Want to revitalize your approach to teaching French vocabulary? Explore our comprehensive French vocabulary lists covering topics like family, house, vacation, sports, school, animals, and food. Engage your students with the exciting activities below to invigorate your lesson plans!
Additionally, access our free printable French vocabulary lists and cards by logging into your We Are Teachers account on this page for immediate access.
French Vocabulary Lists
La Famille (the Family)
la mère (the mother)
le père (the father)
le frère (the brother)
la sœur (the sister)
le fils (the son)
la fille (the daughter)
le chien (the dog)
le chat (the cat)
le grand-père (the grandfather)
la grand-mère (the grandmother)
la tante (the aunt)
l’oncle (the uncle)
la nièce (the niece)
le neveu (the nephew)
le cousin (the male cousin)
la cousine (the female cousin)
le beau-père (the father-in-law)
la belle-mère (the mother-in-law)
le beau-frère (the brother-in-law)
la belle-sœur (the sister-in-law)
La Maison (the House)
la maison (the house)
l’appartement (the apartment)
immeuble d’appartements (the apartment building)
le rez-de-chaussée (the lobby)
le premier Ă©tage (the first floor)
le deuxième étage (the second floor)
le troisième étage (the third floor)
le jardin (the garden)
l’herbe (the grass)
l’arbre (the tree)
la fleur (the flower)
la chambre Ă coucher (the bedroom)
le lit (the bed)
la cuisine (the kitchen)
le four (the oven)
la fourchette (the fork)
le couteau (the knife)
la cuillère (the spoon)
le verre (the glass)
la serviette (the napkin)
la tasse (the mug)
l’évier (the sink)
le réfrigérateur (the refrigerator)
le congélateur (the freezer)
la salle Ă manger (the dining room)
la table (the table)
les chaises (the chairs)
les toilettes (the toilet)
la salle de bain (the bathroom)
le savon (the soap)
la baignoire (the bathtub)
la douche (the shower)
le miroir (the mirror)
le lavabo (the bathroom sink)
le salon (the living room)
le canapé (the couch)
la télévision (the television)
le garage (the garage)
le grenier (the attic)
le sous-sol (the basement)
Les Vacances (the Vacation)
l’avion (the plane)
le train (the train)
le métro (the subway)
la voiture (the car)
le billet (the ticket)
la valise (the suitcase)
l’aéroport (the airport)
la gare (the train station)
la plage (the beach)
l’océan (the ocean)
la piscine (the pool)
le sable (the sand)
le maillot de bain (the bathing suit)
des lunettes de soleil (the sunglasses)
la crème solaire (the sunscreen)
Il fait chaud. (It is hot.)
la campagne (the countryside)
les montagnes (the mountains)
faire du ski (to go skiing)
la neige (the snow)
Il fait froid. (It is cold.)
les gants (the gloves)
le bonnet (the hat)
l’écharpe (the scarf)
la colonie de vacances (the summer camp)
Le Sport (Sports)
le basketball (basketball)
le football (soccer)
le football américain (American football)
le baseball (baseball)
la randonnée (hiking)
le tennis (tennis)
la natation (swimming)
le golf (golf)
la gymnastique (gymnastics)
le stade (the stadium)
le match (the match)
les Jeux Olympiques (the Olympic Games)
Les Animaux (the Animals)
le cheval (the horse)
la chèvre (the goat)
la vache (the cow)
la poulet (the chicken)
le lapin (the rabbit)
le hibou (the owl)
l’oiseau (the bird)
le poisson (the fish)
le lion (the lion)
le zèbre (the zebra)
le perroquet (the parrot)
l’araignée (the spider)
le tigre (the tiger)
le singe (the monkey)
le serpent (the snake)
L’alimentation (Food)
le pain (the bread)
la viande (the meat)
les céréales (the cereal)
le sandwich (the sandwich)
le poulet (the chicken)
la pomme (the apple)
la poire (the pear)
l’orange (the orange)
la tomate (the tomato)
le concombre (the cucumber)
la salade (the salad)
le chocolat (the chocolate)
la glace (the ice cream)
le croissant (the croissant)
le pain au chocolat (the chocolate croissant)
le lait (the milk)
le thé (the tea)
le café (the coffee)
le jus (the juice)
le soda (the soda)
le petit déjeuner (the breakfast)
le déjeuner (the lunch)
le goûter (the snack)
le dîner (the dinner)
le restaurant (the restaurant)
L’école (the School)
le professeur (the teacher)
la garderie (the daycare)
l’école maternelle (the preschool)
l’école élémentaire (the elementary school)
le collège (the middle school)
le lycée (the high school)
l’université (the university)
le crayon (the pencil)
le stylo (the pen)
