French French

Vocab Builder for commonly used words in French.

a
has

The French word for 'has' is 'a'. However, it is important to note that French does not use a form of 'to have' in the same way as English. The verb 'avoir' (to have) is used to express possession, but in the present tense, it is not used in the same way as 'has' in English. For example, 'He has a car' in French would be 'Il a une voiture'. The 'a' in this sentence is a form of 'avoir' and not a separate word like 'has' in English.

Example sentences with  a
à bientôt
See you soon

The French term 'à bientôt' is used in a similar way as 'see you soon' in English. It is used when taking leave from someone, with the implication that you will see them in the near future. It is a casual phrase, commonly used in conversation.

Example sentences with  à bientôt
à demain
See you tomorrow

The French expression 'à demain' is used when you want to say 'see you tomorrow' to someone. It's a very common phrase used in casual conversations. Please note 'demain' means tomorrow in French.

Example sentences with  à demain
à distance
remote

The French term "à distance" is used to describe something that is remote or not physically present. It can refer to a location, such as a remote village, or a situation, such as remote work or remote learning. In French, "à distance" is often used in the context of technology, such as remote access to a computer system or remote communication via video conferencing.

Example sentences with  à distance
à l'étranger
abroad

The French phrase 'à l'étranger' is used to express the concept of 'abroad' in English. It literally translates to 'to foreign lands' and is used to describe a location outside of one's own country. This phrase is often used in contexts such as travel, work, or study abroad programs.

Example sentences with  à l'étranger
à l'intérieur de
within

The French equivalent for 'within' is 'à l'intérieur de'. It is often used to describe some sort of containment or existence within set boundaries or limits. In French, it can also imply a certain period in time. Like in English, 'à l'intérieur de' is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Example sentences with  à l'intérieur de
à l'origine
originally

The French phrase 'à l'origine' is used to indicate the initial state or condition of something, similar to its English counterpart 'originally'. It can refer to the beginning of a timeline, the source of an idea, or the initial form of an object before any changes were made. It is often used in discussions about history, development, or transformation.

à la carte
eat a la carte

The phrase 'à la carte' in French literally means 'by the menu' and is used to describe a dining style where customers can choose individual dishes from a menu rather than ordering a set meal. This approach allows for greater flexibility and personalization of the dining experience, as patrons can select exactly what they want to eat, often paying for each item separately.

à part
aside

The French phrase 'à part' is used to express the concept of something being aside or separate from something else. It can also be used to describe something that is exceptional or out of the ordinary. For example, 'Il a une chambre à part' means 'He has a separate room.' The phrase can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as 'C'est un cas à part' which means 'It's a special case.' In English, 'aside' can also be used to mean 'beside' or 'to one side,' but in French, 'à côté' is used for this meaning.

Example sentences with  à part
à peine
hardly

The French phrase 'à peine' is used to express a situation or condition that is barely true or exists. It conveys a sense of something being limited or done to a minimal degree, much like the English word 'hardly.' This phrase can often be seen in contexts where action or presence is very slight, such as in phrases like 'Je l'ai à peine remarqué' which translates to 'I hardly noticed him/her.'

à plus tard
See you later

The French phrase 'à plus tard' is often used during parting, equivalent to the English 'see you later'. It is a casual expression and mostly used among friends or people of the same age. It is used when you predict to see the other person later on the same day.

Example sentences with  à plus tard
à qui
whose

The French translation for 'whose' is 'à qui'. It is a possessive pronoun used in questions. It can be used in both formal and informal situations in French. For example, 'à qui est cette voiture?' translates to 'whose car is this?'. Thus, it serves the same purpose as 'whose' in English but follows a slightly different structure in sentences.

Example sentences with  à qui
à travers
through

The French term for 'through' is 'à travers'. It is used in the same context as in English. For instance, when indicating movement from one side to another, or expressing time or intensity. Like doing something 'à travers la journée' which means 'throughout the day'. It can also denote means of accomplishing something. However, It's important to note that prepositions can be tricky in French and sometimes 'through' can be translated differently based on the context.

