List of 100 Most Common French Words for Beginners

Why Learn Basic French Words?

Learning basic French vocabulary is essential for:

• Engaging in Everyday Conversations: Mastering common words and phrases allows you to confidently participate in simple conversations, whether it’s greeting someone, asking for directions, or making small talk.
• Travel Convenience: If you’re traveling to French-speaking countries, knowing basic French can help you navigate daily situations more smoothly. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for help, or simply understanding signs, basic French makes travel easier and more enjoyable.
• Cultural Connection: Understanding the language opens doors to more profound insights into French culture, literature, art, and traditions. By learning essential French words, you can appreciate the beauty of French expressions and connect with native speakers on a more meaningful level.

By learning these foundational words, you not only enhance your communication skills but also deepen your connection with the language and culture.

Also Read: 60+ new words in English with meanings

Must-Know French Words for Beginners

Start your French journey with these essential categories of words:

Greetings and Polite Phrases

• Bonjour (bohn-zhoor): Hello
• Merci (mehr-see): Thank you
• S’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh): Please

Basic Pronouns

• Je (zhuh): I
• Tu (tew): You (informal)
• Il/Elle (eel/ehl): He/She

Everyday Verbs

• Être (eh-truh): To be
• Avoir (ah-vwahr): To have
• Aller (ah-lay): To go

Numbers

• Un (uh): One
• Deux (duh): Two
• Trois (trwah): Three

These words will help you feel confident navigating simple conversations and daily situations!

Also Read: GRE word list, 50 words to improve your vocabulary

Must-Know French Words for Everyday Conversations

Here are some essential French words that you’ll often use in any conversation:

• Bonjour ! — Hello / Good morning!
• Bonsoir ! — Good evening!
• Oui — Yes
• Non — No
• Excusez-moi — Excuse me
• Je suis désolé / Je suis désolée — I’m sorry (add an extra “e” if you’re female)
• S’il vous plaît — Please
• Merci — Thank you
• À bientôt — See you soon
• Au revoir — Goodbye

These words will help you get started and sound like a local in no time!

100 Most Common French Words for Beginners

Mastering the 100 most common French words for beginners is the perfect way to start your language journey. These essential words will help you build a solid foundation for everyday conversations.

Pronouns

1. Je (zhuh) – I
2. Tu (tew) – You (informal)
3. Il (eel) – He
4. Elle (ehl) – She
5. Nous (noo) – We
6. Vous (voo) – You (formal/plural)
7. Ils (eel) – They (masculine)
8. Elles (ehl) – They (feminine)

Basic Verbs

1. Être (eh-truh) – To be
2. Avoir (ah-vwahr) – To have
3. Aller (ah-lay) – To go
4. Faire (fehr) – To do/make
5. Parler (par-lay) – To speak
6. Manger (mahn-zhay) – To eat
7. Boire (bwah) – To drink
8. Voir (vwahr) – To see
9. Aimer (eh-may) – To love/like
10. Savoir (sah-vwahr) – To know (a fact)

Common Nouns

1. Homme (awm) – Man
2. Femme (fahm) – Woman
3. Enfant (ahn-fahn) – Child
4. Fille (fee) – Girl
5. Garçon (gahr-sohn) – Boy
6. Maison (meh-zohn) – House
7. Voiture (vwah-tewr) – Car
8. Chien (shyuhn) – Dog
9. Chat (shah) – Cat
10. Ville (veel) – City

Days of the Week

1. Lundi (luhn-dee) – Monday
2. Mardi (mahr-dee) – Tuesday
3. Mercredi (mehr-kruh-dee) – Wednesday
4. Jeudi (zhuh-dee) – Thursday
5. Vendredi (vahn-druh-dee) – Friday
6. Samedi (sahm-dee) – Saturday
7. Dimanche (dee-mahnsh) – Sunday

