[2024-10-01] Kickstart Your French with 5 Essential Words!

ancien

The French word 'ancien' is used to refer to something that used to exist or be in effect in the past. It is equivalent to the English word 'former'. It can be used in various contexts such as former president (ancien président), former student (ancien élève), etc. The position of 'ancien' before or after the noun can change the meaning; placed before the noun it translates as 'former' and after the noun, it translates as 'ancient' or 'old'.

Here's how to use it:

• C'est un style ancien mais charmant.
• Elle est une ancienne élève de mon école.
• C'est une maison de style ancien.

commencer

The French word 'commencer' translates to 'start' in English. It is mainly used to indicate the beginning of an action, event, or process. Just like in English, it can be used in a wide range of contexts, whether you're starting a car, a conversation, or a meal.

Here's how to use it:

• Vous devriez commencer à étudier pour l'examen dès maintenant.
• Il est temps de commencer à manger plus sain.
• Ils vont commencer à construire la maison la semaine prochaine.

rester

The French word 'rester' meaning 'to remain' is used much the same as the English word. It often applies to staying in a certain place or state, and can be used in various tenses in sentences. For example, 'Je vais rester ici' translates to 'I will remain here'.

Here's how to use it:

• Nous devons rester à la maison.
• Tu peux rester ici.
• Je veux rester avec toi.

ceci

The French word 'ceci' is commonly used to refer to something that is close to the speaker. It's generally used in a similar context that 'this' would be used in English. Remember, in French, all nouns have a gender so 'ceci' should match the gender and number of the noun it is paired with.

Here's how to use it:

• Ceci est très important à comprendre.
• Pouvez-vous trouver une erreur dans ceci?
• Ceci est tout ce que j'ai.

deuxième

The French word 'deuxième' corresponds to 'second' in English and is used in similar contexts. It is suitable to use it in sequences, telling time, positioning, etc. For example, when indicating your standing after the first person, the term 'deuxième' is used. It's important to remember that the numbering in French employs 'deuxième' for 'second', unlike in English where 'second' and 'two' are distinctly different words.

Here's how to use it:

• C'est mon deuxième voyage en France.
• Elle est la deuxième personne à qui j'ai parlé aujourd'hui.
• L'équipe a marqué dans la deuxième moitié du jeu.

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