French Vocabulary - Vocabulaire français

Lessons on French vocabulary

Learn, increase, and remember your French vocabulary with these French vocabulary lessons and lists.

 
Top French words
What are the most common French words? Here are the top 70, with links to lessons.

French expressions
Thousands of French expressions, clichés, and proverbs.

Most popular French vocabulary lessons
Vocabulary is one of the keys to language. When people talk about fluency, they usually include some reference to the minimum number of words that one must know. I must have at least 200 vocabulary lessons on my site, but some are much more popular than others. To make it easier for you to find these essential French vocabulary pages, I've put them together into a handy top 15 list that you can bookmark for future reference.

Improve your French vocabulary
Words, words, words! Languages are made up of words, and French is no exception. Here are all kinds of French vocabulary lessons, practice ideas, and tips to help you get better at learning and remembering French words.
 

Accent Homographs
Think accents don't matter when writing or typing in French? Think again! There are dozens of French word pairs which are spelled (though not always pronounced) the same other than accents. To avoid confusion, you should always distinguish between these "accent homographs" by using the correct accents.

Acronymes et sigles français - French Acronyms and Abbreviations
VTT, TGV, DEUG... Feel like you're lost in alphabet soup? Acronyms abound in the French language, especially in newspapers, on the news, and in political discussions. You might not be able to learn every French acronym and abbreviation, but you can get a good head start by memorizing this list of the most common ones.

An vs Année, Jour vs Journée...
The French words an and année both mean year, but they indicate different ways of looking at the year. There are three other French pairs that work the same way: jour/ journée = day, matin/ matinée = morning, and soir/ soirée = evening. Learn the difference between these confusing pairs.

All about Any
The English word "any" has numerous French translations, depending on what it means and whether it is used as an adjective, pronoun, or adverb.

Aphereses
An apheresis, or aphaeresis, is a word which is shortened by dropping one or more syllables at the beginning of the word, and sometimes adding an extra sound at the end. Aphereses are often informal and are less common in French than apocopes.

Apocopes / Abbreviations
It is very common in French for long words to be abbreviated by dropping one or more syllables at the end, and, in some instances, then adding an -o, such as dico, ordi, and métro. There are some apocopes which are so old that they are normal register, but most are informal or familiar, so use them with caution.

Approximate Numbers
When you want to make an estimate or take a guess, you can use approximate French numbers, like dizaine, douzaine, vingtaine, and more.

Argot ~ French Slang
More than 70 words and expressions, ranging from informal to vulgar, with definitions, sample sentences, and sound files.

French Astronomy Vocabulary
Learn French vocabulary related to astronomy to talk about planets, stars, and other celestial objects.

Audio Dictionary
The French audio dictionary contains more than 2,000 alphabetical entries, each with a French word or expression, sound file, English translation, and links to additional or related information.

Baby Talk
French has quite a bit of "baby talk" or "kiddie speak" - words and expressions which are usually used by children or when talking to children. Even if you don't talk to kids in French, this informal language is important to recognize, as baby talk can also be found in jokes and in conversations with good friends. Lesson includes sound files.

Beginning vocabulary
Dozens of lessons for beginners, with sound files, including numbers, colors, greetings, clothing, food, and much more.

Bilingual Dictionaries - Tips
Bilingual dictionaries are essential tools for second language learners, but using them correctly requires more than just looking up a word in one language and picking the first translation you see. There's a lot more to bilingual dictionaries than meets the eye, so check out these pages to learn how to get the most out of your bilingual dictionary.

Bilingual French Dictionaries
When buying a bilingual dictionary, consider your language skill and what the dictionary is for. Also note that bilingual dictionaries are a great tool, but can have discrepancies. Here are dictionaries arranged by quantity and quality of entries.

Bon - Synonyms
If you want to make your French sound more, well, French, one place to start is with your vocabulary. In French classes, you tend to learn the most common, basic terms. Bon is one such example, but there are numerous synonyms to choose between, in both normal and informal registers. Take a look at this lesson to learn some different ways to say "good."

Bon vs Bien, Mauvais vs Mal
The French words bon and bien, mauvais and mal are often mixed up - study this lesson to straighten them out.

