Berlitz French Phrase Book (Berlitz Phrase Books)

Book Description

Berlitz Phrase Books, the unparalleled market leaders, feature 1,200 current expressions visitors will hear during their travels plus cultural tips and cautions to guide visitors through social situation and provide valuable safety tips. The phrase books will help you troubleshoot various situations: losing baggage, asking directions, reserving accommodations, visiting the doctor, etc. The essential vocabulary and phrases cover the most common situations a traveler might encounter making this popular series the ideal companion for millions of travelers worldwide.Mini-dialogues provide typical conversations to practice. A grammar section, 2.300 word bilingual dictionary, and an extensive menu-reader complete this pocket-sized reference work. Special Business editions are available in 7 major languages. These vital references focus on key business terms and phrases, covering more than 40 typical business situations in 12 different industries.

Customer Reviews:

Most useful for emergencies........2007-04-12

Berlitz French is OK, actually, but it's structured to be a lot more useful for you in emergencies and under unusual circumstances than for actual utilizing any French (however minimal perhaps) on a daily basis. So, if you're the nervous type, worried about what may happen and you want the French for such in your pocket, then this phrase book will suit you. If you want to exchange simple comments with French folk, answer questions about yourself in French, ask directions (and understand the answers), then Berlitz is not going to be as useful to you as say, Rough Guide French, or even Lonely Planet French will be.

Lonely Planet French, for instance, is basically two helpings of basic grammar followed by many sections of phases you won't likely ever use. For instance, the guide provides several pages each of lists of occupations, nationalities, college majors, items of stationary, jewelery, colors, insects, flowers, aquatic sports(!), electrical appliances, camping terms,and so on. Also provided are pat phrases to employ at a hotel's front desk, at a doctor's, at the optometrist, and eating out, among other mini-sections. The book, in effect, is set up to be taken out to be used once a day, if that.

It's an improvement on Berlitz phrase books, but not by much. Berlitz, in comparison, simply divides their books into 10 or so color coded sections such as: "sightseeing," "relaxing," "shopping," traveling around," "money," "eating out," etc. So, if you want to ask someone a casual question, for example, you have thumb to the "relaxing" section and then choose one of the half dozen choices there. If nothing suits your situation, oh well, tough luck.

Rough Guide French, in comparison, is structured completely differently. The first several dozen pages gives you numbers, days of the week, time, etc., and a 20 minute course in French grammar. Oh no, you might be saying, but it is presented very simply. For instance it presents a handful of common verbs and their conjugations. So on one page you can see how to say "I have," "he has, " etc. and "I like," "he/ she likes," etc. The rest of the book is split between an English-French dictionary, a French-English dictionary, and a multi-page menu reader. What makes the English-French dictionary pages unique, though, is that most every other page (at least) has dialogue boxes relating to the most useful word(s) on that particular page. For instance, when you thumb through the book for the word "live," you get the word itself, but also the phrases "I live in..." and "Where do you live?" It'll take you 10 minutes to find such a phrase in Berlitz or Lonely Planet in their "getting to know others' or 'relaxing' sections. But because Rough Guide is structured as a dictionary, with hundreds of really useful phrases highlighted in boxes within, you can access something you want to say rather swiftly...and actually deliver it just a minute or so after looking for it. Add the grammar section, where you learn useful verbs and how to conjugate their past tenses, and the number section, and you can easily learn to chat with someone about where you are from, where you are going, where you have traveled thus far, what you like/liked, and so on. Likewise, knowing how to say "have" makes it easy to ask whether a hotel has rooms, whether the room has a shower (after thumbing through the book for the word for shower), etc. And when the answer comes back that the hotel doesn't have one, or they say "we have...," you can actually catch what they are saying.

If still not persuaded, next time you're in a bookstore compare a Berlitz, a Lonely Planet, and a Rough Guide language phrase book side by side. If you just want a book for emergencies (say, breaking a leg, etc.) then Berlitz and/or Lonely Planet phrase books will serve you well...in your pocket until you are faced with such a situation, since they do have many more specific terms (like 50 different parts of the the body), but if you really want to be able to say some things in French on a daily basis during your trip you'll be much better served by The Rough Guide to French Dictionary Phrasebook 3 (Rough Guide Phrasebooks). Cheers

I have to agree.......2005-11-28

Like all the other reviews, I used this French phrase book in France and absolutely loved it. It was a lifesaver. Dictionaries were thorough and well-planned. It was one of the most useful things I could have brought!