Months

1. Janvier (zhahn-vyay) – January
2. Février (fay-vree-yay) – February
3. Mars (mahrs) – March
4. Avril (ah-vreel) – April
5. Mai (meh) – May
6. Juin (zhwahn) – June
7. Juillet (zhwee-yeh) – July
8. Août (oot) – August
9. Septembre (sehp-tahm-bruh) – September
10. Octobre (ohk-toh-bruh) – October
11. Novembre (noh-vahm-bruh) – November
12. Décembre (day-sahm-bruh) – December

Numbers

1. Un (uh) – One
2. Deux (duh) – Two
3. Trois (trwah) – Three
4. Quatre (katr) – Four
5. Cinq (sank) – Five
6. Six (sees) – Six
7. Sept (set) – Seven
8. Huit (weet) – Eight
9. Neuf (nuhf) – Nine
10. Dix (dees) – Ten

Colors

1. Rouge (roozh) – Red
2. Bleu (bluh) – Blue
3. Vert (vehr) – Green
4. Jaune (zhone) – Yellow
5. Noir (nwahr) – Black
6. Blanc (blahng) – White
7. Gris (gree) – Gray
8. Rose (rohz) – Pink

Common Adjectives

1. Petit (puh-tee) – Small
2. Grand (grahn) – Big
3. Bon (bohn) – Good
4. Mauvais (moh-vay) – Bad
5. Beau (boh) – Beautiful
6. Nouveau (noo-voh) – New
7. Vieux (vyuh) – Old
8. Facile (fa-seel) – Easy
9. Difficile (dee-fee-seel) – Difficult

Basic Phrases

1. Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) – Hello
2. Salut (sah-lew) – Hi
3. Merci (mehr-see) – Thank you
4. S’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) – Please
5. Excusez-moi (ehk-skoo-zay mwah) – Excuse me
6. Oui (wee) – Yes
7. Non (nohn) – No
8. Comment ça va? (koh-mahn sah vah?) – How are you?
9. Je m’appelle… (zhuh mah-pel) – My name is…
10. Où est…? (oo eh?) – Where is…?

Family Terms

1. Père (pehr) – Father
2. Mère (mehr) – Mother
3. Frère (frehr) – Brother
4. Sœur (sur) – Sister
5. Oncle (ohn-kluh) – Uncle
6. Tante (tahnt) – Aunt

Other Useful Words

1. Aujourd’hui (oh-zhoor-dwee) – Today
2. Demain (duh-mahn) – Tomorrow
3. Hier (yair) – Yesterday
4. Toujours (too-zhoor) – Always
5. Jamais (zhah-may) – Never
6. Pourquoi (poor-kwah) – Why
7. Parce que (parce kuh) – Because
8. Ici (ee-see) – Here
9. Là (lah) – There
10. Bien (byahn) – Well

By learning the 100 most common French words for beginners, you’ll build a strong foundation to confidently navigate French conversations and immerse yourself in the language and culture.

Also Read: Hardest 5-letter words in English and how to simplify them

Easy Ways to Learn Basic French Words

Start your language journey with these simple tips:

• Use Flashcards: Write words with their pronunciation for quick memorization.
• Listen to Native Speakers: Platforms like Duolingo and YouTube are great for hearing authentic French.
• Practice Daily: Begin with basic phrases like “Bonjour!” and “Merci!” to build confidence.

Tips for Mastering French Pronunciation

Mastering French pronunciation may seem tricky, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it! Here are a few tips:

• Nasals: Words like “un” and “en” are spoken through the nose.
• Silent Letters: Often, the last consonant in words is silent, like in “femme.”
• Accents: Accent marks, like é (as in café), change how vowels sound.

