More and more, travelers are choosing to stay as a guest in someone’s home (hébergement chez l’habitant) using sites such as Gîtes de France or BedyCasa. Aside from the cheaper costs compared to hotels, staying in someone’s home has the definite advantage of giving you a chance to practice the basic but important, everyday phrases you’ve been learning with a native!
Each culture has its own idiosyncrasies or etiquettes (from the French étiquette (f.) - protocol, but also tag or label). Offering to help with the dishes, or buying some baguette et croissants in the morning are nice ways to show courtesy. Below are some expressions that would be useful for a visitor:
General gratitude: Merci mille fois (lit. Thanks a thousand times); Merci infiniment (lit. thank you infinitely); C’est vraiment gentil de votre part./C’est très aimable à vous. (That’s really nice of you); Je ne sais pas comment vous remercier. (I do not know how to thank you.)
After a meal: C’était vraiment délicieux ! (It was really delicious!); Quel régal ! (How delicious!); Qu’est-ce que j’ai bien mangé ! (I really ate well!); Ah, j’ai trop mangé ! (I ate too much.)
When being served food or drinks for example: Merci, ça suffit. (Thanks, that’s enough.); J’en ai assez, merci. (I have enough, thanks.)
Asking permission to do something: Est-ce que cela pose un problème si j’utilise votre téléphone ? (Is it alright if I use your phone?); Pourrais-je regarder/consulter mes mails ? (Could I look at/check my emails?); Est-ce que ça vous dérange si je consulte mes mails ? (Do you mind if I check my emails?); Puis-je me permettre d’emprunter votre stylo ? (May I borrow your pen?); Auriez-vous l’amabilité d’appeler un taxi pour moi ? (Would you be so kind as to call me a cab?)
Helping with the dishes: Laissez-moi vous aider avec la vaisselle. (Let me help you with the dishes.)
Offering to go buy bread in the morning: Où se trouve la boulangerie la plus proche ? (Where is the closest bakery?); J’aimerais aller chercher le pain ce matin. (I would like to go get the bread this morning.)
After visiting someone’s home: Merci de votre hospitalité. (Thanks for your hospitality.); C’était si gentil de votre part de me/nous recevoir. (It was so nice of you to have us.)
And of course, if you want to repay the favor, you can always invite your hosts to visit you sometime by saying: (Si jamais vous visitez mon pays), Venez/Passez me voir ! (If you ever visit my country), Please come visit me!)
By Sev
Listen to this blog post below and hear how to pronounce these phrases:
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