les feutres (the felt pens)
les marqueurs (the markers)
les ciseaux (the scissors)
les livres (the books)
le papier (the paper)
le cahier (the notebook)
le classeur (the binder)
le tableau noir (the blackboard)
la gomme (the eraser)
la trousse (the pencil case)
le cartable (the school bag)
le sac Ă dos (the backpack)
les mathématiques (math)
les sciences (science)
l’histoire-géographie (social studies, history, geography)
les arts plastiques (art)
la musique (music)
la technologie (technology)
Activities To Teach French Vocabulary
Introduce the Words
To initially introduce vocabulary in context, narrate a simple story using the target words. Make the story accessible with plenty of cognates, high-frequency words, drawings, and gestures. After the story, ask students four true-or-false questions in French based on the vocabulary to assess their understanding (e.g., if the word is “mother,” ask, “Is the mother’s name Pierre or Anne?”).
After the story, provide students with printed copies where the target vocabulary is highlighted and paired with an image representing each word (consider using thenounproject.com for free icons). Distribute a list of simplified French definitions for students to match with the vocabulary words. Use cognates or familiar high-frequency words in definitions. Finally, review if students could match definitions using context clues from the story and definitions provided.
Another method to introduce vocabulary is through “this or that?” slides. For instance, in a school-related vocabulary unit, display labeled images of a pen and pencil, and have students express their writing preference (a perfect opportunity for number review!). Provide students with a printout of the slideshow at the start so they can see all vocabulary terms being taught.
Gamify
Create a free review game on platforms like Blooket.com. Each question can present the French definition, prompting students to choose the corresponding English word. This engaging approach allows them to practice vocabulary through a video game format.
Vocab Bee
Have students form two lines facing you, with two students at a time. Show a card with the French definition visible to them, and keep the vocabulary word on the reverse for your view only. The first student to correctly identify the vocabulary word wins the round. The pair then moves to the back of the line, and the next two students step forward to continue the game.
Associations
One student randomly selects a vocabulary word from a hat. Their task is to get classmates to identify the word by providing related descriptions or associated French words. For example, if the word is “the beach,” they might use terms like “summer,” “sand,” and “ocean,” or reference an actual beach as an example. Alternatively, provide students with a list of locations, challenging the class to use French terms to deduce the place. For a travel unit, if guessing Disney World, they might inquire about the weather, clothing, transportation (plane, car, train), and whether it is domestic or international.
Who Am I?
Distribute whiteboards to students. Present three first-person clues (e.g., for scissors: “You can cut paper with me. I love art class. I’m sharp.”). Include a mix of simple and complex clues. Students write the vocabulary word on their board and display it for verification. After several rounds, increase difficulty by giving students a card with a vocabulary word and having them take turns providing clues to the class.
Crayon Battle
In this activity, students compete in pairs. Each student uses a different colored crayon. Provide each pair with a paper featuring vocabulary words scattered across it. Read a definition or association in French aloud. The first to circle the corresponding word earns a point for that round. At the game’s conclusion, students count their points to determine the winner.
Student Storytelling
Using the introductory story as a template, students create their own brief stories incorporating target vocabulary, which they then present to the class. Following the reading, the presenting student poses four questions in French regarding their story—either true-or-false or open-ended. This creative and interactive approach serves as an excellent way to conclude any unit.
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