Most Common French Words - Top 100 French Words

1) le, la, l', les     the    definite articleThe French definite article corresponds to "the" in English. There are four forms of the French definite article: 1. le   masculine singular2. la   feminine singular3. l'    m or f in front of a vowel or h muet4. les  m or f plural

Which definite article to use depends on three things: the noun's gender, number, and first letter: If the noun is plural, use les If it's a singular noun starting with a vowel or h muet, use l' If it's singular and starts with a consonant or h   aspiré , use le for a masculine noun and la for a

feminine noun

French Articles

Definite  Indefinite  Partitivemasculine le un dufeminine la une de la

in front of a vowel   l' un/une de l'plural les des des

Meaning and usage of the French definite article

The definite article indicates a specific noun.

   Je vais à la banque.   I'm going to the bank.

   Voici le livre que j'ai lu.   Here is the book I read.

The definite article is also used in French to indicate the general sense of a noun. This can be confusing, as definite articles are not used in this way in English.

   J'aime la glace.   I like ice cream.

   C'est la vie !   That's life!

The singular indefinite articles in French correspond to "a," "an," or "one" in English, while the plural corresponds to "some." There are three forms of the French indefinite article. 1. un    masculine2. une   feminine3. des   m or f plural

Note that the plural indefinite article is the same for all nouns, whereas the singular has different forms for masculine and feminine.

Meaning and usage of the French indefinite article

The indefinite article usually refers to an unspecified person or thing.

   J'ai trouvé un livre.   I found a book.

   Il veut une pomme.   He wants an apple.

The indefinite article can also refer to just one of something:

   Il y a un étudiant dans la salle.   There is one student in the room.

   J'ai une sœur.   I have one sister.

The plural indefinite article means "some":

   J'ai acheté des pommes.   I bought some apples.

   Veux-tu acheter des livres ?   Do you want to buy some books?

When referring to a person's profession or religion, the indefinite is not used in French, although it is used in English. I know, I know, the exceptions never end. :-(

   Je suis professeur.   I am a teacher.

   Il va être médecin.   He's going to be a doctor.

In a negative construction, the indefinite article changes to de, meaning "(not) any":

   J'ai une pomme. > Je n'ai pas de pommes.   I have an apple. > I don't have any apples.

Learn more: De vs du, de la, desThe partitive articles in French correspond to "some" or "any" in English. There are four forms of the French partitive article: 1. du      masculine singular2. de la   feminine singular3. de l'    m or f in front of a vowel or h muet4. des     m or f plural

The form of the partitive article to use depends on three things: the noun's number, gender, and first letter:

If the noun is plural, use des If it's singular starting with a vowel or h muet, use de l' If it's a singular noun and starts with a consonant or h aspiré, use du for a masculine noun and

de la for a feminine noun

Meaning and usage of the French partitive article

The partitive article indicates an unknown quantity of something, usually food or drink. It is often omitted in English.

   Avez-vous bu du thé ?   Did you drink some tea?

   J'ai mangé de la salade hier.   I ate salad yesterday.

   Nous allons prendre de la glace.   We're going to have some ice cream.

After adverbs of quantity, use de instead of the partitive article.

   Il y a beaucoup de thé.   There is a lot of tea.

   J'ai moins de glace que Thierry.   I have less ice cream than Thierry.

In a negative construction, the partitive article changes to de, meaning "(not) any":

   J'ai mangé de la soupe. > Je n'ai pas mangé de soupe.   I ate some soup. > I didn't eat any soup.

Learn more: De vs du, de la, desThe French articles may seem similar at times, but they are not interchangeable. This page will help you understand when and why to use each one.

Definite articleThe definite article can talk about a specific item or something in general.

   J'ai mangé le gâteau.   I ate the cake (the whole thing, or the specific cake that we were just talking about).

   J'aime les films.   I like movies (in general) or I like the movies (that we just saw).

Indefinite articleThe indefinite article talks about one of something, and is the easiest of the French articles. I can almost guarantee that if what you want to say requires "a," "an," or "one" in English - unless you're talking about someone's profession - you need the indefinite article.

