Essential words
GCSE French vocabulary: high-frequency words used in every topic: question words, connectives, time phrases, numbers and more.
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Word list
| Nouns | ||
|---|---|---|
| absence(f) | absence | Higher |
| accent(m) | accent | |
| accord(m) | agreement | Higher |
| accueil(m) | welcome, reception | Higher |
| adolescent/ado(m) | teenager, adolescent | |
| adresse(f) | address | |
| air(m) | air, appearance | Higher |
| ami(m) | friend | |
| an(m) | year | |
| année(f) | year | |
| annonce(f) | announcement | |
| août(m) | August | |
| après-midi(m) | afternoon | |
| argent(m) | money | |
| argument(m) | argument | Higher |
| article(m) | article, item | |
| attention(f) | attention | |
| attitude(f) | attitude | Higher |
| automne(m) | autumn | |
| avantage(m) | advantage | |
| avenir(m) | future | |
| avis(m) | opinion, mind | |
| avril(m) | April | |
| besoin(m) | need | |
| blague(f) | joke | Higher |
| bonheur(m) | happiness | Higher |
| bonjour(m) | hello, good morning | |
| brouillard(m) | fog, mist, haze | |
| cas(m) | case, scenario | Higher |
| cause(f) | cause | |
| centaine(f) | hundred | Higher |
| certains(mpl) | some people | |
| chance(f) | luck | |
| chiffre(m) | figure, number | Higher |
| choc(m) | shock, clash | Higher |
| choix(m) | choice | |
| chose(f) | thing | |
| classe(f) | class | |
| coin(m) | corner | |
| colère(f) | anger | |
| commentaire(m) | comment, remark | Higher |
| compte(m) | account, count | Higher |
| condition(f) | condition | Higher |
| connaissance(f) | knowledge, acquaintance | Higher |
| conséquence(f) | consequence | Higher |
| contexte(m) | context | Higher |
| contraire(f) | opposite, contrary | Higher |
| contrôle(m) | test, check, inspection | Higher |
| conversation(f) | conversation | |
| copain(m) | friend (m), boyfriend | |
| copine(f) | friend, girlfriend | |
| côté(m) | side | |
| couleur(f) | colour | |
| coût(m) | cost | Higher |
| critique(f) | criticism, critic | Higher |
| dame(f) | lady | |
| date(f) | date | |
| début(m) | beginning | Higher |
| décembre(m) | December | |
| décision(f) | decision | |
| découverte(f) | discovery | |
| définition(f) | definition | Higher |
| demande(f) | request, demand | Higher |
| désir(m) | desire | Higher |
| détail(m) | detail | Higher |
| développement(m) | development | Higher |
| dialogue(m) | dialogue | |
| différence(f) | difference | |
| difficulté(f) | difficulty | |
| dimanche; à dimanche !(m) | Sunday; see you on Sunday! | |
| discussion(f) | discussion | |
| distance(f) | distance | Higher |
| dizaine(f) | approximately ten | Higher |
| document(m) | document | Higher |
| doute(m) | doubt | |
| durée(f) | length, duration | Higher |
| effort(m) | effort | |
| émotion(f) | emotion, feeling | Higher |
| ennemi(m) | enemy | Higher |
| époque(f) | era, period, time | Higher |
| équipement(m) | equipment | |
| erreur(f) | mistake, error | |
| espoir(m) | hope | |
| esprit(m) | mind, spirit | Higher |
| est(m) | east | Higher |
| état(m) | state | Higher |
| été(m) | summer | |
| étoile(f) | star | Higher |
| euro(m) | euro | |
| exemple(m) | example | |
| façon(f) | way, manner | |
| fait(m) | fact | Higher |
| faute(f) | mistake, error, fault | |
| femme(f) | woman, wife | |
| février(m) | February | |
| fin(f) | end | |
| fois(f) | time | |
| forme(f) | form, shape | |
| futur(m) | future | |
| gens(mpl) | people | |
| groupe(m) | group | |
| heure(f) | hour, time | |
| hiver(m) | winter | |
| homme(m) | man | |
| honte(f) | shame | Higher |
| idée(f) | idea | |
| importance(f) | importance | |
| inconvénient(m) | snag, drawback, disadvantage, inconvenience | |
| individu(m) | individual | Higher |
| information(f) | information | |
| instant(m) | instant, moment | Higher |
| instruction(f) | instruction, direction | Higher |
| intention(f) | intention | |
| intérêt(m) | interest | |
| janvier(m) | January | |
| jeudi; à jeudi !(m) | Thursday; see you on Thursday! | |
| joie(f) | joy | Higher |
| jour(m) | day | |
| journée(f) | day | |
| juillet(m) | July | |
| juin(m) | June | |
| kilomètre(m) | kilometre | |
| lendemain(m) | next day | |
| lettre(f) | letter | |
| lien(m) | link, bond | Higher |
| lieu(m) | place | |
| ligne(f) | line | |
| limite(f) | limit | Higher |
| liste(f) | list | |
| lundi; à lundi !(m) | Monday; see you on Monday! | |
| lutte(f) | struggle, fight, conflict | Higher |
| madame(f) | Mrs, Ms, (sing), madam, lady | |
