72 Basic French Phrases for Your Next Trip to Belgium 🇧🇪

Bonjour, mes amis! 🙌 Are you ready to embark on a delightful journey to the land of waffles, chocolate, and quirky linguistic adventures? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the wonderful world of Belgian French! 🚀 While French is spoken in many countries, the Belgian twist on this romantic language is as unique as the country itself. From the charming streets of Brussels to the picturesque canals of Bruges, having a few handy Belgian French phrases up your sleeve will make your trip all the more enjoyable. So, let's get started with this ultimate guide to conquering the Belgian linguistic landscape! 😎

Greetings and Basic Phrases 🙋‍♀️

1. Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) - Hello
2. Salut (sah-loo) - Hi (informal)
3. Au revoir (oh ruh-vwahr) - Goodbye
4. Merci (mehr-see) - Thank you
5. S'il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) - Please
6. De rien (duh ryahn) - You're welcome
7. Excusez-moi (ehk-skew-zay mwah) - Excuse me
8. Pardon (pahr-dohn) - Pardon me
9. Je ne comprends pas (zhuh nuh kohn-prahn pah) - I don't understand
10. Parlez-vous anglais? (par-lay voo ahn-gleh?) - Do you speak English?
11. Je ne parle pas français (zhuh nuh pahrl pah frahn-seh) - I don't speak French
12. Comment allez-vous? (koh-mahn tah-lay voo?) - How are you?
13. Très bien, merci (treh bee-uhn, mehr-see) - Very well, thank you
14. Enchantée (ahn-shahn-tay) - Nice to meet you (when said by a woman)
15. Enchanté (ahn-shahn-tay) - Nice to meet you (when said by a man)

Dining and Food 🍴

When in Belgium, you simply cannot miss out on the country's culinary delights! From the world-famous Belgian waffles to the delectable chocolates and hearty dishes like moules-frites (mussels and fries), your taste buds are in for a treat. Here are some useful phrases to help you navigate the Belgian dining scene:

16. Je voudrais... (zhuh voo-dreh) - I would like...
17. Le menu, s'il vous plaît (luh muh-new, seel voo pleh) - The menu, please
18. L'addition, s'il vous plaît (lah-dee-syohn, seel voo pleh) - The bill, please
19. Je suis végétarien(ne) (zhuh swee vay-zhay-tah-ryahn/ryehn) - I am a vegetarian
20. Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît (ewn tahbl poor duh, seel voo pleh) - A table for two, please
21. C'est délicieux! (seh day-lee-syuh) - It's delicious!
22. Je suis allergique à... (zhuh swee ah-lehr-zheek ah) - I am allergic to...
23. Un café, s'il vous plaît (uhn kah-fay, seel voo pleh) - A coffee, please
24. Un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît (uhn vehr doh, seel voo pleh) - A glass of water, please
25. Une bière, s'il vous plaît (ewn bee-yehr, seel voo pleh) - A beer, please
26. Les toilettes, s'il vous plaît? (lay twah-leht, seel voo pleh?) - The restrooms, please?

Shopping and Money 💰

Belgium is known for its charming markets, trendy boutiques, and of course, the irresistible chocolate shops! Here are some phrases to help you shop like a pro and handle money matters with ease:

27. Combien ça coûte? (kohm-byahn sah koot?) - How much does this cost?
28. Je cherche... (zhuh shehrsh) - I'm looking for...
29. Avez-vous...? (ah-vay voo?) - Do you have...?
30. C'est trop cher (seh troh shehr) - It's too expensive
31. Je vais prendre celui-ci (zhuh veh prahn-druh suh-lwee-see) - I'll take this one
32. Puis-je payer par carte? (pwee-zhuh peh-yay pahr kahrt?) - Can I pay by card?
33. Je n'ai pas de monnaie (zhuh neh pah duh moh-neh) - I don't have change
34. Où est le distributeur automatique le plus proche? (oo eh luh dees-tree-bew-tuhr oh-toh-mah-teek luh plew prohsh?) - Where is the nearest ATM?
35. Pouvez-vous me faire un prix? (poo-vay voo muh fehr uhn pree?) - Can you give me a discount?

