The minimum core vocabulary lists are primarily intended as a guide for teachers to assist in the planning of schemes of work.
The assessment tasks at Foundation Tier will require students to understand and respond to common or familiar words and/or forms of words that are not on the vocabulary list.
The assessment tasks at Higher Tier will require students to understand and respond to words and/or forms of words that are not on the vocabulary list and which are less common or familiar than those used in relation to Foundation Tier assessments.
Vocabulary listed under a particular theme should be considered transferable, as appropriate, to the other themes.
Students will be expected to be familiar with feminine forms of nouns/adjectives where these are not given.
The vocabulary lists reflect the spelling rules in force before the changes approved by the Académie française were introduced. Examiners will accept both versions of the spellings affected by this reform, ie old and new.
3.5.1 Rubrics and instructions
The following is a guide to the sort of rubrics and instructions which will be used in Section B of the Listening and Reading exams. The list is indicative, not exclusive.French | English |
---|
Attention ! Vous pouvez utiliser la même lettre plus d'une fois. | NB You can use the same letter more than once. |
C’est quelle personne ? Ecrivez le nom de la bonne personne. | Which person is it? Write the name of the correct person. |
C’est qui ? Ecrivez le nom de la bonne personne. | Who is it? Write the name of the correct person. |
Choisissez (deux) phrases qui sont vraies. | Choose (two) correct sentences. |
Choisissez la réponse correcte/la bonne réponse. | Choose the correct answer. |
Complétez … en français . | Complete… in French . |
Complétez la grille. | Complete the grid. |
Complétez le texte suivant avec les mots de la liste ci-dessous. | Complete the following text with words from the list below. |
Complétez les phrases avec les mots de la liste. | Complete the sentences with words from the list. |
Décidez si c’est Vrai (V) , Faux (F) ou Pas Mentionné (PM) . Ecrivez V, F ou PM. | Decide if it is True (V), False (F) or Not Mentioned (PM). Write V, F or PM. |
Donnez ( deux ) détails. | Give ( two ) details. |
Ecoutez ce passage/cette conversation/cette interview/ce reportage… | Listen to this passage/this conversation/this interview/this report… |
Ecrivez la bonne lettre dans chaque case. | Write the correct letter in each box. |
Ecrivez la bonne lettre dans la case. | Write the correct let t er in the box. |
Ecrivez les bonnes lettres dans les cases. | Write the correct letters in the boxes. |
Identifiez la bonne personne. | Identify the correct person. |
Il n’est pas nécessaire d’écrire en phrases complètes. | It is not necessary to write in full sentences. |
Lisez … | Read… |
Mentionnez un aspect positif/négatif/avantage/inconvénient. | Mention one positive aspect/negative aspect/advantage/disadvantage |
Pour une opinion négative, écrivez N Pour une opinion positive, écrivez P Pour une opinion positive et négative, écrivez P+N | For a negative opinion, write N For a positive opinion, write P For a positive and negative opinion, write P+N |
Quelle est la réponse correcte ? | Which is the correct answer? |
Qui … ? | Who…? |
Remplissez les blancs. | Fill in the blanks. |
Répondez à ces questions. | Answer these questions. |
Répondez (aux questions) en français . | Answer (the questions) in French . |
The following is a guide to the sort of rubrics and instructions which will be used in the Writing exam. The list is indicative, not exclusive.French | English |
---|
Décrivez … | Describe... |
Ecrivez … | Write... |
Ecrivez environ 40 mots en français . | Write approximately 40 words in French . |
Ecrivez environ 90 mots en français . Répondez à chaque aspect de la question. | Write approximately 90 words in French . Write something about each bullet point. |
Ecrivez environ 150 mots en français . Répondez aux deux aspects de la question. | Write approximately 150 words in French . Write something about both bullet points. |
Ecrivez quatre phrases en français sur la photo. | Write four sentences in French about the photo. |
Mentionnez … | Mention... |
3.5.2 General vocabulary
Students will be expected to use and understand the general vocabulary listed below. This vocabulary is not restricted to specific settings and can occur in any of the themes listed in the specification.