| Mademoiselle(f) | Miss, Ms, (sing), miss | |
| mai(m) | May | |
| majorité(f) | majority | Higher |
| manière(f) | manner, way | Higher |
| manque(m) | lack | |
| manteau(m) | coat | Higher |
| mardi; à mardi !(m) | Tuesday; see you on Tuesday! | |
| mars(m) | March | |
| matin(m) | morning | |
| mémoire(f) | memory | Higher |
| mercredi; à mercredi !(m) | Wednesday; see you on Wednesday! | |
| mètre(m) | metre | |
| midi(m) | noon | |
| milieu(m) | middle | Higher |
| millier(m) | thousand | |
| million(m) | million | |
| minuit(m) | midnight | |
| minute(f) | minute | |
| mois(m) | month | |
| moitié(f) | half | |
| moment(m) | moment | |
| monsieur(m) | Sir, Mr, (sing), gentleman | |
| mot(m) | word | |
| moyen(m) | means, way | |
| neige(f) | snow | |
| nombre(m) | number | |
| novembre(m) | November | |
| nuit(f) | night | |
| numéro(m) | number | |
| objet(m) | object, subject line | Higher |
| occasion(f) | chance, opportunity | |
| octobre(m) | October | |
| opinion(f) | opinion | |
| ordre(m) | order | |
| origine(f) | origin, source | Higher |
| ouest(m) | west | |
| passé(m) | past | |
| pensée(f) | thought | Higher |
| personne(f) | person | |
| perte(f) | loss | Higher |
| peur(f) | fear | |
| plainte(f) | moan, complaint | Higher |
| plaisir(m) | pleasure | Higher |
| pluie(f) | rain | Higher |
| plupart (de)(f) | most, the majority (of) | Higher |
| porte-parole(m/f) | spokesperson, spokeswoman, spokesman | Higher |
| position(f) | position | Higher |
| possibilité(f) | possibility | |
| présent(m) | present | |
| printemps(m) | spring | |
| problème(m) | problem | |
| production(f) | production | Higher |
| programme(m) | schedule | |
| qualité(f) | quality | Higher |
| quantité(f) | quantity | Higher |
| quart(m) | quarter | |
| question(f) | question | |
| raison(f) | reason | |
| réalité(f) | reality | |
| réduction(f) | reduction | |
| reste(m) | rest | Higher |
| richesse(f) | wealth | Higher |
| saison(f) | season | |
| samedi; à samedi !(m) | Saturday; see you on Saturday! | |
| seconde(f) | second, year 11 | |
| semaine(f) | week | |
| sens(m) | sense, meaning | |
| septembre(m) | September | |
| siècle(m) | century | |
| silence(m) | silence | Higher |
| situation(f) | situation | |
| soir(m) | evening | |
| soirée(f) | evening | |
| soleil(m) | sun | |
| solution(f) | solution | |
| son(m) | sound | Higher |
| sorte(f) | sort, kind | |
| souci(m) | worry, concern | |
| sujet(m) | subject, topic | Higher |
| surprise(f) | surprise | |
| système(m) | system | |
| taille(f) | size, height | |
| taux(m) | rate | Higher |
| temps(m) | time, weather | |
| thème(m) | theme, topic | |
| titre(m) | title | Higher |
| tort(m) | wrong | |
| tour(m) | turn, tour, tower | |
| vendredi; à vendredi !(m) | Friday; see you on Friday! | |
| vent(m) | wind | |
| vérité(f) | truth | |
| victoire(f) | victory | Higher |
| vie(f) | life | |
| voie(f) | street, route, way | Higher |
| volonté(f) | will | Higher |
| week-end(m) | weekend | |
| Verbs | ||
| (aux) assis | s'(aux) assis | sat; sat down | Higher |
| (aux) bu | drank | |
| (aux) cru | believed | |
| (aux) déçu | disappointed | Higher |
| (aux) dû | had to | Higher |
| (aux) été | was | |
| (aux) eu | had | |
| (aux) inclus | included | Higher |
| (aux) mis; se (aux) mis à (+ noun) (+ infinitive) | put (on); started, began (+ noun) (+ verb) | |
| (aux) permis (à … de + infinitive) | allowed, permitted (someone + verb) | Higher |
| (aux) pu | was/were able to, could | Higher |
| (aux) reçu | received | |
| (aux) souri | smiled | Higher |
| (aux) su | knew (how to), could | Higher |
| (aux) suivi | followed | |
| (aux) voulu | wanted | Higher |
| (aux) vu | saw | |
| a | (she, he, it, one) has | |
| abandonner | to give up, abandon | Higher |
| accepter | to accept, admit | |
| accompagner | to accompany | Higher |
| adapter; s'adapter | to adapt, adjust; to get used to | Higher |
| admettre | to admit, confess | Higher |
| adorer | to really like, love, adore | |
| ai | (I) have | |
| aimer | to like, love | |
| ajouter | to add | Higher |
| aller | to go | |
| améliorer | to improve | |
| amener | to bring (someone) | Higher |
| annuler | to cancel, undo | Higher |
| appartenir | to belong | Higher |
| appeler; s'appeler | to call; to be named | |
| apporter | to bring (something) | |
| apprécier | to appreciate, like | Higher |
| arriver; arriver à + infinitive | to arrive; to manage + verb, succeed in + verb | |
