If you are starting French, the fastest way to improve is not to learn advanced grammar first. It is to build a strong base of useful everyday words. This French A1 vocabulary list gives you 200 essential words that appear again and again in beginner conversation, reading, and listening.
To keep this easy to study, the list is organized by theme. Each section also includes a simple example sentence so you can learn the words in context, not as isolated items.
What is A1 vocabulary in French?
A1 is the beginner level on the CEFR scale. At this level, learners should understand and use very common words about greetings, identity, family, food, places, simple verbs, time, and everyday situations. These 200 words are a practical beginner foundation.
1. Greetings and polite words
- bonjour = hello
- salut = hi
- bonsoir = good evening
- au revoir = goodbye
- a bientot = see you soon
- a demain = see you tomorrow
- s’il vous plait = please
- merci = thank you
- merci beaucoup = thank you very much
- de rien = you’re welcome
- oui = yes
- non = no
- peut-etre = maybe
- excusez-moi = excuse me
- pardon = sorry
- madame = ma’am
- monsieur = sir
- mademoiselle = miss
- enchante = nice to meet you
- tres bien = very good
Example: Bonjour monsieur, un cafe s’il vous plait. Merci beaucoup.
2. Introducing yourself
- je = I
- tu = you
- vous = you
- moi = me
- mon nom = my name
- je m’appelle = my name is
- je suis = I am
- j’habite = I live
- je viens de = I come from
- francais = French
- anglais = English
- americain = American
- italien = Italian
- etudiant = student
- professeur = teacher
- ami = friend
- femme = woman
- homme = man
- ville = city
- pays = country
Example: Je m’appelle Lina. Je suis italienne et j’habite dans une grande ville.
3. Numbers and time
- un = one
- deux = two
- trois = three
- quatre = four
- cinq = five
- six = six
- sept = seven
- huit = eight
- neuf = nine
- dix = ten
- aujourd’hui = today
- demain = tomorrow
- hier = yesterday
- matin = morning
- apres-midi = afternoon
- soir = evening
- nuit = night
- heure = hour
- minute = minute
- jour = day
Example: Aujourd’hui, j’ai cours a dix heures du matin.
4. Family words
- famille = family
- mere = mother
- pere = father
- parents = parents
- frere = brother
- soeur = sister
- fils = son
- fille = daughter
- mari = husband
- epouse = wife
- grand-mere = grandmother
- grand-pere = grandfather
- enfant = child
- bebe = baby
- oncle = uncle
- tante = aunt
- cousin = cousin
- cousine = cousin
- petit-ami = boyfriend
- petite-amie = girlfriend
Example: J’ai un frere, une soeur et une grande famille.
5. Food and drink
- pain = bread
- fromage = cheese
- pomme = apple
- banane = banana
- orange = orange
- eau = water
- cafe = coffee
- the = tea
- lait = milk
- vin = wine
- petit-dejeuner = breakfast
- dejeuner = lunch
- diner = dinner
- restaurant = restaurant
- menu = menu
- addition = bill
- poisson = fish
- poulet = chicken
- riz = rice
- salade = salad
Example: Au restaurant, je prends une salade, du poulet et de l’eau.
6. Places and transport
- maison = house
- appartement = apartment
- ecole = school
- universite = university
- gare = station
- aeroport = airport
- rue = street
- ville = city
- village = village
- magasin = shop
- supermarche = supermarket
- marche = market
- parc = park
- banque = bank
- hotel = hotel
- metro = metro
- bus = bus
- train = train
- voiture = car
- route = road
Example: La gare est pres du parc, et le bus s’arrete devant l’hotel.
7. Common beginner verbs
- etre = to be
- avoir = to have
- aller = to go
- faire = to do / make
- venir = to come
- parler = to speak
- manger = to eat
- boire = to drink
- aimer = to like
- etudier = to study
- travailler = to work
- habiter = to live
- regarder = to watch
- ecouter = to listen
- acheter = to buy
- donner = to give
- prendre = to take
- chercher = to look for
- trouver = to find
- comprendre = to understand
Example: J’aime etudier le francais, parler avec des amis et comprendre de nouvelles phrases.
8. Useful adjectives
- grand = big / tall
- petit = small
- bon = good
- mauvais = bad
- chaud = hot
- froid = cold
- jeune = young
- vieux = old
- content = happy
- triste = sad
- facile = easy
- difficile = difficult
- rapide = fast
- lent = slow
- important = important
- pret = ready
- occupe = busy
- libre = free
- beau = beautiful
- nouveau = new
Example: Ce livre est facile, mais le nouvel exercice est un peu difficile.
9. Question words and connectors
- qui = who
- que = what
- quoi = what
- ou = where
- quand = when
- pourquoi = why
- comment = how
- combien = how much / how many
- quel = which / what
- quelle = which / what
- quels = which / what
- quelles = which / what
- est-ce que = question marker
- avec = with
- sans = without
- pour = for
- parce que = because
- mais = but
- et = and
- si = if / yes
Example: Pourquoi apprends-tu le francais et avec qui pratiques-tu ?
10. Everyday objects and study words
- livre = book
- cahier = notebook
- stylo = pen
- table = table
- chaise = chair
- porte = door
- fenetre = window
- telephone = phone
- ordinateur = computer
- sac = bag
- argent = money
- travail = work
- question = question
- reponse = answer
- musique = music
- film = movie
- adresse = address
- nom = name
- email = email
- lecon = lesson
Example: J’ai mon livre, mon cahier et mon stylo pour la lecon de francais.
How to review these 200 French A1 words
The best way to remember beginner vocabulary is to review it in small groups. Do not try to master all 200 words in one sitting.
- Study one section at a time.
- Read the words aloud.
- Write one or two simple sentences with the new words.
- Review older sections before learning new ones.
- Use the words in mini dialogues or self-introductions.
A simple weekly study method
- Monday: learn 20 new words.
- Tuesday: review them aloud.
- Wednesday: write 5 short example sentences.
- Thursday: test yourself without looking at the translations.
- Friday: use the words in a short dialogue or paragraph.
This method is simple, but it helps beginner vocabulary stay active in your memory.
Final tip
A good French A1 vocabulary list should help you speak, understand, and feel more confident quickly. Learn these 200 essential words step by step, use them in real sentences, and you will build a much stronger beginner foundation.
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