The 75 Most Used Verbs in French

Knowing the most used verbs in French is a great advantage when learning the language. In this article, we have gathered a list of the 100 most frequently used verbs in French, providing a brief translation for each. Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your vocabulary or a seasoned learner seeking a refresher, this list will prove invaluable.

The list if followed by an explanation of the usage of the 10 most used verbs in French.

 

Complete list

Here is a list of the 75 most used verbs in French:

1. Prendre (to take)
2. Donner (to give)
3. Passer (to pass/spend)
4. Trouver (to find)
5. Parler (to speak)
6. Mettre (to put)
7. Laisser (to leave/let)
8. Devenir (to become)
9. Revenir (to come back)
10. Entrer (to enter)
11. Rester (to stay)
12. Sortir (to go out)
13. Partir (to leave)
14. Arriver (to arrive)
15. Montrer (to show)
16. Vouloir (to want)
17. Connaître (to know)
18. Croire (to believe)
19. Tenir (to hold)
20. Appeler (to call)
21. Attendre (to wait)
22. Comprendre (to understand)
23. Vivre (to live)
24. Choisir (to choose)
25. Naître (to be born)
26. Tomber (to fall)
27. Recevoir (to receive)
28. Ouvrir (to open)
29. Fermer (to close)
30. Demander (to ask)
31. Rappeler (to call back)
32. Travailler (to work)
33. Penser (to think)
34. Permettre (to allow)
35. Monter (to go up)
36. Aimer (to like/love)
37. Essayer (to try)
38. Marcher (to walk)
39. Plaire (to please)
40. Étudier (to study)
41. Écrire (to write)
42. Regarder (to watch)
43. Descendre (to go down)
44. Retourner (to return)
45. Continuer (to continue)
46. Reconnaître (to recognize)
47. Écouter (to listen)
48. Perdre (to lose)
49. Rencontrer (to meet)
50. Finir (to finish)
51. Reprendre (to take back)
52. Décider (to decide)
53. Apprendre (to learn)
54. Commencer (to start)
55. Revoir (to see again)
56. Gagner (to win)
57. Préférer (to prefer)
58. Découvrir (to discover)
59. Mourir (to die)
60. Compter (to count)
61. Dormir (to sleep)
62. Retenir (to retain)
63. Partager (to share)
64. Envoyer (to send)
65. Rentendre (to hear again)
66. Refaire (to redo)
67. Entendre (to hear)
68. Apporter (to bring)
69. Craindre (to fear)
70. Répondre (to answer)
71. Repasser (to iron again)
72. Tirer (to pull)
73. Quitter (to leave)
74. Rendre (to give back)
75. Savoir (to know)

 

10 Most Used Verbs in French

Here are the first 10 verbs from the list with detailed descriptions and examples of usage:

 

1. Être (to be)

– Description: “Être” is one of the most fundamental verbs in French, used to express existence, identity, or a state of being. It is highly versatile and appears in various tenses and forms.
– Examples:
– Je suis étudiant. (I am a student.)
– Il est content. (He is happy.)
– Elle était fatiguée hier. (She was tired yesterday.)

 

2. Avoir (to have)

– Description: “Avoir” is another essential verb in French, indicating possession or necessity. It is used in various contexts to show ownership or need.
– Examples:
– J’ai un chat. (I have a cat.)
– Il a faim. (He is hungry.)
– Elle avait besoin d’aide. (She needed help.)

 

3. Faire (to do/make)

– Description: “Faire” is a versatile verb used to denote actions or the creation of something. It is employed in a wide range of situations.
– Examples:
– Je fais mes devoirs. (I am doing my homework.)
– Il fait du bruit. (He is making noise.)
– Elle a fait un gâteau délicieux. (She made a delicious cake.)

 

4. Dire (to say)

– Description: “Dire” is used to convey speech or communication. It is essential for expressing what someone says or telling something to someone.
– Examples:
– Je dis la vérité. (I am telling the truth.)
– Il dit bonjour à son voisin. (He says hello to his neighbor.)
– Elle a dit qu’elle viendrait demain. (She said she would come tomorrow.)

 

5. Pouvoir (can/to be able to)

– Description: “Pouvoir” expresses capability or permission. It is used to indicate the ability to do something or to seek permission to do it.
– Examples:
– Je peux nager. (I can swim.)
– Il ne peut pas venir ce soir. (He cannot come tonight.)
– Elle a pu partir tôt. (She was able to leave early.)

 

6. Devoir (must/to have to)

– Description: “Devoir” implies obligation or necessity. It is utilized when there is a requirement or duty to do something.
– Examples:
– Je dois étudier pour l’examen. (I must study for the exam.)
– Il doit rendre son travail demain. (He has to submit his work tomorrow.)
– Elle a dû annuler son voyage. (She had to cancel her trip.)

 

7. Aller (to go)

– Description: “Aller” signifies movement from one place to another. It is a common verb used when talking about going somewhere.
– Examples:
– Je vais au cinéma ce soir. (I am going to the movies tonight.)
– Il va à l’école en bus. (He goes to school by bus.)

 

8. Voir (to see)

– Description: “Voir” refers to the act of perceiving with the eyes. It is used to describe the ability to see or the act of witnessing something.
– Examples:
– Je vois un oiseau dans le ciel. (I see a bird in the sky.)
– Il voit un film intéressant. (He is watching an interesting movie.)
– Elle a vu un spectacle incroyable hier soir. (She saw an incredible show last night.)

 

9. Savoir (to know)

– Description: “Savoir” denotes possessing knowledge or being aware of something. It is used when talking about knowing facts or information.
– Examples:
– Je sais parler français. (I know how to speak French.)
– Il sait jouer de la guitare. (He knows how to play the guitar.)
– Elle savait la réponse à la question. (She knew the answer to the question.)

 

10. Venir (to come)

– Description: “Venir” indicates movement towards the speaker or a specific location. It is used to describe the act of coming to a place.
– Examples:
– Je viens de la bibliothèque. (I am coming from the library.)
– Il vient à la fête ce soir. (He is coming to the party tonight.)
– Elle est venue me voir hier. (She came to see me yesterday.)

These are the first 10 verbs in our list, each with its unique usage and significance in the French language. Practicing these verbs in context will help you become more proficient in using them effectively.