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Language & Local Phrases in Tignes

Discover key Tignes local phrases

Updated

French is the official language spoken in Tignes. As a hugely popular international tourist destination you may well find that in many restaurants, bars and hotels English is spoken.

However, if you decide to do some travelling into the surrounding, more rural villages, or happen upon a restaurant off the beaten track then it's a good idea to brush up on your French! If you are driving through the area or through France to reach your destination then a few handy phrases to ask directions will be a good idea.

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  1. Key phrases and translations

Key phrases and translations

General and polite conversation

  • hello - bonjour
  • goodbye - au revoir
  • please - s'il vous plaît
  • thank you (very much) - merci (beaucoup)
  • how are you? - comment allez-vous?
  • fine - Ça va bien
  • I don't understand - je ne comprends pas
  • can you help me? - pourriez-vous m'aider?
  • excuse me - pardon, excusez-moi

Accommodation

  • do you have a room? - avez-vous une chambre?
  • single room - chambre pour une personne
  • twin room - chambre à deux lits
  • double room - chambre double/chambre pour deux personnes
  • booking - réservation
  • with bath/shower - avec salle de bains/douche

Transport and directions

  • airport - aéroport
  • bus/bus stop - autobus/arrêt d'autobus
  • coach station - gare routière
  • train - train
  • railway station - gare
  • platform - quai/voie
  • timetable - horaire
  • left-luggage locker - consigne automatique
  • car - voiture
  • ticket office/ticket - guichet/billet
  • a single to... - aller simple pour...
  • return to... - un aller et retour pour...
  • I want to go to... - je voudrais aller à...
  • where is...? - où se trouve...?
  • over there - là-bas
  • is it far? - c'est loin?
  • left - à gauche
  • right - à droite
  • straight on - tout droit

Money and numbers

  • money (notes) - argent
  • change (coins) - monnaie
  • credit card - carte de crédit
  • how much is it? - c'est combien?
  • it's too expensive - c'est trop cher
  • 1 to 10 - un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix
  • 11 to 20 - onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, vingt
  • 21 & 22 - vingt et un, vingt-deux
  • 30/40/50/60/70 - trente, quarante, cinqante, soixante, soixante-dix
  • ​71, 72... - soixante onze, soixante douze...
  • 80, 81... - quatre-vingts, quatre-vingt-un...
  • 90, 91... - quatre-vingt-dix, quatre-vingt-onze...
  • 100, 200 - cent, deux cent

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Find out what's happening in Tignes and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and things to do, see and experience in the region. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts, all in the same place.

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Tignes hosts a wide range of events throughout the year. There is a constant barrage of live music après-ski throughout the winter, as well as the much anticipated Live in Tignes festival each April. In the summer, the resort plays home to some major trail running events, such as the High Trail Vanoise in July and the Tignes Trail in August.

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