French
Vocab Builder for commonly used words in French.
attention
The French word 'attention' is used in the same way as the English 'attention.' It is a noun that infers overall meaning of concentration or focusing on something. For example, if a French teacher says 'Portez attention,' it means 'Pay attention.' It can also be used to denote caution or being careful.
Example sentences with attention →attraper
The French word 'attraper' is used similar to how the English word 'catch' is used. It can mean to capture or grab someone or something physically. It can also be used metaphorically, like to catch a cold, you would say 'attraper un rhume'. Just like 'catch', 'attraper' is a versatile word in French.
Example sentences with attraper →au lieu
The French word 'au lieu' is used in sentences in a similar manner to the English word 'instead'. It is typically used to indicate a substitute or alternative event happening in place of another. For example, 'Je vais prendre du thé au lieu de café' translates to 'I will have tea instead of coffee'.
Example sentences with au lieu →au revoir
The French word 'au revoir' is used to say 'bye' when leaving or parting from someone. It's a commonly used form of farewell. It directly translates to 'to the seeing', meaning 'until we see each other again'.
Example sentences with au revoir →au revoir pour toujours
The French phrase 'au revoir pour toujours' is used almost identically to 'goodbye forever' in English. It is a formal and somewhat dramatic way of saying goodbye, indicating that you do not expect to see the person again. However, it is not frequently used in casual conversation, as it carries a strong emotional weight.
Example sentences with au revoir pour toujours →au-delà
The French word for 'beyond' is 'au-delà'. This term is often used to refer to something that is further than a particular point or outside a particular region, or to express that something is greater or more extreme than a certain limit. For instance, it is used in phrases like 'au-delà de mes rêves' which translates to 'beyond my dreams'. Just like in English, it can be used for physical, metaphorical, or figurative contexts.
Example sentences with au-delà →augmenter
The French word 'augmenter' is equivalent to the English term 'raise'. It is usually used in the context of increasing something in quantity, size, quality, or strength like we do in English. For example, when discussing salary or wage increase, one might use 'augmenter'. However, in contexts where 'raise' is used to describe bringing up a child, the French term 'élever' is more appropriate. Nonetheless, its usage depends greatly on the context in which it is used.
Example sentences with augmenter →aujourd'hui
The French equivalent for the English word 'today' is 'aujourd'hui'. It is used in the same context to refer to the current day. For example, 'Je vais à la plage aujourd'hui' translates to 'I am going to the beach today'. This word is typically used in everyday conversation and written language.
Example sentences with aujourd'hui →aussi
The word 'aussi' in French is used in the same way as 'also' is used in English. It's typically utilized to add additional information in sentences. This word can be used anywhere in a sentence - either at the beginning or in the middle, according to the context.
Example sentences with aussi →auteur
In French, 'auteur' is used to denote author. It is often used in contexts such as storytelling, writing, film, and other mediums where creative narratives and ideas are created. Big emphasis is put on the author's unique personal influence on their work.
Example sentences with auteur →automne
In French, 'automne' refers to the season of fall or autumn. It's used in the same context as in English, to describe the period of the year between summer and winter when temperatures gradually decrease and leaves change color and fall off the trees.
Example sentences with automne →autorité
The French word 'autorité' translates to 'authority' in English. It is often used in the same context - to refer to the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. For example, in a sentence, 'Le professeur a l'autorité dans la classe,' translates to 'The teacher has authority in the class.'
Example sentences with autorité →autour
The French word 'autour' is used in a similar way to the English 'around'. It can indicate location or positioning surrounding something. For instance, 'autour de la maison' means 'around the house'. In addition, 'autour' can also be used to express the concept of approximate quantity or time, similar to the English usage of 'around'.
Example sentences with autour →autre
The French word for 'other' is 'autre'. It is used to refer to an alternate or remaining person or thing in French. 'Autre' can also often used in contexts to imply 'different'. For example, 'l'autre jour' means 'the other day', and 'une autre personne' means 'another person'. The use of 'autre' also changes according to the gender and number; 'autre' for singular and 'autres' for plural.
Example sentences with autre →avant
The French word 'avant' is used similarly to the English word 'before'. This can reference time, for example 'Avant le dîner' means 'before dinner'. It can also be used to denote ranking or position, like 'Je suis avant toi dans la file' meaning 'I am before you in line'.