Also Read: 50 new difficult English words for IELTS & TOEFL exam

Essential French Study Guide for Students

Whether you’re preparing for exams or looking to strengthen your language skills, a 12th-grade French guide or textbook is an invaluable resource. Here’s what it typically includes:

• Comprehensive Vocabulary Lists: A curated list of key French words and phrases to help expand your vocabulary for both everyday conversations and academic use.
• Clear Grammar Explanations: Detailed explanations of French grammar rules, including verb conjugations, sentence structures, and tenses, to help you grasp the language’s fundamentals.
• Interactive Practice Exercises: A variety of speaking and writing exercises designed to reinforce your learning, improve fluency, and prepare you for exams.
• Cultural Insights: Learn about French culture and context to enhance your understanding of the language and its real-world applications.

Using this guide, you can build a solid foundation in French and boost your confidence in both exams and casual conversations.

Read More: Compound words | Everything you should know about combining words

Conclusion

• Mastering the 100 most common French words for beginners and practicing them regularly will provide a strong foundation for your language journey, boosting your fluency.
• Whether for travel, education, or personal growth, knowing these essential words and phrases will significantly enhance your French skills.
• By focusing on the 100 most common French words for beginners, you’ll be able to engage in everyday conversations with ease and confidence.

FAQs

Ques 1: What are some beautiful French words and their meanings that can enhance your vocabulary?

Answer 1: Here are some beautiful French words and their meanings to enrich your vocabulary:

1. Amour-propre: Self-love or self-esteem, recognizing one’s worth.
2. Flâner: To wander aimlessly, enjoying the moment without a goal.
3. Liberté: Freedom, both physical and emotional.
4. Espoir: Hope, maintaining a positive outlook despite challenges.
5. Frisson: A thrill or shiver, often from excitement or fear.
6. Éphémère: Fleeting, something short-lived yet beautiful.
7. Rêverie: A daydream or reflective state of mind.
8. Douceur: Sweetness or gentleness in nature or action.
9. Solitude: Peaceful aloneness, often for self-reflection.
10. Mélancolie: A bittersweet sadness, filled with reflection.

Ques 2: What are 50 basic French words every beginner should learn?

Answer 2: Here are 50 essential French words every beginner should know:

1. Bonjour – Hello
2. Merci – Thank you
3. Oui – Yes
4. Non – No
5. S’il vous plaît – Please
6. Excusez-moi – Excuse me
7. Au revoir – Goodbye
8. Comment – How
9. Qui – Who
10. Quoi – What
11. Où – Where
12. Pourquoi – Why
13. Quand – When
14. Combien – How much
15. Maintenant – Now
16. Hier – Yesterday
17. Aujourd’hui – Today
18. Demain – Tomorrow
19. Matin – Morning
20. Après-midi – Afternoon
21. Soir – Evening
22. Nuit – Night
23. Homme – Man
24. Femme – Woman
25. Ami/amie – Friend
26. Enfant – Child
27. Famille – Family
28. Maison – House/Home
29. Voiture – Car
30. Chien – Dog
31. Chat – Cat
32. Manger – To eat
33. Boire – To drink
34. Dormir – To sleep
35. Travail – Work
36. Étude – Study
37. Livre – Book
38. Stylo – Pen
39. Papier – Paper
40. Ordinateur – Computer
41. Téléphone – Phone
42. Musique – Music
43. Film – Movie
44. Jouer – To play
45. Voyage – Travel
46. Temps – Time
47. Montre – Watch
48. Argent – Money
49. Bon – Good
50. Mauvais – Bad

Ques 3: What are the most common French words for beginners with meaning?  

Answer 3: Here are some of the most common French words for beginners with their meanings:

1. Bonjour – Hello/Good morning
2. Merci – Thank you
3. Oui – Yes
4. Non – No
5. S’il vous plaît – Please
6. Excusez-moi – Excuse me
7. Pardon – Sorry
8. Comment – How
9. Pourquoi – Why
10. Où – Where
11. Quand – When
12. Qui – Who
13. Combien – How much/How many
14. Je – I
15. Tu – You (informal)
16. Il/Elle – He/She
17. Nous – We
18. Vous – You (formal/plural)
19. Ils/Elles – They (masc./fem.)
20. Et – And

These words form the foundation of basic communication in French!