How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 French words on “Repairs and upkeep”. The full topic holds 145 in the KoKo app: 58 at the easy level, 50 at the medium level and 37 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: DIY and housework

Cleaning, repairing, painting, screwing: the French words for housework, tools and DIY.

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

Level 1: easy 40 words

French	English
poubelle	bin
sac poubelle	bin bag
ciment	cement
artisan	craftsman
poussière	dust
marteau	hammer
ménage	housework
fer à repasser	iron
fuite	leak
niveau	level
clou	nail
peinture	paint
tuyau	pipe
pince	pliers
fil à plomb	plumb line
rouleau	roller
papier de verre	sandpaper
vis	screw
joint	seal
graine	seed
court-circuit	short circuit
savon	soap
éponge	sponge
tache	stain
percer	to drill
vider	to empty
fixer	to fasten
plier	to fold
coller	to glue
repasser	to iron
peindre	to paint
planter	to plant
remonter	to reassemble
jeter	to throw away
outil	tool
boîte à outils	tool box
linge	washing
liquide vaisselle	washing up liquid
bois	wood
établi	workbench

Level 2: medium 34 words

French	English
tablier	apron
eau de javel	bleach
balai	broom
seau	bucket
chiffon	cloth
pince à linge	clothes peg
terreau	compost
perceuse	drill
foret	drill bit
lime	file
enduit	filler
jardinage	gardening
produit ménager	household cleanerGeneral term for household cleaning
isolant	insulating material
tondeuse	lawn mower
plomberie	plumbing
devis	quote
ordure	rubbish
scie	saw
tournevis	screwdriver
silicone	silicone
mètre ruban	tape measure
ajuster	to adjust
démonter	to dismantle
rincer	to rinse
frotter	to scrub
trier	to sort
balayer	to sweep
bricoler	to tinker
aspirer	to vacuum
arroser	to water
cutter	utility knife
rondelle	washer
déchet	waste

Level 3: hard 26 words

French	English
boulon	bolt
nettoyant	cleaning productProduct used to clean a surface
adoucissant	fabric softener
balayette	hand brush
repassage	ironing
serpillière	mop
tenaille	pincers
équerre	set square
détachant	stain remover
agrafeuse	stapler
ruban adhésif	tape
encombrer	to clutter
enduire	to coat
désencombrer	to declutter
désinfecter	to disinfect
épousseter	to dust
clouer	to nail
poncer	to sand
scier	to saw
visser	to screw
décaper	to strip
dévisser	to unscrew
désherber	to weed
siphon	waste trap
arrosoir	watering can
clé à molette	wrench

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 “Repairs and upkeep”. The full topic holds 145 in the KoKo app: 58 at the easy level, 50 at the medium level and 37 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.