that we’ve looked at some common French words, let’s learn some frequent phrases. These will be helpful to know as you start forming full sentences, particularly if you plan to travel and talk with native French speakers .

• Je suis désolé(e) : I’m sorry
• Comment vous appelez-vous? : What is your name?
• Parlez-vous anglais? : Do you speak English?
• Je m’appelle : My name is
• Comment allez-vous? : How are you doing?
• Quelle heure est-il? : What time is it?
• Pouvez-vous m’aider? : Can you help me?
• Combien ça coûte? : How much is this?
• Je t’aime : I love you
• À tout à l’heure! : See you later!

Useful French Phrases for Travelers

We’ve looked at some common everyday words and phrases. Here are some specific phrases that might be useful if you need to get information in French-speaking areas.

• Je ne comprends pas : I do not understand
• Parlez lentement, s’il vous plaît : Speak slowly, please
• Répétez, s’il vous plaî t : Repeat, please
• Où sont les toilettes? : Where are the toilets?
• Où est un bon restaurant/un bon café? : Where is a good restaurant/cafe?
• Je cherche le métro/le gare/l’aéroport : I am searching for the metro/train station/airport
• Où est la plage/le centre-ville? : Where is the beach/city center?
• Je cherche l’hôtel/l’hôpital/la banque : I am searching for the hotel/hospital/bank
• Pourriez-vous me/nous prendre en photo? : Are you able to take my photo/our photo?

French Grammar: The Basics

Grammar is the boogeyman of language learning. Nobody likes it. But, it’s important to be familiar with the most basic rules, so you can start forming sentences in French quickly. With the useful French vocabulary you now have, you’re only steps away from fluency.

• Nouns Have Genders : In French, nouns are either feminine or masculine . These French genders affect a lot of grammatical rules. You need to conjugate adjectives and articles in French to fit the gender and number of the noun. For “the”, the French have “le” (masculine), “la” (feminine), and “les” (plural). For the English “a” and “an”, the French use “un” (masculine) and “une” (feminine).
• Verbs Conjugate Differently: In English, verbs in the present tense have only two forms. For example talk and talks. Meanwhile, in French, you have to conjugate verbs up to six different ways to fit the pronoun. 
• Adjectives come after the noun: In English, the adjective is placed before the noun. But, in French, the adjective is often found after the noun. Note that this is true often, but not always. Adjectives describing beauty, age, number, goodness, and size (or BANGS) come before the noun as an exception.

Tips For Learning Common French Words

Before you begin learning the most common French words, it’s good to know how you can study the best. Use this advice to guide your experience and maximize your language learning success.

• Use your trip as motivation : Motivation and enthusiasm are crucial to language learning success. And an upcoming trip is the perfect opportunity to motivate you. Build your excitement and your fluency at the same time.
• Review often : Once you’ve read these common French words and phrases and understood their meaning, make sure you review your material multiple times before you travel. This method is called spaced repetition , and it’s the best way to remember your language lessons.
• Don’t be afraid to speak : Speaking is the only way you’ll become fluent in French. Feel free to say these common French words out lout to get comfortable with the language. By the time you arrive to France, you’ll have no problem talking with the locals.
• Learn about French culture : French culture is incredibly rich in cultures and traditions . Learn a little bit about them before your trip, so you don’t commit faux pas .

Learn More Useful French Words and Phrases

Knowing these common French phrases will be extremely handy when you go to France. But, of course, there’s a lot more to the language. Perhaps this list was just the beginning of your language learning journey. If you want to learn the most useful phrases in the French language , you should try OptiLingo.

OptiLingo gives you the most high-frequency words and phrases in French. Forget about learning unnecessary vocabulary. This fun and effective method will make French more accessible than ever. Speak like a local with minimal study time. Discover how great learning French is by trying OptiLingo today !

Related posts

50+ French Words Used in English Today

The Best Books and Textbooks to Learn French

Learn French Conjunctions Easily and Effectively

Paris Nightlife: Party Like a Local With These Tips

Many people believe they aren’t capable of learning a language. we believe that if you already know one language, there’s no reason you can’t learn another..

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Translation of travel – English–French dictionary

(Translation of travel from the GLOBAL English-French Dictionary © 2016 K Dictionaries Ltd)

Translation of travel | PASSWORD English-French Dictionary

(Translation of travel from the PASSWORD English-French Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)

Examples of travel

Translations of travel.

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

acting or speaking together, or at the same time

Alike and analogous (Talking about similarities, Part 1)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• sb’s travels
• PASSWORD English–French    Verb Noun
• Translations
• All translations

Add travel to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

• Look up in Linguee
• Suggest as a translation of "travel"

Linguee Apps

▾ dictionary english-french, travel noun ( plural: travels ) —, voyage m ( plural: voyages m ), transport m, travel verb ( be : travelled , travelled ; ae : traveled , traveled ) —, se déplacer v, parcourir v, se propager v, air travel n —, travel time n —, travel agent n —, travel company n —, travel consultant n —, travel advisories pl —, travel planning n —, personal travel n —, travel medicine n —, travel pouch n —, travel money n —, travel sickness n —, travel trailer n —, travel permit n —, travel diary n —, travel conditions pl —, travel process n —, travel blog n —, official travel n —, travel receipts pl —, travel comfort n —, travel confirmation n —, freedom to travel n —, travel number n —, travel mode n —, travel service n —, travel claim n —, travel price n —, ▸ wikipedia, ▾ external sources (not reviewed).

• This is not a good example for the translation above.
• The wrong words are highlighted.
• It does not match my search.
• It should not be summed up with the orange entries
• The translation is wrong or of bad quality.

To support our work, we invite you to accept cookies or to subscribe.

You have chosen not to accept cookies when visiting our site.

The content available on our site is the result of the daily efforts of our editors. They all work towards a single goal: to provide you with rich, high-quality content. All this is possible thanks to the income generated by advertising and subscriptions.

By giving your consent or subscribing, you are supporting the work of our editorial team and ensuring the long-term future of our site.

If you already have purchased a subscription, please log in

What is the translation of "travel" in French?

"travel" in french, travel {vb}.

• volume_up voyager
• se déplacer
• aller en véhicule

travel {noun}

• volume_up voyage
• déplacement

travelers {pl}

• volume_up voyageurs

traveller {noun}

• volume_up voyageur

travelling {adj.}

• volume_up de voyage

Translations

Travel [ traveled; travelled|traveled; travelled ] {verb}.

• open_in_new Link to source
• warning Request revision

travelers {plural}

Travelling {adjective}, context sentences, english french contextual examples of "travel" in french.

These sentences come from external sources and may not be accurate. bab.la is not responsible for their content.

Monolingual examples

English how to use "travel" in a sentence, english how to use "travelers" in a sentence, english how to use "traveller" in a sentence, english how to use "travelling" in a sentence, english how to use "voyage" in a sentence, english how to use "voyageurs" in a sentence, english how to use "de voyage" in a sentence, collocations, "travel gear" in french.

• volume_up équipement de voyage
• volume_up matériel de voyage

"travel great distances" in French

• volume_up voyager de grandes distances
• volume_up parcourir de grandes distances

"travel guide" in French

• volume_up guide de voyage

Synonyms (English) for "travel":

• change of location
• move around
• traumatize family
• traumatize the victim
• traumatized
• traumatized by the experience
• traumatized children
• traumatized victim
• traumatizing
• traumatology
• travel a distance
• travel a fair
• travel a path
• travel abroad
• travel agency
• travel agent
• travel agents
• travel alarm
• travel alarm clock
• travel all over

In the English-Danish dictionary you will find more translations.

Social Login

bottom_desktop desktop:[300x250]

60+ French Phrases for Travel You Need to Know [PLUS Printable]

Order your petit-déjeuner (breakfast) or buy your billets (tickets) to the Louvre all in French! Here are the most useful French phrases for travel you need to know.

Learning some French will offer you further insight into the French culture, mentality, and way of life. The ability to speak even un peu français (a little bit of French) and avoid making these French faux pas will enhance your travel experience and open the doors to unique connections with the locals.

France is the world’s top tourist destination, attracting more than 79,5 million visitors a year! That’s why French is the next language in my travel phrase guide series.

Not only that, but speaking French also comes in handy when travelling to Africa, Switzerland, Canada , Monaco, French Polynesia, the Seychelles amongst other places.

Why else should you learn French? Well, it makes learning other languages, especially Romance languages like Spanish , Italian , Portuguese and Romanian much easier.

Want to have fun whilst learning French? Struggling to find decent French language resources? I recommend getting uTalk . Available as a desktop site and app, uTalk is awesome for learning key words and phrases in French especially if you want to use it for travel purposes.  It’s great for beginners getting started in a language and invaluable for intermediates looking to fill in gaps in their vocabulary and pronunciation. 

What I love most about uTalk is that you can jump around their extensive library of topics and choose what you want to learn, when you want, and at your own pace.  Because I believe in uTalk so much, I reached out to them and we’ve teamed up to offer you an exclusive 30% OFF reader discount across all of uTalk’s 140 languages! This offer isn’t available anywhere else! Click here to claim your exclusive 30% discount.

Let’s take a quick look at the French language so you’re a bit more clued up on its origin, use, and vocabulary.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed bringing it together. If you have any requests for other languages, let me know in the comments section!