| as | (you (sing informal)) have | |
| asseoir; s'asseoir | to sit; to sit down | Higher |
| assied/assoit; s'assied/s'assoit | (she, he, it, one) sits; (she, he, it, one) sits down | Higher |
| assieds/assois | assieds !/assois !; m'assieds/m'assois | t'assieds/t'assois | t'assieds !/t'assois ! | (I) sit; (I) sit down | Higher |
| attendre | to wait (for), expect | |
| augmenter; s'augmenter | to increase, raise; to grow, expand | |
| aura | (she, he, it, one) will have | Higher |
| aurai | (I) will have | Higher |
| aurais | (I) would have | Higher |
| aurait | (she, he, it, one) would have | Higher |
| auras | (you (sing informal)) will have | Higher |
| avais | (I) had | |
| avait | (she, he, it, one) had | |
| avez | (you (pl, sing formal)) have | |
| avoir | to have | |
| avons | (we) have | |
| avouer | to admit to, confess to | Higher |
| ayant | having | Higher |
| battre; se battre | to beat, hit; to fight, fighting | Higher |
| boire | to drink | |
| bois| bois ! | (I) drink | Higher |
| boit | (she, he, it, one) drinks | |
| bouger | to move | Higher |
| cacher | to hide | |
| changer; se changer | to change; to get changed | |
| choisir | to choose | |
| commencer (à + infinitive) | to start (+ verb), begin (+ verb) | |
| comparer | to compare | |
| comprendre | to understand | |
| compter | to count | |
| concerner | to affect, concern, relate to | Higher |
| connaître | to know, be familiar with | |
| continuer (à/de + infinitive) | to continue (+ verb), carry on (+ verb) | |
| contrôler | to check, inspect, control | Higher |
| créer | to create | |
| crier | to shout, scream, cry out | Higher |
| critiquer | to criticise | Higher |
| croire | to believe | |
| crois | crois ! | (I) believe | |
| croit | (she, he, it, one) believes | |
| décevoir | to disappoint | Higher |
| décider (de + infinitive); se décider (à + infinitive) | to decide (+ verb); to make the decision (+ verb) | |
| déclarer | to announce, report | Higher |
| déçois | déçois ! | (I) disappoint | Higher |
| déçoit | (she, he, it, one) disappoints | Higher |
| décrire | to describe | |
| défendre | to defend, stand up for, forbid | Higher |
| définir | to define, defining | Higher |
| demander; demander à ... (de + infinitive); se demander | to ask for; to ask someone (+ verb); to wonder | |
| démontrer | to demonstrate | Higher |
| dépendre de | to depend on + noun, depending on + noun | Higher |
| descendre; descendre de + noun | to go down, ride down, drive down; to get off + noun, get out of + noun | |
| désirer | to want, desire | |
| détester | to hate, detest | |
| devenir | to become | |
| devez | (you (pl, sing formal)) have to, must | |
| devoir | to have to, must | Higher |
| devons | (we) have to, must | |
| diminuer | to lower, decrease | |
| dire; dire (à … de + infinitive) | to say, tell; to tell (someone + verb) | |
| discuter (de + noun) | to discuss, talk about (+ noun) | |
| disparaître | to disappear | Higher |
| dit |(aux) dit | (she, he, it, one) says, tells | |
| dois | (I) have to, must | |
| doit | (she, he, it, one) has to, must | |
| doivent | (they) have to, must | |
| donner | to give | |
| durer | to last | |
| écouter | to listen to | |
| écrire | to write | |
| empêcher (… de + infinitive) | to prevent (someone from + verb) | Higher |
| emprunter (à ...) | to borrow (from someone) | |
| entendre; s'entendre (avec …) | to hear; to get on, get along (with someone) | |
| entrer | to enter, go in, come in | |
| es | (you (sing informal)) are | |
| espérer | to hope (for) | |
| essayer (de + infinitive) | to try (+ verb), attempt (+verb) | |
| est | (she, he, it, one) is | Higher |
| étais | (I) was + adjectival complement | |
| était | (she, he, it, one) was + adjectival complement | |
| étant | being | Higher |
| êtes | (you (pl, sing formal)) are | |
| être | to be | |
| exprimer | to express | |
| faire; faire de + noun | to do, make, go on/for + noun; to do + -ing, go + -ing, play + noun | |
| fais | fais !; fais de + noun | fais de + noun ! | (I) do, make, go on/for + noun; (I) do + -ing, go + -ing, play + noun | |
| faisais; faisais de | (I) used to do, used to make, used to go on/for + noun; (I) used to do + -ing, used to go + -ing, used to play + noun | |
| faisait; faisait de | (she, he, it, one) used to do, used to make, used to go on/for + noun; (she, he, it, one) used to do + -ing, used to go + -ing, used to play + noun | |
| faisant; faisant de | doing, making, going on/for + noun; doing + -ing, going + -ing, playing + noun | Higher |