Directions and Transportation 🚶‍♀️

Navigating the charming streets of Belgian cities is a breeze with these handy phrases:

36. Où est...? (oo eh?) - Where is...?
37. La gare (lah gahr) - The train station
38. L'aéroport (lah-eh-roh-pohr) - The airport
39. Le métro (luh may-troh) - The metro
40. L'arrêt de bus (lah-reh duh bews) - The bus stop
41. Tournez à gauche (toor-nay ah gohsh) - Turn left
42. Tournez à droite (toor-nay ah drwaht) - Turn right
43. Tout droit (too drwah) - Straight ahead
44. Un ticket, s'il vous plaît (uhn tee-keh, seel voo pleh) - One ticket, please
45. Un plan de la ville, s'il vous plaît (uhn plahn duh lah veel, seel voo pleh) - A city map, please

Belgian Customs and Culture 🎭

Belgium is a country with a rich history and fascinating customs. Here are some insights to help you blend in and appreciate the Belgian way of life:

46. La bise (lah beez) - The Belgian greeting of kissing on the cheek (usually one to three times, depending on the region)
47. Bon appétit! (bohn ah-peh-tee) - Enjoy your meal!
48. À la vôtre! (ah lah voh-truh) - Cheers!
49. Le surréalisme (luh sewr-reh-ah-leesm) - Surrealism, an artistic movement that has greatly influenced Belgian culture
50. Les bandes dessinées (lay bahnd deh-see-nay) - Comic strips, a beloved art form in Belgium
51. Les Schtroumpfs (lay shtroohmf) - The Smurfs, a famous Belgian comic series
52. La frite (lah freet) - Belgian fries, a national dish often served with mayonnaise
53. La gaufre (lah goh-fruh) - The Belgian waffle, a must-try sweet treat
54. Le chocolat belge (luh shoh-koh-lah behlzh) - Belgian chocolate, renowned worldwide for its quality and taste
55. La bière belge (lah bee-yehr behlzh) - Belgian beer, with over 1,500 varieties to choose from

Belgian Slang and Colloquialisms 😎

Want to sound like a true Belgian? Impress the locals with these slang terms and colloquialisms:

56. Septante (seh-tahnt) - Seventy (instead of "soixante-dix" used in France)
57. Nonante (noh-nahnt) - Ninety (instead of "quatre-vingt-dix" used in France)
58. Brol (brohl) - Stuff, junk, or mess
59. Chicon (shee-kohn) - Belgian endive, a popular vegetable in Belgian cuisine
60. Dringuelle (dran-gehl) - Tip or gratuity
61. Kip (keep) - Chicken, often used to describe someone who is cowardly
62. Pistolet (pee-stoh-leh) - A type of round bread roll, perfect for sandwiches
63. Schieve (shee-eh-vuh) - Crooked or askew, often used to describe someone who is not straightforward
64. Stut (stewt) - Sandwich filling, like ham or cheese
65. Zwanze (zwanz) - A type of Brussels humor that involves witty, ironic, or surreal statements

Romance and Flirting 💕

Ah, l'amour! If you find yourself smitten by a charming Belgian, these phrases might come in handy:

66. Tu es très beau/belle (tew eh treh boh/behl) - You are very handsome/beautiful
67. Je t'aime (zhuh tem) - I love you
68. Veux-tu sortir avec moi? (vuh-tew sohr-teer ah-vehk mwah?) - Do you want to go out with me?
69. Tu as de beaux yeux (tew ah duh boh zyuh) - You have beautiful eyes
70. Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi (zhuh nuh puh pah vee-vruh sahn twah) - I can't live without you

Things to Avoid Saying 🙊

While Belgians are generally friendly and open-minded, there are a few sensitive topics and phrases you might want to avoid:

71. "Belgium is not a real country" - Belgium has a complex history and political structure, but it is very much a real country with its own unique identity.
72. "French fries are actually Belgian" - While it's true that Belgian fries are famous worldwide, the origin of fries is a topic of debate and can be a sensitive subject for some.

FAQ ❓

Q: Is it necessary to speak French to visit Belgium?A: While knowing some basic French phrases is helpful, many Belgians also speak English, especially in tourist areas. However, making an effort to speak French is always appreciated!

Q: What are some must-try Belgian dishes?A: Some classic Belgian dishes include moules-frites (mussels and fries), carbonade flamande (Flemish beef stew), waterzooi (a creamy stew with vegetables and chicken or fish), and of course, Belgian waffles and chocolate.

Q: What are some popular Belgian tourist attractions?A: Some top attractions in Belgium include the Grand Place in Brussels, the historic city center of Bruges, the Atomium in Brussels, the Gravensteen castle in Ghent, and the Ardennes region for outdoor activities.

Q: What is the best time of year to visit Belgium?A: Belgium has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool winters. The best time to visit depends on your preferences, but generally, the months of May to September offer pleasant weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Et voilà! With these 72 Belgian French phrases and cultural insights, you're ready to embark on a delightful adventure in Belgium. Remember, the key to making the most of your trip is to embrace the local culture, savor the delicious cuisine, and don't be afraid to practice your French! The Belgians will appreciate your effort, and you might just make some lifelong friends along the way. Bonne chance et bon voyage! 🇧🇪✨