French Expressions - French Phrases - French Proverbs

Learn the most useful and common French phrases.

When traveling to France - or anywhere else, for that matter - it's important to follow the local customs. A big part of this is knowing what to say in different social situations. Take a look at these essential French phrases related to social niceties.

Not all vocabulary is created equal. There are some French phrases that you will hear literally every day, multiple times a day, and odds are that you should be using them that often too. Here are five truly essential everyday French phrases for you to use every day.

English language has borrowed a great number of French words and expressions. Here are some French words and expressions commonly used in English.

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

The French words an and année both mean year and are also used in many expressions. Learn how to say school year, the sixties, on average, and more.

Learn how to say really, good talker, we'll see, and more with this list of expressions with bien.

Learn how to say tit for tat, cushy job, bright and early, and more with this list of expressions with bon.

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word bouche

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word bout

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word champ

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word chat

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word chose

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word coup

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word fois

The English word free can be an adjective, adverb, verb, or noun and has a number of different meanings, which can make it difficult to figure out how to say free into French. Take a look at this lesson on how translate expressions with free into French.

There are many different ways to express gratitude in French, from a simple thank you to ultra-polite expressions of appreciation. Learn how to thank everyone for everything with this list of expressions related to gratitude.

Impersonal expressions are those which do not have a specific subject, instead beginning with the impersonal il est or c'est. In grammatical terms, "impersonal" does not mean cold, but rather invariable by grammatical person.

There are a number of different ways to extend, accept, and refuse invitations in French, both formally and informally.

The French words jour and journée both mean day and are also used in many expressions. Learn how to say day off, nowadays, update, and more.

The English word "love" is found in many different expressions - learn how to translate them into French.

The French word mal literally means "badly" or "wrong" and is also used in many idiomatic expressions. Learn how to say headache, seasickness, work hard, and more with this list of expressions with mal.

The French words matin and matinée both mean morning and are also used in many expressions. Learn how to say dawn, repeatedly, sleep late, and more.

Learn how to say mean trick, weed, ill repute, and more with this list of expressions with mauvais.

The French word la mise has numerous meanings and is also used in many idiomatic expressions. Learn how to say involvement, make-up, leg-pulling and more with this list of expressions with la mise.

Learn about all of the French indefinite expressions like n'importe qui, n'importe quoi....

There are many French words and expressions related to obligation and necessity. Learn how to say it's my duty, to have no choice, to be obliged, whether you like it or not, and more French expressions of obligation and necessity.

If you want to have a debate in French or discuss your opinions, you need to know the relevant vocabulary and expressions. This page offers suggestions for offering, supporting, asking for, and avoiding opinions in French.

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word pain.

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word pas

Spice up your language with some French proverbs.

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word quelque

The French negative pronoun rien usually means "nothing," and is also used in many expressions. Learn how to say for no reason, not a chance, worthless, and more with this list of expressions with rien.

The French words soir and soirée both mean evening and are also used in many expressions. Learn how to say evening meal, night owl, formal wear, and more.

Learn some idiomatic French expressions related to holidays and other special occasions.

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word temps

French has all kinds of interesting terms of endearment, including a rather odd assortment of barnyard animals. Check out this list of French terms of endearment to use with your loved ones (both romantic and familial).

Learn some idiomatic expressions with the French word tour

All of the French expressions on this site, including idiomatic expressions, proverbs, phrasal verbs, and formulas, arranged alphabetically by the first word in the French expression.

Idiomatic expressions are key to language learning. When you learn French, it can seem like there is always more grammar to learn, but in fact grammar lessons are finite. Expressions, on other hand, are virtually endless. To help you learn some of the most common French expressions, I've put together a list of the top 15 lists of French expressions on my site.