| faisons | faisons !; faisons de + noun | faisons de + noun ! | (we) do, make, go on/for + noun; (we) do + -ing, go + -ing, play + noun | Higher |
| fait | (aux) fait; fait de + noun | (aux) fait de + noun | (she, he, it, one) does, makes, goes on/for + noun; (she, he, it, one) does + -ing, goes + -ing, plays + noun | |
| faites | faites !; faites de | faites de ! | you (pl, sing formal) do, make, go on/for + noun; you (pl, sing formal) do + -ing, go + -ing, play + noun | |
| féliciter | to congratulate | Higher |
| fera; fera de | (she, he, it, one) will do, will make, will go on/for + noun; (she, he, it, one) will do + -ing, will go + -ing, will play + noun | Higher |
| ferai; ferai de | (I) will do, will make, will go on/for + noun; (I) will do + -ing, will go + -ing, will play + noun | Higher |
| ferais; ferais de | (I) would do, would make, would go on/for + noun; (I) would do + -ing, would go + -ing, would play + noun | Higher |
| ferait; ferait de | (she, he, it, one) would do, would make, would go on/for + noun; (she, he, it, one) would do + -ing, would go + -ing, would play + noun | Higher |
| feras; feras de | (you (sing informal)) will do, will make, will go on/for + noun; (you (sing informal)) will do + -ing, will go + -ing, will play + noun | Higher |
| fermer | to close, shut | |
| finir (de + infinitive) | to end, finish; to finish (+ verb) | |
| font; font de | (they) do, make, go on/for + noun; (they) do + -ing, go + -ing, play + noun | |
| frapper | to hit, knock | |
| hésiter | to be unsure, hesitate | Higher |
| imaginer | to invent, imagine | |
| inclure | to include | Higher |
| indiquer | to indicate, show | Higher |
| inspirer; s'inspirer de + noun | to inspire; to be inspired by + noun | Higher |
| intégrer; s'intégrer | to incorporate, integrate, include; to become integrated, fit in | |
| interdire (à ...) | to forbid, ban (from someone) | |
| intéresser + s/o inversion; s'intéresser (à + noun) | to find interesting; to be interested (in + noun) | |
| interrompre | to interrupt, halt | Higher |
| ira | (she, he, it, one) will go | Higher |
| irai | (I) will go | Higher |
| irais | (I) would go | Higher |
| irait | (she, he, it, one) would go | Higher |
| iras | (you (sing informal)) will go | Higher |
| jouer (à/de + noun) | to play (+ noun) | |
| laisser | to leave, (to) let | Higher |
| lancer | to throw, launch | Higher |
| laver; se laver | to wash (something); to get washed | |
| lever; se lever | to lift, raise; to get up, stand up, rise (sun) | |
| livrer | to deliver | Higher |
| manger | to eat | |
| manquer; manquer à + s/o inversion | to fail to catch, be missing, miss; to miss | Higher |
| mener | to lead | Higher |
| mentir | to lie | Higher |
| mettre; se mettre à (+ noun) (+ infinitive) | to put (on); to start, begin (+ noun) (+ verb) | |
| montrer | to show | |
| noter | to mark, write down, notice | Higher |
| obliger | to require, force, oblige | Higher |
| occuper; s'occuper de + noun | to fill, keep busy; take care of + noun | Higher |
| offrir à … | to give someone, offer someone | Higher |
| ont | (they) have | |
| oser | to dare | Higher |
| oublier (de + infinitive) | to forget (+ verb) | |
| ouvrir | to open | |
| parler | to speak, talk | |
| partir | to leave | |
| passer; se passer | to spend time, pass; to happen | |
| penser (à + noun) (à + infinitive) (de + noun) (de + infinitive) | to think (of + noun) (of + verb) (about + noun) (about + verb) | |
| permettre (à … de + infinitive) | to allow (someone + verb), allowing (someone + verb) | Higher |
| persuader de + infinitive | to persuade + verb | Higher |
| peut | (she, he, it, one) is able to, can | |
| peuvent | (they) are able to, can | |
| peux | (I) am able to, can | |
| placer; se placer | to put, place; to position yourself | Higher |
| porter | to wear, carry | |
| poser | to put, ask | Higher |
| pouvez | (you (pl, sing formal)) are able to, can | |
| pouvoir | to be able to, can | |
| pouvons | (we) are able to, can | |
| préférer | to prefer | |
| prendre | to take | |
| préparer; se préparer | to prepare; to get ready | |
| présenter; présenter ... à | to present, show; to introduce someone to | Higher |
| prêter | to lend | |
| produire | to produce, make | Higher |
| profiter de + noun | to make the most of + noun, enjoy + noun | Higher |
| promettre (à …) (de + infinitive) | to promise (someone) (+ verb) | |
| prononcer | to pronounce | |