3.5.2.1 Comparisons
French | English |
---|
plus/moins | more/less |
plus que/moins que | more than/less than |
bon/meilleur/le meilleur | good/better/best |
mauvais/pire/le pire | bad/worse/worst |
bien/mieux/le mieux | well/better/best |
mal/plus mal/le plus mal | badly/worse/worst |
beaucoup/plus/le plus | lots/more/the most |
peu/moins/le moins | few, little/less/the least |
3.5.2.2 Conjunctions and connectives
French | English |
---|
à cause de | because of |
à part | apart from |
ainsi | so, therefore |
alors | so, therefore, then |
aussi | also |
car | because |
cependant | however |
c’est-à-dire | that is to say, i.e. |
comme | as, like |
d’un côté/de l’autre côté | on the one hand/on the other hand |
donc | so, therefore |
ensuite | next |
évidemment | obviously |
mais | but |
même si | even if |
ou | or |
par contre | on the other hand |
par exemple | for example |
pendant que | while |
pourtant | however |
puis | then |
puisque | seeing that, since |
quand | when |
sans doute | undoubtedly, without doubt, probably |
si | if |
y compris | including |
3.5.2.3 Prepositions
French | English |
---|
à | to, at |
à côté de | next to |
à travers | across, through |
au bord de | at the side/edge of |
au bout de | at the end of (ie length, rather than time) |
au-dessous de | beneath, below |
au-dessus de | above,over |
au fond de | at the back of, at the bottom of |
au lieu de | instead of |
au milieu de | in the middle of |
autour de | around |
contre | against |
de | of, from |
depuis | since, for |
derrière | behind |
devant | in front of |
en | in, within (time) |
en dehors de | outside (of) |
en face de | opposite |
entre | between |
jusqu’à | up to, until |
malgré | despite, in spite of |
parmi | amongst |
pour | for, in order to |
près de | near |
sans | without |
selon | according to |
sous | under |
sur | on |
vers | towards |
3.5.2.4 Negatives
French | English |
---|
ne...jamais | never |
ne…pas | not |
ne...personne | nobody, no-one |
ne...plus | no more, no longer |
ne…que | only, nothing but |
ne…rien | nothing |
ni…ni | neither….nor |
pas encore | not yet |
3.5.2.5 Alphabet and accents
Students are expected to know the letters of the alphabet and appropriate accents.
3.5.2.6 Numbers
Students are expected to know the cardinal numbers 0–1,000 and the word for 1,000,000 (million le).
They are also expected to know the ordinal numbers first-tenth (premier/première–dixième).
Other number expressions
French | English |
---|
dizaine une | about 10 |
douzaine une | dozen |
nombre de | number of |
3.5.2.7 Asking questions
French | English |
---|
combien ? | how much, how many? |
comment ? | how? |
est-ce que ? | expression put before a verb to make sentence into a question |
où ? | where? |
pourquoi ? | why? |
quand ? | when? |
que ? | what? |
quel/quelle ? | which? |
qu’est-ce que ? | what? |
qu’est-ce qui ? | what? |
qu’est-ce que c’est ? | what is it? |
qui ? | who? |
quoi ? | what? |
Common questions
French | English |
---|
à quelle heure ? | at what time? |
ça s’écrit comment ? | how is that written? |
c’est combien ? | how much is it? |
c’est quelle date ? | what is the date? |
c’est quel jour ? | what day is it? |
de quelle couleur ? | what colour? |
d’où ? | from where? |
pour combien de temps ? | for how long? |
que veut dire... ? | what does... mean? |
quelle heure est-il ? | what time is it? |
3.5.2.8 Greetings and exclamations
French | English |
---|
à bientôt | see you soon |
à demain | see you tomorrow |
à tout à l’heure | see you soon/later |
allô | hello (on phone) |
amitiés | best wishes |
au secours | help |
bien sûr | of course, certainly |
bienvenue | welcome |
bon anniversaire | happy birthday |
bon appétit | enjoy your meal |
bon voyage | have a good trip |
bonne année | happy new year |
bonne chance | good luck |
bonne idée | good idea |
bonne nuit | good night |
bonnes vacances | have a good holiday |
bonsoir | good evening |
d’accord | ok |
de rien | don't mention it |
désolé (e) | sorry |
excusez-moi | excuse me |
félicitations | congratulations |
joyeux Noël | Merry Christmas |
meilleurs voeux | best wishes |
pardon | excuse me |
quel dommage | what a pity |
salut | hi |
santé | cheers |
s’il te/vous plaît | please |
3.5.2.9 Opinions
French | English |
---|
à mon avis | in my opinion |
absolument | absolutely |
affreux | awful |
