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Free French word list

The 500 most common French words

Nouns come with their article (le, la, l'), so you learn the gender with the word. Every word has its meaning, an example sentence and, where it helps, a tip on the mistake learners usually make.

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Words 1–50

  1. bonjour1
    Meaning
    hello
    Example
    Bonjour, ça va ?
    Translation
    Hello, how are you?
    Tip
    Say it once per day per person; twice sounds odd. After about 6pm, switch to bonsoir.
  2. merci2
    Meaning
    thank you
    Example
    Merci beaucoup !
    Translation
    Thank you very much!
    Tip
    Reply with de rien or je vous en prie.
  3. s'il vous plaît3
    Meaning
    please
    Example
    Un café, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    A coffee, please.
    Tip
    With friends and children use s'il te plaît.
  4. oui4
    Meaning
    yes
    Example
    Oui, je comprends.
    Translation
    Yes, I understand.
    Tip
    In casual speech you'll hear ouais (yeah).
  5. non5
    Meaning
    no
    Example
    Non, merci.
    Translation
    No, thank you.
    Tip
    Non merci is the polite refusal; mais non adds emphasis.
  6. au revoir6
    Meaning
    goodbye
    Example
    Au revoir et bonne journée !
    Translation
    Goodbye and have a good day!
    Tip
    Salut works for both hi and bye with friends.
  7. pardon7
    Meaning
    excuse me
    Example
    Pardon, où est la gare ?
    Translation
    Excuse me, where is the station?
    Tip
    Also what you say when you bump into someone. Excusez-moi is a little more formal.
  8. l'eau8
    Meaning
    the water
    Example
    Je bois de l'eau.
    Translation
    I drink water.
    Tip
    Feminine: une eau. In a café, une carafe d'eau is free.
  9. le pain9
    Meaning
    the bread
    Example
    Le pain est frais.
    Translation
    The bread is fresh.
    Tip
    Sounds like pin (pine); the nasal vowel matters.
  10. le café10
    Meaning
    the coffee
    Example
    Je prends un café.
    Translation
    I'll have a coffee.
    Tip
    Un café on its own means an espresso. Ask for un café allongé for a longer one.
  11. la maison11
    Meaning
    the house
    Example
    Je rentre à la maison.
    Translation
    I'm going home.
    Tip
    À la maison = at home or homeward.
  12. le chien12
    Meaning
    the dog
    Example
    Le chien est gentil.
    Translation
    The dog is friendly.
    Tip
    Female: la chienne. Un chiot is a puppy.
  13. le chat13
    Meaning
    the cat
    Example
    Le chat dort sur le lit.
    Translation
    The cat is sleeping on the bed.
    Tip
    The final t is silent: 'sha'. Female: la chatte.
  14. le livre14
    Meaning
    the book
    Example
    Je lis un bon livre.
    Translation
    I'm reading a good book.
    Tip
    Same spelling as la livre (pound); the article tells them apart.
  15. la table15
    Meaning
    the table
    Example
    Le dîner est sur la table.
    Translation
    Dinner is on the table.
    Tip
    Mettre la table = to set the table.
  16. la chaise16
    Meaning
    the chair
    Example
    Prends une chaise.
    Translation
    Take a chair.
    Tip
    A comfy armchair is un fauteuil.
  17. la porte17
    Meaning
    the door
    Example
    Ferme la porte.
    Translation
    Close the door.
    Tip
    Also a boarding gate: la porte d'embarquement.
  18. la fenêtre18
    Meaning
    the window
    Example
    Ouvre la fenêtre.
    Translation
    Open the window.
    Tip
    The circumflex on ê marks a lost s: think 'fenestra'.
  19. la voiture19
    Meaning
    the car
    Example
    Ma voiture est rouge.
    Translation
    My car is red.
    Tip
    En voiture = by car. Informally you'll hear la bagnole.
  20. le train20
    Meaning
    the train
    Example
    Le train part à huit heures.
    Translation
    The train leaves at eight.
    Tip
    The final n is nasal, not pronounced fully.
  21. la ville21
    Meaning
    the city
    Example
    J'aime cette ville.
    Translation
    I like this city.
    Tip
    En ville = in town, downtown.
  22. le pays22
    Meaning
    the country
    Example
    Quel est ton pays ?
    Translation
    What's your country?
    Tip
    The s is silent, singular and plural: 'pay-ee'.
  23. la rue23
    Meaning
    the street
    Example
    J'habite dans cette rue.
    Translation
    I live on this street.
    Tip
    Dans la rue = on the street, not sur.
  24. l'école24
    Meaning
    the school
    Example
    Les enfants vont à l'école.
    Translation
    The children go to school.
    Tip
    Feminine: une école. À l'école = at school.
  25. le travail25
    Meaning
    the work
    Example
    J'ai beaucoup de travail.
    Translation
    I have a lot of work.
    Tip
    Plural is irregular: des travaux, which also means roadworks.
  26. l'ami26
    Meaning
    the friend
    Example
    C'est mon meilleur ami.
    Translation
    He's my best friend.
    Tip
    Female: une amie. Un petit ami is a boyfriend.
  27. la famille27
    Meaning
    the family
    Example
    Ma famille habite à Lyon.
    Translation
    My family lives in Lyon.
    Tip
    Family members take possessives: ma famille, mes parents.
  28. la mère28
    Meaning
    the mother
    Example
    Ma mère est médecin.
    Translation
    My mother is a doctor.
    Tip
    Maman is what you call her. Sounds exactly like la mer (sea).
  29. le père29
    Meaning
    the father
    Example
    Mon père cuisine bien.
    Translation
    My father cooks well.
    Tip
    Papa in speech. Les parents = parents, not relatives.
  30. le frère30
    Meaning
    the brother
    Example
    J'ai un frère et une sœur.
    Translation
    I have a brother and a sister.
    Tip
    Grand frère = big brother, petit frère = little brother.
  31. la sœur31
    Meaning
    the sister
    Example
    Ma sœur habite à Paris.
    Translation
    My sister lives in Paris.
  32. l'enfant32
    Meaning
    the child
    Example
    L'enfant joue dans le parc.
    Translation
    The child is playing in the park.
  33. l'homme33
    Meaning
    the man
    Example
    Cet homme est mon prof.
    Translation
    That man is my teacher.
  34. la femme34
    Meaning
    the woman
    Example
    Cette femme parle trois langues.
    Translation
    That woman speaks three languages.
    Tip
    Also means wife: ma femme. Pronounced 'fam', not 'fem'.
  35. le jour35
    Meaning
    the day
    Example
    Je travaille deux jours par semaine.
    Translation
    I work two days a week.
  36. la nuit36
    Meaning
    the night
    Example
    J'ai mal dormi cette nuit.
    Translation
    I slept badly last night.
    Tip
    Cette nuit can mean last night or tonight, depending on context.
  37. le matin37
    Meaning
    the morning
    Example
    Je bois un café le matin.
    Translation
    I drink a coffee in the morning.
  38. le soir38
    Meaning
    the evening
    Example
    Je rentre tard ce soir.
    Translation
    I'll be home late tonight.
  39. la semaine39
    Meaning
    the week
    Example
    À la semaine prochaine !
    Translation
    See you next week!
  40. le mois40
    Meaning
    the month
    Example
    Je pars le mois prochain.
    Translation
    I'm leaving next month.
  41. l'année41
    Meaning
    the year
    Example
    Bonne année à tous !
    Translation
    Happy New Year, everyone!
  42. aujourd'hui42
    Meaning
    today
    Example
    Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ?
    Translation
    What are we doing today?
  43. demain43
    Meaning
    tomorrow
    Example
    On se voit demain ?
    Translation
    Are we seeing each other tomorrow?
  44. hier44
    Meaning
    yesterday
    Example
    Hier, j'ai vu un super film.
    Translation
    Yesterday I saw a great movie.
  45. maintenant45
    Meaning
    now
    Example
    Je suis libre maintenant.
    Translation
    I'm free now.
  46. toujours46
    Meaning
    always
    Example
    Elle est toujours en retard.
    Translation
    She's always late.
    Tip
    Also means still: il dort toujours = he's still sleeping.
  47. jamais47
    Meaning
    never
    Example
    Je ne bois jamais de café.
    Translation
    I never drink coffee.
    Tip
    Needs ne before the verb: je ne mange jamais. In speech the ne often drops.
  48. souvent48
    Meaning
    often
    Example
    Je vais souvent au cinéma.
    Translation
    I often go to the movies.
  49. ici49
    Meaning
    here
    Example
    Viens ici !
    Translation
    Come here!
  50. là-bas50
    Meaning
    over there
    Example
    Mes amis sont là-bas.
    Translation
    My friends are over there.