| proposer; proposer de + infinitive | to propose, offer; to suggest + verb | |
| raconter | to tell, narrate | |
| rappeler; rappeler (à … de + infinitive); se rappeler | to call back; to remind (someone + verb), reminding (someone + verb); to remember; remembering | Higher |
| réaliser | to realise, achieve | Higher |
| recevoir | to receive | |
| reçois | reçois ! | (I) receive | |
| reçoit | (she, he, it, one) receives | |
| reconnaître | to recognise | Higher |
| refuser (de + infinitive) | to refuse (+ verb) | Higher |
| regarder | to watch, look at | |
| regretter | to be sorry, regret | |
| remarquer | to remark, notice | Higher |
| remercier | to thank | Higher |
| remplacer (par + noun) | to replace (with + noun) | Higher |
| remplir | to fill (up), (in) | |
| rencontrer | to meet, run into | |
| rendre; se rendre | to return something, give something back, to make (+ adj); to get to, go to | Higher |
| rentrer | to go in, come in, come back (in), go back (in) | |
| renvoyer | to send back, resend | Higher |
| répéter | to repeat | |
| répondre (à + noun) | to answer (+ noun), reply to (+ noun) | |
| reposer; se reposer | to put down; to rest | Higher |
| représenter | to represent | Higher |
| respecter | to respect | Higher |
| revenir | to come back, return | |
| rêver (à/de + noun) | to dream (about + noun), dreaming (about + noun) | |
| risquer (de + infinitive) | to risk (+ verb) | Higher |
| sais | (I) know (how to), can | |
| sait | (she, he, it, one) knows (how to), can | |
| savent | (they) know (how to), can | |
| savez | (you (pl, sing formal)) know (how to), can | |
| savoir | to know (how to), can | |
| savons | (we) know (how to), can | |
| se souvenir (de + noun) | to remember (+ noun) | |
| sembler | to seem | Higher |
| sentir; se sentir | to smell; to feel | Higher |
| sera | (she, he, it, one) will be | Higher |
| serai | (I) will be | Higher |
| serais | (I) would be | Higher |
| serait | (she, he, it, one) would be | Higher |
| seras | (you (sing informal)) will be | Higher |
| servir; se servir de | to serve; to use, make use of | |
| signifier | to mean | |
| Sois… ! | Be…! (sing informal) | Higher |
| sommes | (we) are | |
| sont | (they) are | |
| sortir | to go out, exit, take out, release | |
| souhaiter | to wish | Higher |
| souligner | to underline, stress | Higher |
| sourire | to smile | |
| souris | souris ! | (I) smile | Higher |
| sourit | (she, he, it, one) smiles | |
| soutenir | to support | Higher |
| Soyez… ! | Be…! (pl, sing formal) | Higher |
| suis | (I) am | |
| suis | suis ! | (I) follow | |
| suit | (she, he, it, one) follows | |
| suivre | to follow | |
| supporter | to tolerate, bear, put up with | |
| tenir | to hold | Higher |
| terminer (de + infinitive) | to finish (+ verb), end | |
| toucher | to touch | Higher |
| traduire | to translate | |
| trouver; se trouver | to find; to be situated | |
| va | va ! | (she, he, it, one) goes | |
| vais | (I) go | |
| vas | (you (sing informal)) go | |
| venir | to come | |
| veulent | (they) want (to) | |
| veut | (she, he, it, one) wants (to) | |
| veux | (I) want (to) | |
| voir | to see | |
| vois | vois ! | (I) see | |
| voit | (she, he, it, one) sees | |
| vont | (they) go | |
| voudrais | (I) would like | |
| voudrait | (she, he, it, one) would like | |
| voulez | (you (pl, sing formal)) want (to) | |
| vouloir | to want (to) | |
| voulons | (we) want (to) | |
| Adjectives | ||
| actuel | current | |
| affreux | dreadful, awful, horrible | |
| agréable | pleasant, nice, agreeable | |
| amusant | funny, fun, enjoyable, amusing | |
| ancien | former, ancient | Higher |
| annuel | annual, yearly | Higher |
| beau/bel | beautiful | |
| beaux | beautiful | |
| belle | beautiful | |
| blanc | white | |
| blanche | white | |
| bleu | blue | |
| bon | good | |
| bonne | good | |
| brun | brown | |
| capable | able, capable | |
| certain | certain, sure | |
| chaud | hot, warm | |
| clair | clear | |
| commun | common | Higher |
| complet | full, complete | |
| complète | full, complete | Higher |
| content | glad, pleased | |
| courant | current, common | |
| court | short | |
| culturel | cultural | |
| dangereux | dangerous | |
| demi | half | |
| dernier | last | |
| désolé | sorry | |
| deux | two | |
| différent | different | |
| difficile | difficult | |
| disponible | available | |
| divers | varied, diverse | Higher |
| droit | right | |
| drôle | funny | |
| embêtant | annoying | |
