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Surviving French Bakeries and Bistros – HearSay French A1
Master essential French for ordering baguettes, requesting tap water, and asking for the bill. Practice listening and speaking on the go to sound polite and confident in Paris.
Lessons Basic politeness in France Learn the essential greetings to use when entering any French shop.
Vocabulary bonjour (hello) merci (thank you) s'il vous plaît (please) au revoir (goodbye) monsieur (sir) Objectives Greet shopkeepers appropriately Say please and thank you At the boulangerie Step into a French bakery and learn how to ask for bread politely.
Vocabulary la boulangerie (the bakery) la baguette (the baguette) le pain (the bread) je voudrais (I would like) une tradition (a traditional baguette) Objectives Identify a bakery Order a traditional baguette Ordering French pastries Expand your bakery order to include classic French morning treats.
Vocabulary la viennoiserie (the pastry) le croissant (the croissant) le pain au chocolat (the chocolate croissant) avec (with) et (and) Objectives Order common pastries Use basic conjunctions to link items Paying at the bakery Specify how many items you want and ask for the total price.
Vocabulary un (one) deux (two) trois (three) ça fait combien ? (how much is that?) l'euro (the euro) Objectives State numbers one to three Ask how much something costs Arriving at the bistro Catch a server's attention politely when you arrive at a busy bistro.
Vocabulary le bistro (the bistro) pardon (excuse me) excusez-moi (excuse me) oui (yes) la serveuse (the waitress) Objectives Get a waiter's attention Use polite interruption phrases Asking for a table Request seating for your group and ask to see the menu.
Vocabulary la table (the table) pour (for) la personne (the person) la carte (the menu) regarder (to look) Objectives Ask for a table for a specific number of people Request the menu Ordering drinks and water Learn how to order coffee, tea, and specifically ask for free tap water.
Vocabulary la boisson (the drink) la carafe d'eau (the jug of tap water) le café (the coffee) le thé (the tea) le vin (the wine) Objectives Order hot drinks Request a complimentary jug of tap water Needing more time Tell the waiter you need another minute to look at the menu.
Vocabulary une minute (one minute) encore (still/more) choisir (to choose) je prends (I'll take) d'accord (okay) Objectives Ask for more time to decide Indicate you are ready to order Ordering your meal Use the correct verbs to order your lunch or dinner politely.
Vocabulary le plat (the dish) le déjeuner (the lunch) le dîner (the dinner) manger (to eat) la faim (the hunger) Objectives Order a main dish Express that you are hungry How to order steak Navigate the French preferences for cooking meat to get your steak just right.
Vocabulary le steak (the steak) la viande (the meat) saignant (rare) à point (medium) bien cuit (well-done) Objectives Order meat Specify how well-done you want your steak Side dishes and seasonings Ask for classic bistro sides and request salt or pepper.
Vocabulary les frites (the fries) la salade (the salad) le sel (the salt) le poivre (the pepper) délicieux (delicious) Objectives Order side dishes like fries or salad Ask for basic condiments Asking for the bill Remember that the bill won't come automatically—you have to ask for it!
Vocabulary l'addition (the bill) payer (to pay) par carte (by card) en espèces (in cash) l'argent (the money) Objectives Request the bill Discuss payment methods Tipping and leaving Understand how service charges work in France and when to leave a tip.
Vocabulary le pourboire (the tip) le service (the service) compris (included) très bien (very good) à bientôt (see you soon) Objectives Understand that service is included Decide whether to leave an extra tip Reviewing your bistro experience Wrap up your meal, express your satisfaction, and wish the staff a good day.
Vocabulary bon (good) mauvais (bad) aimer (to like) le repas (the meal) bonne journée (have a good day) Objectives Express whether food is good or bad Wish someone a good day