agréable | pleasant |
amusant | funny |
barbant | boring |
bien entendu | of course |
bien sûr | of course |
ça dépend | that depends |
ça m’énerve | it gets on my nerves |
ça me fait rire | it makes me laugh |
ça me plaît | I like it |
ça m’est égal | it’s all the same to me |
ça ne me dit rien | it means nothing to me/I don't fancy that/I don't feel like it |
ça suffit | that’s enough |
casse-pieds | annoying |
certainement | certainly |
cher | dear, expensive |
chouette | great |
comme ci comme ça | so-so |
compliqué | complicated |
content | happy |
croire | to believe |
désagréable | unpleasant |
désirer | to want |
détester | to hate |
dire | to say |
drôle | funny |
embêtant | annoying |
en général | in general |
enchanté | delighted |
ennuyeux | boring |
espérer | to hope |
étonné | astonished, amazed |
facile | easy |
faible | weak |
formidable | great |
franchement | frankly |
généralement | generally |
génial | great |
grave | serious |
habile | clever |
intéressant | interesting |
(s’)intéresser à | to be interested in |
inutile | useless |
incroyable | incredible |
inquiet/inquiète | worried |
marrant | funny |
marre (en avoir) | (to be) fed up |
mauvais | bad |
merveilleux/merveilleuse | marvellous |
mignon/mignonne | cute |
moche | ugly |
(moi) non plus | nor me neither, nor do I |
nouveau | new |
nul | rubbish |
parfait | perfect |
passionnant | exciting |
peine la | the bother |
penser | to think |
peut-être | perhaps |
pratique | practical |
préférer | to prefer |
promettre | to promise |
ridicule | ridiculous |
rigolo | funny |
sage | well behaved |
sembler | to seem |
sensass | sensational |
supporter | to put up with |
utile | useful |
vouloir | to wish, want |
vraiment | really, truly |
3.5.2.10 Expressions of time
Seasons
French | English |
---|
printemps le | spring |
été l' (m) | summer |
automne l' (m) | autumn |
hiver l' (m) | winter |
3.5.2.11 Location and distance
French | English |
---|
à droite | on/to the right |
à gauche | on/to the left |
banlieue la | suburb |
centre-ville le | town centre |
campagne la | countryside |
chez | at the house of |
de chaque côté | from each side |
de l’autre côté | from the other side |
en bas | down(stairs) |
en haut | up(stairs) |
est l' (m) | east |
ici | here |
là | there |
là-bas | over there |
loin de | far from |
nord le | north |
nulle part | nowhere |
ouest l' (m) | west |
par | by |
partout | everywhere |
quelque part | somewhere |
situé (e) | situated |
sud le | south |
tout droit | straight ahead |
tout près | very near |
toutes directions | all directions |
ville la | town |
3.5.2.12 Colours
French | English |
---|
châtain | light brown |
clair | light |
foncé | dark |
marron | brown |
noisette | hazel |
pourpre | purple |
rose | pink |
roux | ginger |
3.5.2.13 Weights and measures
French | English |
---|
assez | enough, quite |
bas | low |
boîte la | box, tin, can |
bouteille la | bottle |
court | short |
demi le | half |
encore de | more |
étroit | narrow |
gros | fat |
haut | high |
large | wide |
maigre | skinny, thin |
mince | slim, thin |
moitié la | half |
morceau le | piece |
moyen/moyenne | medium, average |
nombre le | number |
paquet le | packet |
pas mal de | lots of |
peser | to weigh |
plein de | full of, lots of |
pointure la | size (for shoes) |
suffisamment | sufficiently |
taille la | size (for clothes) |
tranche la | slice |
trop | too (much) |
3.5.2.14 Shape
French | English |
---|
carré | square |
rond | round |
3.5.2.15 Weather
French | English |
---|
averse l' (f) | shower |
briller | to shine |
brouillard le | fog |
brume la | mist |
chaleur la | heat |
ciel le | sky |
climat le | climate |
couvert | overcast |
doux | mild |
éclair l' (m) | lightning |
éclaircie l' (f) | bright spell |
ensoleillé | sunny |
faire beau | to be fine (weather) |
faire mauvais | to be bad (weather) |
geler | to freeze |
glace la | ice |
humide | humid, wet |
météo la | weather forecast |
mouillé | wet |
neiger | to snow |
nuage le | cloud |
nuageux | cloudy |
ombre l' (m) | shade, shadow |
orage l' (m) | storm |
orageux | stormy |
pleuvoir | to rain |
pluie la | rain |
sec/sèche | dry |
tempête la | storm |
temps le | weather |
tonnerre le | thunder |
tremper | to soak |
vent le | wind |
3.5.2.16 Access
French | English |
---|
complet/complète | full |
entrée l' (f) | entry, entrance |