| ennuyeux | boring | |
| énorme | enormous | |
| entier | whole, full | Higher |
| essentiel | essential | |
| étonnant | surprising, amazing, incredible | Higher |
| étroit | narrow, tight | Higher |
| évident | obvious | |
| exact | exact, correct | Higher |
| excellent | excellent | |
| extraordinaire | extraordinary | |
| fatigué | tired | |
| fausse | false | |
| faux | false | |
| folle | crazy | |
| formidable | terrific, astounding (m,f) | Higher |
| fou | crazy | |
| froid | cold | |
| gauche | left | |
| général | general | |
| génial | great, brilliant | |
| gentil | kind | |
| grand | tall, big, large | |
| gratuit | free (of charge) | |
| gris | grey (m,f) | Higher |
| haut | high | |
| heureux | happy | |
| idéal | ideal | |
| important | important | |
| impossible | impossible | |
| indispensable | essential | Higher |
| inquiétant | worrying, disturbing | |
| intelligent | intelligent | |
| intéressant | interesting | |
| inutile | useless | |
| joli | pretty, attractive | |
| joyeux | merry, joyful, happy | Higher |
| juste | right, true, correct, fair | |
| le meilleur/la meilleure/les meilleur(e)s | the best (m/f/(f)pl) | |
| le pire/la pire/les pires | the worst (m/f/pl) | Higher |
| libre | free | |
| long | long | |
| longue | long | |
| lourd | heavy | Higher |
| mal | bad | |
| mauvais | bad, wrong | |
| meilleur(e)(s) | better (m) (f) (pl) | |
| moderne | modern | |
| moins (…que/qu’); moins de (+ num) | less (…than); less, fewer (than + num) | |
| moral | moral | |
| naturel | natural | |
| nécessaire | necessary, required | |
| négatif | negative | |
| noir | black | |
| nombreux | many, numerous, plentiful | Higher |
| normal | normal | |
| nouveau | new | |
| nouveaux | new | |
| nouvelle | new | |
| nul | rubbish | |
| nulle | rubbish | |
| officiel | official | Higher |
| ordinaire | ordinary | Higher |
| original | original | Higher |
| ouvert | open | |
| pareil | the same | Higher |
| pareille | the same | Higher |
| parfait | perfect | |
| passionnant | exciting, thrilling | |
| petit | short, small, little | |
| pire(s) | worse (m, f) (pl) | |
| plein | full | |
| plus (…que/qu’); plus de (+ num) | adj + -er (…than), more (…than); more (than + num) | |
| populaire | popular | |
| positif | positive | |
| possible | possible | |
| pratique | practical | |
| précis | precise, accurate | Higher |
| préféré | favourite | |
| premier | first | |
| prêt | ready | |
| principal | main | Higher |
| prochain | next | |
| propre | clean, proper, own | |
| quatre | four | |
| quotidien | daily | |
| raciste | racist | Higher |
| rapide | fast, quick | |
| rare | rare | Higher |
| récent | recent | |
| réel | real | Higher |
| régulier | regular | Higher |
| rouge | red | |
| sale | dirty | |
| secret | secret | Higher |
| secrète | secret | Higher |
| seul | alone | |
| simple | simple | |
| spécial | special | |
| suffisant | sufficient | Higher |
| super | great | |
| sympathique/sympa | nice, kind, friendly | |
| technique | technical | Higher |
| terrible | terrible, dreadful | |
| tranquille | quiet | Higher |
| triste | sad | |
| unique | unique | Higher |
| utile | useful | |
| vert | green | |
| vide | empty | |
| vieille | old | |
| vieux/vieil | old | |
| vrai | true | |
| Other useful words | ||
| (à) eux | to them (m, mixed gender) (emph) | Higher |
| (à) moi | to me (emph) | |
| (à) toi | to you (sing informal) (emph) | |
| (un) peu | a bit, (a) little | |
| à | at, to, in, on | |
| à cause de | because of | |
| à gauche | on the left | |
| à la/à l' | at the, to the, in the, on the | |
| absolument | absolutely | Higher |
| actuellement | at present, at the moment | Higher |
| ailleurs | elsewhere, somewhere else | Higher |
| alors | so, well, then | |
| apparemment | apparently | Higher |
| après | after | |
| après avoir + pp | after having + pp | Higher |
| assez | quite | |
| attention ! | watch out! | |
| au revoir | goodbye | |
| au/à l' | at the, to the, in the, on the | |
| aujourd’hui | today | |
| aussi | also, too, as well | |
| aussi…que/qu' | as…as | |
| autour | around | Higher |
| autre(s) | other (m, f) (pl) | |
| autrement | differently, another way | Higher |
| aux | at the, to the, in the, on the (pl) | |
| avant; avant de + infinitive | before; before + verb | |
| avec | with | |
| beaucoup | a lot | |
| bien | well | |
| bientôt; à bientôt ! | soon; see you soon! | |
| bienvenue ! | welcome | |
| bonsoir | good evening | |
| ça | that, it[informal] | |