Words 51–100

  1. un51
    Meaning
    one
    Example
    J'ai un frère.
    Translation
    I have one brother.
  2. deux52
    Meaning
    two
    Example
    Deux cafés, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    Two coffees, please.
  3. trois53
    Meaning
    three
    Example
    J'ai trois cours aujourd'hui.
    Translation
    I have three classes today.
  4. quatre54
    Meaning
    four
    Example
    On est quatre ce soir.
    Translation
    There are four of us tonight.
  5. cinq55
    Meaning
    five
    Example
    Donne-moi cinq minutes.
    Translation
    Give me five minutes.
  6. six56
    Meaning
    six
    Example
    Le film commence à six heures.
    Translation
    The movie starts at six.
  7. sept57
    Meaning
    seven
    Example
    Il y a sept jours dans une semaine.
    Translation
    There are seven days in a week.
  8. huit58
    Meaning
    eight
    Example
    Il est huit heures.
    Translation
    It's eight o'clock.
  9. neuf59
    Meaning
    nine
    Example
    J'ai neuf messages non lus.
    Translation
    I have nine unread messages.
    Tip
    Also means brand-new: un téléphone neuf.
  10. dix60
    Meaning
    ten
    Example
    Il reste dix minutes.
    Translation
    There are ten minutes left.
  11. cent61
    Meaning
    one hundred
    Example
    Ça coûte cent euros.
    Translation
    It costs a hundred euros.
  12. mille62
    Meaning
    one thousand
    Example
    Merci mille fois !
    Translation
    Thanks a million!
  13. être63
    Meaning
    to be
    Example
    Je suis étudiant.
    Translation
    I'm a student.
    Tip
    Irregular: je suis, tu es, il est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils sont.
  14. avoir64
    Meaning
    to have
    Example
    J'ai deux chats.
    Translation
    I have two cats.
    Tip
    Used for age: j'ai vingt ans = I'm twenty.
  15. faire65
    Meaning
    to do, to make
    Example
    Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce soir ?
    Translation
    What are you doing tonight?
    Tip
    Also for weather: il fait beau = it's nice out.
  16. aller66
    Meaning
    to go
    Example
    Je vais à la plage.
    Translation
    I'm going to the beach.
  17. venir67
    Meaning
    to come
    Example
    Tu viens avec nous ?
    Translation
    Are you coming with us?
    Tip
    Venir de plus a verb = to have just done: je viens de manger.
  18. voir68
    Meaning
    to see
    Example
    Je veux voir ce film.
    Translation
    I want to see this movie.
  19. savoir69
    Meaning
    to know (a fact)
    Example
    Tu sais où il habite ?
    Translation
    Do you know where he lives?
    Tip
    For facts and skills. For people and places, use connaître.
  20. pouvoir70
    Meaning
    to be able to
    Example
    Je peux venir avec toi ?
    Translation
    Can I come with you?
  21. vouloir71
    Meaning
    to want
    Example
    Je veux un café.
    Translation
    I want a coffee.
    Tip
    Je voudrais (I would like) is more polite when ordering.
  22. dire72
    Meaning
    to say
    Example
    Qu'est-ce que tu dis ?
    Translation
    What are you saying?
  23. parler73
    Meaning
    to speak
    Example
    Tu parles trop vite !
    Translation
    You talk too fast!
  24. manger74
    Meaning
    to eat
    Example
    On mange ensemble ce midi ?
    Translation
    Shall we eat together at lunch?
  25. boire75
    Meaning
    to drink
    Example
    Je bois un thé.
    Translation
    I'm drinking tea.
  26. dormir76
    Meaning
    to sleep
    Example
    Le bébé dort bien.
    Translation
    The baby sleeps well.
  27. lire77
    Meaning
    to read
    Example
    J'aime lire le soir.
    Translation
    I like reading in the evening.
  28. écrire78
    Meaning
    to write
    Example
    Écris-moi quand tu arrives.
    Translation
    Text me when you get there.
  29. aimer79
    Meaning
    to love, to like
    Example
    J'aime beaucoup cette chanson.
    Translation
    I really like this song.
    Tip
    With people, aimer means to love. Aimer bien = to like.
  30. acheter80
    Meaning
    to buy
    Example
    Je dois acheter du pain.
    Translation
    I need to buy bread.
  31. chercher81
    Meaning
    to look for
    Example
    Je cherche mes clés.
    Translation
    I'm looking for my keys.
  32. trouver82
    Meaning
    to find
    Example
    Je ne trouve pas mon téléphone.
    Translation
    I can't find my phone.
  33. donner83
    Meaning
    to give
    Example
    Je te donne mon adresse.
    Translation
    I'll give you my address.
  34. prendre84
    Meaning
    to take
    Example
    Je prends le bus.
    Translation
    I'm taking the bus.
  35. attendre85
    Meaning
    to wait
    Example
    Je t'attends devant le café.
    Translation
    I'm waiting for you outside the café.
    Tip
    False friend: it means to wait for, not to attend.
  36. ouvrir86
    Meaning
    to open
    Example
    Le magasin ouvre à neuf heures.
    Translation
    The store opens at nine.
  37. fermer87
    Meaning
    to close
    Example
    La banque ferme à midi.
    Translation
    The bank closes at noon.
  38. comprendre88
    Meaning
    to understand
    Example
    Je ne comprends pas la question.
    Translation
    I don't understand the question.
  39. apprendre89
    Meaning
    to learn
    Example
    J'apprends à conduire.
    Translation
    I'm learning to drive.
  40. travailler90
    Meaning
    to work
    Example
    Je travaille dans un café.
    Translation
    I work in a café.
  41. jouer91
    Meaning
    to play
    Example
    On joue aux cartes ?
    Translation
    Shall we play cards?
  42. marcher92
    Meaning
    to walk
    Example
    On marche jusqu'à la gare.
    Translation
    We're walking to the station.
    Tip
    Also means to work: ça marche = it works, sounds good.
  43. courir93
    Meaning
    to run
    Example
    Je cours le matin.
    Translation
    I run in the morning.
  44. grand94
    Meaning
    big
    Example
    Mon frère est très grand.
    Translation
    My brother is very tall.
    Tip
    For people it means tall. Feminine: grande.
  45. petit95
    Meaning
    small
    Example
    C'est un petit appartement.
    Translation
    It's a small apartment.
  46. bon96
    Meaning
    good
    Example
    Ce gâteau est très bon.
    Translation
    This cake is really good.
    Tip
    Bon is for taste and quality; bien is for doing something well.
  47. mauvais97
    Meaning
    bad
    Example
    Il fait mauvais aujourd'hui.
    Translation
    The weather is bad today.
  48. nouveau98
    Meaning
    new
    Example
    J'ai un nouveau téléphone.
    Translation
    I have a new phone.
  49. vieux99
    Meaning
    old
    Example
    Mon vélo est vieux.
    Translation
    My bike is old.
  50. jeune100
    Meaning
    young
    Example
    Mes parents sont encore jeunes.
    Translation
    My parents are still young.

