Word	Translation	Example
la mère	mother	Ma mère cuisine très bien. My mother cooks very well.
Possessive 'ma' (fem.) agrees with 'mère'. 'Cuisine' = present tense 3rd person of 'cuisiner'.
le père	father	Mon père travaille à la banque. My father works at the bank.
'Mon' (masc.) agrees with 'père'. 'A la' = preposition 'a' + definite article 'la'.
le fils	son	Son fils a trois ans. Her son is three years old.
'Son' = his/her (masc.). 'Avoir + ans' expresses age in French, not 'etre'.
la fille	daughter / girl	Ma fille va à l'école. My daughter goes to school.
'Va' = irregular present of 'aller'. 'A l'ecole' uses elision before vowel.
le frère	brother	Mon frère habite à Lyon. My brother lives in Lyon.
'Habite' = present 3rd person of 'habiter'. 'A + city' for location.
la sœur	sister	Ma sœur étudie la médecine. My sister studies medicine.
'Etudie' = present 3rd person of 'etudier'. Direct object 'la medecine' (no preposition).
la famille	family	La famille se réunit le dimanche. The family gets together on Sunday.
'Se reunir' = reflexive verb, present 3rd person. 'Le dimanche' = every Sunday.
le mari	husband	Son mari est très gentil. Her husband is very nice.
'Son' = her/his (masc.). 'Gentil' = masc. adjective, no agreement change needed.
la femme	wife / woman	Ma femme travaille à l'hôpital. My wife works at the hospital.
'A l'hopital' = preposition + elided article before 'h'. 'Travaille' = present 3rd person.
le bébé	baby	Le bébé dort dans son lit. The baby sleeps in its bed.
'Dort' = irregular present of 'dormir'. 'Son' agrees with 'lit' (masc.).
l'eau	water	Un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît. A glass of water, please.
'D'eau' = 'de + eau', partitive elision. Polite formula 's'il vous plait'.
le pain	bread	J'achète du pain chaque matin. I buy bread every morning.
'Du' = partitive article (de + le) for uncountable nouns. 'J'achete' = elision of 'je'.
le lait	milk	Je bois du lait au petit-déjeuner. I drink milk at breakfast.
'Du' = partitive article. 'Au' = contraction of 'a + le'. 'Bois' = irregular present of 'boire'.
le café	coffee	Je prends un café le matin. I have a coffee in the morning.
'Prends' = irregular present of 'prendre'. 'Le matin' = every morning / in the morning.
le thé	tea	Tu préfères du thé ou du café ? Do you prefer tea or coffee?
'Du' = partitive article used twice. 'Preferes' = present 2nd person of 'preferer'.
la viande	meat	Je ne mange pas de viande. I don't eat meat.
Negation 'ne...pas'. After negation, partitive becomes 'de' (not 'de la').
le poulet	chicken	Je prépare du poulet pour le dîner. I am preparing chicken for dinner.
'Du' = partitive article (de + le). 'Pour' = preposition meaning 'for'.
le poisson	fish	Le poisson est très frais. The fish is very fresh.
'Frais' = masc. adjective (fem. would be 'fraiche'). Simple present with 'etre'.
le fruit	fruit	Je mange un fruit chaque jour. I eat a fruit every day.
'Un' = indefinite article (masc.). 'Chaque' = each/every (invariable).
la pomme	apple	Cette pomme est très sucrée. This apple is very sweet.
'Cette' = fem. demonstrative adjective. 'Sucree' = fem. adjective agreeing with 'pomme'.
la salade	salad	Je veux une salade pour le déjeuner. I want a salad for lunch.
'Veux' = irregular present of 'vouloir'. 'Pour' = preposition meaning 'for'.
l'œuf	egg	Je mange deux œufs le matin. I eat two eggs in the morning.
'Oeufs' = irregular plural of 'oeuf'. 'Le matin' = temporal expression with article.
le fromage	cheese	J'adore le fromage français. I love French cheese.
'J'adore' = elision. 'Francais' = masc. adjective agreeing with 'fromage'.
le légume	vegetable	Les légumes sont bons pour la santé. Vegetables are good for health.
'Bons' = masc. plural of 'bon'. 'Pour la sante' = preposition + fem. noun.
la maison	house / home	Je rentre à la maison à six heures. I go home at six o'clock.
'A la maison' = to/at home. 'Rentre' = present 1st person of 'rentrer'.
la cuisine	kitchen	La cuisine est très lumineuse. The kitchen is very bright.
'Lumineuse' = fem. adjective agreeing with 'cuisine'. Masc. form is 'lumineux'.
la chambre	bedroom	Ma chambre est grande. My bedroom is big.
'Grande' = fem. adjective agreeing with 'chambre'. Masc. form is 'grand'.
la salle de bains	bathroom	La salle de bains est au fond. The bathroom is at the end.
'Au fond' = contraction 'a + le' + 'fond'. Compound noun 'salle de bains'.
le salon	living room	On regarde la télé dans le salon. We watch TV in the living room.
'On' = informal 'we'. 'Dans le' = in the (masc.).
le jardin	garden	On a un jardin avec des fleurs. We have a garden with flowers.
'On a' = 'we have'. 'Des' = indefinite plural article. 'Avec' = with.
la porte	door	Ouvre la porte, s'il te plaît. Open the door, please.