   J'ai mangé un gâteau.   I ate one cake (there were five, and I ate one of them).

   Je veux voir un film.   I want to see a movie.

Partitive articleThe partitive is usually used when discussing eating or drinking, because one normally only eats some butter, cheese, etc., not all of it.

   J'ai mangé du gâteau.   I ate some cake (one slice, or a few bites).

   Je cherche de l'eau.   I'm looking for some water.

Partitive article vs Indefinite articleThe partitive indicates that the quantity is unknown or uncountable. When the quantity is known/countable, use the indefinite article (or a number):

   Il a mangé du gâteau.   He ate some cake.

   Il a mangé un gâteau.   He ate a cake.

2) être     to be    all about être Être is one of the most common French verbs. It is irregular in conjugation and literally means "to be." Être is also used in some idiomatic expressions and as an auxiliary verb for compound tenses and the passive voice.

To Be

Être means "to be" in many senses that this verb is used in English.

1. It is used with adjectives, nouns, and adverbs to describe a temporary or permanent state of being:

   Il est beau - He is handsome

   Je suis à Paris - I'm in Paris

   Nous sommes français - We're French

   Il est là-bas - He's over there

2. Être is used to describe someone's profession; however, note that the indefinite article is not used in this construction in French:

   Mon père est avocat - My father is a lawyer

   Je suis étudiant - I'm a student

3. Expressions with être

Notes

There are a number of English "to be" expressions which are translated in French by avoir (to have):

   avoir froid - to be cold   avoir raison - to be right   avoir xx ans - to be xx years old   more expressions

When talking about the weather, French uses the verb faire (to do/make) rather than être:

   Quel temps fait-il ? - How's the weather?   Il fait beau - It's nice out   Il fait du vent - It's windy

Être as an Auxiliary Verb

1. Être is the auxiliary for some verbs in the compound tenses:

   Je suis allé en France - I went to France

   Nous étions déjà sortis - We had already left

   Il serait venu si... - He would have come if...

2. Être is used to form the passive voice:   La voiture est lavée - The car is washed

   Il est respecté de tout le monde - He is respected by everyone

Conjugations

Present tense   je suis   tu es   il est   nous sommes   vous êtes   ils sontÊtre is one of the most common French verbs. It is irregular in conjugation and literally means "to be." Être is also used in some common idiomatic expressions.

Être is found in the impersonal expressions c'est and il est (learn more):

   C'est difficile à décider   It's hard to decide.

   Il est possible qu'il mange avec nous   It's possible that he'll eat with us.

Être can be used with the preposition à plus a stressed pronoun to indicate possession:

   Ce livre est à moi   This is my book.

   - À qui est cet argent ? - C'est à Paul.   - Whose money is this? - It's Paul's.

More expressions with être:

   ça y est - that's it, it's done

   c'est ça - that's it, that's right

   c'est / on est / nous sommes + date - it's (date)

   en être - to take part in

   est-ce (que) - no literal translation; this expression is used to ask questions

   être de - to be at/in (figuratively)

   être en train de + infinitive - to be (in the process of) + present participle

   n'est-ce pas ? - right? isn't that so?

   soit - so be it, that is

   soit... soit... - either... or... 3) avoir     to have    all about avoir Avoir is one of the most common French verbs. It is irregular in conjugation and literally means "to have." In addition, it is used in numerous idiomatic expressions and as an auxiliary verb.

To Have

Avoir means "to have" in most senses, including having in one's possession and currently experiencing.

   J'ai deux stylos   I have two pens

   J'ai trois frères   I have three brothers

   J'ai mal à la tête   I have a headache

   J'ai une idée   I have an idea

   J'ai été eu   I've been had (tricked)

Note: Avoir à can mean "to have to," but that expression is more commonly translated by devoir.

Expressions with Avoir

Avoir is used in a number of idiomatic expressions, many of which are translated by the English verb "to be":

   J'ai 30 ans   I am 30 years old

   J'ai soif   I am thirsty

   J'ai froid   I am cold

   Il y a...   There is/are...

