Phrasebook
Excuse me, can I get past? French phrases for crowded places
Get through a crowded métro, a cinema row or a market in French: pardon, je peux passer ?, je descends, and how to thank people. Short real phrases.
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In short
The key phrase is Pardon, je peux passer ? (Sorry, can I get past?). In the métro, Je descends ! (I'm getting off!) tells people to let you through. Thank them with Merci or Merci, pardon.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
In the métro
When the doors open, people near the door often step out to let others off.
In a cinema row
At a busy market
When someone needs to pass you
Pardon or excusez-moi?
Pardon is short and works for bumping into someone or squeezing past. Excusez-moi is a bit more polite and also opens a request (Excusez-moi, vous savez où est la sortie ?). Désolé(e) is a real apology when you've actually caused trouble, such as stepping on someone's foot.
In Paris and other big cities, the métro at rush hour (l'heure de pointe) is packed. People on the folding seats (les strapontins) are expected to stand up when the carriage gets full, and you'll often see a sign asking for it.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je peux passer ? | Can I get past? |
| Je descends. | I'm getting off. |
| Je me pousse. | I'll move over. |
| Désolé de vous déranger. | Sorry to bother you. |
| Il y a du monde ! | It's busy! |