libre | free, vacant, unoccupied |
fermer | to close |
interdit | forbidden, not allowed |
occupé | taken, occupied, engaged |
ouvert | open |
ouvrir | to open |
sortie la | exit |
3.5.2.17 Correctness
French | English |
---|
avoir raison | to be right |
avoir tort | to be wrong |
corriger | to correct |
erreur l' (f) | error, mistake |
faute la | fault, mistake |
faux/fausse | false |
il (me) faut | you (I) must |
juste | correct |
obligatoire | compulsory |
parfait | perfect |
sûr | certain, sure |
se tromper | to make a mistake |
vrai | true |
3.5.2.18 Materials
French | English |
---|
argent l' (m) | silver |
béton le | concrete |
bois le | wood |
cuir le | leather |
fer le | iron |
laine la | wool |
or l' (m) | gold |
soie la | silk |
verre le | glass |
3.5.2.19 Common abbreviations
French | English |
---|
CDI centre de documentation et d’information le | resource centre |
CES collège d’enseignement secondaire le | secondary school |
EPS éducation physique et sportive l’ (f) | PE (physical education) |
HLM habitation à loyer modéré l’ (f) | council/social housing accommodation |
SAMU service d’aide médicale d’urgence le | emergency medical services |
SDF sans domicile fixe le | homeless person |
SNCF société nationale des chemins de fer français la | National Rail Service |
TGV train à grande vitesse le | high-speed train |
TVA taxe sur la valeur ajoutée la | VAT (Value Added Tax) |
VTT vélo tout terrain le | mountain bike |
3.5.3 Theme-based vocabulary (Foundation Tier)
3.5.3.1 Identity and culture
Me, my family and friends
French | English |
---|
aimable | kind |
aîné | elder |
amour l’ (m) | love |
s’appeler | to be called |
avoir...ans | to be...years old |
barbe la | beard |
bavard | chatty/talkative |
beau/belle/bel | beautiful |
beau-père le | step-father |
belle-mère la | step-mother |
bête | stupid, silly |
bouclé | curly |
célibataire | single |
cheveux les (m) | hair |
copain le/copine la | friend, mate |
court | short |
demi-frère le | half-brother |
demi-sœur la | half-sister |
se disputer | to argue |
dire | to say, tell |
égoïste | selfish |
ensemble | together |
s’entendre (avec) | to get on (with) |
fâché | angry |
se faire des amis | to make friends |
femme la | wife/woman |
fille la | daughter/girl |
fils le | son |
frisé | curly |
généreux/généreuse | generous |
gentil/gentille | kind, nice |
grand-mère la | grandmother |
grand-père le | grandfather |
grands-parents les (m) | grandparents |
gros/grosse | fat |
heureux/heureuse | happy |
injuste | unfair |
jeune | young |
joli | pretty |
laid | ugly |
long/longue | long |
lunettes les (f) | glasses |
mari le | husband |
se marier | to get married, marry |
méchant | naughty |
mi-long | medium length |
mort | dead |
naissance la | birth |
né(e) le... | born on the... |
nom le | name |
paresseux/paresseuse | lazy |
partager | to share |
partenaire le/la | partner |
pénible | annoying |
petit ami le | boyfriend |
petite amie la | girlfriend |
petite-fille la | grand-daughter |
petit-fils le | grandson |
prénom le | first name |
raide | straight |
rapports les (m) | relationships |
sens de l’humour le | sense of humour |
séparé | separated |
sortir | to go out |
sportif/sportive | sporty |
sympa | kind, nice |
de taille moyenne | medium height |
tante la | aunt |
timide | shy |
tranquille | quiet, calm |
travailleur/travailleuse | hard-working |
triste | sad |
unique | only |
vieux/vieil/vieille | old |
yeux les (m) | eyes |
Technology in everyday life
French | English |
---|
acheter | to buy |
avantage l’ (m) | advantage |
chercher | to look for |
clavier le | keyboard |
cliquer | to click |
dangereux | dangerous |
désavantage le | disadvantage |
écran l’ (m) | screen |
envoyer | to send |
faire des achats | to shop |
forum le | chat room |
imprimante l’ (f) | printer |
inconvénient l’ (m) | disadvantage, drawback |
jeu le | game |
lecteur DVD le | DVD player |
lecteur MP3 le | MP3 player |
en ligne | online |
mettre | to put |
mettre en ligne | to upload |
mot de passe le | password |
ordinateur l’ (m) | computer |
ordinateur portable l’ (m) | laptop |
ordinateur tablette l’ (m) | tablet |
passer du temps | to spend time |
portable le | mobile (phone) |
recevoir | to receive |
réseau social le | social network |
rester en contact | to stay in contact |
site internet/web le | website |