Where is French spoken?

That’s a lot of Bonjour -ing!

French is the third most spoken language in Europe, after German and English and has official-language status in 29 countries, including: Belgium , Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada , Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France , Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland , Togo and Vanuatu. French is even one of six official languages of the United Nations.

It seems like nearly everyone wants to learn French, it’s the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world!

And the best way to learn it? Well, France operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses close to a million learners. My two favourite ways to learn French is by attending language classes – so I’m not only held accountable but also for the social aspect –  and going on language holiday too!

A Brief History of the French Language

The French and English languages have a pretty mixed-up history. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, Norman French was adopted as the language of power on the British Isles.

For the next 400 years, French was the language of the nobility and of most official documents. King Henry V put a stop to that when he went to war with France, but because the two languages existed in parallel for so long, the English language is peppered with words of French origin, many of which can be traced back to French roots. This means that you actually already know a lot of French, even if you don’t think you do.

Now for the tricky stuff!

French Pronunciation Tips

There is a total of 26 letters in the French alphabet. Standard French contains 13 oral vowels and up to 4 nasal vowels, but there are 5 additional accented letters that can be applied to change the sound of a letter.

Here are some helpful pronunciation tips:

Using Liaisons

One of the fundamental rules of pronouncing French (and many other Latin-based languages) is that everything has to flow. That’s one of the reasons why French sounds so beautiful.

If you’re speaking French correctly, everything should sound like a continuous melody.

That’s where liaisons come in.

Liaisons are a phonetic link between two words that may sound awkward if left unconnected.

Let’s take a look at some examples where they are used  when speaking:

• After pronouns e.g. vous avez sounds like vooz-ah-vey not  voo ah-vey
• Numbers and nouns e.g. deux amis sounds like derz-ah-mee not der ah-me
• One syllable prepositions e.g chez eux sounds like shez-uur not sheh uur

And liaisons that are forbidden when speaking:

• When using full names e.g.
• After et (and)

Liaisons may seem complicated at first, but they will become easier the more you listen to spoken French. After a while, you’ll automatically be able to notice where a liaison is needed (and where it isn’t) and how to make it sound natural when speaking.

What Not to Pronounce in French

Much like English, the French language isn’t written phonetically. The same sound can be represented by several different combinations of letters, and there are many cases of silent French letters. Two of the most well known are the silent “e” and the silent “h.”

The Silent “e”

The letter “e” is often silent in French, especially at the end of a word. Here are some examples:

Rue (road/street) is pronounced  roo not roo-ee and inacceptable (unacceptable) is pronounced an-ah-sep-tah-bil not an-ah-sep-tah-ble

Of course, there are exceptions when it comes to masculine and feminine adjectives and nouns.

In the case of feminine adjectives and nouns, this typically means that the final consonant of the masculine form will now be pronounced. So, the masculine ouvert , meaning open in the masculine form and pronounced oo-ver , will become ouverte  in the feminine form and pronounced oo-vert . The ‘ e ’ makes the final letter sounded.

The Final Consonant

As you’ve probably already noticed, there are a tonne of French letters that simply aren’t pronounced at the end of words. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it!

In French, silent letters, or lettres muettes , have rules and exceptions just like many other linguistic concepts.

In general, the final consonants of a word are usually silent in French except in some cases of the letters c, f, l or r .

Just remember this simple rule, the consonants in the word ‘ careful ’ are always pronounced.

For example,

Avec (with) is pronounced  ah-ve k

Cinq (five) is pronounced saan k

Hiver (winter) is pronounced ee-ve r

The general rule regarding French word endings is that when in doubt, you probably don’t pronounce it. But, French is full of exceptions!

The Infamous “r”

For many English speakers, the French “r” can be a source of frustration. To pronounce it, you’ll need to use your throat and imagine you’re trying to gargle. The French “r” is pronounced in the same place as the English “k”, but with your throat closed.

The Silent “h”

As you’ve probably noticed from every French speaker’s failed attempt to say the word “hamburger” in English, the “h” in French is a silent letter no matter where it’s located in a word.

The only exception to this is when the preceding letter is “c,” in which case the “ch” combination makes a “sh” sound or “k” sound.

Here are a few examples of the silent “h”:

Le haricot vert (French bean) is pronounced leh ah-ree-coh ver

Huit (eight) is pronounced weet

Hiver (winter) is pronounced ee-ver

Admittedly there are a few finicky grammar rules to learn, but generally speaking, English grammar corresponds relatively closely to French grammar.

Consider words in English that end with – ible  and -able , these are the same in French, only the pronunciation changes. So, the French word ‘possible’ sounds like poss-ee-bleh and ‘comfortable’ becomes kom-for-tah-bleh .

Then we have English words ending in -ent and -ant which also come from French and have the same spelling and the same meaning. So, the word, différent sounds like diff-er-ohnt  and important  sounds like ahm-poor-tahnt . The ‘t’ at the end is just slightly sounded.

Had enough? Ok, one more! Words in English ending in -ary l ike contrary become -aire in French. So, ‘contrary’ becomes contraire  and sounds like kon-trair .

There are so many rules like this, so you can see just how easy learning French can be.

Here are top 10 French Italian Phrases for Travel You SHOULD Know [& How to Use Them]

Top french phrases for travellers.

Want the infographic to take with you? Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Greetings Essentials Questions Eating Out Getting Around Numbers Days Emergencies

**There are a few places that use unique words for the numbers 70 ( septante ) and 90 ( nonante ), such as Belgium and Switzerland. With the numbers 80 to 89, combine the number 4, the number 20, and the ones.

For example, in French 80 is four 20s, 81 is four 20s plus 1, and so forth. (Unlike most French-speaking countries, Switzerland actually has a word for the number 80. It’s huitante .)

Want more? Learn French with me, with Intrepid French!

Travelling to France? Don’t be treated like a tourist! Live your best travel experiences and learn France for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant or a taxi driver who has “taken you for a ride”.  In addition to my free French travel phrase guide , I’ve made it even easier for you to master the French language so you can create lifelong memories as you mingle with locals , get local tips , avoid tourist traps , and make new friends . Join my popular French course here.

Here’s what my students are saying: 

Loved it, loved it, loved it. I’ve been trying to learn languages using various language learning apps for years now and although I know random words I feel no more confident in actually speaking the language than I was when I started.” – Basil Pereira

Click here more details and get instant access!

Have a laugh with these funny French expressions

Like it? Pin or download this French travel phrase guide

Like it? Pin it for later!

Learning French? Check out these French language guides

• Top 10 French Phrases You Should NEVER Say [& What to Use Instead]
• How to Sound More French: Top 10 French Phrases the French Love Saying
• How a ‘potato’ improved my French pronunciation
• 25 Funny French Idioms Translated Literally
• 22 Most Common French Grammar Mistakes [& How to Avoid Them]

Want to know more about learning languages? Start here!

• 6 Language Learning Tips: How to Learn a Language from Home
• What Type of Language Learner Are You? Your 4-Step Personalised Learning Plan
• 15 Top Language Learning Resources You Should Use
• 44 Best Movies on Disney Plus for Learning Languages
• 13 Ways to Seamlessly Integrate Language Learning into Your Daily Life
• 10 Pro Tips: How to Learn a Language with a Full-Time Job
• 7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday
• Essential Travel Phrases: How to be Travel Fluent in 10 Simple Steps
• 23 Cool Gift for Language Learners They Will Actually Use and Love
• How to Learn Your First Foreign Language in 8 Simple Steps: A Beginner’s Guide
• 11 Life-Changing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Language
• 42 beautiful Inspirational Quotes for Language Learners
• Language learning tips: 11 Polyglots Reveal The Secrets of Their Success
• Top 10 Best Ways to Learn a Language Better and Faster
• How Many Languages are there in the World?

Don’t miss my France Travel Guides

• How to Spend 4 Days in Paris: Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Paris
• Where to Stay in Paris: A Fairytale Stay at Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche [Hotel Review]
• Where to Stay in Paris: A Decadent Stay at Hôtel Thérèse [Hotel Review]

Over to you!

Which of these French phrases are the most useful? What other languages would you like a travel phrase guide for? Have you been to a French-speaking country? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Like what you see? Subscribe using the form below to have all of my posts delivered directly to your email.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Get my best language and travel tips FREE by email...

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive detailed travel guides, exclusive travel and language learning tips, priority access to giveaways and more!

I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

Blond or Blonde: Why Does Grammatical Gender in English Still Exist?

How to sound more french: top 10 french phrases you should use.

This is great. I took years of French when in school, 40-years ago and now want to re-learn and be able to get by when traveling. Merci

Hi! (Sorry for the Failures, I don’t speak english very well because I am french) My Name is Salomé and I am from France. I felt random on your Website and I watched you tables and the picture called ” French travel Cheat sheet “. What you’re doing is awesome because you help people open us to the World. I am proud of what you do. I want to help because I am a native speaker of French not of all the French (Canada, Belgium..) but from France. Salomé

Hey Michele, love the article, love the guide. I think there are some mistakes on the French spelling and pronuciation for the word Right.

Right =droite drrrwa (with the funny r for the French). Apart from that, what a precious website!! Well done!