Excellent travel book.......2005-07-24

I recently went on a 3 week trip to France and this little book was a marvelous help. It divides itself up into categories, like travelling, eating, lodging, even one for friendly conversation. There's a food dictionary that's EXTREMELY useful. It also has tips on what is customary in the French speaking country you are in. I highly recommend this book for travelling, or even for someone who would like to learn french.

Packs a Lot of Information.......2004-06-18

My experience with other phrase books has been less than stellar, so I was unsure about the Berlitz version but a friend loaned it to me, saying it worked quite well, so I figured why not give it a try. To my delight, I found it very useful -- and relevant, too! For its size, it wastes no space on frivolous or obscure phrases. And the dictionary came in handy more than once. I highly recommend this (unlike the Italian one I had by another publisher. It was so bad I tossed it about halfway through my trip.) I haven't seen any better.

Berlitz makes wonderful phrasebooks, like this French one.......2001-07-03

Berlitz makes, in my opinion, the best phrase books around. BERLITZ FRENCH PHRASE BOOK & DICTIONARY is no exception.

Colour-coded for easy reference, the phrase book contains information for any imaginable occurance while travelling in France. Plus, it easily fits into one's pocket.

To deal with tricky French pronunciation, Berlitz gives a phonetic transcription of each word. For those who want to just learn how the language sounds without having to rely on the transcriptions, there's a chapter on how French letters are pronounced.

The guide is inexpensive, too.

If you're going to be travelling to France for a brief period of time and need a simple, clear phrase book, try this one by Berlitz.

Average customer rating:

Very nice for pronunciation and beginners

Good way to explore more languages

Very good for begginers but not an advanced level book

Over-hyped

thank you berlitz

Berlitz Self-Teacher: French
Berlitz Editors
Manufacturer: Perigee Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Berlitz French CD Pack with Book

Conversational French in 20 Lessons (Cortina Series)

The Everything Learning French Book: Speak, Write, and Understand Basic French in No Time (Everything Series)

Berlitz Self-Teacher: Spanish (Berlitz Self-Teachers)

Berltiz New Basic French (Berlitz Basic)

ASIN: 039951323X

Customer Reviews:

Very nice for pronunciation and beginners.......2007-05-16

This is a very nice book for people who are completely new to the language and for people that do not have a good grasp of the pronunciation of the language. This book along with a good student English/French dictionary is a good place to start for a beginner.

Good way to explore more languages.......2005-10-12

I started with Berlitz Self-Teacher Spanish. Having completed the Spanish text, I have decided to expand my study to French.

Although there is no updated since 1949, this is still the good source of any language study. I like this series because French and Spanish texts share the same contents for many parts so I can compare words and phrases with both books. This is the good way not to forget (and not to be confused with) what I have already learnt.

It would be nice if we could get the CD version. Any update would be more appreciated. But this book definitely works for the purpose afterall.

Very good for begginers but not an advanced level book.......2005-04-19

I would not advice this book for somebody with advanced level of French. But it may definetely help out someone with a begginer level.

Over-hyped .......2005-04-08

These reviews are all really suspicious to me....

when someone wins an election with one-hundred percent we call that...fraud.

Anyway, I've seen this book and it ain't all it's cracked up to be.

The consumer should be aware that Berlitz, INC has become a notorious exaggerator of its own worth. Critiques of Berlitz-related products are often so gushy and ecstatic with delight that they leave the reader believing that they could only have been written by Berlitz staff.

Berlitz products are notorious among foreign-language education professionals for their lack of exercises, their scanty grammatical explanations, their inflated prices, and the flashy pseudo-science of their famous "method" (a gussied-up listen-and-repeat scheme). The informed consumer will take the time to compare Berlitz "method" products with other, often university-related course supports. The focus of university-generated products is generally less on the marketing and the cultivation of repeat-buyers and more neutrally, disinterestedly geared towards the linguistic enrichment of the student.

The business traveller is particularly ill-served by methods that promise enormous bounds in fluency across short time periods. These travellers often find themselves seduced by grandiose promises--often while under high-stress conditions [foreign travel, foreign-language presentation preparations]--and end up rather disappointed for having been duped.

Any "method" that claims to produce fast, effortless results is suspect. Most "methods" are marketing illusions dreamed up by sales teams.

The Berlitz method, in my opinion and in that of many language professionals, is the foreign-language-learning equivalent of a get-rich-quick scheme. I have been disappointed by their products and teaching in every case I have ever crossed WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

thank you berlitz.......2005-01-22

This book is wonderful. Even if you know no French and are willing to work diligently and speak out loud, (which admittedly isn't easy!) you will find sooner rather than later, you'll be able to converse, en francais as it were. The lessons are simple and direct, well structured and the answer keys are accurate, I would also recommend parents to buy this for their school kids and a copy for themselves and join the fun. The structure of the book will also help you when you have completed it and ready to move on to an intermediate level of reading and speaking!

