Mapping Out a City in Words: French Place Names and Directional Vocab
Knowing how to say “restroom” and “water fountain” in another language is pretty much a survival skill. Knowing other words like “bakery” and “the historic district,” though? Well, that can start to make the world around you a bit bigger, one place name at a time. In a foreign country, place names and directional vocabulary expand horizons, which is something every traveler seeks.
And that is the goal of today’s lesson. We will be learning how to ask for directions later on today, but having these place names down is crucial. If you ever forget how to ask for something or are in an emergency situation and cannot think on your feet, knowing one simple word can make all the difference.
French Place Names:
Listen to Track 75:
l’agence de voyage (travel agency)
la banque (bank)
le bar (bar)
la boulangerie (bakery)
le bureau de change (money exchange)
le café (café)
le centre historique (historic district )
le centre-ville (town square, town center)
le cinéma (movie theater)
la discothèque, la boite (casual) (dance club)
le distributeur automatique, le distributeur (ATM)
l’église (f.) (church)
l’épicerie (f.) (grocery store)
la fontaine d’eau (water fountain)
l’hôpital (m.) (hospital)
’hôtel (hotel)
la mairie (town hall)
le musée (museum)
le parc (park)
la pizzeria (pizzeria)
le pont (bridge)
la poste (post office)
le poste de police (police station)
le Quartier Latin (the Latin Quarter (in Paris))
la rue (street)
la rue commerciale (shopping district)
le supermarché (supermarket)
le théâtre (theater (for plays))
les toilettes, les WC (restroom)
la tour Eiffel (the Eiffel Tower)
Transportation:
Listen to Track 76:
l’aéroport (airport)
le bateau (boat)
le bateau-mouche (tour boat)
le bus (bus)
le bus touristique (tour bus)
le métro (subway, metro station)
la station (metro station)
la gare (train station)
le TGV (train à grande vitesse) (high-speed train)
le taxi (taxi)
le train (train)
la gare routière (bus station)
la zone piétonne (pedestrian area)
le passage piéton (pedestrian crossing)
le sentier pédestre (pedestrian walkway)
la piste cyclable (bike trail (off-road))
une moto (motorcycle)
un vélo (bike)
la voiture (car)
la voiture de location (rental car)
Transportation:
Listen to Track 77:
droite (right)
gauche (left)
le nord (north)
le sud (south)
l’est (east)
l’ouest (west)