Hi Monique, thank you for correcting this typo, I’ve just fixed it now 🙂

Hey Michele

This is so cool. Thanks for sharing it. I was I Paris about a month ago and these would have come in very handy. Keep up the good work.

Merci Au revour

Thanks Basil, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. I hope you’ll find it useful for future travels in Francophone countries 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

If you don't know where you are , how do you know where you're going?   Find out how well you know Italian grammar today!

Looking for a job as a language teacher? Click here.

Copy this link!

Or share it on social media!

French travel phrases and vocabulary

Sign up for free to get all information about private lessons and our available group courses (A1, A2, B2, B2, C1, C2)

Lesson content

Check our FAQs for the quickest support.

Did not find your answer?

We offer both private lessons and organized group courses

Sign up for free to get all available courses or contact one of our teachers yourself!

Free trial lesson!

Split the lesson costs over multiple students.

Sign up with a group of friends or colleagues.

You want to travel to a French speaking country and to live there for a certain period of time? Then you should at least learn the most important travel-related words and phrases in French ! In this lesson you can find out how to respond and interact with others at the airport, at the bus stop, in the hotel or in the shop.

First of all, I will show you the most important vocabulary related with public transportation. Afterwards, you will find a list with some useful vocabulary about the topic accommodation and going to shopping .

Lesson outline

• 1. Travel-related sentences
• 1.1. At the airport  
• 1.1.1. Example dialogue
• 1.2. At the bus station
• 1.2.1. Example dialogue
• 1.3. French hotel vocabulary
• 1.3.1. Example dialogue
• 1.4. French shopping vocabulary
• 1.4.1. Exampe dialogue
• 2. Exercises
• 2.1. Matching words: at the airport, at the bus station
• 2.2. Matching words: at the hotel
• 2.3. Going to the shopping mall exercise

Travel-related sentences

Have a question.

Take online language lessons with a professional teacher

• Native & verified teachers
• Free trial lesson
• Learning materials included

Eleonora N.

Group lessons!

Eleonora P.

Alessandra F.

Rozaliya F.

At the airport  

Example dialogue

Marie:   Bonjour, est-ce que vous pouvez m´aider?

Paul:   Bien sûr!

Marie : J´ai oublié ma carte d'embarquement. Qu'est-ce que je dois faire maintenant?

Paul: Vous pouvez vous enregistrer aussi ici, à l´aéroport.

Marie: Donc, j´ai un vol direct vers Paris et j'ai seulement des bagages à main.

Paul : Le bagage peut avoir 20 kilos maximum. Vous devez vous présenter à la porte 15 minutes avant l’heure du départ.

Marie: Merci beaucoup.

Paul:   Merci à vous et bon voyage!

Marie: Good morning, can you help me, please?

Paul: Of course.

Marie: I forgot my boarding pass. What can I do now?

Paul: You can check in also at the airport.

Marie: Ok, so I have a flight for Paris and carry-on luggage.

Paul: The luggage can have 20kg maximum and you need to be at gate 15 minutes before the flight.

Marie: Thank you very much.

Paul: Thank you and have a nice trip.

At the bus station

Travelling with a bus can be another option. To complete this topic, check the lesson before about Asking for directions in French .

Marie: Bonjour, je voudrais acheter un carnet direction Versailles.

Paul: Le prix est  de 10€, le trajet dure 2 heures.

Marie : Bien et pouvez-vous me dire l'horaire?

Paul: Donc, le car part à 10 heures et le terminus pour votre direction est le château de Versailles.

Marie: Merci beaucoup pour votre aide. Au revoir!

Marie: Good morning, I would like to buy a book of ten tickets for Versailles.

Paul: The price is 10 euros and the trip lasts 2 hours.

Marie: Good, and can you tell me the time?

Paul: So, the intercity bus leaves at 10 a.m. and the last stop for your direction is the castle Versailles.

Marie: Thank you very much for your help. Goodbye!

French hotel vocabulary

Paul: Bonjour, je voudrais une chambre à deux lits, qui donne sur la mer et pour trois nuits?

Marie: Nous n'avons pas une avec la vue sur la mer, mais il y a une au quinzième étage, aussi vous avez lnternet sans fil et la terasse.

Paul: Bien, et quand je dois régler la facture?

Marie: Vous devez la régler le dernier jour de votre séjour.

Paul: Merci et à bientôt!

Paul: Good morning, I would like a double room, for three nights and with a sea view?

Marie: We don't have one with a sea view, but there is one at fifth floor, with wireless internet and with a terrace.

Paul: Good, and when do I need to pay?

Marie: You can pay at your last day.

Paul: Thank you and see you than!

French shopping vocabulary

Exampe dialogue

Paul: Bonjour, est-ce que vous avez besoin de l'aide?

Marie: Oui, je cherche un souvenir pour ma soeur. Je voudrais acheter quelque chose d'utile.

Paul: Je vous recommande un chapeau ou un sac avec le signe de la ville.

Marie: C`est très bien, mais quelque chose bon marché s'il vous plaît.

Paul: D`accord, voilà un sac pour 10 euro.

Marie: Parfait, je l'achète.

Paul: Good morning, do you need help?

Marie: Yes, I am searching for a souvenir for my sister. I would like to buy something useful.

Paul: I suggest you to buy a bag with the city sign.

Marie: That's an excellent idea, but do you have something cheap?

Paul: Yes, we do, we have a bag for 10 euros.

Marie: Excellent, I am going to buy it.

Matching words: at the airport, at the bus station

Matching words: at the hotel, going to the shopping mall exercise, what our students say.

Unlike in other platforms, all our teachers are manually verified by our professional team. Trust in the experiences of our students.

Hi! My name is Krisztina! I’m a teacher of German and French with the corresponding qualifications. I've grown up in a bilingual family (Hungarian-German), so I speak both languages as a native language. I’ve been teaching for six years, so I’m able to estimate your needs, and to meet them. In my lessons, I recreat real life situations, so that you will be able to adapt yourselves to different circumstances. I’m a patient, positive and creative person, who is looking forward to see you in her lessons. So don’t hesitate to book a lesson with me.

Teaching methodology

Communication

Punctuality

Internet connection

Learning materials

I am very satisfied with my new teacher. Looks like I'm going to get French soon! Looking forward to each lesson. Krisztina knows many languages, which allows her to understand pronunciation difficulties and to remain patient. Hope to pass C1 one day!

Alessandra is a teacher of Italian, history and geography. She teaches in Milan as a substitute teacher. She participated in the Dante Alighieri teaching course in Milan and has Ditals level 1 certification. Her teaching method is based on the level of the student. Her motto is: teaching in a creative way. She uses the Dieci Alma edition to teach.

This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.

My name is Curtis Davies, I'm a native English speaker and professional language coach from Canada. I'm also the host of "The Real English Conversations Podcast". I’ve helped thousands of students improve their English skills since 2013, specifically with confidence, speaking fluency, and pronunciation to feel 100% comfortable communicating in English in any situation.

You can be sure that our lessons will be focused on the areas that you are most concerned about improving as we discuss interesting topics that you will enjoy talking about. Together, we can create a customized study plan that surely will help you reach your goals and finally feel good about your English communication.

I'm A personal trainer for English communication in Real-World situations. My lessons focus on helping you to improve your speaking fluency, pronunciation, confidence and to be prepared for everyday social interactions, casual conversations, communicating better in English at work, and even preparing you for an important interview or presentation.

What To Expect: Professional Help NOT just Conversation Practice

I'm a specialist that cares about YOU achieving your goals I will evaluate you first, then we work together as a team to create a FUN learning strategy or plan so 100% of your classes are exciting BUT focused on where you need the most practice and attention

Curtis is a Canadian teacher with years of experience in teaching English. He is a real motivator and with him, you will improve lesson by lesson and reach your goals. His teaching techniques and strategies are based on his years of coaching and experience. If you want an English motivator, Curtis is the ideal teacher for you.

I want to help people to improve the level of their chosen language.

I couldn't imagine a better teacher than Nancy! Together with Nancy you find the right method for you to improve your French in a fun and personal way. I would recommend her to everyone!

Hi! My name is Tiphaine, I'm french, I'm 37 years old and I live in Seville. I grew up in the outside of Paris, I travelled all over the world and I live in Spain for 10 years now. I'm a musician, a dancer and I love to cook and hike. I'm a french teacher, and it's my passion! I speak 3 languages, and thanks to my learning I was able to live amazing experiences in many countries. That's why I became a teacher, to be able to share with you my love for french language and culture and to guide you in your progress. For me, each language is a way of seeing and interpreting the world, as glasses of different colors. Understanding the way a language works is understanding how its people see things; it's such a exciting process, I can't wait to share it with you! I have more than 8 years experience, in schools, companies and universities. I work with people from all ages, beginners to advanced. I know most of french manuals. I can prepare you to DELF and DALF exams. I also have a specialization in french for specific goals and french business. I can offer you thematic courses, to improve your pronunciation, increase your vocabulary, prepare you for traveling or for a new job. All my classes are in french, I adapt my vocabulary and speech speed according to your level. I also adapt my method to your needs, personality, to take the best advantage of my classes and your french learning. I use diversified ressources, from quizz to podcasts, videos, songs and games. Whatever are your motivations, if you want to learn french in a pleasurable and rewarding way, book a class with me!