Imperative 2nd person 'ouvre' (tu form). 'S'il te plait' = informal please.
la fenêtre	window	Ouvre la fenêtre, il fait chaud. Open the window, it's hot.
Imperative mood (tu form). 'Il fait chaud' = impersonal expression for weather.
la table	table	Les assiettes sont sur la table. The plates are on the table.
'Sur' = preposition meaning 'on'. 'Les' = definite plural article.
la chaise	chair	Assieds-toi sur cette chaise. Sit on this chair.
Reflexive imperative 'assieds-toi' (s'asseoir, tu form). Pronoun follows verb with hyphen.
le lit	bed	Le lit est très confortable. The bed is very comfortable.
Simple present with 'etre'. 'Confortable' is invariable for gender.
la clé	key	Je ne trouve pas ma clé. I can't find my key.
Negation 'ne...pas' around verb 'trouve'. 'Ma' = possessive fem. singular.
la tête	head	J'ai mal à la tête. I have a headache.
'Avoir mal a' = to have pain in. 'A la' = preposition + fem. article.
l'œil	eye	Elle a les yeux bleus. She has blue eyes.
'Yeux' = irregular plural of 'oeil'. 'Bleus' = adj. agrees in plural.
le nez	nose	Elle a un petit nez. She has a small nose.
'Petit' = adjective placed before noun (BAGS rule). 'Un' = indefinite masc.
la bouche	mouth	Ouvre la bouche pour le dentiste. Open your mouth for the dentist.
Imperative (tu form). 'Pour' = for. Articles used with body parts.
la main	hand	Lave-toi les mains avant de manger. Wash your hands before eating.
Reflexive imperative 'lave-toi'. Body parts use article (not possessive) with reflexive verbs.
le bras	arm	Je me suis cassé le bras. I broke my arm.
Passe compose with reflexive 'se casser'. Auxiliary 'etre' used. Article for body parts.
la jambe	leg	J'ai mal à la jambe. My leg hurts.
'Avoir mal a + article' = standard expression for pain. 'La' = fem. article.
le pied	foot	J'ai mal aux pieds. My feet hurt.
'Aux' = contraction of 'a + les' (plural). 'Pieds' = plural of 'pied'.
les cheveux	hair	Elle a les cheveux longs. She has long hair.
'Les cheveux' always plural. 'Longs' = masc. plural adj. agrees with 'cheveux'.
la chemise	shirt	Il porte une chemise bleue. He is wearing a blue shirt.
'Porte' = present of 'porter'. 'Bleue' = fem. adjective agreeing with 'chemise'.
le pantalon	pants / trousers	Ce pantalon est nouveau. These pants are new.
'Ce' = masc. demonstrative. 'Nouveau' = masc. adjective (fem. 'nouvelle').
la robe	dress	J'ai acheté une robe pour la fête. I bought a dress for the party.
'Ai achete' = passe compose of 'acheter'. 'Pour la' = for the (fem.).
la chaussure	shoe	J'ai besoin de chaussures neuves. I need new shoes.
'Avoir besoin de' = to need. 'Neuves' = fem. plural adj. (brand new).
la veste	jacket	Prends ta veste, il fait froid. Take your jacket, it's cold.
Imperative 'prends' (tu form). 'Il fait froid' = impersonal weather expression.
le manteau	coat	Il faut un manteau en hiver. You need a coat in winter.
'Il faut' = impersonal 'it is necessary'. 'En hiver' = in winter (no article).
les lunettes	glasses	J'ai besoin de lunettes pour lire. I need glasses to read.
'Avoir besoin de' = to need. 'Lunettes' always plural. 'Pour + infinitive'.
les vêtements	clothes / clothing	Je dois laver les vêtements. I need to wash the clothes.
'Dois' = present of 'devoir' (must). 'Laver' = infinitive after modal verb.
le sac	bag	Mon sac est sur la chaise. My bag is on the chair.
'Mon' = possessive (masc.). 'Sur' = on. Simple 'etre' + location.
l'heure	hour / time	Quelle heure est-il ? What time is it?
Inversion 'est-il' for formal question. 'Quelle' = fem. interrogative adj.
le jour	day	C'est un beau jour. It's a beautiful day.
'C'est' = it is. 'Beau' = masc. adj. before noun (BAGS rule, special form before vowel: 'bel').
la nuit	night	La nuit est très calme. The night is very calm.
'Calme' = adjective invariable for gender. 'Nuit' is feminine.
l'après-midi	afternoon	J'étudie l'après-midi. I study in the afternoon.
'L'apres-midi' = elision. Can be masc. or fem. No preposition needed for time.
la semaine	week	La semaine prochaine j'ai des vacances. Next week I have vacation.
'Prochaine' = fem. adj. after noun. 'Des' = indefinite plural article.
le mois	month	Ce mois j'ai beaucoup de travail. This month I have a lot of work.
'Beaucoup de' = much/a lot of (quantity expression with 'de', no article).
tôt	early	Je me lève tôt le lundi. I get up early on Monday.
Reflexive 'se lever' in present. 'Le lundi' = every Monday (habitual).
bientôt	soon	À bientôt ! See you soon!
Fixed expression meaning 'see you soon'. 'A' = preposition (until).
le soleil	sun	Il y a du soleil aujourd'hui. It's sunny today.
