Are you trying to learn French? We have to admit, it’s not the easiest language, especially since there are so many exceptions. But if you want to learn French efficiently, you should start to learn the most used words in French. It might help you start some conversations with locals.
How to learn French quickly?
When we start to learn a foreign language, we all want it to be quick. We dream about being fluent after only a few months of French lessons. Well, if you’re trying to speed things up, try to focus your attention on the most used vocabulary words, grammar, sentences, etc. If you learn the most common words in French, you’ll be one step ahead.
> How to learn the French alphabet
1What types of French words should you learn ?
- the most used nouns in French
- the most used verbs in French
- the most used adjectives in French
- the most used adverbs in French
- the most used conjunctions in French
- the most used determinatives in French
- the most used prepositions in French
- the most used pronouns in French
We’re sure you started with some classic sentences, like “Où sont les toilettes?” and “J’aimerai un café et un croissant, s’il vous plaît”, but what are the most used words in French? Here are some of the most used words in the French language. These are the words you will find the most often in books and in French lessons, according to lexicologist Étienne Brunet.
230 of the most used nouns in French
Professeur (m.) = teacher
Homme (m.) = man
Mari (m.) = husband, spouse
Femme (f.) = woman, wife
Jour (m.) = day
Mer (f.) = sea, ocean
Temps (m.) = time
Main (f.) = hand
Chose (f.) = thing
Vie (f.) = life
Yeux (pl.) = eyes
Heure (f.) = hour
Monde (m.) = world
Enfant (m.) = child, kid
Fois (f.) = time
Moment (m.) = moment
Tête (f.) = head
Père (m.) = father
Fille (f.) = girl, daughter
Coeur (m.) = heart
An / année (m. et f.) = year
Terre (f.) = Earth, land
Dieu (m.) = god
Monsieur (m.) = Mr, sir, gentleman
Madame (f.) = Mrs, madam
Voix (f.) = voice
Maison (f.) = house
Air (m.) = air
Mot (m.) = word
Nuit (f.) = night
We’re not saying that these 30 words alone will allow you to participate in every French conversation. But it’s a good start! At least, you will be able to talk about family and about the world. Depending on your work experience and your passion, try to make your own “most used words in French” list. If you are already aware that you’re using the same words over and over again, just give yourself a head start.
325 of the most used verbs in French
Être = to be
Avoir = to have
Faire = to make, to do
Dire = to say
Pouvoir = to can
Aller = to go
Voir = to see
Vouloir = to want
Venir = to come
Devoir = to have to, owe
Prendre = to take
Trouver = to find
Donner = to give
Falloir = should
Parler = to speak
Mettre = to put
Savoir = to know
Passer = to go, to pass
Regarder = to watch
Aimer = to love
Croire = to believe
Demander = to ask
Rester = to stay
Répondre = to answer
Entendre = to hear
That’s a powerful list. We have to admit, you’re very likely to use these verbs in your daily life. It’s no surprise that these 30 verbs are some of the most used words in French, since they allow you to share basic information or feelings. Try to focus on this list in your next studying sessions. By the time you’ll learn how to conjugate, you’ll be ready for your first basic conversations…
Read our article about the 50 most used verbs in French!