Words 101–150

  1. beau101
    Meaning
    beautiful
    Example
    C'est un beau pays.
    Translation
    It's a beautiful country.
  2. chaud102
    Meaning
    hot
    Example
    Le café est trop chaud.
    Translation
    The coffee is too hot.
  3. froid103
    Meaning
    cold
    Example
    L'eau est froide.
    Translation
    The water is cold.
  4. facile104
    Meaning
    easy
    Example
    L'exercice est facile.
    Translation
    The exercise is easy.
  5. difficile105
    Meaning
    difficult
    Example
    Ce cours est difficile.
    Translation
    This class is hard.
  6. heureux106
    Meaning
    happy
    Example
    Je suis heureux pour toi.
    Translation
    I'm happy for you.
  7. triste107
    Meaning
    sad
    Example
    Ce film est trop triste.
    Translation
    This movie is so sad.
  8. fatigué108
    Meaning
    tired
    Example
    Je suis fatigué ce soir.
    Translation
    I'm tired tonight.
  9. rapide109
    Meaning
    fast
    Example
    Le métro est rapide.
    Translation
    The subway is fast.
  10. lent110
    Meaning
    slow
    Example
    Le wifi est lent ici.
    Translation
    The wifi is slow here.
  11. cher111
    Meaning
    expensive
    Example
    Ce restaurant est trop cher.
    Translation
    This restaurant is too expensive.
  12. content112
    Meaning
    pleased
    Example
    Je suis content de te voir.
    Translation
    I'm glad to see you.
  13. rouge113
    Meaning
    red
    Example
    Je prends le pull rouge.
    Translation
    I'll take the red sweater.
  14. bleu114
    Meaning
    blue
    Example
    Le ciel est bleu.
    Translation
    The sky is blue.
  15. vert115
    Meaning
    green
    Example
    J'adore le thé vert.
    Translation
    I love green tea.
  16. noir116
    Meaning
    black
    Example
    Je bois mon café noir.
    Translation
    I drink my coffee black.
  17. blanc117
    Meaning
    white
    Example
    Je voudrais du riz blanc.
    Translation
    I'd like white rice.
    Tip
    Feminine: blanche.
  18. jaune118
    Meaning
    yellow
    Example
    J'ai un pull jaune.
    Translation
    I have a yellow sweater.
  19. le temps119
    Meaning
    the time, the weather
    Example
    Je n'ai pas le temps.
    Translation
    I don't have time.
    Tip
    Quel temps fait-il ? = what's the weather like?
  20. l'argent120
    Meaning
    the money
    Example
    Je n'ai plus d'argent.
    Translation
    I'm out of money.
  21. le téléphone121
    Meaning
    the phone
    Example
    Réponds au téléphone !
    Translation
    Answer the phone!
  22. l'ordinateur122
    Meaning
    the computer
    Example
    Mon ordinateur est trop lent.
    Translation
    My computer is too slow.
  23. la musique123
    Meaning
    the music
    Example
    J'écoute de la musique.
    Translation
    I'm listening to music.
  24. le film124
    Meaning
    the movie
    Example
    On regarde un film ce soir ?
    Translation
    Shall we watch a movie tonight?
  25. la chanson125
    Meaning
    the song
    Example
    Cette chanson est trop bien.
    Translation
    This song is so good.
  26. le repas126
    Meaning
    the meal
    Example
    Le repas était délicieux.
    Translation
    The meal was delicious.
  27. le petit-déjeuner127
    Meaning
    breakfast
    Example
    Je prends le petit-déjeuner à huit heures.
    Translation
    I have breakfast at eight.
  28. le déjeuner128
    Meaning
    lunch
    Example
    On se voit au déjeuner ?
    Translation
    See you at lunch?
    Tip
    In Quebec and Belgium, déjeuner means breakfast and dîner means lunch.
  29. le dîner129
    Meaning
    dinner
    Example
    Le dîner est prêt !
    Translation
    Dinner is ready!
  30. la pomme130
    Meaning
    the apple
    Example
    Je mange une pomme.
    Translation
    I'm eating an apple.
  31. le fromage131
    Meaning
    the cheese
    Example
    J'adore le fromage.
    Translation
    I love cheese.
  32. le vin132
    Meaning
    the wine
    Example
    Un verre de vin rouge ?
    Translation
    A glass of red wine?
  33. la bière133
    Meaning
    the beer
    Example
    Une bière bien fraîche, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    A nice cold beer, please.
  34. le lait134
    Meaning
    the milk
    Example
    Tu veux du lait dans ton café ?
    Translation
    Do you want milk in your coffee?
  35. le sucre135
    Meaning
    the sugar
    Example
    Sans sucre, merci.
    Translation
    No sugar, thanks.
  36. la plage136
    Meaning
    the beach
    Example
    On va à la plage demain.
    Translation
    We're going to the beach tomorrow.
  37. la mer137
    Meaning
    the sea
    Example
    J'aime nager dans la mer.
    Translation
    I love swimming in the sea.
  38. la montagne138
    Meaning
    the mountain
    Example
    On part à la montagne cet hiver.
    Translation
    We're going to the mountains this winter.
  39. le soleil139
    Meaning
    the sun
    Example
    Il y a du soleil aujourd'hui.
    Translation
    It's sunny today.
  40. la pluie140
    Meaning
    the rain
    Example
    Je déteste la pluie.
    Translation
    I hate the rain.
  41. le ciel141
    Meaning
    the sky
    Example
    Le ciel est gris ce matin.
    Translation
    The sky is gray this morning.
  42. l'arbre142
    Meaning
    the tree
    Example
    Il y a un grand arbre dans le jardin.
    Translation
    There's a big tree in the garden.
  43. la fleur143
    Meaning
    the flower
    Example
    Ces fleurs sont pour toi.
    Translation
    These flowers are for you.
  44. le corps144
    Meaning
    the body
    Example
    Le sport, c'est bon pour le corps.
    Translation
    Exercise is good for the body.
  45. la tête145
    Meaning
    the head
    Example
    Elle a la tête dans les nuages.
    Translation
    She has her head in the clouds.
  46. la main146
    Meaning
    the hand
    Example
    Donne-moi la main.
    Translation
    Give me your hand.
  47. le cœur147
    Meaning
    the heart
    Example
    Je t'aime de tout mon cœur.
    Translation
    I love you with all my heart.
  48. les yeux148
    Meaning
    the eyes
    Example
    Elle a les yeux verts.
    Translation
    She has green eyes.
    Tip
    Singular is l'œil, a very irregular plural.
  49. où ?149
    Meaning
    where?
    Example
    Où est-ce que tu habites ?
    Translation
    Where do you live?
    Tip
    The accent matters: où = where, ou = or.
  50. quand ?150
    Meaning
    when?
    Example
    Tu arrives quand ?
    Translation
    When are you arriving?

Words 151–200

  1. pourquoi ?151
    Meaning
    why?
    Example
    Pourquoi tu ris ?
    Translation
    Why are you laughing?
  2. comment ?152
    Meaning
    how?
    Example
    Comment on dit ça en français ?
    Translation
    How do you say that in French?
    Tip
    Alone, Comment ? means Sorry, what? when you didn't hear.
  3. combien ?153
    Meaning
    how much?
    Example
    Combien coûte ce pull ?
    Translation
    How much is this sweater?
  4. qui ?154
    Meaning
    who?
    Example
    Qui vient ce soir ?
    Translation
    Who's coming tonight?
  5. qu'est-ce que c'est ?155
    Meaning
    what is it?
    Example
    Qu'est-ce que c'est, ce bruit ?
    Translation
    What's that noise?
  6. je ne sais pas156
    Meaning
    I don't know
    Example
    Je ne sais pas quoi faire.
    Translation
    I don't know what to do.
  7. ça va ?157
    Meaning
    how are you?
    Example
    Salut, ça va ?
    Translation
    Hi, how's it going?
  8. enchanté158
    Meaning
    nice to meet you
    Example
    Enchanté, je m'appelle Léo.
    Translation
    Nice to meet you, I'm Léo.
    Tip
    A woman writes enchantée; it sounds the same.
  9. bonne nuit159
    Meaning
    good night
    Example
    Bonne nuit, dors bien !
    Translation
    Good night, sleep well!
    Tip
    Only when going to bed. When leaving in the evening, say bonne soirée.
  10. à bientôt160
    Meaning
    see you soon
    Example
    Merci pour tout, à bientôt !
    Translation
    Thanks for everything, see you soon!
  11. l'addition, s'il vous plaît161
    Meaning
    the check, please
    Example
    On peut avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?
    Translation
    Can we have the check, please?
    Tip
    In France the waiter won't bring it until you ask.
  12. j'ai faim162
    Meaning
    I'm hungry
    Example
    J'ai faim, on mange ?
    Translation
    I'm hungry, shall we eat?
    Tip
    Literally I have hunger. Never je suis faim.
  13. j'ai soif163
    Meaning
    I'm thirsty
    Example
    J'ai soif, tu as de l'eau ?
    Translation
    I'm thirsty, do you have water?
  14. j'ai sommeil164
    Meaning
    I'm sleepy
    Example
    J'ai sommeil, je vais au lit.
    Translation
    I'm sleepy, I'm going to bed.
    Tip
    Fatigué is tired in general; avoir sommeil is wanting to sleep.
  15. mais165
    Meaning
    but
    Example
    C'est cher, mais c'est bon.
    Translation
    It's expensive, but it's good.
  16. parce que166
    Meaning
    because
    Example
    Je reste chez moi parce que je suis malade.
    Translation
    I'm staying home because I'm sick.
  17. avec167
    Meaning
    with
    Example
    Tu viens avec moi ?
    Translation
    Are you coming with me?
  18. sans168
    Meaning
    without
    Example
    Un café sans sucre, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    A coffee without sugar, please.
  19. et169
    Meaning
    and
    Example
    Toi et moi, on y va ?
    Translation
    You and me, shall we go?
    Tip
    The t is always silent, even before a vowel.
  20. ou170
    Meaning
    or
    Example
    Thé ou café ?
    Translation
    Tea or coffee?
    Tip
    No accent: ou = or. With the accent, où = where.
  21. très171
    Meaning
    very
    Example
    Il fait très chaud.
    Translation
    It's very hot.
  22. trop172
    Meaning
    too much
    Example
    C'est trop cher pour moi.
    Translation
    It's too expensive for me.
    Tip
    Young people also use it for so: c'est trop bien = it's so good.
  23. beaucoup173
    Meaning
    a lot
    Example
    Merci, j'ai beaucoup mangé.
    Translation
    Thanks, I ate a lot.
  24. un peu174
    Meaning
    a little
    Example
    Je parle un peu français.
    Translation
    I speak a little French.
  25. aussi175
    Meaning
    also, too
    Example
    Elle parle anglais et aussi espagnol.
    Translation
    She speaks English and also Spanish.
  26. encore176
    Meaning
    again, still
    Example
    Tu es encore en retard !
    Translation
    You're late again!
  27. déjà177
    Meaning
    already
    Example
    J'ai déjà mangé.
    Translation
    I already ate.
  28. pas encore178
    Meaning
    not yet
    Example
    Je n'ai pas encore fini.
    Translation
    I haven't finished yet.
  29. avant179
    Meaning
    before
    Example
    Appelle-moi avant midi.
    Translation
    Call me before noon.
  30. après180
    Meaning
    after
    Example
    On se voit après le cours ?
    Translation
    Shall we meet after class?
  31. bien181
    Meaning
    well
    Example
    Tu parles bien français !
    Translation
    You speak French well!
    Tip
    An adverb: tu chantes bien. Don't mix it up with bon (good).
  32. mal182
    Meaning
    badly
    Example
    J'ai mal dormi.
    Translation
    I slept badly.
  33. d'accord183
    Meaning
    okay
    Example
    D'accord, à ce soir !
    Translation
    Okay, see you tonight!
  34. ça marche184
    Meaning
    sounds good
    Example
    Demain à midi ? Ça marche !
    Translation
    Tomorrow at noon? Sounds good!
  35. salut185
    Meaning
    hi
    Example
    Salut, tu vas bien ?
    Translation
    Hi, are you doing well?
  36. bonsoir186
    Meaning
    good evening
    Example
    Bonsoir, une table pour deux ?
    Translation
    Good evening, a table for two?
  37. de rien187
    Meaning
    you're welcome
    Example
    De rien, c'est normal.
    Translation
    You're welcome, it's nothing.
  38. désolé188
    Meaning
    sorry
    Example
    Désolé, je ne peux pas venir.
    Translation
    Sorry, I can't come.
  39. peut-être189
    Meaning
    maybe
    Example
    Peut-être demain.
    Translation
    Maybe tomorrow.
  40. bien sûr190
    Meaning
    of course
    Example
    Bien sûr, pas de problème.
    Translation
    Of course, no problem.
  41. quelque chose191
    Meaning
    something
    Example
    Tu veux boire quelque chose ?
    Translation
    Do you want something to drink?
  42. rien192
    Meaning
    nothing
    Example
    Je n'ai rien compris.
    Translation
    I didn't understand anything.
  43. tout193
    Meaning
    everything
    Example
    Tout va bien.
    Translation
    Everything is fine.
  44. chaque194
    Meaning
    each
    Example
    Je cours chaque matin.
    Translation
    I run every morning.
  45. pour195
    Meaning
    for
    Example
    C'est pour toi.
    Translation
    It's for you.
  46. chez196
    Meaning
    at the place of
    Example
    On mange chez moi ?
    Translation
    Shall we eat at my place?
    Tip
    No English equivalent: chez Paul = at Paul's place.
  47. tu197
    Meaning
    you (informal)
    Example
    Tu viens ce soir ?
    Translation
    Are you coming tonight?
    Tip
    For friends, family and people your age.
  48. vous198
    Meaning
    you (formal or plural)
    Example
    Vous êtes prêts ?
    Translation
    Are you all ready?
    Tip
    For strangers, staff and older people, or for more than one person.
  49. il y a199
    Meaning
    there is
    Example
    Il y a un café près d'ici.
    Translation
    There's a café near here.
    Tip
    Also means ago: il y a deux jours = two days ago.
  50. voilà200
    Meaning
    there you go
    Example
    Voilà votre café.
    Translation
    Here's your coffee.

