Phase 1: Arrival (L’Aéroport)
Imagine you’ve just gotten off the plane. You’re a little dizzy from the flight and now you have to deal with signs and customs or baggage staff.
Survival vocabulary
Le vol: The flight.
Les bagages: The bags/luggage.
La sortie: The exit (Memorize this word, it’s the most important one!).
Le passeport: The passport.
Phrases you’ll use (or hear)
This is where we bring out the heavy artillery. Notice the use of “Je cherche” (I’m looking for), it’s your best friend when it comes to finding things.
| Situation | Phrase in French | Translation in English |
| At passport control | Voici mon passeport. | Here is my passport. |
| Looking for luggage | Où est la salle des bagages ? | Where is the baggage claim area? |
| If something is missing | J’ai perdu ma valise. | I lost my suitcase. |
| Looking for the exit | Je cherche la sortie, s’il vous plaît. | I’m looking for the exit, please. |
Fun fact: In French airports you’ll often see the word “Douane”. It means “Customs”. If you have nothing to declare, look for the corridor with the green arrow that says “Rien à déclarer”.
Useful French vocabulary for the airport
| French | English |
| Le vol | The flight |
| L’avion (m) | The airplane |
| La porte d’embarquement | The boarding gate |
| La sortie | The exit |
| Les bagages (m. pl) | Luggage / bags |
| Le chariot | The trolley |
| Le passeport | The passport |
| La douane | Customs |
| Objets trouvés | Lost and found |
| Retard | Delay |
Phase 2: How do I get to my hotel? (Le transport)
You’ve got your luggage. Now comes the odyssey of getting downtown. You have three options: train (RER in Paris), bus, or taxi/Uber.
Words you’ll see on signs
Billetterie: Ticket office (where you buy tickets).
Un billet: A ticket.
Le quai: The platform.
Le plan: The map.
Let’s practice a little dialogue
To ask for a ticket politely (and avoid getting weird looks), always use the conditional “Je voudrais” (I would like). It’s much softer than saying “I want”.
Je voudrais un billet pour le centre-ville, s’il vous plaît.
I would like a ticket to the city center, please.
C’est quel quai pour le train vers Paris?
Which platform is for the train to Paris?
Useful French vocabulary for transport
| French Term | English Translation |
| Le trajet | The journey / route |
| La correspondance | The transfer |
| Le guichet | The ticket counter / booth |
| La borne | The ticket machine |
| Le quai | The platform |
| La voie | The track |
| Un carnet | A pack of 10 tickets |
| Prochain arrêt | Next stop |
| Composter | To validate / stamp the ticket |
| Le contrôleur | The ticket inspector |
Phase 3: Check-in (L’Hôtel)
You walk through the door, drop your suitcase, and see the receptionist. Your moment of glory has arrived!
The hotel cheat sheet
Une réservation: A reservation.
La clé: The key (or key card).
Le petit-déjeuner: Breakfast (important to start the day right).
Le code Wi-Fi: The Wi-Fi password (essential for uploading photos to Instagram).
Star phrase for the front desk:
Bonjour ! J’ai une réservation au nom de [Tu Apellido].
Hello! I have a reservation under the name [Your Last Name].
If you need anything else:
À quelle heure est le petit-déjeuner?
What time is breakfast?
Est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici?
Can I leave my luggage here?
Useful French vocabulary for the hotel
| French Term | English Translation |
| La pièce / La chambre | The room |
| Le lit | The bed |
| L’ascenseur (m) | The elevator |
| Le climatiseur | The air conditioner |
| Une couverture | A blanket |
| Une serviette | A towel |
| Le coffre-fort | The safe |
| Le rez-de-chaussée | The ground floor |
| Le premier étage | The first floor |
| La facture | The bill / invoice |
Remember!!!
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Resources
French vocabulary exercises
Listening exercise
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