Example sentences with  à travers
abaisser les bras
lower your arms

The phrase 'abaisser les bras' in French is used both literally and figuratively. Literally, it means to lower your physical arms, often used in contexts of relaxation or ending a stance. Figuratively, it can express the notion of giving up or surrendering in a situation, akin to saying one is no longer fighting or resisting.

abandonner ses études
abandon studies

In French, 'abandonner ses études' refers to the act of quitting or leaving one's academic studies before completion. This phrase is often used in discussions about education and personal choices, indicating a significant decision that can impact a person's future. It can be applied to various educational contexts, such as high school or university, and has connotations of giving up on one's educational goals.

abominable
to be abominable

The French word 'abominable' is used in a similar context as in English, referring to something that is extremely unpleasant, detestable, or worthy of hatred. It can describe actions, behaviors, or even situations that evoke strong feelings of disgust or moral outrage. This adjective can be used in both formal and informal settings, often to emphasize the severity of a negative quality or action.

abri
shelter

The French word 'abri' is used to describe a place of refuge or protection, similar to the English word 'shelter'. It can refer to a physical structure, such as a building or a tent, or a more abstract concept, such as a safe haven or a place of security. The word is often used in the context of providing protection from the elements or from danger, and can be used as both a noun and a verb.

Example sentences with  abri
absolument
absolutely

The French word 'absolument' is used in the same way as 'absolutely' in English. It is an adverb that is used to agree completely or to emphasize something. You can use it to express full agreement, or to say that something is entirely true or accurate. Examples include: 'Il est absolument correct' (He's absolutely correct), or 'C'est absolument merveilleux!' (It's absolutely wonderful!).

Example sentences with  absolument
abstinent
to be a teetotal

In French, 'abstinent' refers to a person who chooses not to consume alcohol. It can be used to describe someone who has vowed to abstain from drinking, often for health, personal, or religious reasons. The term conveys a sense of commitment to a lifestyle that avoids intoxicating beverages.

abus
abuse

The French word 'abus' is used to describe the misuse or improper treatment of something. It can refer to physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. It's important to note that 'abus' is a masculine noun, so any accompanying adjectives should be in the masculine form.

Example sentences with  abus
académie de ballet
ballet academy

In French, 'académie de ballet' refers to a school or institution where students receive training in ballet, a classical dance form characterized by its graceful movements and precise techniques. These academies often offer various levels of instruction, from beginner to advanced, and may provide performance opportunities for students to showcase their skills.

académie de langue
language academy

In French, 'académie de langue' refers to an institution or organization dedicated to teaching languages, where students can learn various languages through structured classes and immersive experiences. These academies often provide courses for different levels and age groups, emphasizing cultural understanding alongside language skills.

académie de musique
music academy

In French, 'académie de musique' refers to an institution where students can learn about music, including theory, performance, and various musical instruments. These academies may offer classes for different age groups and skill levels, and they often emphasize both practical and theoretical aspects of music education.

accélérer le service
speed up service

The French phrase 'accélérer le service' is commonly used in contexts where there is a desire or need to increase the pace at which services are delivered, such as in restaurants or customer service environments. It implies urgency and efficiency in fulfilling requests or completing tasks more quickly to enhance customer satisfaction.

Example sentences with  accélérer le service
accentuation
emphasis

The French word 'accentuation' can be used similarly to the English word 'emphasis' when talking about stress or importance placed on something, typically in the context of speech or writing. It can also effectively be used in music or art to highlight a particular feature or aspect.

Example sentences with  accentuation
acceptable
acceptable

In French, 'acceptable' is used in a similar way as in English, to describe something that is satisfactory or permissible. It can refer to standards, behavior, or conditions that are considered appropriate or tolerable in various contexts, such as social situations or quality assessments.

accepter
accept

The French word 'accepter' is used in much the same contexts as the English word 'accept'. It is used to agree to receive or undertake something. It is a regular '-er' verb and must be conjugated depending on the subject and tense.

Example sentences with  accepter
accepter
agree

The French word 'accepter' is used similarly as 'agree' in English. It is mainly used when you want to consent to a proposition or offer made by someone or accept an understanding. However, it can also express the idea of accepting or receiving things or people. Hence, although 'accepter' is not a direct counterpart of 'agree', it is used in most contexts to convey the meaning of agreement.

Example sentences with  accepter
accès
access

The French word 'accès' is used to refer to the ability or permission to enter or make use of something. It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, such as access to a building or access to information. It is a masculine noun and is pronounced 'ak-say'.

Example sentences with  accès
accident
accident

The French word 'accident' is used similarly to the English word 'accident'. It refers to an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance. It can be used in a variety of contexts from car accidents (accident de voiture) to workplace accidents (accident de travail).

Example sentences with  accident
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