French French

Vocab Builder for commonly used words in French.

officiel
official

The French word 'officiel' translates to 'official' in English. It is mostly used as an adjective to refer to formal, officially sanctioned or authorised actions or things, etc. For instance, 'Ce document est officiel' means 'This document is official'. It can also be used in contexts like official titles, positions, statements, etc.

Example sentences with  officiel
officier
officer

The French word 'officier' is used to refer to an individual who holds a position of authority in the military or police force, very much like in English. For example, you can say 'Il est officier de police', which translates to 'He is a police officer'. Please note different branches of the military may have specific ranks and titles.

Example sentences with  officier
offrir
offer

The French word for 'offer' is 'offrir'. This verb is used in a variety of contexts, similar to the English usage. You might use it when offering someone a gift, 'Je veux t'offrir un cadeau', which translates as 'I want to offer you a gift'. It also can imply the meaning of providing something like a service or opportunity. Remember, in French, verb conjugation is important and 'offrir' follow an irregular verb conjugation pattern.

Example sentences with  offrir
opportunité
opportunity

The French word 'opportunité' is a noun usually used to refer to a set of circumstances or a chance that makes it possible to do something. Similar to English, it is used in various contexts when discussing the possibility for advancement or progress.

Example sentences with  opportunité
optimisme
optimism

The French word 'optimisme' is a masculine noun used in various contexts just like in English, to express hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something. It can also be used to describe a person's character trait.

Example sentences with  optimisme
option
option

The French equivalent of 'option' is 'option'. It is used in the same context as in English, often relating to a choice or decision amongst several probable alternatives. It is a common word used in legal, business, and everyday discussions in French-speaking areas.

Example sentences with  option
ordinateur
computer

The French word for computer is 'ordinateur'. This word is used much in the same way as it is in English, to refer to a programmable machine that performs high-speed processing of numbers, as well as manipulation of text, graphics, and sound. For example, 'Je suis devant mon ordinateur' which means 'I'm in front of my computer.'

Example sentences with  ordinateur
ordre
order

'Ordre' is the French translation for 'order' and it is used in similar contexts as in English. It can be used to signify a sequence or arrangement, a request for some product or service, or a command given by someone in authority. But it's important to note that certain context-specific uses of 'order' in English may require different French translations. Always consider the sentence as a whole before deciding which French word to use.

Example sentences with  ordre
organisation
organization

In French, 'organisation' is used to describe a structured body or system, just like in English. It can refer to companies, charities, sports clubs, etc. For instance, 'Je travaille pour une grande organisation' means 'I work for a large organization'. However, be careful with pronunciation and spelling as 'organisation' in French is written with an 's' rather than a 'z'.

Example sentences with  organisation
where

The French term 'où' is equivalent to the English word 'where'. It is used to ask about a location or position. Similar to English, 'où' can be used in both direct and indirect questions or clauses about location. As an example, 'Où est la bibliothèque?' translates to 'Where is the library?' in English. It also plays a role in some descriptive clauses, such as in 'L'endroit où nous avons mangé' which translates to 'The place where we ate'.

Example sentences with  
ouais
yeah

The French word 'ouais' is often used as an informal or slang way to say 'yeah' in English. It is usually used in casual conversation and is equivalent to saying 'yes.' However, it is less formal than 'oui,' the standard French word for 'yes.'

Example sentences with  ouais
oublier
forget

The French term 'oublier' is a verb which translates to 'forget' in English. In French, it is used in a similar context as in English. For instance, 'J'ai oublié le livre à la maison' translates to 'I forgot the book at home'. The verb is commonly used in daily conversations, and much like English, it is adapted according to the tense and subject.

Example sentences with  oublier
ouest
west

The French word for west is 'ouest'. Similar to English, it can be used in various contexts such as geographical directions, weather reports, or to describe the areas in the west of a region or country. For instance, if one is instructing someone to head west in French, they would say to 'head to the ouest'. It can also be found in compound words like North-West ('nord-ouest') or South-West ('sud-ouest'). It's important to note that in French, compass directions are not capitalized unless they are part of a proper noun.

Example sentences with  ouest
ouvrir
open

The word 'ouvrir' in French is the equivalent of 'open' in English. It is a verb and it can be used in several contexts such as opening a door - 'ouvrir la porte', opening a book - 'ouvrir un livre', and opening a window - 'ouvrir une fenêtre'. Just like in English, it can be used both literally and figuratively in a sentence.