Words 201–250

  1. comment tu t'appelles ?201
    Meaning
    what's your name
    Example
    Salut, comment tu t'appelles ?
    Translation
    Hi, what's your name?
  2. je m'appelle202
    Meaning
    my name is
    Example
    Je m'appelle Chloé.
    Translation
    My name is Chloé.
  3. je voudrais203
    Meaning
    I would like
    Example
    Je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    I'd like a croissant, please.
  4. c'est combien ?204
    Meaning
    how much is it
    Example
    C'est combien, le t-shirt ?
    Translation
    How much is the t-shirt?
  5. je ne comprends pas205
    Meaning
    I don't understand
    Example
    Pardon, je ne comprends pas.
    Translation
    Sorry, I don't understand.
  6. vous pouvez répéter ?206
    Meaning
    can you repeat that
    Example
    Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
    Translation
    Can you repeat that, please?
  7. j'ai besoin de207
    Meaning
    I need
    Example
    J'ai besoin d'un café.
    Translation
    I need a coffee.
  8. j'ai envie de208
    Meaning
    I feel like
    Example
    J'ai envie d'une pizza.
    Translation
    I feel like a pizza.
  9. la personne209
    Meaning
    the person
    Example
    C'est une personne très gentille.
    Translation
    That's a very kind person.
    Tip
    Always feminine, even for a man.
  10. les gens210
    Meaning
    the people
    Example
    Les gens sont sympas ici.
    Translation
    People are nice here.
  11. la vie211
    Meaning
    the life
    Example
    C'est la vie !
    Translation
    That's life!
  12. le monde212
    Meaning
    the world
    Example
    Je veux voyager dans le monde entier.
    Translation
    I want to travel the whole world.
    Tip
    Tout le monde = everybody. Il y a du monde = it's crowded.
  13. meilleur213
    Meaning
    better
    Example
    Ce gâteau est meilleur.
    Translation
    This cake is better.
    Tip
    Le meilleur = the best. Mieux is the adverb.
  14. pire214
    Meaning
    worse
    Example
    C'est pire qu'hier.
    Translation
    It's worse than yesterday.
  15. même215
    Meaning
    same
    Example
    On a le même téléphone !
    Translation
    We have the same phone!
    Tip
    Also means even: même lui = even him.
  16. différent216
    Meaning
    different
    Example
    C'est différent ici.
    Translation
    It's different here.
  17. autre217
    Meaning
    other
    Example
    Tu veux un autre café ?
    Translation
    Do you want another coffee?
  18. prochain218
    Meaning
    next
    Example
    À la prochaine !
    Translation
    Until next time!
  19. penser219
    Meaning
    to think
    Example
    Je pense à toi.
    Translation
    I'm thinking of you.
    Tip
    Penser à = think about; penser que = think that.
  20. croire220
    Meaning
    to believe
    Example
    Je te crois.
    Translation
    I believe you.
  21. connaître221
    Meaning
    to know (a person)
    Example
    Tu connais Léa ?
    Translation
    Do you know Léa?
    Tip
    For people and places. For facts, use savoir.
  22. rencontrer222
    Meaning
    to meet
    Example
    J'ai rencontré mes amis à la fac.
    Translation
    I met my friends at college.
    Tip
    For meeting someone new. Meeting up with friends is retrouver.
  23. aider223
    Meaning
    to help
    Example
    Merci de m'aider !
    Translation
    Thanks for helping me!
  24. essayer224
    Meaning
    to try
    Example
    Je peux essayer ce pull ?
    Translation
    Can I try on this sweater?
  25. commencer225
    Meaning
    to start
    Example
    Le cours commence dans cinq minutes.
    Translation
    Class starts in five minutes.
  26. finir226
    Meaning
    to finish
    Example
    Je finis le travail à cinq heures.
    Translation
    I finish work at five.
  27. arriver227
    Meaning
    to arrive
    Example
    Tu arrives à quelle heure ?
    Translation
    What time are you arriving?
  28. partir228
    Meaning
    to leave
    Example
    Je pars en vacances demain.
    Translation
    I'm leaving on vacation tomorrow.
  29. entrer229
    Meaning
    to enter
    Example
    Entrez, je vous en prie.
    Translation
    Come in, please.
  30. sortir230
    Meaning
    to go out
    Example
    On sort ce soir ?
    Translation
    Are we going out tonight?
    Tip
    Sortir avec quelqu'un = to date someone.
  31. mettre231
    Meaning
    to put
    Example
    Mets ton manteau.
    Translation
    Put your coat on.
  32. enlever232
    Meaning
    to take off
    Example
    Enlève tes chaussures, s'il te plaît.
    Translation
    Take off your shoes, please.
  33. demander233
    Meaning
    to ask
    Example
    Je vais demander au serveur.
    Translation
    I'll ask the waiter.
    Tip
    False friend: to ask, not to demand.
  34. répondre234
    Meaning
    to answer
    Example
    Réponds à mon message !
    Translation
    Answer my message!
  35. écouter235
    Meaning
    to listen
    Example
    J'écoute un podcast.
    Translation
    I'm listening to a podcast.
  36. entendre236
    Meaning
    to hear
    Example
    Je ne t'entends pas.
    Translation
    I can't hear you.
  37. regarder237
    Meaning
    to look at, to watch
    Example
    Regarde ça !
    Translation
    Look at this!
  38. montrer238
    Meaning
    to show
    Example
    Montre-moi tes photos.
    Translation
    Show me your photos.
  39. appeler239
    Meaning
    to call
    Example
    Je t'appelle ce soir.
    Translation
    I'll call you tonight.
  40. rappeler240
    Meaning
    to call back
    Example
    Je te rappelle plus tard.
    Translation
    I'll call you back later.
  41. se souvenir241
    Meaning
    to remember
    Example
    Tu te souviens de moi ?
    Translation
    Do you remember me?
  42. oublier242
    Meaning
    to forget
    Example
    J'ai oublié ton anniversaire !
    Translation
    I forgot your birthday!
  43. habiter243
    Meaning
    to live (somewhere)
    Example
    J'habite à Lyon.
    Translation
    I live in Lyon.
  44. vivre244
    Meaning
    to live
    Example
    Je veux vivre à l'étranger.
    Translation
    I want to live abroad.
    Tip
    Habiter is where you live; vivre is also to be alive or to experience.
  45. rester245
    Meaning
    to stay
    Example
    Je reste à la maison ce soir.
    Translation
    I'm staying home tonight.
    Tip
    False friend: not to rest. To rest is se reposer.
  46. quitter246
    Meaning
    to leave (a place or person)
    Example
    Je quitte le bureau à six heures.
    Translation
    I leave the office at six.
  47. passer247
    Meaning
    to spend (time)
    Example
    Je passe le week-end chez mes parents.
    Translation
    I'm spending the weekend at my parents'.
  48. durer248
    Meaning
    to last
    Example
    Le film dure deux heures.
    Translation
    The movie lasts two hours.
  49. devoir249
    Meaning
    to have to
    Example
    Je dois partir.
    Translation
    I have to go.
    Tip
    Also means to owe: je te dois dix euros.
  50. il faut250
    Meaning
    it's necessary
    Example
    Il faut partir maintenant.
    Translation
    We have to leave now.
    Tip
    Impersonal, never changes form. Il faut de l'eau = you need water.