Example sentences with avant →avantage
The French word 'avantage' is used similarly to the English word 'benefit', generally referring to a profit or gain. It can be used in various contexts, such as physical/health 'benefits,' and 'benefits' in finance and economics. Just like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to refer to any kind of advantage or upper hand. For example, in sports, a 'home advantage' would be translated as 'avantage à domicile' in French.
Example sentences with avantage →avec
The French word 'avec' is used in the same way as the English preposition 'with'. It is used to indicate association, combination, and connection. You can use 'avec' to specify someone or something is involved in an action or expressing a state. For instance, 'Je vais au cinéma avec mon ami' means 'I'm going to the cinema with my friend'.
Example sentences with avec →avenir
The French word 'avenir' is favorably used to denote 'future' in English. It is used in same contexts as it is in English, to refer to the time that is to come. It can be used in various sentences like 'Je pense à mon avenir' meaning 'I am thinking about my future'. It is a common word used in daily conversations and formal discussions about mission, direction or vision.
Example sentences with avenir →avis
The French word 'avis' directly translates to 'opinion' in English. It is used in a similar fashion as in English - to express personal beliefs, thoughts, or views on a particular topic. For example, 'Mon avis est que le film était excellent' means 'My opinion is that the movie was excellent'. It can be used in various contexts and can replace 'opinion' in almost all English sentences.
Example sentences with avis →avoir
The French verb 'avoir' corresponds to the English verb 'have'. However, 'avoir' is frequently used where 'be' is used in English as an auxiliary verb in various tenses and in expressions such as 'avoir faim' (to be hungry) and 'avoir besoin de' (to need).
Example sentences with avoir →balle
The French word 'balle' is used to refer to any ball-like object, similar to the English 'ball'. It can be used in various contexts such as sports, play, or even to refer to the shape of an object. Just like in English, 'balle' can be used to describe the act of throwing a ball (jeter une balle), catching a ball (attraper une balle), or playing with a ball (jouer à la balle).
Example sentences with balle →banque
In French, 'banque' refers to a financial institution that accepts deposits, lends money and offers related financial services. It is used in the same context as the English word 'bank'. For example, 'Je vais à la banque' means 'I am going to the bank'.
Example sentences with banque →bas
The French word 'bas' translates to 'down' in English. It is typically used to describe the position of something being lower than it was. Just like English, it is used in several contexts. For example, if you want to say 'I'm going down the road', you would say 'Je vais bas la route' in French.
Example sentences with bas →base
In French, 'base' is used in a similar context as in English, referring to the bottom support of anything or a concept that provides the foundation for something. It's used in various phrases and idiomatic expressions. For example, 'fractions de base' can be used to refer to basic fractions in math.
Example sentences with base →bâtiment
The French word for building is 'bâtiment'. It is used in the same way as in English to refer to any type of structure that has a roof and walls, such as houses, schools, offices, etc. For example, 'J'habite dans un grand bâtiment' means 'I live in a big building'.
Example sentences with bâtiment →beau
The English word 'beautiful' is translated as 'beau' in French. It is used to describe anything that one finds pleasing or attractive, much like the usage in English. Its feminine form is 'belle', used when referring to a female or an object that is feminine according to French grammar. The plural form is 'beaux' for masculine or mixed groups, and 'belles' for an all-female group.
Example sentences with beau →beaucoup
The French word 'beaucoup' translates to 'many' in English. It is typically used to denote a large quantity. 'Beaucoup' is an adverb and therefore does not conjugate or change form based on gender or number. It is commonly used in various contexts such as 'J'ai beaucoup de travail' - 'I have a lot of work'.
Example sentences with beaucoup →bébé
The French word 'bébé' is used similarly to the English word 'baby'. It can be used to refer to a child that is yet to walk or talk or as an affectionate term to refer to a loved one, such as a significant other.
Example sentences with bébé →bénédictions
The French word for 'blessings' is 'bénédictions'. This term is used similarly in French as it is in English, to represent divine or spiritual favor, well wishes, or positive thoughts. However, like English, the term can also be used more generally to express gratitude or thankfulness in day-to-day conversation or during special occasions.
Example sentences with bénédictions →besoin
The term 'besoin' in French translates to 'need' in English. It is most commonly used to express a necessity or requirement. It can be used in different contexts and combined with different verbs to express different types of needs. For example, 'J'ai besoin d'aide' translates to 'I need help'.
Example sentences with besoin →