Auxiliary Verb

Avoir is the auxiliary for most French verbs in the compound tenses (exceptions):

   J'ai déjà étudié   I have already studied.

   J'aurai mangé avant ton arrivée   I will have eaten before you arrive

   Si j'avais su, je t'aurais téléphoné   If I had known, I would have called you

Conjugations

Present tense

   j'ai   tu as   il a   nous avons   vous avez   ils ontThe French verb avoir literally means "to have" and is also used in many idiomatic expressions. Learn how to be lucky, feel blue, hold a grudge, and more with this list of expressions with avoir.

avoir ___ ans

to be ___ years old

avoir à  + infinitiveto have to do something

avoir beau + infinitivedespite doing, however much (one) does

avoir besoin deto need

avoir chaudto be hot

avoir confiance ento trust

avoir de la chanceto be lucky

avoir du charmeto have charm

avoir du chien (informal)to be attractive, have a certain something

avoir du pain sur la planche (informal)to have a lot to do, have a lot on one's plate

avoir du pot (informal)to be lucky

avoir envie deto want

avoir faimto be hungry

avoir froidto be cold

avoir honte deto be ashamed of/about

avoir horreur deto detest/loathe

avoir l'air + adjectiveto look ____

avoir l'air de + nounto look like a ____

avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurreto have one's cake and eat it too

avoir le cafard (informal)to feel low/blue/down in the dumps

avoir le fou rireto have the giggles

avoir le mal de merto be seasick

avoir les chevilles qui enflent (informal)to be full of oneself

avoir l'habitude deto be used to, in the habit of

avoir l'heureto have (know) the time

avoir lieuto take place

avoir l'intention deto intend/plan to

avoir mal à la tête, aux yeux, à l'estomacto have a headache, eye ache, stomachache

avoir mal au cœurto be sick to one's stomach

avoir peur deto be afraid

avoir raisonto be right

avoir soifto be thirsty

avoir sommeilto be sleepy

avoir tortto be wrong

avoir un chat dans la gorgeto have a frog in one's throat

avoir un cheveu (sur la langue) (informal)to lisp

avoir un petit creux (informal)to be a little hungry/peckish

avoir un poil dans la main (informal)to be lazy

avoir un trou (de mémoire)to have a memory loss, to have one's mind go blank

avoir une dent contre quelqu'un (informal)to hold a grudge against someone

en avoir (familiar)to have guts

en avoir ras le bol (informal)to be fed up

il y a

   il y a + noun   there is, there are ___

   il y a + period of time   ___ ago

n'avoir qu'à + infinitiveto just/only have to do something

4) de     of, from    prepositionDe is a very important and versatile preposition with many different meanings and uses in French. As a preposition, it can express or indicate all of the following: 

I. Possession or belonging (learn more)

le livre de Paul - Paul's book

la bibliothèque de l'université - the university library

II. Starting point or origin (learn more)

partir de Nice - to leave from (out of) Nice

Je suis de Bruxelles - I'm from Brussels 

III. Contents / description of something

une tasse de thé - cup of tea

un roman d'amour - love story (story of/about love)

IV. Defining feature

le marché de gros - wholesale market

une salle de classe - classroom

le jus d'orange - orange juice

V. Cause

mourir de faim - to die of / from hunger

fatigué du voyage - tired from the trip

VI. Means / manner of doing something

écrire de la main gauche - to write with one's left hand

répéter de mémoire - to recite from memory

Note: When followed by the definite articles le and les, de contracts with them into a single word:

For example

de + le = du du salon

de + les = des des villes

 

But de does not contract with la or l'

de + la = de la de la femme

de + l' = de l' de l'homme

 

In addition, de does not contract with le and les when they are direct objects.

There are four grammatical constructions used to express possession in French: adjectives, pronouns, and two different prepositions. Take a look at this summary of the different French possibilities, and then follow the links for detailed information.

Possessive de The preposition de is used with a name or a noun in place of 's or s' in English.

le livre de Jean - John's bookla chambre des filles - the girls' room 

Possessive à The preposition à is used with the verb être in front of stressed pronouns in order to emphasize the ownership of the object.