'Il y a' = there is. 'Du' = partitive (de + le) for weather expressions.
la pluie	rain	La pluie ne s'arrête pas. The rain doesn't stop.
Reflexive 's'arreter' with negation 'ne...pas'. Elision in 's'arrete'.
le vent	wind	Il y a beaucoup de vent. There is a lot of wind.
'Il y a' = there is. 'Beaucoup de' = quantity expression (no article after 'de').
chaud	hot / warm	Il fait chaud en été. It's hot in summer.
'Il fait' = impersonal weather. 'En ete' = in summer (no article with seasons after 'en').
froid	cold	Il fait froid ce matin. It's cold this morning.
'Il fait' = impersonal for weather/temperature. 'Ce matin' = this morning.
le temps	weather / time	Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui ? What is the weather like today?
'Quel' = masc. interrogative adj. Inversion 'fait-il' for formal question.
pleuvoir	to rain	Il va pleuvoir cet après-midi. It's going to rain this afternoon.
'Il va + infinitive' = near future (futur proche). 'Pleuvoir' = impersonal verb.
l'été	summer	L'été est ma saison préférée. Summer is my favorite season.
'L'ete' = elision. 'Preferee' = fem. past participle as adj. agreeing with 'saison'.
l'hiver	winter	En hiver j'ai besoin d'un manteau. In winter I need a coat.
'En hiver' = in winter. 'D'un' = de + un (elision). 'Avoir besoin de'.
le chien	dog	Mon chien s'appelle Max. My dog's name is Max.
Reflexive 's'appeler' = to be called. 'Mon' = possessive masc.
le chat	cat	Le chat dort sur le canapé. The cat sleeps on the sofa.
'Dort' = irregular present of 'dormir' (3rd person). 'Sur le' = on the.
l'oiseau	bird	Les oiseaux chantent le matin. The birds sing in the morning.
'Oiseaux' = irregular plural of 'oiseau'. 'Le matin' = in the morning.
le cheval	horse	J'aime monter à cheval. I like to ride horses.
'Aimer + infinitive'. 'A cheval' = on horseback (fixed expression, no article).
l'animal	animal	J'aime beaucoup les animaux. I really like animals.
'Animaux' = irregular plural of 'animal'. 'Beaucoup' = adverb (very much).
le professeur	teacher / professor	Le professeur explique la leçon. The teacher explains the lesson.
Present 3rd person of 'expliquer'. 'La' = definite fem. article before 'lecon'.
le médecin	doctor	Le médecin dit que je vais bien. The doctor says I am fine.
'Dit que' = says that. 'Vais bien' = present of 'aller' meaning to be well.
le policier	police officer	Le policier aide le touriste. The police officer helps the tourist.
Present 3rd person of 'aider'. Two masculine nouns with 'le'.
l'étudiant	student	Je suis étudiant en français. I am a French student.
No article before profession after 'etre'. 'En francais' = in French.
le serveur	waiter	Le serveur apporte l'addition. The waiter brings the bill.
'L'addition' = elision before vowel. 'Apporte' = present of 'apporter'.
le livre	book	Je lis un livre intéressant. I am reading an interesting book.
'Lis' = irregular present of 'lire'. Adj. 'interessant' after noun.
la classe	class / classroom	La classe commence à neuf heures. Class starts at nine o'clock.
'A + time' = at (hour). 'Commence' = present of 'commencer'.
l'école	school	Les enfants vont à l'école. The children go to school.
'Vont' = irregular plural present of 'aller'. 'A l'ecole' = elision before vowel.
l'examen	exam / test	J'ai un examen demain. I have an exam tomorrow.
'Avoir' = to have. 'Demain' = tomorrow (adverb, no preposition needed).
la question	question	Je peux poser une question ? Can I ask a question?
'Peux' = irregular present of 'pouvoir'. 'Poser une question' = fixed expression.
la réponse	answer	Je ne sais pas la bonne réponse. I don't know the right answer.
Negation 'ne...pas'. 'Sais' = irregular present of 'savoir'. 'Bonne' = fem. adj.
le mot	word	Je ne connais pas ce mot. I don't know this word.
'Connais' = present of 'connaitre' (to know/be familiar with). 'Ce' = masc. demonstrative.
la langue	language / tongue	Combien de langues tu parles ? How many languages do you speak?
'Combien de' = how many (quantity, no article). Informal question by intonation.
le devoir	homework / duty	Je dois faire mes devoirs. I must do my homework.
'Dois' = present of 'devoir' + infinitive. 'Mes' = possessive plural.
l'argent	money	Je n'ai pas assez d'argent. I don't have enough money.
Negation 'n'...pas'. 'Assez de' = enough (quantity, no article). Elision 'd'argent'.
le prix	price	Quel est le prix de ceci ? What is the price of this?
'Quel' = masc. interrogative adj. 'Ceci' = demonstrative pronoun 'this'.
le magasin	store / shop	Le magasin ferme à huit heures. The store closes at eight o'clock.
'Ferme' = present of 'fermer'. 'A + time' = at a specific hour.
le supermarché	supermarket	Je vais au supermarché acheter du lait. I'm going to the supermarket to buy milk.
'Au' = contraction 'a + le'. 'Du' = partitive. 'Vais + infinitive' = near future.
le marché	market	Le marché a des fruits frais. The market has fresh fruit.
