100 Most Common French Words for Beginners

The (masculine singular article). The most common word in the French language.

Of, from, or about. A versatile preposition used in almost every sentence.

A, an, or one (masculine singular indefinite article).

To, at, or in. Essential for indicating direction or location.

To be. One of the two most important auxiliary verbs in French.

And. The primary coordinating conjunction.

In, by, or while. Used for location, time, and means of transport.

To have. Essential for expressing possession and forming compound tenses.

That, which, or whom. Acts as both a conjunction and a relative pronoun.

For. Indicates purpose, destination, or duration.

In, into, or within. Specifically refers to being inside a physical space.

This, that, or it. A demonstrative used widely in expressions like 'c'est'.

He or it (masculine singular subject pronoun).

Who, which, or that. A relative pronoun referring to people or things.

Not. The first part of the standard French negation 'ne... pas'.

On, upon, or over. Indicates position on top of something.

Himself, herself, itself, or themselves. Essential for reflexive verbs.

Not. The second and most emphasized part of French negation.

More. Used for comparisons and to express 'no longer' with 'ne'.

To be able to (can). Indicates ability or permission.

By, through, or per. Used to indicate agency or route.

I. The first-person singular subject pronoun.

With. Indicates accompaniment or the use of a tool.

All, every, or everything. Can be an adjective, noun, or adverb.

To do or to make. Used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions.

His, her, or its. A possessive adjective for masculine singular nouns.

To put, place, or set. Also used for 'to wear' or 'to take time'.

Other or another. Used to distinguish between items.

One, we, or they. An informal but very common subject pronoun.

But. Used to introduce a contrasting statement.

We or us. The first-person plural pronoun.

Like, as, or since. Used for comparisons and reasons.

Or. Used to present an alternative choice.

If, so, or yes (to a negative question).

Their or to them. Used as a possessive or an indirect object.

There, to it, or about it. An adverbial pronoun replacing places or ideas.

To say or tell. Fundamental for communication.

She or it (feminine singular subject pronoun).

To have to (must) or to owe. Indicates necessity.

Before. Used primarily for time and sequence.

Two. The first number after 'one'.

Same, even, or self. Used for emphasis or comparison.

To take, have (food/drink), or grab.

Also, too, or as. Used to indicate addition or degree.

The one, that one (masculine singular demonstrative pronoun).

To give. A core action verb.

Well or good. Primarily used as an adverb of manner.

Where. Used for both questions and relative clauses.

Time or occasion (as in 'one time').

You (formal singular or plural).

Still, yet, or again.

To want. Essential for expressing desires.

New. Changes forms to 'nouvel' or 'nouvelle'.

To go. Used for travel and forming the near future.

Between or among.

First. Used to denote priority or rank.

None, no, or not any.

Already. Refers to something that has happened.

Large, big, or tall.

My (masculine singular possessive adjective).

Small, little, or short.

Certain or some. Used to specify items or certainty.

Hour or time. Used to tell the time.

Thing. A very general and frequent noun.

To see. Basic sensory verb.

You (informal singular subject pronoun).

After. Indicates following in time or space.

To know (a fact) or to know how to.

Good. Basic qualitative adjective.

A lot or much/many. Common quantifier.

During or for. Used for duration.

Hands. A basic anatomical noun.

To find or to think (in terms of opinion).

World or people (as in 'everyone').

Very. Intensifier used with adjectives and adverbs.

Woman or wife.

Man. Also used generally for 'mankind'.

To come. Basic movement verb.

Now. Indicates current time.

Which or what. Interrogative adjective.

If. Conditional marker.

To want. Indicates desire.

Time or weather.

Day. Refers to a single 24-hour period.

Life. Central concept in literature and speech.

Country or land.

Few or little. Opposite of 'beaucoup'.

Because or for. Used to explain a reason.

To pass, spend (time), or cross.

To leave or depart.

Result, continuation, or sequence.

To look at or watch.

Nothing. Used for negation.

Here. Indicates the current location.

To believe or think.

To speak or talk.

Only or just.

To understand or include.

Since or for (time).

To wait for or expect.