Business Letters
Writing a good formal letter in French is less about skill than it is knowing the jargon and the formulas. I've compiled a list of the most commonly needed formulas for commercial correspondence as well as job seekers. There's also a sample letter to help you get started.

BYKI Flash Card Software
If you are looking for an interesting new way to learn French vocabulary, there's a free program that can help. The educational software company Transparent Language has developed a program called Before You Know It, the "Lite" version of which is freeware.

Canadian Provinces
Learn how to say each of the Canadian provinces in French.

C'est vs Il est
The French expressions c'est and il est are very similar in meaning. They are both used in impersonal expressions as well as for general comments, but they are not interchangeable. Learn the difference between c'est and il est and then take the test.

Christmas Vocabulary
Whether writing a letter to Santa or just celebrating Christmas, this French Christmas vocabulary will come in handy.

All about Comme
The French word comme can be a conjunction, adverb, or part of an adverbial phrase and is one of the most common French words.

All about Comment
The French adverb comment can be interrogative or exclamative and is one of the most common French words. Learn how to use comment to mean "how" and "what" as well as which uses of "how" in English are not translated by comment in French.

Countries
A list of the countries of the world in French and English.

Coup
The French noun un coup literally refers to a shock or blow. It is also used in dozens of idiomatic expressions, noun clauses, and prepositional phrases.

French Crossword Puzzles - Mots fléchés
Mots fléchés are French crossword puzzles which provide clues within the puzzle itself, rather than in a list on the side. You can print out free mots fléchés to get a bit of challenging - and fun! - French practice every day.

Cycling Vocabulary
Whether you love cycling or just watching competitions like the Tour de France, you'll want to learn some French vocabulary related to cycling.

Depuis vs Il y a
The French temporal expressions depuis and il y a have distinctly different meanings and uses, yet they commonly present difficulties for French students. Here is a detailed explanation and comparison of depuis and il y a to help you clearly understand the difference once and for all.

Dessus vs Dessous
Despite their similar spelling and subtle (to untrained ears) difference in pronunciation, dessus and dessous are exact opposites. They are used alone as well as in a number of adverbial phrases, such as au-dessus/dessous, là-dessus/dessous, par-dessus/dessous, and more.

Faux amis - False Cognates
These are words that look similar (or even identical) in French and English, but that have different meanings.

Flash Cards
Studying endless lists of French vocabulary can get tedious, which doesn't do language students - or their teachers - any good. One way to make learning vocabulary more interesting and interactive is with the use of flash cards. This article has information and tips on creating French flash cards and putting them to good use.

French and France  
When talking about France, the French like to use a variety of terms rather than constantly repeating français and la France. Here are the most common synonyms for French and France as well as some related vocabulary that will come in handy when discussing France à la française.

French-English/English-French Dictionary
This online French-English/English-French dictionary includes 80,000 references and 120,000 translations.

"French" Expressions
There are dozens of expressions in English which contain the word French... but are these things actually French? Take a look at this list with the French equivalents and their literal translations - you might be surprised.

French Gestures
You've probably seen the French performing some familiar gestures as well as a few unfamiliar ones. It is as essential to understand this French "sign language" as it is any vocabulary. These lessons have definitions and instructions for 45 gestures, including a register rating and photos.

French Vocabulary in English
Over the years, the English language has borrowed a great number of words and expressions from French. Some of this vocabulary has been so completely absorbed by English that speakers might not realize its origins. Other words and expressions have retained their "Frenchness" - a certain je ne sais quoi which speakers tend to be much more aware of. Here is a list of French terms commonly used in English.

Gender Patterns 
Certain endings tend to indicate masculine nouns, while other endings favor feminine nouns. These gender patterns can help you to figure out the gender of many French nouns.

Gratitude
There are many words and expressions related to gratitude in French, from simple thank yous to ultra-polite expressions of appreciation. Take a look at this lesson to learn the formulas.

Halloween
Learn some French vocabulary related to Halloween.

Hanukkah Vocabulary
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of survival and freedom that lasts for eight days. Learn some French vocabulary related to this annual Jewish celebration.

Homophones
Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings and, sometimes, spellings. Therefore, French homophones can cause difficulties in oral comprehension and spelling. These pages should help you to understand the difference between the most common French homophones.