| ça m'est égal | I'm not bothered | |
| ça va / ça va ? | It's fine, I'm fine, it's OK/how's it going?, how are you? | |
| car | because, for | |
| ce/cet/c' | this, that, it | |
| ceci | this | Higher |
| cela | that, it[formal] | Higher |
| cent | one hundred | |
| cependant | however | |
| certainement | certainly | Higher |
| ces | these, those | |
| cette | this, that | |
| chacun | each person | Higher |
| chaque | each, every | |
| cinq | five | |
| cinquante | fifty | |
| combien ? | how many?, how much? | |
| comme | like, as | |
| comment ? | how? | |
| complètement | completely | Higher |
| contre | against | |
| c’est-à-dire | in other words, that is to say | Higher |
| dans | in | |
| de la/de l' | some (of the) | |
| de la/de l' | of the, from (the) | |
| de/d' | indefinite article following a verb in negative or expression of quantity, partitive article following a verb in negative or expression of quantity | |
| de/d' | of, from | |
| déjà | already, yet | |
| demain; à demain ! | tomorrow; see you tomorrow! | |
| depuis | for, since | Higher |
| derrière | behind | |
| des | plural indefinite article, some (of the) (pl) | |
| des | of the, from (the) (pl) | |
| dès | from, as soon as | Higher |
| deux | two | |
| devant | in front of | |
| dix | ten | |
| dommage ! | what a shame! | |
| donc | so, therefore | |
| douze | twelve | |
| du/de l' | some (of the) | |
| du/de l' | of the, from (the) | |
| d’abord | first of all, firstly, to start with | |
| d’accord | okay, alright | |
| effectivement | effectively | Higher |
| également | also, too, as well, equally | |
| elle | (à) elle | she, it (f) (subj) | Higher |
| elle-même | herself | Higher |
| elles | they (f) (subj) | |
| en | in, by, to | Higher |
| en | of it, about it | Higher |
| en ce moment | at the moment | |
| en plus | in addition, also | Higher |
| en retard | late | |
| enchanté ! | pleased to meet you! | Higher |
| encore | yet, again | |
| enfin | finally | |
| ensemble | together | |
| ensuite | next | |
| entièrement | entirely, completely | Higher |
| entre | between | |
| environ | about, thereabouts, or so | |
| est-ce que/est-ce qu' ? | questioning device | |
| et | and | |
| être en train de + infinitive | to be in the middle of + verb | Higher |
| euh | er, um, uh | |
| évidemment | obviously | Higher |
| exactement | exactly | Higher |
| extrêmement | extremely | Higher |
| facilement | easily | |
| félicitations | congratulations | |
| finalement | finally, eventually | |
| généralement | generally | |
| heureusement | fortunately, luckily | Higher |
| hier | yesterday | |
| huit | eight | |
| ici | here | |
| il | he, it (m) (subj) | |
| il est (difficile) de + infinitive | it is/it's (difficult) + verb | Higher |
| il est + time | it is/it's + time | |
| il fait (beau) | it is/it's (nice) | |
| il faut + infinitive | it is/it’s necessary + verb, must + verb | |
| il manque… | …is missing | Higher |
| il pleut | it rains | |
| il vaut la peine de + infinitive | it is/it's worth + verb | Higher |
| il vaut mieux + infinitive | it is/it's better + verb | Higher |
| il y (en) a | il y (en) avait | il y (en) aura | there is (of it (m, f)) | Higher |
| ils | they (m, mixed gender) (subj) | |
| immédiatement | immediately | |
| je | I (subj) | |
| jusque | to, up to, until | |
| là | there, here | |
| là-bas | over there, out there | |
| la/l' | the | |
| la/l' | her, it (f) (obj) | |
| largement | widely | Higher |
| le mieux | (the) best | Higher |
| le pire | the worst, the least well | Higher |
| le/l' | the | |
| le/l' | him, it (m) (obj) | |
| lentement | slowly | |
| les | the (pl) | Higher |
| les | them (m, f) (obj) | Higher |
| leur | their | Higher |
| leur | to them (m, f) (indirect obj) | Higher |
| leurs | their (pl) | |
| longtemps | a long time, a long while | |
| lui | (à) lui | to him, to her, to it (m, f) (indirect obj) | Higher |
| lui-même | himself | Higher |
| ma | my | |
| maintenant | now | |
| mais | but | |
| mal | badly | |
| malgré | despite, in spite of | |
| malheureusement | unfortunately | |
| me/m' | me (obj) | |
| même | even | |
| même(s) | same (m, f) (pl) | |
| merci | thank you | |
| mes | my (pl) | |
| mieux | better | |
| mille | thousand | |
| moi-même | myself | Higher |
| moins (…que/qu’) | less (…than) | |
| mon | my (m, f before a vowel or h) | |
| ne … aucun(e) | no, not one, not any (m) | Higher |
| ne...pas (de) | not (any) | |
| neuf | nine | |