Ce livre est à lui - This book is hisC'est un ami à moi - He's a friend of mine 

Possessive adjectivesPossessive adjectives are the words used in place of articles to indicate to whom or to what something belongs. The English equivalents are my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.

Voici votre livre - Here's your bookC'est son livre - It's his book 

Possessive pronounsPossessive pronouns are the words which replace a possessive adjective + noun. The English equivalents are mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs.

Ce livre... c'est le vôtre ou le sien ? - This book... is it yours or his?  The French preposition de is used to express possession with names and nouns. It is equivalent to 's or s' in English.

le livre de Jean - John's book

les rues de Rome - Rome's streets, the streets of Rome

les idées d'un étudiant - a student's ideas

Note that the order of the nouns is inverted in French. "John's book" translates literally as "the book of John." 

As with the partitive article and other de constructions, de contracts with le and les to make du and des:

c'est la voiture du patron - it's the boss's car

les pages du livre - the book's pages

les pages des livres - the books' pages 

De cannot be used to express possession with stressed pronouns; for those, you need à.The French preposition à is used to express possession in the following constructions: 

1. noun + être + à + stressed pronoun, noun, or name2. c'est + à + stressed pronoun, noun, or name3. c'est + noun + à + stressed pronoun*

These constructions put emphasis on the ownership of the object.

Cet argent est à Paul. - This money is Paul's.

Le livre est à lui. - The book is his.

C'est un livre à lui. - It's a book of his.

- À qui est ce stylo ? - Whose pen is this?- C'est à moi. - It's mine.

- Cet argent... c'est à elle ou à nous ? - This money... is it hers or ours?- C'est à vous. - It's yours.

- Ce chapeau est à Luc. - This is Luc's hat.- Non, c'est à moi ! - No, it's mine!

*In spoken French, you might hear c'est + noun + à + name (e.g., c'est un livre à Michel), but it is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to use possession in this construction is with de (c'est un livre de Michel).

5) un, une, des     a, an, some    indefinite articleThe singular indefinite articles in French correspond to "a," "an," or "one" in English, while the plural corresponds to "some." There are three forms of the French indefinite article. 1. un    masculine2. une   feminine3. des   m or f plural

Note that the plural indefinite article is the same for all nouns, whereas the singular has different forms for masculine and feminine.

Meaning and usage of the French indefinite article

The indefinite article usually refers to an unspecified person or thing.

   J'ai trouvé un livre.   I found a book.

   Il veut une pomme.   He wants an apple.

The indefinite article can also refer to just one of something:

   Il y a un étudiant dans la salle.   There is one student in the room.

   J'ai une sœur.   I have one sister.

The plural indefinite article means "some":

   J'ai acheté des pommes.   I bought some apples.

   Veux-tu acheter des livres ?   Do you want to buy some books?

When referring to a person's profession or religion, the indefinite is not used in French, although it is used in English. I know, I know, the exceptions never end. :-(

   Je suis professeur.   I am a teacher.

   Il va être médecin.   He's going to be a doctor.

In a negative construction, the indefinite article changes to de, meaning "(not) any":

   J'ai une pomme. > Je n'ai pas de pommes.   I have an apple. > I don't have any apples.

6) je     I    subject pronounThe subject of a verb is the person or thing which performs the action of that verb:

   Tom travaille.   Tom is working.

   Mes parents habitent en Espagne.   My parents live in Spain.

   La voiture ne veut pas démarrer.   The car won't start.

Subject pronouns replace this person or thing:

   Il travaille.   He is working.

   Ils habitent en Espagne.   They live in Spain.

   Elle ne veut pas démarrer.   It won't start.

When studying French, you must understand subject pronouns before you can begin learning how to conjugate verbs, because the forms of verbs change for each subject pronoun.

Click the pronouns in this table for detailed information about how to use each one.

French subject pronouns:

Singular   1st person  je  I   2nd person  tu  you   3rd person  il  he, it    elle  she, it    on  one

Plural   1st person  nous  we   2nd person  vous  you   3rd person  ils  they (m)    elles  they (f) 7) il / ils*     he, it / they    subject pronouns