Hotel
Going to France? This page of French hotel vocabulary will help you to make your reservation, ask about services, and pay your bill.

Il y a
Now there is a lesson on this useful expression.

Kwanzaa Vocabulary
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African identity and culture throughout the world, particularly in the United States. Despite its proximity to Christmas, Kwanzaa is a cultural rather than religious holiday.

Largonji / Loucherbem / Louchébème - French Slang
Largonji, also called loucherbem or louchébème, is a form of French slang that consists of playing around with syllables, much like pig Latin. It is a secret language that was invented by the butchers of la Villette in Paris.

Love Language
If French is the language of love, what better language is there to express your love? Here are some key French words and phrases related to love, friendship, and special occasions. Lesson includes sound files.

To Make
To make is a very general, very useful verb in English. Its French translations vary wildly, so take a look at this lesson to learn how to translate various meanings of "make" into French.

Math Vocabulary
Whether you're teaching math operations in French class, planning to study math in a French school, or just interested in knowing French vocabulary from a new domain, this list of French math vocabulary will help you on your way.

Media and Communciation
Learn French vocabulary related to media and communication, including television, radio, internet, and snail mail.

Même
The French word même can be an indefinite adjective, indefinite pronoun, or adverb, and is also used in a number of expressions, making it an extremely versatile and useful French word.

Menus
Reading the menu in a French restaurant can be a little tricky, and not just due to language difficulties. There may be important differences between restaurants in France and in your own country, including what food is offered and how it is prepared. Here are some terms and tips to help you find your way around a French menu.

Money + Banking
A basic introduction to French vocabulary related to money and banking, with links to more detailed sources.

Monolingual French Dictionaries
Once you're at least intermediate, you need to think about investing in a French-only dictionary. Bilingual dictionaries are a great tool, but the're not infallible. The following monolingual dictionaries are listed from most to least complete.

Mot du Jour - French Word of the Day
Learn a new intermediate- to advanced-level word every weekday.

French Movie Vocabulary
Whether you love attending film festivals, watching movies, or just reading reviews, you'll want to learn some French vocabulary related to movies.

Names
There are hundreds of common French first names. Some of them look just like their English counterparts, others are fairly similar, and still others may be uniquely French. These pages include more than 200 of the most popular French names, along with their pronunciation and English equivalents.

French News Vocabulary
The French you learn in classes and grammar books is not always enough when dealing with the real world. This list of French vocabulary related to current events will help you understand news in French.

National Holidays and Patriotism
In honor of the 4th of July (American Independence Day) and the 14th of July (Bastille Day / French Independence Day), here is a list of French vocabulary related to the French and American national holidays.

N'importe... - Indefinite Expressions
The indefinite expression n'importe can be followed by an interrogative in order to designate an unspecified person, thing, or characteristic: n'importe qui, n'importe quel, n'importe où.... Learn these expressions and more with this lesson.

Non
Saying no is pretty simple, but there are quite a few synonyms and precisions to be aware of. Check out this lesson to learn how to say no, not a chance, I don't think so, and more.

Nouns with Two Genders
The gender of nouns tends to be a sticky grammar point for French students, and there are a number of French nouns which are identical in pronunciation (and often spelling as well) but which have different meanings depending on whether they are masculine or feminine.

Number Expressions
There are quite a few confusing pairs and difficult expressions related to numbers in French: second/deuxième, en premier/au premier/de premier, tiers/troisième....

Only / Not Only - Ne... que, Seulement, and their negatives
There are two common French equivalents for the restrictive only in English: ne... que and seulement. These two terms mean essentially the same thing, but their negative forms are a bit more complicated.

Oui
Saying yes is pretty simple, but there are quite a few synonyms and precisions to be aware of. Check out this lesson to learn how to say yes, yeah, sure, and more.

Parce que, Car, Puisque, Comme
The French conjunctions parce que, car, puisque, and comme are commonly used to draw conclusions or otherwise relate a cause or explanation with a result or conclusion. These conjunctions have similar but not identical meanings and uses - this lesson explains the difference.