Example sentences with  ouvrir
page
page

In French, 'page' has the same spelling and meaning as English. It refers to one side of a sheet of paper in a collection of sheets bound together, such as in a book or notebook. For instance, you might use it like, 'Tournez la page' which means 'Turn the page.' It's a directly translatable word and commonly used in both languages in regular conversations and in writing.

Example sentences with  page
pain
bread

The French word for bread is 'pain'. It is a masculine noun, so you would say 'le pain'. It is used similarly to how it is used in English. For example: 'Je mange du pain' translates to 'I eat bread'.

Example sentences with  pain
pain d'épices
gingerbread

The French word 'pain d'épices' directly translates into 'spice bread', but it's used to indicate 'gingerbread' in English. This term is often used to describe a variety of baked goods that are flavored with ginger and a variety of other spices. It's associated with the holiday season in both cultures.

Example sentences with  pain d'épices
pain grillé
toast

In French, 'pain grillé' is the phrase used to describe 'toast'. It is literally translated as 'grilled bread'. You might use it in phrases like 'Je mange du pain grillé pour le petit déjeuner', which means 'I eat toast for breakfast'.

Example sentences with  pain grillé
papier
paper

The French word for 'paper' is 'papier'. It is used in a similar context as in English, referring to the material used for writing, drawing, or printing on. It can also refer to a piece of paper, like a document or newspaper. For example, 'un papier' could mean a sheet of paper or a document, while 'du papier' could refer to paper as a material.

Example sentences with  papier
parc
park

The French word for 'park' is 'parc'. It is used in the same context as in English - a public, outdoor space where people can relax and play. Some common phrases include 'aller au parc' (go to the park) and 'jouer dans le parc' (play in the park).

Example sentences with  parc
parce que
because

The French word 'parce que' is used similarly to the English 'because'. It's used to provide a reason or justification for something stated previously. Note that 'parce que' is two words in French, not one.

Example sentences with  parce que
parent
parent

The French word 'parent' similar to its English equivalent, is used to signify a mother or a father. It is a universal term that can be used in most contexts just as it is in English. It is also used in plural form, 'parents', to refer to both mother and father.

Example sentences with  parent
parfait
perfect

The French word for perfect, 'parfait', is used similarly to the English word 'perfect'. It can describe an object, person, or situation that is as good as it is possible to be. It is frequently used in everyday conversations and in various contexts. For example, you could use it to describe a test score (un score parfait), or the weather (un temps parfait). The word 'Parfait' is also used in the world of French cuisine to describe a type of frozen dessert.

Example sentences with  parfait
parfois
sometimes

The French equivalent of 'sometimes' is 'parfois'. It is typically used to describe an event or action that happens not all the time, but on certain occasions. Similar to its usage in English, 'parfois' is usually used in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence in French.

Example sentences with  parfois
parler
talk

The French word 'parler' directly translates to 'talk' in English. It is a verb that is commonly used in French sentences to describe the act of speaking to someone or communicating through words. For example, 'Je parle avec mon professeur' translates to 'I am talking with my teacher'. It can be used in different contexts and tenses based on the situation.

Example sentences with  parler
parmi
among

The French word 'parmi' translates to 'among' in English. It is typically used to indicate being included or involved in a larger group. The preposition 'parmi' can be used in different contexts to mean among or between when referring to a collective or group of people, things, or ideas.

Example sentences with  parmi
parrain
godfather

The French term for 'godfather' is 'parrain'. It refers to a man who promises to help a child grow up to be a good person and provides help and advice as the child grows up. It is commonly used in the context of baptism, where the 'parrain' is a spiritual guide for the child.

Example sentences with  parrain
partager
share

The word 'partager' in French, translated to English as 'share', is used similarly as in English. It can be used to refer to the act of giving a portion of something to others, such as 'partager un repas' (share a meal). It can also describe sharing in a more abstract sense, like information or experiences.

Example sentences with  partager
partenaire
partner

The term 'partenaire' is used to refer to a partner. It can mean a romantic partner, business partner or even an activity partner.

Example sentences with  partenaire
particulièrement
especially

The French word 'particulièrement' is an adverb which is directly synonymous with the English word 'especially'. It is often used to highlight something particular, often with a sense of singling out or talking about what is exceptional or high importance. Just like in English, it can be used to introduce a case in point or specify a particular situation in a sentence.

Example sentences with  particulièrement
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