The strategy of Tiphaine is simple but very effective. She assess each students by understanding their needs and goals first. What I enjoy most is I get to speak french with her more than I did in my other french classes. She also give life advices on the side. :)

Hi, I am Christin!

After training as a pastry chef and studying business administration, I traveled a lot and discovered my interest in languages. To find out more about teaching languages, I decided on further training at the Goethe Institute and completed it. During the Goethe Institute "Learn to teach German" course I was able to give individual language lessons and actively support the examination preparation for the Goethe certificate.

My lessons are needs-oriented. That means that learning goals are discussed with you and based on your level of knowledge. Whether grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation, expression or the practice of communication situations: German as a foreign and second language classes are flexible and take place in a group or one-to-one lessons with individual support and are based on your wishes and requirements. The teaching of content and topics takes place according to the respective language level. Building vocabulary, grammar and means of speaking are structured and conveyed logically building on each other. Let's get to know each other in a free trial class. I am looking forward to meeting you!

Christin is a committed and professional German teacher with experience in teaching German face-to-face. Her teaching methods include setting learning goals with her students and giving continuous feedback. Her activities are guided by a communicative approach and she tries to teach her students german vocabulary for everyday life.

I am a professional English tutor with online teaching experience. In my class, you won’t need to memorise long lists of vocabulary. Instead, we will discuss interesting topics and practice language that you want to learn. With my artistic background, I can create creative and fun lessons suited to the student's learning goals. I like using colorful PowerPoint slides, flashcards and videos to demonstrate my learning points. I am a friendly, patient person, because I know that learning a new language can sometimes be very scary. My classroom is a safe, comfortable space that encourages mistakes, because this is the best way to learn. I am creative and use music/dancing where possible to re-energize my students. This makes learning the subjects you don't enjoy, fun, as we may sing songs that target grammar structures or vocabulary.

Savannah is a wonderful and lovely teacher; thanks to her I was able to pass an important exam. She can understand your needs and suggest you how to improve your skills She is an understanding person and is able to make each lesson interesting and pleasant , focusing on useful subjets I think she is perfect for both adult and young students. In addition, having South Africa and Europe the same time zone, it makes convenient and easy to schedule lessons!

Savannah T. Thank you so much Elena. It was such a pleasure to teach you. You always had so much to say so our lessons were always fun. I am so proud of your accomplishments. Well done!

I am Diane a language tutor that has been helping students of any age and race and I am also a TEFL certified instructor. Since I am a native Filipino Speaker, I can teach my students conversational Tagalog which includes 1 grammar rule per lesson and pronunciation as well as vocabulary to enable them to communicate with people when they travel to other places or simply with people not from their country. Aside from conversations, we will talk about our culture, cuisine and tourist spots. When I teach I use role play, dialogue, games, Audio/video files and the like which will engage my students well.

I am a multilingual teacher with experience in teaching French to German, Japanese, English, Bulgarian and Italian-speaking students, etc. (levels A1 to C1).

I have been teaching French for 8 years in Luxemburg and now in Bulgaria for 4 years, to teenagers, housewives, businessmen, employees, doctors, etc. I can also help you with DELF and DALF preparation. I give lessons via Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams in several countries.

My teaching method for each class : a grammar point together with listening, a lot of speaking with conversation questions or games. While you speak, I write all the new words you need to express yourself, illustrated by pictures or translated in your language.

I do my best to make you feel comfortable to speak and for you to have a pleasant time. According to me, using humour will help you learn more easily.

Whether you need to learn French for business, integration in a French-speaking country or studying, I will be happy to help you. Do not hesitate to contact me for a free trial lesson.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

I am really excited about Katia as my teacher. I think she is a very good teacher. And a nice person too. She customise the lessons according to my wishes what i would like to learn. She is very experienced with skype. It all runs very smoothly. I am looking forward to the next lessons and i highly recommend her as your teacher. Miriam

Virginie is the best French teacher I ever came across. She has been a great help in preparing for DELF B1. Her clear method of explaining helps me understand and retain the grammar rules. She is very patient and her calm personality removes my anxiety and puts my mind at ease. I highly recommend her and thank her for the wonderful learning experience.

Hello, My name is Tiska. I am a French Teacher with experiences with adults and teenagers in Public Education (USA) and Language Schools. I am holding a Master Degree in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language).

Join a small group of learners of 2 or 3 for conversation lessons with me. An article or video to watch before the lesson and a conversation with personalized corrections during the lesson. This option saves you at least 10 euros per lesson on Colanguage. Group opening: Monday and/or Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 (French time). Level: intermediate (B1)

Also, standard French lessons - level A2 (low intermediate) - 2 hours a week - ask for schedule

Don’t know your level? Ask for a free level test.

I give Skype lessons to people who need or want to improve their French language. I like to use material from the internet (videos, article etc.) to introduce a theme which leads to a lesson and a conversation.  I like to create engaging learning with my students.  I will give as homework a document to watch or to read with comprehension exercises so the time we have on skype is only speaking practice and explanation if needed. I can help you prepare DELF-DALF Exams or work on specific needs (as professional French). Really like to speak about all the subjects with the student especially those the student like so it gives the motivation to speak in the foreign language. The free first lesson is organize to know your tastes, your level and your needs so we can plan the next lessons about the objectives you fixed.    

Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer? My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.

I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years. I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.

I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.

Natalia will be really interested in you as a person, what your goals are, and motivation for you to learn the language. I liked how she was answering all my questions, were patient and positive on our lesson.

Natalia L. Toma, your interest for the language and having learned other languages before will be very helpful for you, continue with your motivation for learning French!

I am a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Science. I am a holder of a Professional License as Teacher. I have also teaching certificates like TESOL and TEYL. I have 2 years teaching experience as ESL Teacher. I can make our class fun and engaging. Come, let's learn English together.

Hi and welcome ! Preparation for exams, desire or need to learn and improve your level. Real lessons or discussion experiences, for all levels and all ages. Total customization according to your needs, your desires, and of course your level. We will talk about this in our first lesson together.

So let's prepare together your exams, your job interview, your next vacation, or maybe to speak the language of the chosen one of your heart...

We will work on short texts, videos, or just sounds to improve your comprehension, then it will be your turn to produce orally and in writing, and of course by both speaking. Together, we will therefore do written and oral exercises, to improve your vocabulary, your grammar and your conjugation, and your accent.

I invite you to watch my subtitled presentation video, in English, then in French. (2 min in total)

Don't wait any longer to book your trial lesson !

Who am I ? I am a former parliamentary assistant to French deputies, and communication teacher. But I wanted to change my life, I am now a scuba diving instructor, currently in Bali, Indonesia.

Pedagogue, patient and organized for a deserved result considering your efforts. I am used to teach and a lover of the French language.

See you soon for your first lesson together, that's your job !

Cédric has been an excellent teacher for our first couple of lessons. He is thoroughly trying to assess my level to make sure that we get the most out of our lessons. I am excited to continue my learning with him!

Beatrice is specialized in teaching Italian for all levels. She has language certificates from DITALS for Italian and CELTA for English. Other than her knowledge of the Italian language, she can also speak English, and Spanish. Her multilingual skills allow her to offer the students a chance for better communication during her classes. Beatrice’s teaching method depends on what fits your level. In her, you will find a well-prepared, expert, and friendly teacher. She relies on several books for teaching the Italian languagen, like: Dieci, Nuovo Contatto, Domani, Progetto Italiano, and Nuovo Magari. With Beatrice, you'll learn faster than you can imagine!

Become a teacher

Teach your favorite language. Anywhere. Anytime.

Take language lessons with a native teacher

Request a free trial lesson with a teacher of your choice!

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

108 French Travel Phrases for a Smooth Trip to France

Having essential French travel phrases on hand can totally transform your trip.

If you meet people, get lost or just need to ask a local some questions , these expressions and sayings will help you out in most tourist scenarios and make your time in France truly memorable!

In this post, I’ll introduce you to 108 basic French phrases for travelers, as well as tips and cultural context so they’re easier to memorize ahead of time.

Oui ! Non ! Common French Words and Phrases

Basic french phrases to introduce yourself, questions you’ll ask while traveling in france, french for travelers to get around town, what was that clarifying french phrases, basic french phrases for shopping, phrases for dining out in french, going hard(ish) in the club, how to prepare for traveling to france, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Let’s start with the absolute basics.

Bonjour (Hello) Add a monsieur (sir) or madame (ma’am) to be polite.

Salut ! (Hi/Hey!) This is a more casual version of “hello.” You’ll hear the young folks throwing this one around.

Au revoir (Goodbye)

À plus / À plus tard ! (See you/See you later!)

À la prochaine ! (See you next time!)

Bisous / Bises ! (Kisses!) This is a casual way to say goodbye.

Bonsoir (Good evening)

Bonne journée ! ([Have a] good day!)

Bonne soirée ! ([Have a] good evening!)

Vous me manquez déjà ! (I miss you already!)

Pardon (Excuse me)

Merci (Thank you)

S’il vous plaît (Please)

Excusez-moi monsieur / madame (Excuse me sir/ma’am)

Parlez-vous anglais ? (Do you speak English?)

