Basic French phrases include both questions and answers. While these phrases may be shortened sentences, they should be lengthy enough to get a clear and concise message across to whomever you are speaking with.
The first basic French phrases that should be learned include how to call for help or contact or call the police, in case an emergency situation arises.
Emergency and Information
The second thing one should learn is how to identify street signs, how to locate a restroom and how to find information or help, should you become lost.
Once you have learned the basics of how to handle yourself and your family in an emergency situation, and how to find your way around, it's time to learn a few pleasantries.
Some common interests that might come up in conversation probably would include food, time or schedules, shopping and nightlife.
Times and Dates
When you're reading train schedules or other information about times and dates, you'll need to know some key differences between the ways they're expressed in English and French. In Europe, dates are always posted with the year first, followed by the day and date; for example, October 11, 2009, would appear as 09-10-11. Always remember that the year is first, so that you don't wind up in the right place at the wrong time.
Time is measured in heures, or hours. Outside of major cities, it's not uncommon to see a 24-hour clock, rather than the 12-hour clock people are used to in America. If a shop posts its hours as 10h to 23h 30, it is open from 10 AM until 11:30 PM.
In spoken French, times after the half hour are rounded to the next hour with the minutes subtracted. Instead of saying 10:40, you would say 11 heures moins vingt, literally meaning 11 hours minus 20. Printed times will always use the current hour, so 10:40 would appear as 10h 40.
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