'Des' = indefinite plural. 'Frais' = masc. plural adj. (same form as singular).
bon marché	cheap / inexpensive	Ce restaurant est bon marché. This restaurant is cheap.
'Bon marche' = invariable expression meaning cheap. 'Ce' = masc. demonstrative.
cher	expensive	Cet hôtel est très cher. This hotel is very expensive.
'Cet' = masc. demonstrative before vowel/h. 'Cher' = masc. adj. (fem. 'chere').
payer	to pay	Je peux payer par carte ? Can I pay by card?
'Peux' = present of 'pouvoir'. 'Par carte' = by card (no article).
la carte	card / map	Je paie avec ma carte bancaire. I pay with my bank card.
'Paie' = present of 'payer'. 'Bancaire' = adj. agreeing with 'carte' (invariable form).
le cadeau	gift / present	J'ai acheté un cadeau pour ma mère. I bought a gift for my mother.
Passe compose 'ai achete'. 'Pour' = for. 'Ma' = possessive fem.
gauche	left	Tourne à gauche au coin. Turn left at the corner.
Imperative (tu form). 'A gauche' = to the left. 'Au coin' = contraction 'a + le'.
droite	right	La banque est à droite. The bank is on the right.
'A droite' = on/to the right. Preposition 'a' + noun = location.
tout droit	straight ahead	Continue tout droit pendant deux rues. Go straight ahead for two blocks.
Imperative (tu form). 'Tout droit' = straight ahead. 'Pendant' = for (duration).
la rue	street	J'habite dans cette rue. I live on this street.
'Cette' = fem. demonstrative. 'Dans' = in. 'Habite' = present of 'habiter'.
en face	in front of / opposite	Le restaurant est en face de la banque. The restaurant is opposite the bank.
'En face de' = compound preposition meaning opposite. 'De la' = of the (fem.).
à côté de	next to	Ma maison est à côté du parc. My house is next to the park.
'A cote de' = next to. 'Du' = contraction of 'de + le' (masc.).
dedans	inside	Les enfants sont dedans. The children are inside.
'Dedans' = adverb meaning inside (no preposition needed). 'Sont' = present of 'etre'.
dehors	outside	On va manger dehors. We are going to eat outside.
'On va + infinitive' = near future. 'Dehors' = adverb meaning outside.
en haut	upstairs / up	Ma chambre est en haut. My bedroom is upstairs.
'En haut' = adverbial expression meaning upstairs. No article needed.
content	happy / glad	Je suis content du résultat. I am happy with the result.
'Content de' = happy with. 'Du' = contraction of 'de + le'.
heureux	happy	Aujourd'hui c'est un jour heureux. Today is a happy day.
'C'est' = it is. 'Heureux' = masc. adj. (same form in plural).
triste	sad	Je suis triste, mon ami est parti. I am sad, my friend has left.
'Est parti' = passe compose with 'etre' (motion verb 'partir'). Past participle agrees.
fatigué	tired	Je suis fatigué après le travail. I am tired after work.
'Fatigue' = past participle as adj. (masc.). Fem. would be 'fatiguee'.
malade	sick / ill	Je suis malade, je ne peux pas venir. I am sick, I can't come.
'Ne...pas' negation. 'Peux' = present of 'pouvoir' + infinitive.
inquiet	worried	Je suis inquiet pour l'examen. I am worried about the exam.
'Inquiet' = masc. adj. (fem. 'inquiete'). 'Pour' = about/for.
nerveux	nervous	Je suis nerveux avant le test. I am nervous before the test.
'Nerveux' = masc. adj. (fem. 'nerveuse'). 'Avant' = before (preposition).
tranquille	calm / quiet	Ce quartier est très tranquille. This neighborhood is very quiet.
'Ce' = masc. demonstrative. 'Tranquille' = adj. same form for both genders.
surpris	surprised	Je suis surpris par la nouvelle. I am surprised by the news.
'Surpris' = past participle of 'surprendre' as adj. 'Par' = by (agent).
ennuyé	bored / annoyed	Le film est ennuyeux. The movie is boring.
'Ennuyeux' = masc. adj. (fem. 'ennuyeuse'). Note: word entry is 'ennuye' but sentence uses '-eux'.
le bus	bus	Le bus arrive dans cinq minutes. The bus arrives in five minutes.
'Dans + time' = in (future time expression). 'Arrive' = present of 'arriver'.
la voiture	car	Je vais au travail en voiture. I go to work by car.
'Au' = contraction 'a + le'. 'En voiture' = by car (no article with 'en' + transport).
le train	train	Le train pour Lyon part à dix heures. The train to Lyon leaves at ten.
'Part' = present of irregular 'partir'. 'Pour' = to/for (destination).
l'avion	airplane	L'avion part à six heures du matin. The plane leaves at six in the morning.
'Du matin' = contraction 'de + le'. 'L'avion' = elision before vowel.
le vélo	bicycle	Je vais au travail à vélo. I go to work by bicycle.
'A velo' = by bicycle. 'Au travail' = contraction 'a + le'.
le métro	subway / metro	Je prends le métro tous les jours. I take the metro every day.
'Prends' = irregular present of 'prendre'. 'Tous les jours' = every day.
la gare	train station	La gare est tout près d'ici. The train station is very close.
