It occurred to me that there would be people coming to my blog that might need to learn French for business. So here are some business French vocabulary words.
While “an” and “année” both describe “year,” there are different ways in which to use both. In spoken French, the difference is not always clear, and sometimes you can use these words with the same meaning.
“An” is a point in time, whereas “Année” is a duration of time.
An is used with age:
Elle a 20 ans. – She is 20 years old.
Dans 10 ans, je suis à la retraite. – In 10 years I will be retired.
A moment in time :
L’an dernier, l’an prochain. – Last year, next year.
This vocabulary post is an assortment (un méli-mélo) of different vocabulary words. I found this video, directed towards a much younger audience, to explain very well these simple, yet very useful words. Pronunciation and all, it can’t get any better than that, right?!
Underneath the video I have written out all the vocabulary and the translations for your reference. The video is a bit long, but it’s not too bad.
L’Aliment – Food
Les Fruits – Fruit
La Fraise – Strawberry
La Poire – Pear
L’Ananas – Pineapple
La Banane – Banana
Les Cerises – Cherries
La Pomme – Apple
La Pastèque – Watermelon
Le Raisin – Grape
Les Légumes – Vegetables
L’Aubergine – Eggplant
La Tomate – Tomato
L’Asperge – Asparagus
La Carotte – Carrot
Le Poivron – Pepper
La Pomme de Terre – Potato
Les Petits Pois – Peas
Le Radis – Radish
Les Jours de la Semaine – Days of the Week
Lundi – Monday
Mardi – Tuesday
Mercredi – Wednesday
Jeudi – Thursday
Vendredi – Friday
Samendi – Saturday
Dimanche – Sunday
Les Mois – Months
Janvier – January
Février – February
Mars – March
Avril – April
Mai – May
Juin – June
Juillet – July
Août – August
Septembre – September
Octobre – Octobrer
Novembre – November
Décembre – December
Les Saisons – Seasons
L’Hiver – Winter
Le Printemps – Spring
L’été – Summer
L’Automne – Autumn/Fall
L’Homme – Human
Les Parties du Corps – Body Parts
La Tête – Head
Le Cou – Neck
Les épaules – Shoulders
Les Bras – Arms
Les Mains – Hands
Le Ventre – Tummy/Abdomen
Les Jambes – Legs
Les Pieds – Feet
Le Visage – Face
La Tête – Head
Les Oreilles – Ears
Les Joues – Cheeks
Les Cheveux – Hair
Les Yeux – Eyes
Les Paupières – Eyelids
Les Sourcils – Eyebrows
La Bouche – Lips
Le Nez – Nose
Les Doigts de la Main – Fingers
Le Pouce – Thumb
L’Index – Index Finger
Le Majeur – Middle Finger (Largest Finger)
L’Annulaire – Ring Finger
L’Auriculaire – Pinky Finger (Little Finger)
Les Vêtements – Clothing
Le Collant – Pantyhose/Tights
La Robe – Dress
Les Chaussures – Shoes
Le Manteau – Coat
Les Gants – Mittens/Gloves
Le Bonnet – Bonnet (Another word is “Chapeau”, which means “Hat”.)
L’écharpe – Scarf
Les Chaussettes – Socks
Le T-Shirt – T-Shirt (Also “Chemise” which is a “Shirt”.)
La Casquette – Cap/Baseball Cap
Le Pantalon – Pants/Trousers
Les Metiers – Occupations
Le Facteur – Mailman/Postman
L’Astronaute – Astronaut
Le Boulanger – Baker
Le Pompier – Firefighter
Le Docteur – Doctor (Also “Médecin” for “Doctor”, or “Physician”.)
L’institutrice – Teacher
Le Plombier – Plumber
Le Peintre – Painter
Le Jardinier – Gardener
Les Expressions du Visage – Facial Expressions
Le dédain – Disdain/Scorn
La timidité – Timid/Shy
La surprise – Surprised
La satisfaction – Satisfied
La joie – Joy
La frayeur – Terror
La colère – Anger
La tristesse – Sadness
Le dégoût – Disgust
Les Animaux – Animals
Le chien – Dog
Le chat – Cat
La grenouille – Frog
Le lapin – Rabbit
La tortue – Turtle
L’oiseau – Bird
La poule – chicken
L’abeille – Bee
Le loup – Wolf
Le coq – Rooster
Le serpent – Snake
Le caméléon – Chameleon
Le cochon – Pig
La baleine – Whale
L’ours – Bear
Le castor – Beaver
Le phoque – Seal
Le hibou – Owl
La coccinelle – Ladybug
Le hérisson – Hedgehog
Les Couleurs – Colors
Rose – Pink
Jaune – Yellow
Bleu – Blue
Rouge – Red
Gris – Gray
Orange – Orange
Violet – Purple
Vert – Green
Noir – Black
Marron – Brown
Les Formes – Shapes
Rond – Round
Rectangle – Recangle
Etoile – Star
Coeur – Heart
Carré – Square
Croissant – Crescent
Losange – Diamond
Triangle – Triangle
Lady – une madame(it’s actually dame, but there is no sound file for dame.)
Amis et Copains
Young French people, just like young American people, enjoy spending time with their friends. They refer to their friends as un ami (for a boy), and une amie (for a girl), or – more commonly – as un copain (boy) or une copine (girl).
Note that the words copain & copine can also have special meanings. When a boy talks about une copine, he is referring to a friend who is a girl. However, when he says ma (my) copine, he is referring to his girlfriend. Similarly, a girl would call her boyfriend mon copain.
The first day of the week in the French calendar begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. A week is called une semaine, and a month is called un mois.
Une Semaine
Lundi – Monday
Mardi – Tuesday
Mercredi – Wednesday
Jeudi – Thursday
Vendredi – Friday
Samedi – Saturday
Dimanche – Sunday
Un Mois
Janvier – January
Février – February
Mars – March
Avril – April
Mai – May
Juin – June
Juillet – July
Août – August
Septembre – September
Octobre – October
Novembre – November
Décembre – December
C’est quel jour aujourd’hui?
C’est le premier janvier
Aujourd’hui, c’est lundi
C’est le 4 avril
Quel est le date de ton/votre anniversaire? What day is your birthday?
Mon anniversaire est le 3 septembre.
The most important date in French history is le 14 juillet! Also known as La Grande Fête Nationale, La Grande Fête, or in English, Bastille Day. It’s the French form of Independence Day.
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