Comment dit-on … en français ? (How do you say … in French?)

These phrases will help you out when meeting locals and trying to make French-speaking friends.

Je m’appelle… (My name is…)

Moi, c’est… (Me, I’m…) This is a more casual way of introducing yourself.

Comment vous appelez-vous ? (What is your name?)

Tu t’appelles comment ? (What’s your name?) Use this one for when you want to keep things casual, with the  tu  form .

Comment allez-vous ? (How are you?)

Ça va ? En forme ? (How are you? You good?)

Nous sommes arrivés / arrivées…  (We arrived…) Use this phrase to let someone know when you got into town.

Nous restons… (We’re staying…) Use this phrase to explain to your new friends where you’re staying, as well as how long you’re staying.

Je vous présente… (lit. “I present you…”) This is another way of saying “This is [my]…” when you want to introduce two people to each other.

Enchanté/Enchantée. (Pleased to meet you.)

Je suis ravi / ravie de faire votre connaissance.  (I am glad/delighted to meet you.) You’ll raise some impressed eyebrows if you bust out this fancy French “nice to meet ya.”

Je parle un peu français. (I speak a little French.)

If you’re learning French, chances are you’ll want to practice your language skills when you go out there. However, it can be intimidating approaching a native—letting them know that you’re not fluent will really put your mind to rest!

Saying je parle un peu français  will enable you to continue practicing your speaking skills, while at the same time alleviating any pressure you might feel to talk fluently . Use this phrase when you’re first starting a conversation, or want to continue talking to someone in French.

J’apprends le français depuis… (I’ve been learning French for…)

People are sure to notice your French accent and they’ll probably want to know how long you’ve been learning the language of love.

Je suis là pour les vacances / le travail.  (I’m here for vacation/work.)

After you’ve made your initial introductions, it’s likely that a person with whom you’re speaking will ask about the time you’re spending in France. While many people travel to the country for vacation, this isn’t always the case, so informing the other person of your reasons for traveling can help fuel the conversation you have.

It’s likely that the other person will want to expand on the topic, so having a few words ready about your future itinerary or your job wouldn’t go amiss.

Où est… ? (Where is…?)

This is a phrase that you’ll need to use a lot in France, and it pays to memorize the names of a few places so you can get by if you’re stuck.

Here are some French phrases for travelers to build off of  “où est.”

Où est…

l’hôtel ? (the hotel?)

la banque ? (the bank?)

l’aéroport ? (the airport?)

le guichet ? (the ticket window?)

la plage ? (the beach?)

Quel temps va-t-il faire aujourd’hui ? (What will the weather be like today?)

Don’t forget that much of the time, the weather in France is described using the verb faire .

Learning some French vocabulary for weather is a great idea before you venture out—being able to understand what sun and rain are in French will help you to listen out for all the right words.

Il fait beau aujourd’hui (It’s beautiful weather today)

Il pleut (It’s raining)

Il fait chaud (It’s hot)

Il fait froid (It’s cold)

Il fait soleil / Il y a du soleil (It’s sunny)

Il fait venteux / Il y a du vent (It’s windy)

Est-ce que vous pourriez prendre ma photo, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you take my photo, please?)

Everyone loves a souvenir, and it’s likely that you’ll take your camera along with you to capture precious memories. In touristy zones, natives are used to being asked to take photos, but if you’re going to do it, it’s especially nice to be able to inquire in French.

If there are a group of you, replace ma photo (my photo) with notre photo (our photo). And to be polite, start your request with excusez-moi monsieur/madame .

Addressing someone by the equivalent of “sir” or “madam” in French is generally expected, so if in doubt, err on the side of being over-polite—the person taking your photo is much more likely to accept your request!

Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi, s’il vous plaît ? (Can you call me a taxi, please ?)

Getting home in France when public transport has stopped running can be a real worry, and unless you’re right next to a taxi stand, it can be very difficult to find a cab. If you’re at a venue late, ask this question to one of the staff.

Staff are likely to have all the information about local transport and taxis and normally will be able to supply you with one in no time at all! As usual, address the person in the most polite way you can and thank them for their help.

Learning about other forms of transport will also help you to no end, especially when you’re searching for a way to get home.

Le bus (The bus)

Le train (The train)

Le bateau (The boat)

Le car (The coach)

La voiture (The car)

Pouvez-vous m’aider ? (Can you help me?)

In the unlikely scenario that you get into trouble when in France, it’s really important to have armed yourself with the right words to get out of a bind. Even just knowing this phrase is incredibly handy.

Of course, just because you need help doesn’t mean you’re in trouble—you might just need directions . The above phrase can be used in those scenarios, too, and is a great way to identify people who are able to speak French and who know their way around town.

Où est l’ambassade américaine ? (Where is the American Embassy?)

Again, travel French isn’t just about getting around, eating well and having fun. There are also French phrases to know in case of emergency.

If you run into trouble in France, one good address to have on hand is that of the American embassy .  A stolen U.S. passport or ID card can be replaced at the embassy, and you might need their help if there is ever a political problem in France and you need to exit the country quickly.

That’s a rarity to be sure, but it’s better to be prepared while traveling!

You’ll likely benefit from some further directional guidance while traveling around France. These phrases will come in handy.

Où est le métro ? (Where is the metro?)

Où sont les taxis ? (Where are the taxis?)

Où est la sortie ? (Where is the exit?)

C’est près d’ici ? (Is it close by?)

C’est loin ? (Is it far?)

Est-ce que ce bus passe par… (Does this bus pass by…)

Emmenez-moi à cette adresse, s’il vous plaît. (Take me to this address, please.)

Use this polite phrase with your taxi driver before you hand over that crumpled sticky note with François’ address on it.

Je vous dois combien ? (How much do I owe you?)

After your chauffeur de taxi (taxi driver) has so graciously driven you to François’ place, you’ll have to pay up.

Puis-je avoir un plan de la ville, s’il vous plaît ? (Can I have a map of the city, please?)

Use this phrase when you roll up to the  office de tourisme  (tourist office). You can also ask for a public transit map specifically:

Puis-je avoir un plan du métro, s’il vous plaît ? (Can I have a metro map, please?)

Je cherche… (I am looking for…)

Je cherche is another handy French travel phrase, especially if you’re traveling for the first time in a French city.

Unlike in English, where we say “I am looking for …” the French don’t use a preposition (“for”) after the verb, and simply follow this phrase with what they’re searching for.

Je cherche…

le bus (the bus)

un taxi (a taxi)

les toilettes (the toilets)

l’hôpital (the hospital)

Je ne comprends pas. (I don’t understand.)

A necessity if you’re trying to make conversation with a native, je ne comprends pas will serve you well if you ever get stuck.

Often, French people are so pleased to find a foreigner who’s able to speak their language that they’ll get a little carried away and enthusiastically try to start a complex conversation. While situations like these are incredible if you’re a learner, they can also be very intimidating.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand. Simply excuse yourself, say that you don’t understand and if you would like to continue the conversation, try the following French phrase:

Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you repeat that, please?)

Parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît. (Speak a little slower, please.)

For French learners, the coveted native speed of speaking can seem unattainable, and while you can learn to understand it over time, it does take a little adjusting to. If you’re speaking to a local and would like them to speak a little more slowly, it’s better to just ask them, rather than suffering in silence.

Saying parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît  will let your speaking partner realize they might be going a little too fast for you, but that you would still like to continue.

If you’d like them to go back over something they’ve been talking about, you can again ask them to repeat themselves to have them re-cover a topic that might have gone over your head.

Don’t worry about seeming rude—French people are often willing to help learners with their language skills, and will likely have no problem adjusting their speed.

If you’re traveling in France, you’ll probably be doing some shopping while you’re there!

Je suis à la recherche d’un… (I’m looking for a…) A great line for engaging the chipper shop girl, practicing your French and finding gifts for the folks back home.

Non, je regarde pour l’instant. (No, I’m [just] looking for the moment.)

C’est pour… (It’s for…)

Combien ça coûte ? (How much does this cost?)

Puis-je commander cela sur l’Internet ? (Can I order this on the internet?)

Je voudrais payer en liquide / espèces. (I would like to pay in cash.)

Est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes étrangères ? (Do you accept foreign cards?)

Be aware that paying for items when abroad may not work the same way as at home.

If you’re in a smaller town in France especially, it’s always worth checking with hotels or shop owners if they accept foreign modes of transaction. Asking est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes étrangères ?  will ensure that you don’t find yourself in any sticky payment situations down the line.

If you’re from North America, asking acceptez-vous les cartes sans puce ? (do you accept non-chip cards?) might be more to the point. Many North American cards don’t have chip-and-pin security, and some stores in France don’t have magnetic strip readers.

Generally, most tourist destinations will be equipped to deal with foreign credit cards, but if you’re ever not sure, it always pays to double check!

À quelle heure est-ce que cela ferme ? (What time does it close?)

Across France, especially in the summer months, it’s worth checking out closing times. To ask when a shop or attraction is closing, use this question.

On the other hand, to inquire when a place will be opening, ask à quelle heure est-ce que cela ouvre ? (what time does it open?). Both of these phrases are really essential when traveling, so make sure you learn them ahead of time!