'Tout pres' = very close. 'D'ici' = from here (de + ici, elision).
l'aéroport	airport	L'aéroport est loin du centre. The airport is far from downtown.
'Loin de' = far from. 'Du' = contraction of 'de + le'.
le billet	ticket	J'ai acheté un billet aller-retour. I bought a round-trip ticket.
Passe compose 'ai achete'. 'Aller-retour' = compound adj. (invariable).
la route	road	La route est longue. The road is long.
'Longue' = fem. adj. agreeing with 'route'. Masc. form is 'long'.
l'hôpital	hospital	L'hôpital est dans cette rue. The hospital is on this street.
'L'hopital' = elision before 'h muet'. 'Cette' = fem. demonstrative.
la pharmacie	pharmacy	Je vais à la pharmacie. I am going to the pharmacy.
'A la' = to the (fem.). 'Vais' = present of 'aller'.
la banque	bank	Je dois aller à la banque. I need to go to the bank.
'Dois + infinitive' = must go. 'A la' = to the (fem.).
le parc	park	On va se promener au parc. We are going for a walk in the park.
'Se promener' = reflexive verb. 'Au' = contraction 'a + le'. Near future with 'aller'.
le restaurant	restaurant	On dîne dans un restaurant italien. We are dining at an Italian restaurant.
'Italien' = masc. adj. agreeing with 'restaurant'. 'Dans' = in.
l'hôtel	hotel	On a réservé un hôtel près de la plage. We booked a hotel near the beach.
Passe compose with 'avoir'. 'Pres de' = near. 'De la' = of the (fem.).
le musée	museum	Le musée ouvre à dix heures. The museum opens at ten o'clock.
'Ouvre' = present of 'ouvrir'. 'A + time' = at (hour).
la bibliothèque	library	J'étudie à la bibliothèque. I study at the library.
'A la' = at the (fem.). 'Etudie' = present 1st person of 'etudier'.
le cinéma	cinema / movie theater	On va au cinéma vendredi. We go to the cinema on Friday.
'Au' = contraction 'a + le'. No article before day of week for 'this Friday'.
la plage	beach	La plage est très belle. The beach is very beautiful.
'Belle' = fem. adj. of 'beau'. Agrees with 'plage' (fem.).
le bureau	office / desk	Je travaille dans un grand bureau. I work in a big office.
'Grand' = adj. before noun (BAGS rule). 'Dans un' = in a.
la ville	city / town	J'aime vivre en ville. I like living in the city.
'Aimer + infinitive'. 'En ville' = in the city (no article with 'en').
le pays	country	La France est un beau pays. France is a beautiful country.
'Beau' = masc. adj. before noun (BAGS rule). 'Pays' = masc. noun.
la montagne	mountain	Les montagnes sont très hautes. The mountains are very high.
'Hautes' = fem. plural adj. agreeing with 'montagnes'.
la rivière	river	La rivière traverse la ville. The river crosses the city.
'Traverse' = present of 'traverser'. Direct object 'la ville'.
le téléphone	telephone / phone	Mon téléphone est sur la table. My phone is on the table.
'Mon' = possessive masc. 'Sur la' = on the (fem.).
la fête	party / celebration	La fête est samedi soir. The party is Saturday night.
No article before 'samedi' meaning 'this Saturday'. 'Soir' = evening.
l'ami	friend (male)	Je sors avec mes amis. I go out with my friends.
'Sors' = irregular present of 'sortir'. 'Avec' = with. 'Mes' = possessive plural.
le voisin	neighbor	Mon voisin est très sympathique. My neighbor is very nice.
'Sympathique' = adj. same form for both genders. Follows 'etre'.
l'anniversaire	birthday	Demain c'est mon anniversaire. Tomorrow is my birthday.
'C'est' = it is. 'Mon' = possessive masc. 'Demain' = adverb (no preposition).
les vacances	vacation / holidays	Les vacances commencent en juillet. Vacation starts in July.
'Les vacances' always plural. 'En + month' = in (no article).
le travail	work / job	Mon travail est intéressant. My job is interesting.
'Interessant' = masc. adj. agreeing with 'travail'.
l'enfant	child	L'enfant joue avec son ballon. The child plays with his ball.
'L'enfant' = elision. 'Son' = possessive masc. agreeing with 'ballon'.
le garçon	boy	Ce garçon est mon camarade de classe. This boy is my classmate.
'Ce' = masc. demonstrative. 'Camarade de classe' = compound noun.
l'homme	man	Cet homme est mon professeur. This man is my teacher.
'Cet' = masc. demonstrative before vowel/h. No article before profession.
la vie	life	La vie en ville est rapide. Life in the city is fast.
'En ville' = in the city. 'Rapide' = adj. invariable for gender.
le problème	problem	Il n'y a pas de problème. There is no problem.
Negation of 'il y a'. After negation, 'de' replaces indefinite article.
la musique	music	La musique est trop forte. The music is too loud.
'Forte' = fem. adj. agreeing with 'musique'. 'Trop' = too (adverb).
le film	movie / film	Ce film est très bon. This movie is very good.
'Ce' = masc. demonstrative. 'Bon' = masc. adj. (fem. 'bonne').
la santé	health	La santé est très importante. Health is very important.
