Article | Atlantic Canada, Sable Island and Gulf of Saint Lawrence

On y va, en Français! A Guide to French for Beginners

Want to learn a few phrases of French before you travel to Québec, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, or elsewhere in Atlantic Canada? Learn how to say thank you, greet people, and ask simple questions with this helpful guide for true beginners.

By Adventure Canada | March 22, 2022

Related expeditions: Mighty Saint Lawrence, Atlantic Canada Explorer, and Newfoundland Circumnavigation

Havre Saint Pierre Quebec man with accordion

© Danny Catt

Many French dialects pepper Atlantic Canada’s coastlines. The phrases and accents you’ll hear will vary from mainland Québec to Saint-Pierre, from Acadian communities in Nova Scotia to the Magdalen Islands, and back again. A few handy phrases—said with a smile—can go a long way.

Nasalized vowels are very common across these French dialects. Often, when you see the letter N written in a word (such as bonjour) you don’t make the full “nnn” sound. Although there isn’t really a close equivalent in English, some of our borrowed French words use this sound, such as in lingerie. This guide uses an italic n to show when a nasalized vowel should be used and a bold n to show when to make the full "nnn" sound. Keep practicing and soon it will come more naturally!

Greetings

  • Bonjour [bohn – djoor] = "Hello"
  • Bon matin [bohn – mah – tihn] = "Good morning"
  • Bonne après-midi [bohn – ah – pray – mee – dee] = "Good afternoon"
  • Bon soir [bohn – swar] = "Good evening"
  • Bonne nuit [bohn – nooee] = "Good night"
  • Au revoir [oh – ruh – vwar] = "Goodbye"
  • À bientôt [ah – bee – en – toe] = "See you soon"
  • À la prochaine [ah – lah – praw – shen] = "See you next time"

Questions & Answers

  • Comment vous appellez-vous? [cum – uhn – vooz – app – ell – ay – voo] = "What’s your name?"
  • Je m’appelle ____. [djuh – mah – pell ____] = "My name is ___."
  • Comment ça va? [cum – uhn – sah – vah] = "How are you?"
  • Ça va bien. [sah – vah – bee – ehn] = "I’m fine."
  • Parlez-vous anglais? [par – lay – vooz – uhn – glay] = "Do you speak English?"
  • Non [nohn] = "No."
  • Oui [wee] = "Yes."

Special Expressions

  • On y va! [oh – nee – vah] = "Let’s go!"
  • Santé! [sahn – tay] = "Cheers!"
  • Salut [sah – loo] = a multi-meaning phrase that could be used for hello, goodbye, or cheers
  • Bienvenue [bee – ehn – veh – noo] = "Welcome"
  • S’il vous plait [seel – voo – play] = "Please"
  • Merci [mer – see] = "Thank you"
  • De rien [duh – ree – ehn] = "You’re welcome"