1,000 common French words, in the order you need them
This list holds 1,000 common French words in 50 sets of 20. It starts with survival words such as oui, l'eau and l'aide, then moves through people, food, numbers and verbs, and on to travel, work and feelings. Every word has an English meaning, an example sentence, audio and a picture.
The first 20 French words
- 1,000words
- 50themed sets
- 1,000example sentences
- 1,000audio clips
What is in each set of 100?
-
1–100
Survival, People, Food
- oui
- non
- bonjour
- bonne nuit
- l'homme
- la femme
- le voisin
- l'invité
- le pain
- le lait
-
101–200
Food, Numbers, Questions
- la tomate
- l'oignon
- le restaurant
- le café
- un
- deux
- trente
- quarante
- quoi
- qui
-
201–300
Grammar words, Core verbs, Home
- je
- tu
- être
- avoir
- devoir
- mettre
- la maison
- chez soi
- le savon
- la serviette
-
301–400
Body, Clothes, Colors, Adjectives
- le corps
- la tête
- les vêtements
- la chemise
- la couleur
- rouge
- nouveau
- vieux
- chaud
- frais
-
401–500
Time, Place, City, Transport
- le temps
- l'heure
- janvier
- février
- l'endroit
- le pays
- le magasin
- le marché
- la voiture
- le bus
-
501–600
Shopping, Money, Work, School, Motion verbs
- acheter
- vendre
- la pièce
- le billet
- le travail
- l'entreprise
- la classe
- la leçon
- marcher
- courir
-
601–700
Speaking verbs, Animals, Nature, Weather, Linking words
- bavarder
- dire
- l'animal
- le chien
- la nature
- l'arbre
- le temps
- la pluie
- et
- ou
-
701–800
Prepositions, Adverbs, Feelings, Health, Communication
- dans
- sur
- toujours
- jamais
- heureux
- triste
- la santé
- la maladie
- le téléphone
- le message
-
801–900
Technology, Travel, Leisure, Sport, Arts
- l'ordinateur
- Internet
- le voyage
- le voyage
- la fête
- la musique
- le sport
- le football
- l'art
- l'image
-
901–1000
Daily verbs, Quantity, Abstract words, Social life
- ouvrir
- fermer
- tout
- quelque
- la vie
- la mort
- la façon
- la situation
- l'invitation
- le service
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How is this list ordered?
A frequency list of any language starts with its words for "the", "of" and "and". Those words matter, but you cannot say anything with them on day one. This list is ordered by use to a beginner. The words you need to greet, ask, eat and get around come first. Pronouns and other grammar words arrive from word 201, and linking words and prepositions after word 680, when you have sentences to put them in.
How are French words shown?
Every French noun comes with its article, le, la or l'. Before a vowel or silent h, the article shortens to l' and hides the gender. We add m. (masculine), f. (feminine) or m./f. (either), as in l'eau (f.). Notes explain words that can refer to people of either gender. Verbs are listed in the infinitive, and the example shows a form people use. The list follows the French of France.
How do I learn these words?
Read each sentence aloud. Then hide the meanings and test yourself. Twenty words a day finishes the list in 50 days.
Learn these words in the app
Fuego teaches the same 1,000 words in sets of 20, with review cards that come back until you know them. The word sets and review cards are free.
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