I was going to just use one phrase, but figured I should probably just go with a bunch of basics. Please and thank you and the like. Let’s face it: When it comes to more than the basics, I won’t remember much anyways! (Not without a few more lessons than I’m getting here, anyways!) I will probably end up speaking English, or getting confused and speaking Spanish. (I’ve already done that several times when trying to rattle off the few French words I know!) Or the desperate flailing of my hands in a mish-mashed frantic and failed attempt at sign language.
Excuse me – Excusez-moi
Please – S’il vous plait
Yes – Oui
No – Non
Thank you – Merci
Thank you very much – Merci beaucoup
So then I can say, “Excusez-moi, s’il vous plait…Merci beaucoup!” 🙂