Pas ~ French Negative Adverb
The French negative adverb pas is often used in conjunction with ne, but pas can also be used all on its own. The main difference is that ne... pas is used to negate a verb, while pas without ne is used to negate an adjective, adverb, noun, or some other non-verbal construction. Pas can also be used to confirm a statement.

Pays du monde
A list of the countries of the world in French and English.

Petit - Synonyms
If you want to make your French sound more, well, French, one place to start is with your vocabulary. The adjective petit is a very common French word that can be replaced by any number of synonyms. Take a look at this lesson to learn some different ways to say "small" and "short," and be sure to note the different nuances.

Plus
The French word plus can be used as an adverb or in a number of different expressions. Plus, it can be pronounced in three different ways. Learn everything you need to know about the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of plus right here.

All about Que
The French word que, which contracts to qu' in front of a vowel or mute h, has numerous uses and meanings. This lesson includes links to detailed information on each use of que.

Quelque
Quelque is an indefinite adjective and adverb that is found in numerous indefinite terms and expressions.

Regions of France
Metropolitan France is divided into 22 régions - learn how to say them in French and English.

Senses
Learn French words and verbs related to the five senses, as well as some French vocabulary related to the sixth sense.

Si
The French word si can be an adverb or a conjunction. Either way, si has several meanings and is used in numerous French constructions.

Soccer and the World Cup
On Sunday, 9 July, France faced Italy in the 2006 World Cup Final. Here is a list of French vocabulary related to soccer and the World Cup. Allez les Bleus !

Special Occasions
Learn how to say (and sing) happy birthday in French, and other French vocabulary for special occasions.

Spelling Tricks
A table of common spelling equivalents between French and English that will help your vocabulary to grow by leaps and bounds by teaching you to recognize and spell French cognates.

Symbols
A quick reference guide to the names of French symbols and punctuation marks, including ! ? « » * & dozens more.

Synonyms
If you want to make your French sound more, well, French, one place to start is with your vocabulary. In French classes, you tend to learn the most common, basic terms, but there are often various synonyms to choose from.

Tel, Telle, Tels, Telles
The French word tel can be a qualifying adjective, an indefinite adjective, or an indefinite pronoun, and is also used in a number of expressions and conjunctions, making it an extremely versatile and useful French word.

Temporal words and phrases 
Talking about time requires a fair amount of vocabulary. Here are dozens of French words and expressions related to time, including periods of time, points in time, relative time, and frequency.

Texting - Les Textos français
Learning French is one thing, but French on the internet - in chatrooms and forums - or via text messaging or email can seem like a completely different language. Fortunately, help is at hand. Here are some common French abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols to help you communicate via text.

French Thanksgiving Vocabulary
Thanksgiving is not celebrated in France, so here is some French vocabulary related to the American holiday.

Tout, Tous, Toute, Toutes
The French word tout can be a noun, pronoun, adjective, or adverb, and can take four different forms. Learn all you need to know about tout, one of the most flexible words in the French language.

Très - Synonyms
If you want to make your French sound more, well, French, one place to start is with your vocabulary. In French classes, you tend to learn the most common, basic terms. The adverb très is one example of a very common word that can be replaced by any of a number of synonyms, in both normal and informal registers. Take a look at this lesson to learn some different ways to say "very," and be sure to note the differences in intensity.

True Cognates
The 1,700 words on these pages are spelled (although not pronounced) identically in French and English and are true or semi-true cognates. Take a look at this list to discover just how much vocabulary is shared between French and English.

US States
Learn how to say each of the US states in French.

Verlan - French Slang
Verlan is a form of French slang that consists of playing around with syllables, kind of along the same lines as pig Latin. Verlan is actively spoken in France - many words have become so commonplace that they are used in everyday French.

Visit, To Visit, Visitor
All of this visiting vocabulary has several French equivalents. Une visite vs un séjour; rendre visite vs visiter vs aller voir - these and more are thoroughly explained and dissected in this lesson.

"What" in French
French learners often have trouble deciding how to translate "what" into French. Should it be que or quoi, or maybe that pesky quel? Understanding the difference between these terms is critical to knowing how to use them correctly.

Wine
If you love French wine but hate ordering it, here's a page that can help. This list of French wines and related vocabulary includes sound files to help you pronounce the names of French wines.
 

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