A1 Vocabulary

Beginning French Lessons

Vocabulary Lists

Airport

French airport vocabulary
If there's anything worse than having to spend time at the airport, it's having to spend time at the airport when you don't speak the local language. Sure, most airport employees speak another language or two, but you'll still be better off if you have these key words and phrases in your pocket. Bon voyage !
Vocabulary Lists

Body

French body parts
Knowing the parts of the body can come in handy when playing sports, clothes shopping, seeing the doctor, and more. Learn how to talk about your body in French, from head to toe.
Vocabulary Lists

Calendar

French calendar
Knowing the days of the week, months of the year, and seasons will come in handy when traveling, making plans with friends, talking about history, and lots more.
Vocabulary Lists

Clothing

French clothing
Learn the French words for clothing so that you can dress yourself in French. Click any underlined word or phrase to hear it pronounced.
Vocabulary Lists

Colors

French colors
What do buying clothes, talking about art, and shopping for fruits and vegetables have in common? Color! If you want to make sure to buy red tomatoes and critique an artist's use of green, you'll need to know the French colors.
Vocabulary Lists

Descriptions

Descriptions in French
Setting up an online dating profile, talking to friends about someone you met, bragging about a new baby, and telling the police about a suspect have one thing in common: physical descriptions. Learn all the French vocabulary you need to describe the most common physical characteristics.
Vocabulary Lists

Dishes and Silverware

Dishes in French
When it's your turn to set the table, you definitely need to know the difference between une assiette and une serviette. Check out this lesson to learn the French names for a variety of dishes, silverware, and pots and pans.
Food and Drink

Drinks

French drinks
Thirsty? Learn French vocabulary related to drinking and drinks, everything from from water to wine.
Speaking Tips

Essential French

Essential French phrases
Knowing just a few key words and phrases can be very helpful in your French classes, while traveling in France, and everywhere in between.
Vocabulary Lists

Family

French family vocabulary
Learn how to talk about your entire family in French, including step-family, family-in-law, adoptive family, and more.
Food and Drink

Food

Food
Food is a necessity, and can also be a source of great pleasure. Being about to talk about French food will come in handy while shopping, dining, traveling, and entertaining friends, so check out this lesson about French food, including the basic food groups and related vocabulary. Bon appétit !
Teachers' Tips and Tools

French Class Phrases

French class phrases
The best way to encourage students to speak French in the classroom is to make sure that they know how to say all the things that they need to say. Once you teach them these useful words and phrases, your students should be able to avoid speaking English during any normal classroom interaction.
Vocabulary Lists

Home and Furniture

French home and furniture vocabulary
Home is where the heart is - not to mention the refrigerator, computer, and bed. Learn French vocabulary related to your home and furniture.
Vocabulary Lists

How are you? Fine.

How are you? Fine. French pleasantries
Before you dive into a conversation, it's nice to exchange a few pleasantries. Greetings are first, of course, and then if you know the person, it's typical to ask how they are.
Travel and Culture

Languages

Languages in French
Parlez-vous français ? What about another language? Here's how to say the most commonly spoken and studied languages in French, plus a few more for good measure.
Listening Practice

LingQ

LingQ
Learn and practice French vocabulary and listening at any level with LingQ, an online learning system and language community.

Mot du jour

Mot du jour - French word of the day
Lawless French offers two different types of mots du jour: one is very basic and free, the other is more detailed and requires a nominal monthly fee.
Travel and Culture

Nationalities

Nationalities in French
Every country and continent has an adjective that can be used to describe people and things from that place. Those same adjectives can also be used as nouns to refer to people from that place, with one small change in French.
Vocabulary Lists

Office

French office vocabulary
Whether you commute to a traditional 9 to 5 desk job or work at home with a computer and a cat on your lap, this French vocabulary will help you set up, navigate, and talk about your office.
Vocabulary Lists

Parting Words

French good-byes
Every hello eventually leads to a good-bye. Here's how to say good-bye at any time of day as well as mention when you'll meet again.
Vocabulary Lists

Personality

French personality terms
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but friendliness is in the heart and kindness is in the soul. Check out this French vocabulary to learn how to describe someone's personality.
Travel and Culture

Politeness

French politeness
After bonjour, polite phrases like "please" and "thank you" are the most important French vocabulary you'll ever learn. When you visit France, knowing just these few phrases will go a long way, even if the very next thing you say is Parlez-vous anglais ?
Vocabulary Lists

School

French school terms
When it's time for school, students and teachers will be glad to know this French vocabulary.
Vocabulary Lists

Shops and Businesses

French shops and businesses
Unless you have a personal assistant, running errands is an unavoidable part of life. Food needs to be purchased, clothing washed, and money moved around on a regular basis. Here are the French names for the shops and robbers businesses that provide essential supplies and services.
Grammar Lessons

Telling Time

Telling time in FrenchKnowing how to tell time is essential for traveling, meeting up with friends, making appointments, and getting to work or school on time. Once you learn these formulas, you'll never have an excuse to be late again!
Vocabulary Lists

Toiletries and Cosmetics

French toiletries and cosmetics
Time to get ready! Do you know the French terms for toiletries, cosmetics, and the reflexive verbs that go with them? Check out this vocabulary list with sound files.
Vocabulary Lists

Train

French train vocabulary
Taking the train can be an excellent way to explore the country, so here's the French vocabulary you need to navigate the station, buy tickets, and arrive safely at your destination. Bon voyage !
Vocabulary Lists

Transportation

Transportation - French vocabulary
Trains, planes, and automobiles ... and buses and shuttles and, well, just take a look at this list of French vocabulary related to transportation.
Vocabulary Lists

Weather

French weather vocabulary
Understanding French weather terms is useful for deciding what to wear, planning what to do, and, of course, making small talk.
Vocabulary Lists

Weights and Measures

Weights and measures in French
Like most of the world, the French use the metric system for weights and measures. Here are the main units as well as a converter so you can find out the Imperial equivalents.

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