'Importante' = fem. adj. agreeing with 'sante'. 'Est' = present of 'etre'.
le repas	meal	Le repas est délicieux. The meal is delicious.
'Delicieux' = masc. adj. (same form singular/plural). Fem. 'delicieuse'.
manger	to eat	Je mange une pomme chaque matin. I eat an apple every morning.
Regular -er verb, 1st person present 'mange'. 'Chaque' = every (invariable determiner).
boire	to drink	Il boit du café le matin. He drinks coffee in the morning.
Irregular verb 'boire': bois, bois, boit, buvons, buvez, boivent. 'Du' = partitive article.
dormir	to sleep	Je dors huit heures par nuit. I sleep eight hours per night.
Irregular -ir: dors, dors, dort, dormons. 'Par nuit' = per night (no article).
parler	to speak / to talk	Je parle français et anglais. I speak French and English.
Regular -er verb. Languages take no article after 'parler'. 'Et' = and.
habiter	to live (reside)	J'habite à Paris depuis deux ans. I have lived in Paris for two years.
Regular -er with elision 'j'habite'. 'Depuis' + present tense = for (ongoing duration).
travailler	to work	Mon père travaille dans un bureau. My father works in an office.
Regular -er verb. 'Dans un' = in a. Present tense for habitual action.
étudier	to study	J'étudie le français à l'école. I study French at school.
Regular -er verb with elision. Article 'le' before language when used as direct object.
acheter	to buy	J'achète du pain à la boulangerie. I buy bread at the bakery.
Stem-changing: è in stressed syllable (j'achète, but achetons). 'Du' = partitive for uncountable.
regarder	to watch / to look at	On regarde un film ce soir. We are watching a movie tonight.
Regular -er verb. 'On' = informal 'we'. 'Ce soir' = tonight (demonstrative + noun).
écouter	to listen to	J'écoute de la musique le soir. I listen to music in the evening.
Regular -er verb. 'De la' = partitive (fem.). No preposition needed unlike English 'listen to'.
lire	to read	Je lis un livre avant de dormir. I read a book before sleeping.
Irregular verb: lis, lis, lit, lisons. 'Avant de + infinitive' = before doing something.
écrire	to write	J'écris un message à mon ami. I write a message to my friend.
Irregular verb: écris, écris, écrit, écrivons. 'À + person' = to someone.
prendre	to take	Je prends le bus chaque matin. I take the bus every morning.
Irregular verb: prends, prends, prend, prenons. 'Chaque' = every.
aller	to go	Je vais à l'école à pied. I go to school on foot.
Highly irregular: vais, vas, va, allons, allez, vont. 'À pied' = on foot (no article).
venir	to come	Tu viens chez moi ce soir ? Are you coming to my place tonight?
Irregular: viens, viens, vient, venons. 'Chez moi' = at my place. Question by intonation.
faire	to do / to make	Je fais mes devoirs après l'école. I do my homework after school.
Highly irregular: fais, fais, fait, faisons, faites, font. 'Après' = after.
avoir	to have	J'ai deux frères et une sœur. I have two brothers and a sister.
Irregular: ai, as, a, avons, avez, ont. Used for age, hunger, thirst in French.
être	to be	Je suis content aujourd'hui. I am happy today.
Highly irregular: suis, es, est, sommes, êtes, sont. Most frequently used French verb.
pouvoir	to be able to / can	Je peux venir demain. I can come tomorrow.
Irregular modal: peux, peux, peut, pouvons. Followed by infinitive. 'Demain' = tomorrow.
vouloir	to want	Je veux un café, s'il vous plaît. I want a coffee, please.
Irregular: veux, veux, veut, voulons. Polite form: 'je voudrais' (conditional).
devoir	to have to / must	Je dois partir à huit heures. I must leave at eight o'clock.
Irregular modal: dois, dois, doit, devons. Followed by infinitive for obligation.
savoir	to know (a fact)	Je sais où est la gare. I know where the station is.
Irregular: sais, sais, sait, savons. Indirect question with 'où' (no inversion needed).
aimer	to like / to love	J'aime le chocolat et les fruits. I like chocolate and fruit.
Regular -er verb. 'Le/les' before general nouns with 'aimer'. Elision 'j'aime'.
chercher	to look for	Je cherche mes clés partout. I am looking for my keys everywhere.
Regular -er verb. No preposition needed (unlike English 'look for'). 'Partout' = everywhere.
jouer	to play	Les enfants jouent dans le parc. The children play in the park.
Regular -er verb. 'Jouer à' = play a sport/game. 'Jouer de' = play an instrument.
donner	to give	Je donne un livre à mon frère. I give a book to my brother.
Regular -er verb. 'Donner quelque chose à quelqu'un' = give something to someone.
attendre	to wait (for)	J'attends le bus depuis dix minutes. I have been waiting for the bus for ten minutes.
Regular -re verb: attends, attends, attend. No preposition needed (unlike English 'wait for').
ouvrir	to open	J'ouvre la fenêtre le matin. I open the window in the morning.
Irregular -ir (conjugates like -er): ouvre, ouvres, ouvre, ouvrons.
fermer	to close	Ferme la porte, s'il te plaît. Close the door, please.
Regular -er verb. Imperative (tu form) drops -s for -er verbs. 'S'il te plaît' = informal please.
marcher	to walk	Je marche vingt minutes pour aller au travail. I walk twenty minutes to get to work.
