There are more than 220 million French speakers so chances are you will meet one of them. If you meet a French person and don't know what he's saying, it's a good idea to let him know right away that you don't speak French. You can use simple phrases or take advantage of nonverbal communication.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Communicating Verbally
Step 1. Say "Je ne parle pas français"
This phrase means "I don't speak French." Pronounce it as "Zhe ne pakhle pa fkhong-sé." The vowel "e" is pronounced like the vowel "e" in "why", and the vowel "é" pronounced like the vowel "e" in the word "beda". Keep in mind that the consonant "kh" is pronounced like the consonant "kh" in the word "end" (derived from the throat). Usually, French speakers do not pronounce the word "ne" in negative sentences and often they combine it with the first word (“zhen” instead of “zhe ne”) However, in written communication, you should always include the word “ne”.
- If you want to let the other person know that you speak very little French, say " Je parle juste un peu français." This phrase is pronounced as “Zhe pakhle zhust-ang peu fkhonsé” (note the use of the vowel “e” in the phrase, and the vowel sound “eu” reads like the vowel “eu” in the name “Euis”). Translated, this phrase means “I speak very little French.”
- Say "Je suis désolé." This phrase means “I'm sorry” and can be combined with nonverbal gestures to show your incomprehension. Pronounce the phrase as “Zhe swi dizolé” (the last “é” sound in “désolé” is pronounced like the “e” sound in “beda”).
- If you're feeling a little ambitious (but still polite), combine this phrase with the phrase in the previous step "Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas francais." This phrase is pronounced as "Zhe swi dizolé, zhe ne pakhle pa fkhong-sé." Overall, the phrase means "I'm sorry. I don't speak French."
Step 2. Say "Je ne comprend pas"
This phrase means "I don't understand." You can pronounce it as “Zhe ne kompkhong pa”. In fact, this phrase is less suitable than the phrase “Je ne parle pas français " because a French speaker may misinterpret what you say and explain what he said again (and in French!). However, if you can't or have trouble memorizing the phrase “Je ne parle pas français ", at least the phrase "Je ne comprend pas " can still be used rather than not at all.
Step 3. Ask if the other person can speak in a language that you are fluent in
If you tell the other person you speak a language, he will understand that you really don't speak French. You may also be able to communicate with him in another language. Say " Parlez-vous…" (pronounced "pakhle vu"). This phrase means "Do you speak….?" Here is the French vocabulary for the names of other languages:
- English: “Anglais” (pronounced as “ong-glei”)
- Indonesian: “Indonesian” (pronounced as “ang-do né-ziang”)
- Spanish: “Espagnol” (pronounced as “es-spanyoll”)
- Japanese: “Japonais” (pronounced as “zaponei”)
- German: “Allemand” (pronounced as “allemong”)
- Arabic: “Arabe” (pronounced as “a-khab”)
Step 4. Ask for help
If you're in a French-speaking country and you're lost or need help, you can ask for help while telling the other person that you don't speak French. There are a few things to say in a situation like this:
- " Pouvez-vous m'aider? Je ne parle pas français." This phrase means "Can you help me? I don't speak French." Pronounce the phrase as “Pu-vé vu mé-di? Zhe ne pakhle pa fkhong-sé”.
- The phrase " Je suis perdu. Je ne parle pas français " means “I am lost. I can't speak French.” Pronounce the phrase as “Zhe swi pékh-du. Zhe ne pakhle pa fkhong-sé”.
Method 2 of 2: Communicating Nonverbally
Step 1. Lift your shoulders
If someone speaks French and you can't remember any of the phrases above, indicate your inability to understand what they're saying nonverbally. Shrugging is usually considered a universal gesture to signify ignorance or incomprehension.
This gesture also has the connotation of an apology which shows that you regret your inability to understand what the other person is saying
Step 2. Use facial expressions
Apart from shrugging your shoulders, you can also put on a confused expression on your face to reflect your incomprehension. Asymmetric facial expressions are usually considered a sign of confusion.
For example, one eyebrow raised and one eyebrow lowered are often seen as a sign of confusion or incomprehension
Step 3. Use hand gestures
Open your palms and point them upwards while raising your hands from the sides to show uncertainty or confusion. However, do not show excessive enthusiasm when using the gesture. Do not let you seem aggressive or disrespectful in the eyes of the other person.
Tips
- Learning a new language is difficult, but it is very beneficial for life. Visit your nearest bookstore and look for a phrasebook in French if you want to learn more.
- Add French learning audio files to your MP3 player or iPod and learn from anywhere. There are various foreign language learning audio files that you can download for free from the internet.
- Use sites like WordReference to learn basic French vocabulary.