And remember, French time works a little differently and is often given on a 24-hour cycle, so if someone responds with dix-sept heures   (literally, “17 hours”), they mean 5 p.m.

French cuisine is famous around the world, so what better place to try it than in its country of origin? These French phrases will help you make the most of dining in France.

Une table pour 4, s’il vous plaît. (A table for 4, please.

Le menu, s’il vous plaît. (The menu, please.)

La carte des vins, s’il vous plaît. (The wine menu, please.)

Est-ce que le service est compris ? (Is the tip included?)

C’est trop bon ! (This is so good!)

J’ai bien mangé.   (I ate well/I’m full.)

Je suis répu / repue.  (I’m satisfied/I’m full.) This one will really impress people. This is some real français   soutenu  (formal French) , and you’ll rarely hear a young French person say this.

On prend l’apéro ensemble ? (Let’s have an apéritif together?)

An apéritif is a beverage one drinks before eating—typically something alcoholic like whiskey, vodka or  pastis , for example.

Je voudrais… (I would like…)

Je voudrais is likely to be a phrase that you’ll need to use very frequently—when ordering food , attending new places or just trying to buy something in a shop.

While most phrasebooks will contain the names of most foods and items that you would need to order, it’s worth remembering a few so that you don’t get stuck in a sticky situation! Here are a few you may want to commit to memory.

Je voudrais…

un café (a coffee)

une bière (a beer)

une baguette (a baguette)

de l’eau (some water)

l’addition (the bill)

À votre santé ! (To your health!)

Say this right before you clink glasses with your new French pals. Be sure to make eye contact while doing so .

You can also just say santé !  (health!). À  la vôtre !   (to yours!) is also a good option when you’re with more than one person or having a tête-à-tête  (one-on-one discussion) with a distinguished gentleperson.

À la tienne !   (to yours!) works for casual one-on-one scenarios. Tchin tchin !   (clink clink!)   has the benefit of being pretty cute and onomatopoeic.

You’re sure to exude a certain  je ne sais quoi  (“I don’t know what”) as well as an ease with pronouns .

You’ve done the museums, the galleries, the restaurants, the cafés… time to party!

Ça te dit d’aller boire un verre ce soir ? (Want to go get a drink tonight?)

J’ai envie de faire la fête ! (I want to party!)

On s’installe là-bas ? (Let’s sit over there?)

Je voudrais une pinte de blonde / un verre de vin.  (I would like a pint of light ale/glass of wine.)

On va prendre la bouteille. (We’ll take the bottle.)

On prend des shooters ! (We’re taking shots!)

Est-ce qu’il y a un after ? (Is there an after party?)

Je suis crevé / crevée, j’y vais.  (I’m spent, I’m leaving.)

Rentrez-bien ! (Get home safely!) A good phrase to keep in your pocket when you’re leaving your party animal friends in the club.

Je me suis vraiment bien amusé / amusée.  (I really enjoyed myself.) Did your new French pals take you on an exhilarating tour of the coins et  recoins (nooks and crannies) of a charming neighborhood? Then let them know that you had fun!

Find a French phrasebook for travelers

Before you travel, you’re going to want to arm yourself with a few essentials, and at the top of your list should be a really great French phrasebook . Although I’ve just given you lots of helpful, common French travel phrases, it’s always good to be ready for any eventuality, and a phrasebook will act as a great backup.

One great phrasebooks for French learners are the “Collins French Phrasebook,” which contains a French dictionary for your convenience.

For more options, you’ll want to explore Lonely Planet   to see what’s available. There are French phrasebooks for every corner of the French-speaking world, and some have additional features like accompanying audio files, travel guides or apps.

Research local customs

Wherever you go in France, you’ll find a whole host of things that make the area unique. Whether it’s local French cooking , events or linguistic differences, it pays to research the place you’re going and, if necessary, learn a few basic French phrases relating to whatever may be going on around you.

In Paris, for example, some museums and galleries are free to all on the first Sunday of the month—a deal worth taking full advantage of! If you want to check out the region to which you’re traveling, France.fr is a great place to do so.

And of course, your French phrasebooks or regional travel guides can offer you insight into customs, culture, etiquette and holidays.

Make a list of activities

Just getting to France may seem like a dream come true, but unless you have some idea of how you want to spend your time, it can pass you by in a haze.

Before you leave for your trip, try making a list of things you’d like to do. This way, you can adjust the phrases you learn accordingly and be ready to ask about certain exhibitions in the area or how to find a place to eat that serves a certain local dish you’d like to try.

Spontaneity is wonderful, but a little planning doesn’t hurt, either!

Use an immersion program

You can get used to hearing the French language before you leave your house with immersion programs. Using an immersion program at home is a good way to get used to the sounds and natural speed of the language. It’s also a way to hear turns of phrases , filler words and slang —basically, parts of the language that are rarely taught in textbooks. Learn these, and your French will sound much more natural.

Learn polite French terms of address

The French take manners very seriously, and if you’re meeting someone for the first time, or talking to a stranger, it’s important that you address them in the right way.

If you’re trying to attract the attention of someone who might be able to help you, say either “hello sir/madam” or “excuse me sir/madam” in French, as given above. Similarly, when you enter a shop, it’s always nice to greet the shopkeeper by saying hello or good morning, also as you learned above.

You can get a head start on polite conversation for practical, everyday matters with ed2go’s Beginning Conversational French course. This is a short online course that prepares you for communication in places like restaurants, hotels and other typical scenarios you may encounter on your travels.

There are also different terms of address in French, and depending on how well you know someone, you’ll have to address them in a certain way. For people you know, you can say tu (you) when talking to them. This can also be used for children and animals.

For strangers, figures of authority or your elders, you must use  vous (you). This is a much more polite term of address, and expected when you haven’t gotten to know someone well yet.

If you’re struggling to know which one to use, always veer on the side of caution and use  vous. The other person will tell you if they want you to say tu to them instead!

Traveling to France is a thrilling and eye-opening experience.

In order to get the most out of the trip, it’s a great idea for tourists and travelers to learn some basic French phrases and words ahead of time.

These French travel phrases will have your back throughout your trip!

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF!

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

Essential French Vocabulary

Essential French vocabulary for travel include words such as “bonjour” (meaning hello, pronunciation bɔ̃ʒuʀ), “au revoir” (meaning goodbye, pronunciation o ʀvwaʀ), “s’il vous plait” (meaning please, pronunciation s-il vu plɛ) and “merci” (meaning thank you, pronunciation mɛʀsi). On this page you’ll learn all the important words you’ll need to know for a trip to France. Keep reading!

Ways to say hello in French

There are many ways to say “hello” in French, which we cover in detail on this page . Here, we’ll look at the most common words.

The most common and formal way to say hello in French is “ bonjour “, pronounced bɔ̃ʒuʀ . This word can also be used for “good morning”.

This page on our site explains bonjour in detail and this page covers ways of saying “ good morning “.

The second most common ways to say “hello” in French is “salut” (pronounced sal-oo).

This word is much less formal and means both “hi” and “bye”. It should only be used with closer acquaintances and friends.

This page on our site covers salut in detail .

Ways to say goodbye in French

There are many ways to say “goodbye” in French, which we cover in detail on this page . The most common word for goodbye is “au revoir” , which we explain in depth here .

At the end of the day it will be necessary to say “good night”, which is “bonne nuit” (pronounced bun nwee).

This page on our site covers how to say “good night” , as well as the difference between “bonne nuit” and “ bonsoir “ (good evening).

Yes and no in French

It is essential that you know the correct pronunciation of yes and no before a trip to France. The word for yes is “oui” , which is pronounced “wee”.

The word for “ no ” in French is “non” , which is pronounced with a nasal -on sound. This page on Frenchtoday.com covers the French nasal sounds in detail.

There are many other ways to say yes and no. This page covers ways to say “yes” and this page covers ways to say “no” .

Please and thank you

It is essential that you learn how to say please, thank you as well as you’re welcome for your trip to France.

S’il vous plaît / s’il te plaît

In French, there are two ways to say please: Use “s’il vous plaît” in formal situations and “s’il te plaît” in informal situations. This page on our site covers various ways to say “please” in French .

The word for “you’re welcome” in French is “de rien” . The pronunciation is a bit difficult as the “en” is a nasal “ɛ̃” sound as in the word “inviter” (to invite).

This page on our site covers various ways to say “you’re welcome” in French .

How are you?

In French there are several ways to ask, “How are you?”. In formal situations, say: “Comment allez-vous?” .

In informal situations, you can say both: “Comment vas-tu?” and “Ça va?” . This page on our site covers various ways of asking “How are you?” . This page observes the expression “ça va” in depth .

Introductions

It is absolutely essential that you learn how to introduce yourself and tell somebody your name and “nice to meet you?

Je m’appelle

In French, to tell somebody your name, say: “Je m’appelle” , which means “my name is”.

This page on our site covers how to say “my name is” in French in detail .

Comment vous appelez-vous? / Comment t’appelles-tu?

There are two ways to ask somebody’s name: Use “Comment vous appelez-vous?” in formal situations and “Comment t’appelles-tu? ” in informal situations.

Enchanté

The French word for “nice to meet you” is: “enchanté” . Another way of saying “nice to meet you” is: “Ravi de faire votre connaissance” . This page on our site explains the various ways of saying “nice to meet you” in French .