Regular -er verb. 'Pour + infinitive' = in order to. 'Au' contracts 'à + le'.
courir	to run	Il court dans le parc chaque matin. He runs in the park every morning.
Irregular -ir: cours, cours, court, courons. 'Dans le' = in the (masc.).
cuisiner	to cook	Ma mère cuisine un bon repas le dimanche. My mother cooks a good meal on Sunday.
Regular -er verb. 'Bon' before noun (BAGS rule). 'Le dimanche' = every Sunday.
se lever	to get up	Je me lève à sept heures. I get up at seven o'clock.
Reflexive verb with stem-change: me lève, te lèves, se lève. 'À + time' for clock hours.
se coucher	to go to bed	Les enfants se couchent à neuf heures. The children go to bed at nine o'clock.
Reflexive -er verb. 'Se' becomes me/te/se/nous/vous/se depending on person.
se promener	to go for a walk	On se promène dans le parc le dimanche. We go for a walk in the park on Sundays.
Reflexive with stem change: promène. 'On' + reflexive 'se'. 'Le dimanche' = every Sunday.
s'habiller	to get dressed	Je m'habille vite le matin. I get dressed quickly in the morning.
Reflexive -er verb with elision 'm'habille'. 'Vite' = quickly (invariable adverb).
commencer	to begin / to start	L'école commence à huit heures trente. School starts at eight thirty.
Spelling change: c becomes ç before a/o (nous commençons). 'À' + time for clock hours.
finir	to finish	Je finis le travail à cinq heures. I finish work at five o'clock.
Regular -ir verb (2nd group): finis, finis, finit, finissons. Note '-iss-' in plural forms.
choisir	to choose	Tu choisis quel film ce soir ? Which movie do you choose tonight?
Regular -ir verb (2nd group): choisis, choisit, choisissons. Informal question by intonation.
comprendre	to understand	Je ne comprends pas cette phrase. I don't understand this sentence.
Irregular like 'prendre': comprends, comprend, comprenons. 'Ne...pas' = negation.
mettre	to put / to put on	Je mets mon manteau car il fait froid. I put on my coat because it's cold.
Irregular: mets, mets, met, mettons. 'Car' = because. 'Il fait froid' = impersonal weather.
partir	to leave	Je pars au travail à huit heures. I leave for work at eight o'clock.
Irregular -ir: pars, pars, part, partons. Uses 'être' in passé composé (motion verb).
arriver	to arrive	Le train arrive à midi. The train arrives at noon.
Regular -er verb. Uses 'être' in passé composé (motion verb). 'À midi' = at noon.
rentrer	to come back / to go home	Je rentre à la maison après le travail. I come home after work.
Regular -er verb. Uses 'être' in passé composé. 'À la maison' = home.
sortir	to go out	Je sors avec mes amis le vendredi. I go out with my friends on Fridays.
Irregular -ir: sors, sors, sort, sortons. 'Le vendredi' = every Friday.
entrer	to enter	On entre dans le magasin. We enter the store.
Regular -er verb. 'Entrer dans' = to enter (requires 'dans'). Uses 'être' in passé composé.
apprendre	to learn	J'apprends le français depuis un an. I have been learning French for a year.
Irregular like 'prendre': apprends, apprend, apprenons. 'Depuis' + present for ongoing action.
se laver	to wash oneself	Je me lave les mains avant de manger. I wash my hands before eating.
Reflexive -er verb. Body parts use definite article (not possessive) with reflexive verbs.
nager	to swim	J'aime nager à la plage en été. I like to swim at the beach in summer.
Regular -er verb. 'Aimer + infinitive' = to like doing. 'En été' = in summer.
conduire	to drive	Mon père conduit la voiture. My father drives the car.
Irregular -re verb: conduis, conduis, conduit, conduisons. Direct object 'la voiture'.
aider	to help	Tu m'aides avec les devoirs ? Can you help me with the homework?
Regular -er verb. Direct object pronoun 'm'' (me) before verb. 'Avec' = with.
demander	to ask	Je demande au professeur. I ask the teacher.
Regular -er verb. 'Demander à quelqu'un' = to ask someone. 'Au' contracts 'à + le'.
grand	big / tall	Ma maison est grande avec un jardin. My house is big with a garden.
Masc. 'grand', fem. 'grande'. BAGS adjective placed before noun. Agrees with noun gender.
petit	small / short	Le petit chat dort sur le lit. The small cat sleeps on the bed.
Masc. 'petit', fem. 'petite'. BAGS adjective placed before noun. 'Dort' = present of dormir.
nouveau	new	J'ai un nouveau téléphone. I have a new phone.
Masc. 'nouveau' (before consonant), 'nouvel' (before vowel), fem. 'nouvelle'. Before noun (BAGS).
beau	beautiful / handsome	C'est un beau jardin avec des fleurs. It's a beautiful garden with flowers.
Masc. 'beau' (before consonant), 'bel' (before vowel), fem. 'belle'. Before noun (BAGS).
jeune	young	La jeune fille parle trois langues. The young girl speaks three languages.
Same form for masc. and fem. BAGS adjective placed before noun.
vieux	old	Mon voisin est un vieil homme. My neighbor is an old man.
