Language Guide
Canadian English — Eh?
Canadian English sounds at first glance like American English — but there are charming differences that can out you as an insider (or expose you as a tourist):
Typical Canadian Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Eh? | Universal phrase at the end of a sentence (like "right?", "isn't it?") | "Nice day, eh?" |
| Double-Double | Coffee with double cream, double sugar (Tim Hortons) | "I'll have a Double-Double, please." |
| Toque [tuːk] | Wool hat / Knit cap | "Don't forget your toque, it's -20 out!" |
| Loonie | 1-dollar coin (Loon motif) | "That's five loonies." |
| Toonie | 2-dollar coin | "Got a toonie for the parking meter?" |
| Washroom | Toilet (Canadians never say "bathroom" or "restroom") | "Where's the washroom?" |
| Runners | Sneakers | "Put on your runners." |
| Chesterfield | Sofa / Couch (somewhat outdated, but still heard) | — |
| Hydro | Electricity (due to significant hydroelectric power) | "The hydro bill is expensive." |
| Kraft Dinner (KD) | Macaroni with cheese sauce from a box | "Growing up on KD." (= growing up with Mac & Cheese) |
| Sorry! | Used in every situation — even when the other person is at fault | Person A steps on Person B's foot. Person B says "Sorry!" |
Spelling
Canadian English mixes British and American spellings: colour (British), but organize (American). Centre (British), but tire (American). There are no fixed rules — Canadians enjoy the freedom to use both.
Tipp
The "Eh?" at the end of a sentence is THE hallmark of Canadian English. It's friendly, inviting, and signals: "I'm seeking agreement." If you use it occasionally, Canadians will be delighted. But don't overdo it — once or twice per conversation is enough.
French for Québec — the most important phrases
In Québec, French is the everyday language. In Montréal, you can get by well with English, but in Québec City and the countryside, French is primarily spoken. A few phrases open hearts and doors:
Basics
| German | French | Pronunciation (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bohn-SCHUUR |
| Good evening | Bonsoir | bohn-SWAAR |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | oh-rö-WUAAR |
| Bye (informal) | Salut / Bye-bye | sa-LÜ / bai-bai |
| Yes / No | Oui / Non | wi / nohn |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | ßil wuh PLEH |
| Thank you (very much) | Merci (beaucoup) | mär-ßI (bo-KUH) |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | eks-kü-seh-MWA |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? | par-leh-wuh ahn-GLEH |
| I don't understand | Je ne comprends pas | schö nö kohm-PRAHN pah |
| How much does it cost? | Combien ça coûte? | kohm-BJÄHN ßa KUHT |
| The bill, please | L'addition, s'il vous plaît | laddi-ßJOHN ßil wuh PLEH |
| Cheers! | Santé! | ßahn-TEH |
| It's nice/good | C'est beau/bon | ßeh BO / ßeh BOHN |
In the Restaurant
| German | French |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît |
| What do you recommend? | Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez? |
| I would like... | Je voudrais... |
| Another beer, please | Une autre bière, s'il vous plaît |
| It was excellent | C'était excellent |
Québecois Specialties (Joual)
Québec French differs significantly from Parisian French — similar to how Bavarian differs from Standard German. Some typical expressions:
| Québécois | Standard French | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tabarnac! | — (curse) | Comparable to "Damn!" (strong — use sparingly!) |
| Char | Voiture | Car |
| Dépanneur (Dep) | Épicerie du coin | Convenience store / Corner shop |
| Poutine | — (Québec invention) | Fries with cheese and gravy |
| Bienvenue! | De rien | You're welcome! (in response to "Merci") |
Tipp
The golden rule in Québec: ALWAYS greet with "Bonjour!" — only then may you switch to English. The "Bonjour" is the linguistic key and shows respect for the culture. In Montréal, many people respond with "Bonjour-Hi!" — the perfect bilingual greeting.
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