Amusez-vous bien

Hide This French Book (Berlitz Hide This Book)

Average customer rating:

Hide this french book (berlitz hide this book)
Audio Files at Website Add Value
Le Mot Juste
Incroyable!
A great guide

Hide This French Book (Berlitz Hide This Book)
Eve-Alice Roustang-Stoller
Manufacturer: Berlitz Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9812464298

Book Description

This isn't your parents' language book! It's not the French and Spanish you learned in school. This uncensored language guide has everything you need to speak real French or Spanish, from cool lingo to hard-core insults. Whether you're a student who's eager to learn street speak, a lover of French or Spanish who wants to talk the language of love, or a traveler ready to really hang out with natives, you'll be up-to-date on the expressions used by the masses.

Customer Reviews:

Hide this french book (berlitz hide this book).......2007-05-19

Very interesting topics in this book. For travelers to actually go out and have fun and very useful with the audioguide MP3 that can be downloaded from the website.

Audio Files at Website Add Value.......2006-08-22

I picked-up this slim phrase book to pass my time while waiting for a train on a recent business trip. My attention was caught by its black cover and tongue-in-cheek presentation as an insider's guide to vernacular phrases with an emphasis on the risque' and rude. Mock warning labels drive home the point. Most (not all!) of the words and phrases are in fact pretty tame. I've spent considerably more time with this book than my two hour plus train trip thanks in part to a website the publishers have set up. The book's street smart contents are available at the website in MP3 format. With a little expertise (and freely available iTunes software) the audio files can be converted to more conventional CD (CDA) files for all your older CD players. A Berlitz rep emailed me that managing the files in this way for personal use is not a copyright violation. The website in conjunction with the book raises the value of this inexpensive niche effort. Hearing the audio files turns a cute marketing ploy into useful learning tool.

Le Mot Juste.......2005-12-25

For those of you who are intrigued by the argot tossed about in slang books like "Merde", "Merde Encore, the "Street French" series, "Streetwise French and "Tune Up Your French, Berlitz's 94 page "Hide This French Book" will provide more than enough hip topics and expressions to satisfy even the most passionate slang junkie.

Especially geared towards students and those of us who want to know evolving street speak, Berlitz actually prints a two page disclaimer as a preface warning French speaking wannabes that some of the language cited in the book is to be used sparingly and in familiar company that will not judge you as crude.

With this in mind, the author, Eve-Alice Roustang-Stoller demarcates the crudest, rudest and crassest of her lingual tidbits using fetching forewarning icons of thermometers depicted as either with the mercury at a spicy half-way point to label the pretty vulgar or with the mercury bursting to the way-too-hot overspill point to indicate the totally offensive. Thankfully and shame-savingly, she provides gender symbol icons to inform the reader when a phrase is to be used only when describing a particular sex and a website where one can actually hear the correct pronunciation.

The book covers a wide spectrum of situations beginning with the basic greeting expressions, and moving through dating, love, sex, homosexual life, sports, games, shopping, fashion, body parts, technology, gossiping, food, partying, friendship, entertainment and ending with 6 ultimate French gestures. Sidebars like "Un-Censored" (the really vulgar skinny), "Oops" ("I cant' believe I said that" embarrassing stories), "the Scoop" (what you need to know to stay in the know) and "Fact" (cultural similarities and differences) along with cartoon-like illustrations interject a little eye-moving fun into the fast-paced format.

Published in 2004, the language in this book proves to be up-to-date when inspected by a 30-something native French speaker. The only caveat? Obviously, a fifty-year old speaks differently than a fifteen year old; language used in a club differs greatly from that at the dinner table. The language in HTFB most definitely can be offensive when used in the wrong situation and by the wrong person. Perhaps les gros mots don't attract much attention until a non-French person makes use of them, so my tip is to be careful as you expand your language range.

Bottom line: Recommended, but depending on your age and the situation, use with the utmost care. "Tune Up Your French" by Natalie Schorr provides a more thorough treatment of the whens and whys of slang usage, but this books format is sure to have more eye appeal for a student.