Words 251–300

  1. j'ai chaud251
    Meaning
    I'm hot
    Example
    J'ai chaud, ouvre la fenêtre.
    Translation
    I'm hot, open the window.
    Tip
    Use avoir, not être: je suis chaud means I'm up for it.
  2. j'ai froid252
    Meaning
    I'm cold
    Example
    J'ai froid, tu as un pull ?
    Translation
    I'm cold, do you have a sweater?
  3. tôt253
    Meaning
    early
    Example
    Le magasin ouvre tôt.
    Translation
    The store opens early.
  4. tard254
    Meaning
    late
    Example
    Il est tard, je rentre.
    Translation
    It's late, I'm heading home.
    Tip
    Tard is late in the day. Behind schedule is en retard.
  5. en avance255
    Meaning
    ahead of time
    Example
    Je suis en avance, je t'attends.
    Translation
    I'm early, I'll wait for you.
  6. en retard256
    Meaning
    running late
    Example
    Désolé, je suis en retard !
    Translation
    Sorry, I'm late!
  7. vrai257
    Meaning
    true
    Example
    C'est vrai ?
    Translation
    Is that true?
  8. faux258
    Meaning
    false, wrong
    Example
    Ta réponse est fausse.
    Translation
    Your answer is wrong.
  9. bonne journée259
    Meaning
    have a good day
    Example
    Merci, bonne journée !
    Translation
    Thanks, have a good day!
  10. bonne soirée260
    Meaning
    have a good evening
    Example
    Bonne soirée, à demain !
    Translation
    Have a good evening, see you tomorrow!
  11. vraiment261
    Meaning
    really
    Example
    C'est vraiment bon !
    Translation
    It's really good!
  12. presque262
    Meaning
    almost
    Example
    J'ai presque fini.
    Translation
    I'm almost done.
  13. quelqu'un263
    Meaning
    someone
    Example
    Quelqu'un a un chargeur ?
    Translation
    Does anyone have a charger?
  14. personne264
    Meaning
    nobody
    Example
    Personne ne répond.
    Translation
    Nobody is answering.
    Tip
    With an article, la personne means the person.
  15. à gauche265
    Meaning
    on the left
    Example
    La gare est à gauche.
    Translation
    The station is on the left.
  16. à droite266
    Meaning
    on the right
    Example
    Tournez à droite après le pont.
    Translation
    Turn right after the bridge.
  17. près267
    Meaning
    near
    Example
    J'habite près de la fac.
    Translation
    I live near campus.
  18. loin268
    Meaning
    far
    Example
    C'est loin d'ici ?
    Translation
    Is it far from here?
  19. sur269
    Meaning
    on
    Example
    Ton téléphone est sur la table.
    Translation
    Your phone is on the table.
  20. sous270
    Meaning
    under
    Example
    Le chat est sous le lit.
    Translation
    The cat is under the bed.
  21. dans271
    Meaning
    in
    Example
    Mes clés sont dans mon sac.
    Translation
    My keys are in my bag.
  22. entre272
    Meaning
    between
    Example
    Entre nous, il est bizarre.
    Translation
    Between us, he's weird.
  23. si273
    Meaning
    if
    Example
    Si tu veux, on sort.
    Translation
    If you want, we'll go out.
    Tip
    Also a yes that contradicts a negative question.
  24. sinon274
    Meaning
    otherwise
    Example
    Dépêche-toi, sinon on rate le train.
    Translation
    Hurry up, otherwise we'll miss the train.
  25. alors275
    Meaning
    so, then
    Example
    Alors, on fait quoi ?
    Translation
    So, what are we doing?
  26. donc276
    Meaning
    therefore
    Example
    Il pleut, donc je reste ici.
    Translation
    It's raining, so I'm staying here.
  27. pendant277
    Meaning
    during
    Example
    J'ai dormi pendant le film.
    Translation
    I slept during the movie.
  28. depuis278
    Meaning
    since
    Example
    J'habite ici depuis deux ans.
    Translation
    I've lived here for two years.
    Tip
    Takes the present tense where English uses have been.
  29. bientôt279
    Meaning
    soon
    Example
    Les vacances arrivent bientôt !
    Translation
    The holidays are coming soon!
  30. tout de suite280
    Meaning
    right away
    Example
    J'arrive tout de suite.
    Translation
    I'll be right there.
  31. moi aussi281
    Meaning
    me too
    Example
    Moi aussi, j'ai faim.
    Translation
    Me too, I'm hungry.
  32. moi non plus282
    Meaning
    me neither
    Example
    Moi non plus, je ne sais pas.
    Translation
    Me neither, I don't know.
  33. quoi ?283
    Meaning
    what
    Example
    Tu fais quoi ?
    Translation
    What are you doing?
  34. quel ?284
    Meaning
    which
    Example
    Quel film tu veux voir ?
    Translation
    Which movie do you want to see?
  35. tu parles anglais ?285
    Meaning
    do you speak English
    Example
    Excuse-moi, tu parles anglais ?
    Translation
    Excuse me, do you speak English?
  36. quelle heure est-il ?286
    Meaning
    what time is it
    Example
    Pardon, quelle heure est-il ?
    Translation
    Excuse me, what time is it?
  37. c'est pas grave287
    Meaning
    it's no big deal
    Example
    Tu es en retard ? C'est pas grave.
    Translation
    You're late? No big deal.
    Tip
    Spoken form of ce n'est pas grave; the ne drops.
  38. pas de souci288
    Meaning
    no worries
    Example
    Pas de souci, je comprends.
    Translation
    No worries, I understand.
  39. à plus289
    Meaning
    see you later
    Example
    Bon, j'y vais. À plus !
    Translation
    Okay, I'm off. Later!
  40. à demain290
    Meaning
    see you tomorrow
    Example
    Bonne nuit, à demain !
    Translation
    Good night, see you tomorrow!
  41. ça va bien291
    Meaning
    I'm doing well
    Example
    Merci, ça va bien, et toi ?
    Translation
    Thanks, I'm doing well, and you?
  42. pas mal292
    Meaning
    not bad
    Example
    Le film ? Pas mal du tout.
    Translation
    The movie? Not bad at all.
  43. vingt293
    Meaning
    twenty
    Example
    J'ai vingt ans.
    Translation
    I'm twenty.
  44. trente294
    Meaning
    thirty
    Example
    Ce mois a trente jours.
    Translation
    This month has thirty days.
  45. premier295
    Meaning
    first
    Example
    C'est mon premier jour.
    Translation
    It's my first day.
  46. dernier296
    Meaning
    last
    Example
    C'est le dernier train.
    Translation
    It's the last train.
  47. dimanche297
    Meaning
    Sunday
    Example
    Le dimanche, je ne fais rien.
    Translation
    On Sundays I do nothing.
  48. le week-end298
    Meaning
    the weekend
    Example
    Tu fais quoi ce week-end ?
    Translation
    What are you doing this weekend?
  49. les vacances299
    Meaning
    the vacation
    Example
    Les vacances commencent demain !
    Translation
    Vacation starts tomorrow!
    Tip
    Always plural. En vacances = on vacation.
  50. le voyage300
    Meaning
    the trip
    Example
    Bon voyage, écris-moi !
    Translation
    Have a good trip, text me!