Language difficulties

You will undoubtedly have some language difficulties on your trip to France. The following two phrases should come in very handy.

Je ne comprends pas

To say, “I don’t understand” in French, say: “Je ne comprends pas” .

Répétez, s’il vous plaît

If you need somebody to repeat, simply say: “Répétez, s’il vous plaît” .

Sharing is caring!

Affiliate disclosure: Below you will find affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking the link, we will receive a small commission. To learn more please visit our full disclosure page . Merci!

Read our full review of À Moi Paris and find out why we love it so much!

Read our full review of French Verb Drills and find out why we recommend this course!

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

See all posts by David Issokson

Mastering French for Your Next Travel: A Beginner's Guide

Bienvenue , or "welcome", to this quick comprehensive guide to French phrases for everyday life and travel!

We will go over some basic French phrases and the essential French phrases for travel. If you want to learn to speak French, this is an excellent starting point for your foreign language learning journey.

Before we dive into this useful French vocabulary, we will also discuss various ways to learn French at home.

So, if you are planning a trip to France or another French-speaking country, kick-start your learning journey now with our top tips, concise vocab list and notes on French pronunciation.

Learning to Speak French

The process of learning French is made easier when you have the right learning tools in your tool kit. The more learning resources you use, the faster you will progress.

Remember to focus on all four language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. If you want to master the French language, all of these skills are essential.

You can sign up for free French courses online and use well-reputed language-learning apps like Lingopie or Duolingo, which you will find as iPhone and Android apps.

Different online courses and apps will focus on different foreign language skills, so try to use more than one in conjunction. On top of that, look for grammar and vocabulary-specific resources, such as YouTube videos, TikToks , Instagram reels and so on.

With the plethora of awesome free or low-cost learning resources at your disposal, learning French has never been easier or more fun!

Another great approach to learning French is to watch French movies and TV shows on Lingopie. This will develop your French language skills and understanding of French culture all while you are entertained.

French immersion in content created by and for native French speakers is invaluable. Download some French TV or music and learn French anytime, anywhere while you go about your everyday life.

You will be speaking French in no time if you use these learning tools for at least ten minutes every day. Remember - the more time you put into your learning, the faster you will progress!

Basic French Phrases

Now that you have read some top tips for learning to speak French quickly, let's break down some essential French phrases for everyday life and travel.

By learning just a few useful French phrases, you can build your confidence, introduce yourself and express your wants and needs in a new language.

So, here are the most useful French words and phrases to learn for beginners!

Bonjour means "hello" in French. Its literal translation is "good day" and you can use bonjour for "good morning" and "good afternoon" as well. Then, when the sun sets, you should switch to bonsoir , which means "good evening".

At night, you can say bonne nuit , which is "good night". If you want to politely greet someone and you are not sure which phrase to use, you can always opt for the simple but effective bonne journée , or "good day".

Comment vous appelez-vous?

If you are meeting someone for the first time in France, you can ask formally "what is your name?" by saying comment vous appelez-vous? or informally, using comment tu t'appelles?

Consider the person's social position in relation to your own and judge which version of the question is more appropriate. If they are your senior in a social or business situation, it is best to use formal language.

Je m’appelle…

Then, when asked your name, you can reply "my name is..." by saying either je m'appelle or simply je suis…

While the former means "I am called", the latter means "I am..." Both are acceptable ways to introduce yourself, so it comes down to personal preference.

At this point, you might add et je viens de… "and I'm from..." to your introduction.

Comment allez vous

Once you have introduced yourself in French, you might want to ask "how are you?" There is a formal way to do so; comment allez vous? as well as an informal option; comment ça va?

As you know, the choice of which phrase to use depends upon the formality of the situation and your relationship to the other person. You would ask your boyfriend comment ça va? but you would ask his mother comment allez vous?, for instance.

Ça va bien/ mal

The most common reply to the question "how are you?" in French is ça va bien , "I'm good"/ "it's going well". But you can also say ça va mal, "it's not going well", if that is a more accurate response.

Comme ci, comme ça

Everyone learning French in a classroom is familiar with this classic French phrase. If you are neither feeling good nor bad, you can say comme ci, comme ça, which means "so-so".

Of course, oui means "yes", while non means "no". Once you start to ask and understand questions, these words will be vital for everyday use.

When it comes time to say goodbye, you can opt for the classic au revoir , meaning "goodbye".

Or, you can say a more casual à bientôt! , which means "see you soon!"

S’il vous plaît

When asking for something in French, remember to add a s'il vous plaît or a s’il te plaît, meaning "please". Once again, the options here are formal and informal, so judge the situation and if in doubt, opt for the formal phrase.

Merci means "thank you". Please and thank you are two essential French phrases for everyday life and travel in the French-speaking world. When you visit any country in which French is the official language, you will do well to use your manners and show willing to be polite in French.

De rien means "it's nothing" or "you're welcome". French people respond to merci with this handy little phrase.

The French word rien means "nothing" or "anything" depending on the context. Think of the famous Édith Piaf song Non, Je ne Regrette Rien (" no, I don't regret anything").

Excusez moi

This useful French phrase means "excuse me". You can use excusez moi when you need to excuse yourself or get a person's attention to ask a question.

Qu’est-ce que…?

Finally, qu’est-ce que…? means "what?...", "what is it?" or "what is that?" depending on the context.

You can use this phrase to ask a longer question, such as qu’est-ce que tu fais ce soir?, meaning "what are you doing this evening?", for example.

Speaking French on Holiday as a Beginner

Parlez vous anglais.

If you want to ask a question you cannot yet express in French, you can always ask "do you speak English?"

Je parle un peu français

Then, you can explain "I speak a little French". This will encourage native French people to speak to you more clearly, using simple language.

Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement?

If you are still struggling to understand, you can ask "could you speak more slowly?"

Je ne comprends pas

And in the event that you cannot translate the other speaker's remarks, you can say "I don't understand".

French Travel Phrases

The question où est...? means "where is...?" and it can be followed by le , la , or les, depending on whether you intend to use a masculine noun, a feminine noun or a plural noun.

For instance, où est le guichet? means "where is the ticket window?", où est la banque? means "where is the bank?" and où sont les toilettes? means "where are the toilets?"

Je cherche means "I'm looking for". A common phrase uttered by tourists in Paris is je cherche la tour Eiffel, "I'm looking for the Eiffel Tower".

Je voudrais

Je voudrais means "I would like". This is an invaluable phrase when speaking French. Add a verb from your French dictionary and start to form a request. For instance, je voudrais acheter ... "I would like to buy..."

Combien ça coûte?

The next logical question is, of course, "how much does it cost?"

La carte (des vins)

In a restaurant, you will want to know how to as for the "(wine) menu".

And at the end of your meal, you can request "the check".

When you are clinking glasses with your French friends in the restaurant, you can say santé , which literally means "health". This is like when people who speak English say "good health" when they touch glasses.

When your friends say santé, it is common to reply à la vôtre! "[and] to yours!" if you are with more than one person (or someone with whom you are speaking formally).

French Pronunciation

Finally, a note on the French accent. This is an area that many people find challenging when developing their speaking skills.

You will have to work on your pronunciation and French accent in order to improve your speaking skills, so try to shadow the speech of native speakers on French TV and listen to French songs.

As a beginner learning French, you might find the pronunciation illogical, but as you learn the basics, it will fall into place - we promise!

An example is the "est ce que” in qu'est-ce queue, which is pronounced like “ess que”. This is not instinctive to English language speakers, but it is consistent in French.

Now, let's look at some frequently asked questions about the French language!

FAQs related to learning basic French phrases

How can i learn french by myself.

You can learn French by yourself by using great online resources to inform your language learning. Language apps, online courses and streaming platforms are excellent tools to help you learn French grammar, vocabulary and language skills.

How long does it realistically take to learn French?

The timeline for learning French is different for everyone. Realistically, you can learn to speak French at a basic level in just a couple of weeks. Then, after 6 months to a year, you should be speaking French comfortably at an intermediate to advanced level.

Which words and phrases will help you a lot when traveling in France?

When traveling in France, there are certain words and phrases that will help you to sound authentic and communicate with native speakers. The French slang word picoler means "to drink alcohol [in excess]" and this is a great one for sounding like a local. You can also use c'est nul , meaning "that sucks", sans déconner , meaning "no joke" or vas-y mollo, "take it easy".

These colloquial French words and phrases will help you to fit in with native French speakers while you travel.

What are some sayings in French about travel?

Here are some useful French phrases about travel:

• Bonnes vacances! - have a good holiday!
• Bon voyage! - have a good trip!
• Les grandes vacances - school summer break
• Partir en vacances - to go on vacation

Summing Up: Mastering French for Your Next Travel

This guide to French travel phrases and French pronunciation is a great starting point for your French learning journey.

While you are learning French, try to use all of the available learning resources, such as TV and movies, music and apps.

The more you engage with native French content, the more your spoken French will develop a certain je ne sais quoi!

Sound like a native French speaker in no time with the help of Lingopie and other language-learning apps and websites.

Milena Andrade

9 Short Stories to Learn Italian (for Beginners)

Spanish for Travelers: How to Speak Like a Local

You might also like.