Incroyable!.......2005-03-23

I have found this guide to be among the most helpful in regards to colloquial French: while others contain extensive information, they lack phonetical instruction. However, Berlitz has an online audio site that readers can visit to actually hear the slang spoken by native speakers. Therefore, "francophiles" of all speaking levels (beginning to advanced) can master the phrases presented in Ms. Roustang-Stoller's book!
Other works on French slang casually present phrases that may offend native speakers so as to humor English-speaking readers. For example, one would not approach an attractive person and exclaim, "Quelle cul t'as!" (Toned-down meaning: "What buttocks you have!"). Indeed, a less extreme pick-up would most likely be in order. This being said, the book certainly presents its wealth of phrases and idioms in an amusing fashion, but it singles out ones that particularly are not appropriate in everyday conversation.
Along with ratings and online resources, Roustang-Stoller dashes her book with sidebars about French culture and gives the reader conversational examples. Thereby, the active reader can not only master the phrases but apply them appropriately. I just lent my friend this guide on his school trip to France, and he said that it came in handy numerous times. Even if you speak school-taught French perfectly, it really helps to know conversational slang for real-life situations. So, if you don't know a lick of French and want to get a few laughs, or you are a high school student in French V AP who is traveling to Paris in the near future, this book is perfect for you!

A great guide.......2004-09-03

This book is not for the beginning French student who wants to anger the teacher for laughs... It is for the intermediate-advanced student who wants to know the French you never learn in school. Not necessarily "naughty" French (though there is a book for that), but common street expressions that are very handy if you want to go far with the language.

Hide This French Book provides not only the expressions useful for conversations related to dating, computers, people, and much more, but also literal English translations as well as American equivalents wherever possible. It is also strewn with fun facts and information related to French culture and the phrases you are using, so you feel that you know as well as any native exactly what it is you're saying, rather than just repeating what you read in a textbook.

I recommend this in particular for any high school student such as myself who is going into AP French or planning on traveling to France.

Berlitz French Grammar Handbook (Berlitz Handbooks)

Average customer rating:

French grammar
Excellent for Novice or Expert

Berlitz French Grammar Handbook (Berlitz Handbooks)
Alan Moys , and Inc. Berlitz International
Manufacturer: Berlitz Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9812466126

Book Description

Berlitz French Grammar Handbook provides a complete overview of syntax, parts of speech, punctuation, and other grammar fundamentals. Special sections target potential probems area, the use of present tense expressing future meaning, and the use of relative pronouns. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews:

French grammar.......2005-08-29

As long as you have a basic introduction to French, this book is a great reference to advance your verbal and written communication.

Excellent for Novice or Expert.......2005-03-16

Bravo to Berlitz for having produced a one-stop comprehensive source of information on the French language. I find Berlitz French Grammar Handbook to be invaluable in its depth, clarity and precision in explaining and deciphering often incredibily difficult concepts in French.
This handbook can be used either as a strict grammar reference or to acquire a general or specific understanding of most aspects of French grammar. It may also be used as one of several means of acquiring a working knowledge of the `syntax' of the language.
Syntax means `word order' or how words fit together to convey meaning. I find the handbook to be quite good at demonstrating common everyday syntax in a simple fashion by means of the direct examples it provides.
Fortunately, this grammar handbook does not assume that you know the meanings of different grammatical terms. It contains abundant explanations for each specific point of French grammar and there are always complete explanations provided for all grammatical terms. The way in which the classic grammatical term and explanation is followed immediately by a practical example of everyday use is one of Berlitz Grammar Handbook's greatest strengths.
Another major plus to this grammar handbook is the huge number of practical and authentic mini-monologues which utilize different points of grammar in actual real-life contexts to illustrate a point of grammar as it's really spoken.
It is obvious that Bertlitz intended this manual for individuals who actually wish to `use' their French in real life situations. The handbook also makes clear which constructions are only for formal and not everyday use.
Overall, I recommend Berlitz French Grammar Handbook as a very good reference guide and learning tool for French. With Berlitz French Grammar Handbook you will be satisfied whether your are a complete novice or a language expert. It literally has something for everyone.
MARK FROBOSE/ AUTHOR OF THE BEHIND THE WHEEL CD COURSES IN SPANISH, FRENCH, ITALIAN, GERMAN, PORTUGUESE, CHINESE, JAPANESE, & ARABIC

Berlitz Hide This Phrase Book French (Berlitz Hide This Book)

Average customer rating:

Berlitz Hide This Phrase Book French (Berlitz Hide This Book)
Inc. Berlitz International
Manufacturer: Berlitz Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9812467629

Book Description

Building on the success of the Hide This Book series, the language experts at Berlitz Publishing are proud to introduce a line of Phrase Books with attitude! Designed for young and hip travelers, these useful, edgy books teach the phrases travelers really want to know.