Words 301–350

  1. l'heure301
    Meaning
    the hour, the time
    Example
    Tu as l'heure ?
    Translation
    Do you have the time?
  2. la minute302
    Meaning
    the minute
    Example
    J'arrive dans une minute.
    Translation
    I'll be there in a minute.
  3. l'après-midi303
    Meaning
    the afternoon
    Example
    Je travaille l'après-midi.
    Translation
    I work in the afternoon.
  4. le moment304
    Meaning
    the moment
    Example
    Ce n'est pas le bon moment.
    Translation
    It's not a good time.
  5. la fois305
    Meaning
    the time (occurrence)
    Example
    C'est la première fois que je viens ici.
    Translation
    It's my first time here.
    Tip
    For counting: une fois, deux fois. Never le temps here.
  6. la journée306
    Meaning
    the day (duration)
    Example
    J'ai passé la journée à la plage.
    Translation
    I spent the day at the beach.
    Tip
    Jour is the unit; journée is the day as a stretch of time.
  7. le garçon307
    Meaning
    the boy
    Example
    Le garçon joue au foot.
    Translation
    The boy is playing soccer.
    Tip
    Old-fashioned for waiter; don't call a waiter garçon.
  8. la fille308
    Meaning
    the girl, the daughter
    Example
    Leur fille est trop mignonne.
    Translation
    Their daughter is so cute.
  9. le portable309
    Meaning
    the cell phone
    Example
    Mon portable n'a plus de batterie.
    Translation
    My phone is dead.
    Tip
    Can also mean a laptop: un ordinateur portable.
  10. le chargeur310
    Meaning
    the charger
    Example
    J'ai oublié mon chargeur.
    Translation
    I forgot my charger.
  11. le message311
    Meaning
    the message
    Example
    Je t'envoie un message.
    Translation
    I'll send you a message.
  12. l'appli312
    Meaning
    the app
    Example
    Je supprime cette appli.
    Translation
    I'm deleting this app.
  13. la chose313
    Meaning
    the thing
    Example
    J'ai plein de choses à faire.
    Translation
    I have lots of things to do.
  14. le truc314
    Meaning
    the thingy
    Example
    C'est quoi, ce truc ?
    Translation
    What's this thing?
    Tip
    Casual all-purpose word for anything you can't name.
  15. le problème315
    Meaning
    the problem
    Example
    Pas de problème !
    Translation
    No problem!
  16. la solution316
    Meaning
    the solution
    Example
    J'ai trouvé la solution !
    Translation
    I found the solution!
  17. la question317
    Meaning
    the question
    Example
    J'ai une question.
    Translation
    I have a question.
  18. la réponse318
    Meaning
    the answer
    Example
    Je n'ai pas la réponse.
    Translation
    I don't have the answer.
  19. l'idée319
    Meaning
    the idea
    Example
    Bonne idée !
    Translation
    Good idea!
  20. le projet320
    Meaning
    the plan, the project
    Example
    Tu as des projets pour ce week-end ?
    Translation
    Do you have plans this weekend?
  21. la langue321
    Meaning
    the language
    Example
    Tu parles combien de langues ?
    Translation
    How many languages do you speak?
    Tip
    Also means tongue.
  22. le mot322
    Meaning
    the word
    Example
    Je ne connais pas ce mot.
    Translation
    I don't know this word.
  23. le français323
    Meaning
    French
    Example
    Le français, c'est pas si difficile.
    Translation
    French isn't that hard.
    Tip
    Languages aren't capitalized: le français, l'anglais.
  24. l'anglais324
    Meaning
    English
    Example
    Je regarde des séries en anglais.
    Translation
    I watch shows in English.
  25. gentil325
    Meaning
    kind
    Example
    Merci, c'est gentil !
    Translation
    Thanks, that's kind!
  26. méchant326
    Meaning
    mean
    Example
    Ne sois pas méchant.
    Translation
    Don't be mean.
  27. sympa327
    Meaning
    nice
    Example
    Ton ami est trop sympa.
    Translation
    Your friend is so nice.
    Tip
    Short for sympathique. False friend: not sympathetic.
  28. pénible328
    Meaning
    annoying
    Example
    Ce bruit est pénible.
    Translation
    This noise is annoying.
  29. drôle329
    Meaning
    funny
    Example
    Tu es trop drôle !
    Translation
    You're so funny!
  30. sérieux330
    Meaning
    serious
    Example
    Tu es sérieux ?
    Translation
    Are you serious?
  31. bizarre331
    Meaning
    weird
    Example
    C'est bizarre, non ?
    Translation
    That's weird, right?
  32. normal332
    Meaning
    normal
    Example
    C'est normal, ne t'inquiète pas.
    Translation
    That's normal, don't worry.
  33. occupé333
    Meaning
    busy
    Example
    Désolé, je suis occupé.
    Translation
    Sorry, I'm busy.
  34. pressé334
    Meaning
    in a hurry
    Example
    Je suis pressé, on se parle plus tard.
    Translation
    I'm in a hurry, talk later.
  35. libre335
    Meaning
    free (available)
    Example
    Tu es libre ce soir ?
    Translation
    Are you free tonight?
  36. gratuit336
    Meaning
    free (no cost)
    Example
    L'entrée est gratuite.
    Translation
    Entry is free.
    Tip
    Only for price. For free time, use libre.
  37. prêt337
    Meaning
    ready
    Example
    Tu es prêt ? On y va !
    Translation
    Are you ready? Let's go!
  38. sûr338
    Meaning
    sure
    Example
    Tu es sûr ?
    Translation
    Are you sure?
    Tip
    With the accent: sûr = sure. Without: sur = on.
  39. génial339
    Meaning
    awesome
    Example
    C'est génial !
    Translation
    That's awesome!
    Tip
    False friend: not genial or friendly.
  40. nul340
    Meaning
    lame
    Example
    Ce film est nul.
    Translation
    This movie is terrible.
  41. important341
    Meaning
    important
    Example
    C'est très important pour moi.
    Translation
    It's very important to me.
  42. mignon342
    Meaning
    cute
    Example
    Ton chien est trop mignon !
    Translation
    Your dog is so cute!
  43. ouvert343
    Meaning
    open
    Example
    Le magasin est ouvert ?
    Translation
    Is the store open?
  44. fermé344
    Meaning
    closed
    Example
    C'est fermé le lundi.
    Translation
    It's closed on Mondays.
  45. seul345
    Meaning
    alone
    Example
    Je vis seul.
    Translation
    I live alone.
  46. ensemble346
    Meaning
    together
    Example
    On travaille ensemble ?
    Translation
    Shall we work together?
  47. monter347
    Meaning
    to go up
    Example
    Monte, la porte est ouverte.
    Translation
    Come up, the door is open.
  48. descendre348
    Meaning
    to go down
    Example
    On descend au prochain arrêt.
    Translation
    We get off at the next stop.
  49. envoyer349
    Meaning
    to send
    Example
    Je t'envoie la photo.
    Translation
    I'm sending you the photo.
  50. recevoir350
    Meaning
    to receive
    Example
    J'ai reçu ton message.
    Translation
    I got your message.

Words 351–400

  1. payer351
    Meaning
    to pay
    Example
    Je paie par carte.
    Translation
    I'm paying by card.
  2. coûter352
    Meaning
    to cost
    Example
    Ça coûte combien ?
    Translation
    How much does it cost?
  3. choisir353
    Meaning
    to choose
    Example
    C'est difficile de choisir.
    Translation
    It's hard to choose.
  4. préférer354
    Meaning
    to prefer
    Example
    Je préfère le thé.
    Translation
    I prefer tea.
  5. adorer355
    Meaning
    to adore
    Example
    J'adore cette chanson !
    Translation
    I love this song!
  6. détester356
    Meaning
    to hate
    Example
    Je déteste me lever tôt.
    Translation
    I hate getting up early.
  7. se lever357
    Meaning
    to get up
    Example
    Je me lève à six heures.
    Translation
    I get up at six.
  8. se coucher358
    Meaning
    to go to bed
    Example
    Je me couche tard.
    Translation
    I go to bed late.
  9. sentir359
    Meaning
    to smell, to feel
    Example
    Ça sent bon !
    Translation
    That smells good!
    Tip
    Se sentir = to feel: je me sens bien.
  10. toucher360
    Meaning
    to touch
    Example
    Ne touche pas à mon téléphone !
    Translation
    Don't touch my phone!
  11. espérer361
    Meaning
    to hope
    Example
    J'espère que tu vas bien.
    Translation
    I hope you're doing well.
  12. rêver362
    Meaning
    to dream
    Example
    Je rêve de voyager au Japon.
    Translation
    I dream of traveling to Japan.
  13. devenir363
    Meaning
    to become
    Example
    Je veux devenir médecin.
    Translation
    I want to become a doctor.
  14. changer364
    Meaning
    to change
    Example
    Tu n'as pas changé !
    Translation
    You haven't changed!
  15. gagner365
    Meaning
    to win, to earn
    Example
    On a gagné le match !
    Translation
    We won the match!
  16. perdre366
    Meaning
    to lose
    Example
    J'ai perdu mes clés.
    Translation
    I lost my keys.
  17. laisser367
    Meaning
    to let, to leave
    Example
    Laisse-moi tranquille !
    Translation
    Leave me alone!
  18. garder368
    Meaning
    to keep
    Example
    Gardez la monnaie.
    Translation
    Keep the change.
  19. porter369
    Meaning
    to wear, to carry
    Example
    Tu portes quoi ce soir ?
    Translation
    What are you wearing tonight?
  20. apporter370
    Meaning
    to bring
    Example
    J'apporte le dessert.
    Translation
    I'll bring dessert.
  21. rentrer371
    Meaning
    to go home
    Example
    Je rentre chez moi.
    Translation
    I'm going home.
  22. revenir372
    Meaning
    to come back
    Example
    Je reviens tout de suite.
    Translation
    I'll be right back.
  23. expliquer373
    Meaning
    to explain
    Example
    Tu peux m'expliquer l'exercice ?
    Translation
    Can you explain the exercise to me?
  24. raconter374
    Meaning
    to tell (a story)
    Example
    Raconte-moi tout !
    Translation
    Tell me everything!
  25. arrêter375
    Meaning
    to stop
    Example
    Arrête de regarder ton téléphone !
    Translation
    Stop looking at your phone!
  26. continuer376
    Meaning
    to continue
    Example
    Continue, c'est super !
    Translation
    Keep going, it's great!
  27. devant377
    Meaning
    in front of
    Example
    Je suis devant le cinéma.
    Translation
    I'm in front of the movie theater.
  28. derrière378
    Meaning
    behind
    Example
    Le parc est derrière l'école.
    Translation
    The park is behind the school.
  29. seulement379
    Meaning
    only
    Example
    J'ai seulement dix euros.
    Translation
    I only have ten euros.
  30. surtout380
    Meaning
    especially
    Example
    J'aime la musique, surtout le jazz.
    Translation
    I love music, especially jazz.
  31. parfois381
    Meaning
    sometimes
    Example
    Parfois, je travaille le dimanche.
    Translation
    Sometimes I work on Sundays.
  32. rarement382
    Meaning
    rarely
    Example
    Je regarde rarement la télé.
    Translation
    I rarely watch TV.
  33. vite383
    Meaning
    quickly
    Example
    Viens vite !
    Translation
    Come quickly!
  34. lentement384
    Meaning
    slowly
    Example
    Parlez lentement, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    Please speak slowly.
  35. d'abord385
    Meaning
    first of all
    Example
    D'abord, on mange.
    Translation
    First, we eat.
  36. ensuite386
    Meaning
    then, next
    Example
    Ensuite, on va au cinéma.
    Translation
    Then we're going to the movies.
  37. en fait387
    Meaning
    actually
    Example
    En fait, je ne peux pas venir.
    Translation
    Actually, I can't come.
  38. actuellement388
    Meaning
    currently
    Example
    Je suis actuellement en stage.
    Translation
    I'm currently doing an internship.
    Tip
    False friend: it means currently, not actually.
  39. bon appétit389
    Meaning
    enjoy your meal
    Example
    Le dîner est prêt, bon appétit !
    Translation
    Dinner's ready, enjoy!
  40. santé !390
    Meaning
    cheers
    Example
    Santé, à nos vacances !
    Translation
    Cheers, to our vacation!
  41. bienvenue391
    Meaning
    welcome
    Example
    Bienvenue chez moi !
    Translation
    Welcome to my place!
    Tip
    Not for replying to thanks; that's de rien.
  42. félicitations392
    Meaning
    congratulations
    Example
    Félicitations pour ton diplôme !
    Translation
    Congratulations on your degree!
  43. bonne chance393
    Meaning
    good luck
    Example
    Bonne chance pour ton examen !
    Translation
    Good luck on your exam!
  44. bon courage394
    Meaning
    hang in there
    Example
    Tu as trois examens ? Bon courage !
    Translation
    Three exams? Hang in there!
  45. j'ai hâte395
    Meaning
    I can't wait
    Example
    J'ai hâte d'être en vacances !
    Translation
    I can't wait to be on vacation!
  46. j'ai la flemme396
    Meaning
    I can't be bothered
    Example
    J'ai la flemme de faire la vaisselle.
    Translation
    I can't be bothered to do the dishes.
    Tip
    Very common slang, not rude. Perfect for texting friends.
  47. je t'aime397
    Meaning
    I love you
    Example
    Je t'aime, tu le sais ?
    Translation
    I love you, you know that?
    Tip
    Je t'aime bien is weaker: I like you.
  48. tu me manques398
    Meaning
    I miss you
    Example
    Tu me manques trop.
    Translation
    I miss you so much.
    Tip
    Back to front: literally you are missing to me.
  49. ne t'inquiète pas399
    Meaning
    don't worry
    Example
    Ne t'inquiète pas, ça va aller.
    Translation
    Don't worry, it'll be fine.
  50. j'ai peur400
    Meaning
    I'm scared
    Example
    J'ai peur des araignées.
    Translation
    I'm scared of spiders.

