How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 French words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this French vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

French vocabulary: basic verbs

To be, to have, to go, to do, to want: the basic French verbs, the ones found in almost every sentence.

Here are 100 French words on “Core verbs”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

French	English
ajouter	to add
répondre	to answer
connaître	to be familiar withBe familiar with someone or something
devenir	to becomeChange from one state to another
construire	to build
acheter	to buy
appeler	to call
porter	to carryHave on you, carry around
venir	to come
revenir	to come back
créer	to create
mourir	to die
entrer	to enter
expliquer	to explain
finir	to finish
rentrer	to go home
monter	to go up
chercher	to look for
perdre	to lose
rencontrer	to meet
ouvrir	to open
passer	to pass
jouer	to play
empêcher	to prevent
protéger	to protect
tirer	to pull
lire	to read
recevoir	to receive
dire	to say
servir	to serve
partager	to share
sourire	to smile
commencer	to start
arrêter	to stop
utiliser	to use
attendre	to waitBe patient, let time pass
vouloir	to want
se demander	to wonder
travailler	to work
écrire	to write

Level 2: medium 35 words

French	English
accepter	to accept
attaquer	to attack
falloir	to be necessary
casser	to break
apporter	to bringBring something towards the speaker
avouer	to confess
traverser	to cross
pleurer	to cry
décider	to decide
détruire	to destroy
disparaître	to disappear
sentir	to feelPerceive a physical sensation or an emotion
se battre	to fight
se lever	to get up
descendre	to go down
imaginer	to imagine
sauter	to jump
aimer	to love
bouger	to move
remarquer	to notice
proposer	to offer
organiser	to organise
enlever	to remove
réparer	to repair
remplacer	to replace
se reposer	to rest
courir	to run
réussir	to succeed
soutenir	to support
raconter	to tellNarrate, tell a story
jeter	to throw away
toucher	to touch
marcher	to walk
retirer	to withdraw
noter	to write down

Level 3: hard 25 words

French	English
supplier	to beg
appartenir	to belong
attraper	to catch
bavarder	to chat
nettoyer	to clean
critiquer	to criticise
exiger	to demand
dépendre	to depend
diviser	to divide
vider	to empty
estimer	to estimate
échouer	to fail
obliger	to force
rassembler	to gather
s’habiller	to get dressed
habiter	to live in
ramasser	to pick up
planifier	to plan
préférer	to prefer
s’asseoir	to sit down
serrer	to squeeze
allumer	to switch on
emmener	to take alongTake someone along with you
menacer	to threaten
chuchoter	to whisper

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 French words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this French vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.