| ne… jamais | never, not ever | |
| ne… ni | neither…nor | Higher |
| ne… plus | not anymore, no longer | Higher |
| ne… que | only, nothing but | Higher |
| ne… rien | not anything, nothing | |
| ne…personne | not anyone, no one | Higher |
| non | no, not | |
| normalement | normally | |
| nos | our (pl) | |
| notamment | notably | Higher |
| notre | our | |
| nous | (à) nous | we (subj) | Higher |
| on | everyone, you, one, (we (informal, impersonal)) | |
| onze | eleven | |
| ou | or | |
| où | où ? | where | Higher |
| oui | yes | |
| par | by, per | |
| par contre | on the other hand | |
| parce que/qu' | because | |
| parfaitement | perfectly | Higher |
| parfois | sometimes | |
| parmi | among | Higher |
| particulièrement | particularly | Higher |
| partout | everywhere | |
| pendant | during | |
| personne ne | nobody (subj) | Higher |
| peut-être | maybe, perhaps | |
| pire | worse, less well | |
| plus (…que/qu') | adv + -er (...than), more (...than) | |
| plusieurs | several, many | |
| plutôt | rather | Higher |
| pour | for, in order to | |
| pourquoi ? | why? | |
| pourtant | yet, nonetheless, nevertheless | Higher |
| près | nearby, close by, near | |
| presque | almost, nearly | |
| probablement | probably | |
| proche | nearby, close | |
| puis | then, so | |
| puisque | as, because | Higher |
| quand | quand ? | when | Higher |
| quarante | forty | |
| quatorze | fourteen | |
| quatre | four | |
| que/qu' | that | |
| que/qu' | que/qu' ? | what, that | Higher |
| quel(le)(s) ? | which? (m) (f) (pl) | |
| quelque(s) | some (m, f) (pl) | |
| quelqu’un | somebody, someone | |
| qui | qui ? | who, that | |
| quinze | fifteen | |
| quoi ? | what? | |
| rapidement | quickly, rapidly | |
| récemment | recently | |
| régulièrement | regularly | Higher |
| relativement | relatively | Higher |
| rien ne | nothing (subj) | Higher |
| s'il te plaît/s'il vous plaît | please (informal)/please (formal) | |
| sa | his, her, its | |
| salut | hi, bye | Higher |
| sans | without | |
| sauf | except | |
| se/s' | himself, herself, itself, oneself (reflex) | |
| seize | sixteen | |
| selon | according to | |
| sept | seven | |
| ses | his, her, its, everyone's, one's (pl) | |
| seulement | only | |
| si | if, whether | |
| simplement | simply | Higher |
| six | six | |
| soixante | sixty | |
| son | his, her, its (m, f before a vowel or h) | Higher |
| sous | under | |
| souvent | often | |
| suffisamment | sufficiently | Higher |
| sur | on | |
| surtout | especially, above all | |
| ta | your (sing informal) | |
| tard | late (something) | |
| te/t' | you (sing informal) (obj) | |
| tellement | so much | |
| tes | your (sing informal) (pl) | |
| toi-même | yourself [singular] | Higher |
| ton | your (sing informal) (m, f before a vowel or h) | |
| tôt | early | |
| toujours | always | |
| tous | all, the whole | Higher |
| tous | everyone, all of them | Higher |
| tout | everything, all | |
| tout le monde | everyone, everybody | |
| tout(e)(s) | all, the whole (m) (f) (pl) | |
| treize | thirteen | |
| trente | thirty | |
| très | very | |
| trois | three | |
| trop | too much, too many, too | |
| tu | you (sing informal) (subj) | |
| un | a/an | |
| un | one | |
| une | a/an | |
| venir de + infinitive | to have just + pp | Higher |
| vers | towards | Higher |
| vingt | twenty | |
| vite | quickly, fast | |
| voici | here is | |
| voilà | right, there, here | |
| vos | your (formal) (pl) | |
| votre | your (formal) | |
| vous | (à) vous | you (pl, formal) (subj) | Higher |
| vraiment | truly, really, very | |
| y | there | Higher |
Tap a verb to see it in every GCSE tense, with a 60-second drill.
Quick questions
How many words do I need for essential words in GCSE French?
The AQA GCSE French (8652) list has 928 words for essential words: 632 for Foundation, plus 296 more for Higher.
What is the best way to learn GCSE French vocabulary for essential words?
Little and often works best: learn 10 words a day with the flashcards, test yourself with the quiz, then use the spelling test to make sure you can write them accurately, accents included.
Other GCSE French topics
- Identity and relationships
- Healthy living and lifestyle
- Education and work
- Free-time activities
- Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Celebrity culture
- Travel and tourism
- Media and technology
- Environment and where people live
Keep going
Try today's Word of the Day, drill the French verbs, or play the vocabulary games.