Words 401–450

  1. j'ai mal à la tête401
    Meaning
    I have a headache
    Example
    J'ai mal à la tête, je vais dormir.
    Translation
    I have a headache, I'm going to sleep.
    Tip
    Swap the body part: j'ai mal au ventre, j'ai mal au dos.
  2. malade402
    Meaning
    sick
    Example
    Je suis malade aujourd'hui.
    Translation
    I'm sick today.
  3. lundi403
    Meaning
    Monday
    Example
    On se voit lundi ?
    Translation
    See you Monday?
    Tip
    Days aren't capitalized in French.
  4. mardi404
    Meaning
    Tuesday
    Example
    J'ai sport le mardi.
    Translation
    I have sports on Tuesdays.
  5. mercredi405
    Meaning
    Wednesday
    Example
    Mercredi, je suis libre.
    Translation
    On Wednesday I'm free.
  6. jeudi406
    Meaning
    Thursday
    Example
    La fête est jeudi soir.
    Translation
    The party is Thursday night.
  7. vendredi407
    Meaning
    Friday
    Example
    Vivement vendredi !
    Translation
    Can't wait for Friday!
  8. samedi408
    Meaning
    Saturday
    Example
    Samedi, on fait la fête !
    Translation
    On Saturday we're partying!
  9. midi409
    Meaning
    noon
    Example
    On mange à midi.
    Translation
    We eat at noon.
  10. minuit410
    Meaning
    midnight
    Example
    Je me couche après minuit.
    Translation
    I go to bed after midnight.
  11. la soirée411
    Meaning
    the evening (duration)
    Example
    On a passé une super soirée.
    Translation
    We had a great evening.
    Tip
    Also means a party: une soirée chez Léa.
  12. la fête412
    Meaning
    the party
    Example
    Tu viens à la fête samedi ?
    Translation
    Are you coming to the party on Saturday?
  13. l'anniversaire413
    Meaning
    the birthday
    Example
    C'est mon anniversaire demain !
    Translation
    It's my birthday tomorrow!
  14. le cadeau414
    Meaning
    the gift
    Example
    Merci pour le cadeau !
    Translation
    Thanks for the gift!
  15. le copain415
    Meaning
    the boyfriend, the buddy
    Example
    C'est mon copain, Hugo.
    Translation
    This is my boyfriend, Hugo.
    Tip
    Mon copain often means my boyfriend; un copain is just a friend.
  16. la copine416
    Meaning
    the girlfriend, the gal pal
    Example
    Je sors avec ma copine ce soir.
    Translation
    I'm going out with my girlfriend tonight.
  17. le mari417
    Meaning
    the husband
    Example
    Son mari est très sympa.
    Translation
    Her husband is really nice.
  18. les parents418
    Meaning
    the parents
    Example
    Mes parents habitent à la campagne.
    Translation
    My parents live in the countryside.
  19. le professeur419
    Meaning
    the teacher
    Example
    Le professeur est absent aujourd'hui.
    Translation
    The teacher is absent today.
    Tip
    Students say le prof or la prof.
  20. l'étudiant420
    Meaning
    the student
    Example
    Les étudiants sont en vacances.
    Translation
    The students are on vacation.
  21. le médecin421
    Meaning
    the doctor
    Example
    Le médecin dit que ce n'est rien.
    Translation
    The doctor says it's nothing.
  22. l'hôpital422
    Meaning
    the hospital
    Example
    Ma tante travaille à l'hôpital.
    Translation
    My aunt works at the hospital.
  23. le poulet423
    Meaning
    the chicken
    Example
    Je prends le poulet avec des frites.
    Translation
    I'll have the chicken with fries.
  24. le poisson424
    Meaning
    the fish
    Example
    Je ne mange pas de poisson.
    Translation
    I don't eat fish.
    Tip
    Careful: le poison, with one s, is poison.
  25. le gâteau425
    Meaning
    the cake
    Example
    Qui veut du gâteau ?
    Translation
    Who wants cake?
  26. le chocolat426
    Meaning
    the chocolate
    Example
    Un chocolat chaud, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    A hot chocolate, please.
  27. le jus427
    Meaning
    the juice
    Example
    Je bois un jus de pomme.
    Translation
    I'm drinking apple juice.
  28. le thé428
    Meaning
    the tea
    Example
    Tu veux un thé ?
    Translation
    Do you want some tea?
  29. la nourriture429
    Meaning
    the food
    Example
    La nourriture est bonne ici.
    Translation
    The food is good here.
  30. la boisson430
    Meaning
    the drink
    Example
    Qu'est-ce que tu veux comme boisson ?
    Translation
    What do you want to drink?
  31. le restaurant431
    Meaning
    the restaurant
    Example
    On va au restaurant ce soir ?
    Translation
    Shall we go to a restaurant tonight?
  32. sur place ou à emporter ?432
    Meaning
    for here or to go
    Example
    Bonjour ! Sur place ou à emporter ?
    Translation
    Hello! For here or to go?
  33. la carte433
    Meaning
    the menu, the card
    Example
    Je peux voir la carte ?
    Translation
    Can I see the menu?
    Tip
    False friend: le menu is a fixed-price set meal.
  34. le menu434
    Meaning
    the set menu
    Example
    Je prends le menu du jour.
    Translation
    I'll have today's set menu.
  35. le verre435
    Meaning
    the glass
    Example
    Un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
    Translation
    A glass of water, please.
  36. la tasse436
    Meaning
    the cup
    Example
    Une tasse de thé ?
    Translation
    A cup of tea?
  37. la chambre437
    Meaning
    the bedroom
    Example
    Ma chambre est toute petite.
    Translation
    My bedroom is tiny.
    Tip
    False friend: not a chamber. Une chambre d'hôtel = a hotel room.
  38. la pièce438
    Meaning
    the room
    Example
    L'appartement a trois pièces.
    Translation
    The apartment has three rooms.
    Tip
    Also means coin: une pièce d'un euro.
  39. la cuisine439
    Meaning
    the kitchen
    Example
    On mange dans la cuisine.
    Translation
    We eat in the kitchen.
  40. la salle de bain440
    Meaning
    the bathroom
    Example
    La salle de bain est occupée.
    Translation
    The bathroom is occupied.
  41. les toilettes441
    Meaning
    the restroom
    Example
    Où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît ?
    Translation
    Where is the restroom, please?
    Tip
    Always plural when you mean the room.
  42. la douche442
    Meaning
    the shower
    Example
    Je prends une douche.
    Translation
    I'm taking a shower.
  43. la gare443
    Meaning
    the train station
    Example
    Rendez-vous à la gare.
    Translation
    Meet at the station.
  44. l'aéroport444
    Meaning
    the airport
    Example
    Je suis à l'aéroport.
    Translation
    I'm at the airport.
  45. le magasin445
    Meaning
    the store
    Example
    Le magasin ferme à vingt heures.
    Translation
    The store closes at eight in the evening.
  46. le supermarché446
    Meaning
    the supermarket
    Example
    Je vais au supermarché.
    Translation
    I'm going to the supermarket.
  47. la banque447
    Meaning
    the bank
    Example
    Il y a une banque près d'ici ?
    Translation
    Is there a bank near here?
  48. le bureau448
    Meaning
    the office, the desk
    Example
    Je suis au bureau jusqu'à six heures.
    Translation
    I'm at the office until six.
  49. le bus449
    Meaning
    the bus
    Example
    Le bus est en retard.
    Translation
    The bus is late.
  50. le métro450
    Meaning
    the subway
    Example
    Je prends le métro pour aller en cours.
    Translation
    I take the subway to class.