French Berlitz Phrase Book and Dictionary (Berlitz Phrase Books)

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French Berlitz Phrase Book and Dictionary (Berlitz Phrase Books)

Manufacturer: Berlitz Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9812463321

Berlitz hide this french book 101 (Berlitz Hide This Book)

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Berlitz hide this french book 101 (Berlitz Hide This Book)
Inc. Berlitz International
Manufacturer: Berlitz Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 9812467602

Book Description

These new mini editions of the popular Hide This Book contain the need-to-know language you don't learn in school in an enticing miniature format that makes hiding them even easier.

Berlitz Kids French Language Pack! (Berlitz Kids Language Pack)

Average customer rating:

Terrific Intro to French for Small Children
Berlitz Kids French Language Pack

Berlitz Kids French Language Pack! (Berlitz Kids Language Pack)
Inc. Berlitz International
Manufacturer: Berlitz Kids
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 9812463666

Book Description

Even if you've never spoken French before, this exciting pack of stories, songs, games, and parent information will provide hours of entertainment while building language skills that will last a lifetime. Store everything in this handy suitcase and take it everywhere you go! --This text refers to the Paperback edition. From the Publisher Designed for families with children ages 5 and up, Berlitz Kids Language Packs provide a complete, enjoyable introduction to language learning. Each language pack comes with the critically lauded The Missing Cat storybook and CD with lively drawings by award-winning illustrator Chris L. Demarest and First 100 Words, a vocabulary building book that features more than a hundred humorous illustrations. Listen to the story, then sing along to childrenand#146;s songs. Also included are a Language Club Certificate that children can proudly display and Help Your Child with a Foreign Language, a practical guide for parents. For fam

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Intro to French for Small Children.......2002-11-14

I bought this set for my children (ages 2 and 4). Our experience with this set has been wonderful. The kids both enjoy the songs and the story and have learned LOTS of vocabulary. In fact, we have been using the cassette in the car for about a month, and they are now able to repeat the story, sing the songs, and have learned all of the vocabulary presented in the dictionary. I would strongly recommend this set to anyone who wishes to introduce their children to the French language.

Berlitz Kids French Language Pack.......2001-09-06

My ONE MONTH old has been listening to the tape for a week and loves it! She will lie on the floor contently until the story is over. She also likes the songs on side two. I put the tape player on the floor about 8 inches away and she will roll onto her side to listen.

All of the books that I have read say that the neural pathways for language are developed in the first 6 months. That is why I let my daughter listen to the tape now. I also plan to buy the Spanish version. I wish that more of the books in this series came with cassettes.

Book Description

For the beginning or intermediate language learners. Over 12,000 terms in each language. Wide range of contemporary vocabulary. Easy to understand definitions. Basic conversational phrases. Mini-grammar section with irregular verbs. Unique menu reader.

Customer Reviews:

Good for new Francophones and travellers.......2003-01-02

This is a good dictionary for people just taking up the French language, or for travellers. It's pocket-sized, yet it doesn't feel overly abridged. There are handy helps in the back for talking about the time and converting weights, measures, and temperatures. If you're thinking of reading a novel in French or translating some poetry, though, you'll need a more substantial volume!

Not that great.......2002-12-31

I could not find things I wanted in it.

An excellent dictionary.......2002-06-07

Reliably good, like all Berlitz language stuff. This is the best French-to-English-to-French dictionary I've found. It's Ideal for 1st year and second year students, and not too bulky or intimidating for the travelling dictionary user.

Out of this world.......1999-12-08

As a frequent visitor to various parts of the milky way, I can firmly state that this galactic dictionary is one of the best I've found. Obscure Martian dialects, Venesian slang... it's all there! I was particularly impressed with the extensive attention given to idiomatic expressions unique to the western side of Europa. Whether your travels take you to this local group or ones beyond, you can't go wrong with this dictionary!

Average customer rating:

GREAT!

Berlitz Basic French
Sarah Butler
Manufacturer: Berlitz Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Workbooks | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 9812466967

Book Description

An invaluable study aid, the Berlitz Basic French Workbook is designed to complement independent language study with 24 units of entertaining activities. Multiple-choice and write-in sections test and improve general grammar and vocabulary knowledge. Basic French Workbook includes a special grammar section for quick and easy reference when practicing; a complete answer key to all exercises allowing students to evaluate their own language skills and to focus their efforts; and a final test section to increase proficiency and confidence. 128 pages.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT!.......2001-05-04

This workbook is very helpful! I recommend it to anyone who is starting off with the level 1 Berlitz French!

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