50 ways How to Ask for Directions in French

18 French Pick Up Lines Every Learner Should Know

Human Body in French: A Guide to 30 Essential Terms

French Animal Sounds: A Fun Way to Learn French

Get the secret guide to language learning with tv and music for free, browse posts by popular tags.

Beyond Wanderlust: 30 Words Every Traveler Should Know

By emily petsko | jun 13, 2022, 5:14 pm edt.

For those who travel, wanderlust is a familiar feeling. It’s that nagging voice in your head that says, “Yes, you do need to book that flight,” even if your bank account says otherwise. Regardless of how many passport covers this word may adorn, it doesn’t begin to cover the spectrum of emotions and experiences that can be revealed through the act of travel. Here are 30 travel words from around the world to keep in your back pocket as you're exploring this summer.

From the Latin vagari , meaning “to wander,” this 16th-century word originally meant a wandering journey . Nowadays, "vagaries" refer to unpredictable or erratic situations, but that doesn’t mean the old sense of the word can’t be invoked from time to time.

2. Selcouth

An Old English word that refers to something that’s both strange and marvelous . It's a great way to sum up those seemingly indescribable moments spent in an unfamiliar land.

Who hasn’t felt a strong desire to be somewhere—anywhere—other than where you currently are? That’s fernweh , or “ farsickness ," and this German word has been described as a cousin of wanderlust, another German loan word.

4. Dépaysement

Anyone who has traveled abroad will recognize this feeling. The French word refers to the sense of disorientation that often sets in when you step outside your comfort zone, such as when you leave your home country.

Another gift from the French, this word literally translates to “drift,” but thanks to some mid-20th century French philosophers, it can also refer to a spontaneous trip , completely free of plans, in which you let your surroundings guide you.

6. Peregrinate

To peregrinate is to travel from place to place, especially on foot. Its Latin root, peregrinus (meaning “foreign”), is also where the peregrine falcon (literally “ pilgrim falcon ”) gets its name.

7. Perambulate

Similar to peregrinate, this word essentially means to travel over or through an area by foot. So instead of saying that you’ll be walking around London, you can say you’ll be perambulating the city’s streets—much more sophisticated.

8. Numinous

This English word could appropriately be used to describe the Grand Canyon or the Northern Lights. Something numinous is awe-inspiring and mysterious. It's difficult to understand from a rational perspective, which gives it a spiritual or unearthly quality.

9. Peripatetic

The young and the restless will want to incorporate this word into their lexicon. The adjective refers to those who are constantly moving from place to place—in other words, a nomadic existence. It stems from the Greek word peripatein (“to walk up and down”), which was originally associated with Aristotle and the shaded walkways near his school (or, according to legend, his habit of pacing back and forth during lectures).

10. Waldeinsamkeit

You’re alone in a forest. It’s peaceful. The sun is filtering through the trees and there’s a light breeze. That’s waldeinsamkeit . (Literally "forest solitude." And yes, Germans have all the best travel words.)

11. Shinrin-Yoku

In a similar vein, this Japanese word means “ forest bathing ,” and it's considered a form of natural medicine and stress reliever. There are now forest bathing clubs around the world, but you can try it out for yourself on your next camping trip. Take deep breaths, close your eyes, and take in the smells and sounds of the forest. Simple.

12. Solivagant

In those moments when you just want to run away from your responsibilities, you may consider becoming a solivagant : a solo wanderer .

13. Yoko Meshi

This Japanese phrase literally translates to “ a meal eaten sideways ,” which is an apt way to describe the awkwardness of speaking in a foreign language that you haven’t quite mastered, especially over dinner.

14. Resfeber

You just booked your flight. Your heart starts racing. You’re a little nervous about your journey, but mostly you just can’t wait to get going. The anticipation, anxiety, and excitement you get before a big trip is all rolled into one word— resfeber —and you can thank the Swedes for it.

15. Flâneur

Taken from the French flâner , meaning to stroll or saunter , this word describes someone who has no particular plans or place they need to be. They merely stroll around the city at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights and enjoying the day as it unfolds.

16. Gadabout

This could be construed as the traditional English equivalent of flâneur . Likely stemming from the Middle English verb gadden , meaning “to wander without a specific aim or purpose,” a gadabout is one who frequently travels from place to place for the sheer fun of it. In other words: a modern-day backpacker.

17. Hiraeth

Sometimes, no matter how amazing your vacation may be, you just want to come home to your bed and cats. This Welsh word sums up the deep yearning for home that can strike without warning. As Gillian Thomas put it in an interview with the BBC , “Home sickness is too weak. You feel hiraeth , which is a longing of the soul to come home to be safe.”

This Japanese word can be taken to mean “graceful elegance” or “subtle mystery,” but it’s much more than that. It's when the beauty of the universe is felt most profoundly, awakening an emotional response that goes beyond words.

19. Schwellenangst

Translating to “ threshold anxiety ,” this German word sums up the fears that are present before you enter somewhere new—like a theater or an intimidating cafe—and by extension going anywhere unfamiliar. The fear of crossing a threshold is normal, even among the most adventurous of travelers—but it often leads to the most unforgettable experiences.

20. Commuovere

Have you ever seen something so beautiful it made you cry? That’s commuovere in action. The Italian word describes the feeling of being moved, touched, or stirred by something you witness or experience.

This Danish word refers to a warm feeling of contentedness and coziness, as well as the acknowledgment of that feeling. Although not explicitly related to this term, author Kurt Vonnegut summed up the idea behind this concept quite nicely when he said, “I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'"

22. Hanyauku

Here's one for those who have a beach trip coming up. Taken from Kwangali, a language spoken in Namibia, hanyauku is the act of tiptoeing across hot sand.

23. Smultronställe

This Swedish word translates to something along the lines of “place of wild strawberries,” but its metaphorical meaning is something along the lines of a "happy place." Whether it’s a hidden overlook of the city or your favorite vacation spot that hasn’t been “discovered” yet, smultronställe refers to those semi-secret places you return to time and time again because they’re special and personal to you.

24. Dustsceawung

This Old English word describes what might happen when you visit a place like Pompeii or a ghost town. While reflecting on past civilizations, you realize that everything will eventually turn to dust. A cheery thought.

25. Vacilando

In some Spanish dialects, the word vacilando describes someone who travels with a vague destination in mind but has no real incentive to get there. In other words, the journey is more important than the destination. As John Steinbeck described it in his travelogue Travels With Charley : “It does not mean vacillating at all. If one is vacilando , he is going somewhere, but doesn't greatly care whether or not he gets there, although he has direction. My friend Jack Wagner has often, in Mexico, assumed this state of being. Let us say we wanted to walk in the streets of Mexico city but not at random. We would choose some article almost certain not to exist there and then diligently try to find it.”

26. Lehitkalev

Backpackers and budget travelers, this one is for you: The Hebrew word lehitkalev translates to “dog it” and means to deal with uncomfortable living or travel arrangements.

27. Komorebi

This beautiful Japanese word is a good one to save for a sunny day spent in the woods. Komorebi translates to “sunshine filtering through the leaves.” Does it get any lovelier than that?

This Balinese word refers to something that is simultaneously chaotic and joyful. It isn’t specifically a travel word, but it does seem to fit the feelings that are often awakened by travel.

29. Trouvaille

Translating to a “lucky find,” this French word can be applied to that cool cafe, flower-lined street, or quirky craft store that you stumbled upon by chance. Indeed, these are the moments that make travel worthwhile.

30. Ullassa

Just in case you needed another reason to plan that trip to Yosemite, here's one last word for nature lovers. The Sanskrit word ullassa refers to the feelings of pleasantness that come from observing natural beauty in all its glory.

A version of this story ran in 2018; it has been updated for 2022.

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of travel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

• peregrinate
• peregrination

Examples of travel in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'travel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English travailen, travelen to torment, labor, strive, journey, from Anglo-French travailler

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing travel

• travel trailer
• travel agent
• travel sickness
• pre - travel
• travel agency
• see / travel the world
• travel light

Articles Related to travel

Is it ‘traveling’ or...

Is it ‘traveling’ or ‘travelling’?

A tale of two variants

Noah Webster's Spelling Wins and Fails

Some of his biggest successes and defeats

8 Ways to Get Away From It All

Whether it's a jaunt or a junket, remember sunblock.

Dictionary Entries Near travel

Cite this entry.

“Travel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travel. Accessed 13 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of travel.

Kids Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

Middle English travailen "torment, labor, strive, journey," from early French travailler "torment, labor," from an unrecorded Latin verb tripaliare "to torture," from Latin tripalium "an instrument of torture," literally "three stakes," derived from tri- "three" and palus "stake, pale" — related to pale entry 3 , travail

More from Merriam-Webster on travel

Nglish: Translation of travel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of travel for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travel

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, more commonly mispronounced words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - apr. 12, 10 scrabble words without any vowels, 12 more bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), 8 uncommon words related to love, 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.

Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

More from CBS News

Congress is gearing up for the next funding fight. Will this time be different?

Inflation's rising. Here's how debt relief can help.

EPA issues first-ever regulations for "forever chemicals" in drinking water

TSA found more than 1,500 guns at airport checkpoints in 1st quarter of 2024