Masc. 'vieux' (before consonant), 'vieil' (before vowel), fem. 'vieille'. Before noun.
bon	good	Ce restaurant est très bon. This restaurant is very good.
Masc. 'bon', fem. 'bonne'. Before noun (BAGS). Comparative is 'meilleur' (not 'plus bon').
mauvais	bad	Le temps est mauvais aujourd'hui. The weather is bad today.
Masc. 'mauvais', fem. 'mauvaise'. Can go before noun. 'Aujourd'hui' = today.
long	long	La route est longue jusqu'à Lyon. The road is long to Lyon.
Masc. 'long', fem. 'longue'. Usually placed after noun. 'Jusqu'à' = until/up to.
blanc	white	Elle porte une chemise blanche. She wears a white shirt.
Masc. 'blanc', fem. 'blanche'. Color adjectives go after the noun.
noir	black	Le chat noir est dans le jardin. The black cat is in the garden.
Masc. 'noir', fem. 'noire'. Color adjective placed after noun.
rouge	red	La voiture rouge est rapide. The red car is fast.
Same form for masc./fem. Plural adds -s: 'rouges'. Color adjective after noun.
bleu	blue	Le ciel est bleu aujourd'hui. The sky is blue today.
Masc. 'bleu', fem. 'bleue'. Color adjective placed after noun.
vert	green	Le jardin est très vert en été. The garden is very green in summer.
Masc. 'vert', fem. 'verte'. Color adjective placed after noun. 'En été' = in summer.
propre	clean	La chambre est propre et rangée. The bedroom is clean and tidy.
Same form for masc./fem. After noun = clean. Before noun = own ('mon propre lit').
facile	easy	Cet exercice est très facile. This exercise is very easy.
Same form for masc./fem. 'Cet' = masc. demonstrative before vowel. 'Très' = very.
difficile	difficult	Le français est un peu difficile. French is a bit difficult.
Same form for masc./fem. 'Un peu' = a little. Article 'le' before language as subject.
rapide	fast	Le train est très rapide. The train is very fast.
Same form for masc./fem. 'Très' = very (adverb). Usually placed after noun.
lent	slow	Le bus est lent le matin. The bus is slow in the morning.
Masc. 'lent', fem. 'lente'. 'Le matin' = in the morning (habitual use).
joli	pretty	C'est une jolie maison. It's a pretty house.
Masc. 'joli', fem. 'jolie'. Before noun (BAGS rule). 'C'est' = it is.
ouvert	open	Le magasin est ouvert le dimanche. The store is open on Sunday.
Past participle of 'ouvrir' used as adjective. Fem. 'ouverte'. 'Le dimanche' = on Sundays.
fermé	closed	La banque est fermée le samedi. The bank is closed on Saturday.
Past participle of 'fermer' as adjective. Fem. 'fermée' agrees with 'banque' (feminine).
prêt	ready	Le repas est prêt. The meal is ready.
Masc. 'prêt', fem. 'prête'. Used as predicate adjective with 'être'.
libre	free / available	Tu es libre samedi ? Are you free on Saturday?
Same form for masc./fem. Question by intonation. No article before day of week.
s'il vous plaît	please (formal)	Un café, s'il vous plaît. A coffee, please.
Literally 'if it pleases you'. Formal/plural form. Informal: 's'il te plaît'.
il y a	there is / there are	Il y a un parc près de chez moi. There is a park near my place.
Fixed impersonal expression, invariable. 'Près de chez moi' = near my place.
il fait beau	the weather is nice	Il fait beau, on va au parc. The weather is nice, let's go to the park.
Impersonal 'il fait' + adjective for weather. Also: il fait chaud/froid/mauvais.
avoir besoin de	to need	J'ai besoin de pain et de lait. I need bread and milk.
Fixed expression: avoir + besoin + de. After 'besoin de', use 'de' (not partitive).
avoir envie de	to feel like / to want	J'ai envie de manger une glace. I feel like eating an ice cream.
Fixed expression: avoir + envie + de + infinitive or noun. Expresses desire or craving.
être en retard	to be late	Je suis en retard pour le cours. I am late for class.
Fixed expression with 'être'. 'Pour' = for. Opposite: 'être en avance' (to be early).
à bientôt	see you soon	Au revoir et à bientôt ! Goodbye and see you soon!
Fixed farewell expression. 'Au revoir' = goodbye. 'Et' = and.
d'accord	OK / agreed	D'accord, on se retrouve à midi. OK, we meet at noon.
Fixed expression for agreement. 'On se retrouve' = reflexive verb. 'À midi' = at noon.
bien sûr	of course	Bien sûr, tu peux venir chez moi. Of course, you can come to my place.
Fixed adverbial expression. 'Chez moi' = at my place. 'Peux' = can (pouvoir).
tout le monde	everyone / everybody	Tout le monde est prêt ? Is everyone ready?
Fixed expression taking singular verb. 'Prêt' = ready (masc.). Question by intonation.
pas du tout	not at all	Je ne suis pas du tout fatigué. I am not tired at all.
Reinforced negation 'ne...pas du tout' is stronger than simple 'ne...pas'.
de temps en temps	from time to time	De temps en temps, je mange au restaurant. From time to time, I eat at a restaurant.
Fixed adverbial for frequency. 'Au' contracts 'à + le'. Can be placed at start of sentence.

French A1 — Daily Life Official

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