Words 451–500

  1. la photo451
    Meaning
    the photo
    Example
    Tu peux prendre une photo de nous ?
    Translation
    Can you take a photo of us?
  2. la vidéo452
    Meaning
    the video
    Example
    Regarde cette vidéo, c'est trop drôle !
    Translation
    Watch this video, it's so funny!
  3. les réseaux sociaux453
    Meaning
    social media
    Example
    Je passe trop de temps sur les réseaux sociaux.
    Translation
    I spend too much time on social media.
  4. la série454
    Meaning
    the TV series
    Example
    Tu regardes quelle série en ce moment ?
    Translation
    What show are you watching right now?
  5. les vêtements455
    Meaning
    the clothes
    Example
    J'achète des vêtements.
    Translation
    I'm buying clothes.
  6. les chaussures456
    Meaning
    the shoes
    Example
    J'adore tes chaussures !
    Translation
    I love your shoes!
  7. il fait beau457
    Meaning
    the weather is nice
    Example
    Il fait beau, on sort ?
    Translation
    It's nice out, shall we go out?
  8. il pleut458
    Meaning
    it's raining
    Example
    Il pleut encore !
    Translation
    It's raining again!
  9. le nom459
    Meaning
    the name
    Example
    Quel est ton nom de famille ?
    Translation
    What's your last name?
    Tip
    Nom alone often means last name. First name is prénom.
  10. le prénom460
    Meaning
    the first name
    Example
    Mon prénom est Emma.
    Translation
    My first name is Emma.
  11. le numéro461
    Meaning
    the number
    Example
    Tu me donnes ton numéro ?
    Translation
    Can I have your number?
  12. l'adresse462
    Meaning
    the address
    Example
    Envoie-moi l'adresse.
    Translation
    Send me the address.
  13. le cours463
    Meaning
    the class
    Example
    J'ai cours à neuf heures.
    Translation
    I have class at nine.
  14. l'examen464
    Meaning
    the exam
    Example
    J'ai un examen demain.
    Translation
    I have an exam tomorrow.
    Tip
    Passer un examen = to take an exam, not to pass it.
  15. l'histoire465
    Meaning
    the story, the history
    Example
    C'est une longue histoire.
    Translation
    It's a long story.
  16. le jeu466
    Meaning
    the game
    Example
    On joue à un jeu ?
    Translation
    Shall we play a game?
  17. l'amour467
    Meaning
    the love
    Example
    L'amour, c'est compliqué.
    Translation
    Love is complicated.
  18. l'amitié468
    Meaning
    the friendship
    Example
    Notre amitié compte beaucoup pour moi.
    Translation
    Our friendship means a lot to me.
  19. le boulot469
    Meaning
    the job
    Example
    Je cherche un boulot pour l'été.
    Translation
    I'm looking for a summer job.
  20. le stage470
    Meaning
    the internship
    Example
    Je fais un stage à Paris.
    Translation
    I'm doing an internship in Paris.
  21. le prix471
    Meaning
    the price
    Example
    Le prix est raisonnable.
    Translation
    The price is reasonable.
  22. pas cher472
    Meaning
    cheap
    Example
    Ce restaurant est bon et pas cher.
    Translation
    This restaurant is good and cheap.
  23. vide473
    Meaning
    empty
    Example
    Le frigo est vide.
    Translation
    The fridge is empty.
  24. plein474
    Meaning
    full
    Example
    Le bus est plein.
    Translation
    The bus is full.
    Tip
    Plein de = lots of. Don't say je suis plein after eating.
  25. long475
    Meaning
    long
    Example
    La journée était longue.
    Translation
    The day was long.
  26. court476
    Meaning
    short (length)
    Example
    J'ai les cheveux courts.
    Translation
    I have short hair.
  27. se réveiller477
    Meaning
    to wake up
    Example
    Je me réveille à sept heures.
    Translation
    I wake up at seven.
  28. s'endormir478
    Meaning
    to fall asleep
    Example
    Je me suis endormi devant le film.
    Translation
    I fell asleep during the movie.
  29. s'amuser479
    Meaning
    to have fun
    Example
    On s'est bien amusés !
    Translation
    We had a lot of fun!
  30. s'ennuyer480
    Meaning
    to be bored
    Example
    Je m'ennuie en cours.
    Translation
    I'm bored in class.
  31. se dépêcher481
    Meaning
    to hurry
    Example
    Dépêche-toi, on est en retard !
    Translation
    Hurry up, we're late!
  32. se détendre482
    Meaning
    to relax
    Example
    Je me détends le week-end.
    Translation
    I relax on weekends.
  33. retrouver483
    Meaning
    to meet up with
    Example
    On se retrouve devant la gare ?
    Translation
    Shall we meet in front of the station?
    Tip
    Also to find something you lost.
  34. rejoindre484
    Meaning
    to join
    Example
    Je vous rejoins au café.
    Translation
    I'll join you at the café.
  35. inviter485
    Meaning
    to invite
    Example
    Je t'invite à dîner.
    Translation
    I'm taking you out to dinner.
    Tip
    Je t'invite often means it's on me.
  36. fêter486
    Meaning
    to celebrate
    Example
    On fête mon anniversaire samedi.
    Translation
    We're celebrating my birthday on Saturday.
  37. accepter487
    Meaning
    to accept
    Example
    J'accepte ton invitation.
    Translation
    I accept your invitation.
  38. refuser488
    Meaning
    to refuse
    Example
    Il a refusé de venir.
    Translation
    He refused to come.
  39. prêter489
    Meaning
    to lend
    Example
    Tu peux me prêter dix euros ?
    Translation
    Can you lend me ten euros?
  40. emprunter490
    Meaning
    to borrow
    Example
    Je peux emprunter ton chargeur ?
    Translation
    Can I borrow your charger?
    Tip
    Emprunter is to borrow, prêter is to lend. Easy to mix up.
  41. partager491
    Meaning
    to share
    Example
    On partage une pizza ?
    Translation
    Shall we share a pizza?
  42. offrir492
    Meaning
    to give (a gift)
    Example
    Je t'offre un café.
    Translation
    I'll buy you a coffee.
  43. étudier493
    Meaning
    to study
    Example
    J'étudie le droit.
    Translation
    I'm studying law.
  44. réviser494
    Meaning
    to review (for exams)
    Example
    Je révise pour mon examen.
    Translation
    I'm studying for my exam.
    Tip
    Réviser is studying for a test; étudier is your field of study.
  45. voyager495
    Meaning
    to travel
    Example
    J'adore voyager.
    Translation
    I love traveling.
  46. visiter496
    Meaning
    to visit (a place)
    Example
    On visite le musée demain.
    Translation
    We're visiting the museum tomorrow.
    Tip
    Only for places. To visit a person: rendre visite à.
  47. chanter497
    Meaning
    to sing
    Example
    Elle chante trop bien.
    Translation
    She sings so well.
  48. danser498
    Meaning
    to dance
    Example
    On va danser ce soir ?
    Translation
    Shall we go dancing tonight?
  49. rire499
    Meaning
    to laugh
    Example
    Ce film m'a fait rire.
    Translation
    This movie made me laugh.
    Tip
    Casually: rigoler. In texts, mdr means LOL.
  50. pleurer500
    Meaning
    to cry
    Example
    J'ai pleuré à la fin du film.
    Translation
    I cried at the end of the movie.

Questions

How long does it take to learn 500 French words?

At 2 new words at a time and up to 12 new words a day, about 6 weeks of daily practice. With Sorry Scroll that practice happens in 30-second steps each time you open a blocked app, so someone who opens their blocked apps 25 times a day gets there in roughly 6 weeks without setting aside study time.

Are 500 words enough to speak French?

They are enough for simple everyday exchanges: greetings, numbers, time, food, directions, feelings and the most-used verbs. They are not fluency, but they are the words you will hear and need first.

What is the best way to memorize these French words?

Learn two at a time, say each one out loud, then test yourself on them later the same day and again a few days after. Short, spaced reviews beat long sessions. Sorry Scroll schedules those reviews for you.

Is this list free?

Yes. The full list is free to read here. Sorry Scroll's app teaches the same 500 words with audio for every word and sentence, and the free plan includes every language.

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