souris la | mouse |
surfer sur Internet | to surf the internet |
taper | to type |
tchater | to talk online |
télécharger | to download |
texto le | text |
touche la | key |
Free-time activities
French | English |
---|
actualités les (f) | news |
agneau l’ (m) | lamb |
argent l’ (m) | money |
assiette l’ (f) | plate/dish |
basket le | basketball |
beurre le | butter |
bière la | beer |
billet le | ticket |
bœuf le | beef |
boire | to drink |
boisson la | drink |
canard le | duck |
la carte | menu |
centre sportif le | sports centre |
cerise la | cherry |
champignon le | mushroom |
chanter | to sing |
chanteur le/chanteuse la | singer |
chanson la | song |
cheval le | horse |
choisir | to choose |
chou le | cabbage |
chou-fleur le | cauliflower |
citron le | lemon |
club des jeunes le | youth club |
commander | to order |
commencer | to start |
confiture la | jam |
courir | to run |
coûter | to cost |
crêpe la | pancake |
crudités les (f) | raw chopped vegetables |
débuter | to begin |
dessin animé le | cartoon |
dinde la | turkey |
eau (minérale) l’ (f) | (mineral) water |
équitation l’ (f) | horse riding |
escalade l’ (f) | rock climbing |
escargot l’ (m) | snail |
essayer | to try |
fana de (le) | a fan of |
feuilleton le | soap opera |
film de guerre le | war film |
film policier le | detective film |
fraise la | strawberry |
framboise la | raspberry |
fruits de mer les (m) | seafood |
glace la | ice cream |
goûter | to taste |
haricots verts les (m) | green beans |
hors d’œuvre le (m) | starter |
s’intéresser à | to be interested in |
jambon le | ham |
jeu télévisé le | game show |
lait le | milk |
légumes les (m) | vegetables |
natation la | swimming |
nourriture la | food |
œuf l’ (m) | egg |
oignon l’ (m) | onion |
passe-temps le | hobby |
pâtes les (f) | pasta |
patinage à glace le | ice skating |
patinoire la | ice rink |
payer | to pay (for) |
pêche la | fishing/peach |
petits pois les (m) | peas |
planche à voile la | wind-surfing |
plat principal le | main meal/dish |
poire la | pear |
poisson le | fish |
poivre le | pepper |
pomme la | apple |
pomme de terre la | potato |
potage le | soup |
poulet le | chicken |
piscine la | swimming pool |
pourboire le | tip |
prendre | to take |
promenade la | walk |
publicité la | adverts |
raisins les (m) | grapes |
rencontrer | to meet |
repas le | meal |
riz le | rice |
saucisse la | sausage |
saumon le | salmon |
sel le | salt |
série la | series |
serveur le/serveuse la | waiter, waitress |
skate le | skateboarding |
ski (nautique) le | (water) skiing |
sports d’hiver les (m) | winter sports |
stade le | stadium |
steak haché le | burger |
sucre le | sugar |
tasse la | cup |
télé réalité la | reality television |
temps libre le | free time |
thé le | tea |
thon le | tuna |
truite la | trout |
vedette la | film star |
viande la | meat |
voile la | sailing |
voir | to see |
volley le | volleyball |
vouloir | to wish, want |
yaourt le | yoghurt |
Customs and festivals in French-speaking countries/communities
French | English |
---|
cadeau le | present |
église l’ (f) | church |
fête la | festival, celebration, party |
fête des mères la | Mother's Day |
fête des rois la | Twelfth Night/Epiphany |
fête du travail la | May Day |
fêter | to celebrate |
feux d’artifice les (m) | fireworks |
Jour de l’An le | New Year’s Day |
juif/juive | Jewish |
mosquée la | Mosque |
musulman | Muslim |
Pâques | Easter |
poisson d’avril | April Fools' Day, April Fool! |
religieux/religieuse | religious |
Saint-Sylvestre la | New Year’s Eve |
Saint Valentin la | St. Valentine’s Day |
Toussaint la | All Saints ' Day |
veille de Noël la | Christmas Eve |
3.5.3.2 Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Home, town, neighbourhood and region
French | English |
---|
aider | to help |
animé | lively |
arbre l’ (m) | tree |
armoire l’ (f) | wardrobe |
bâtiment le | building |
besoin le (avoir....de) | need (to need) |
bibliothèque la | library |
boucherie la | butcher’s shop |
baskets les (f) | trainers |
boulangerie la | bakery |
bijou le | jewel, jewellery |
bijouterie la | jeweller’s shop |
blouson le | coat/jacket |
bon marché | cheap |
bruit le | noise |
bureau le | office, study |
bruyant | noisy |
caisse la | till |
calme | quiet |
campagne la | countryside |
carte bancaire la | bank card |
cave la | cellar |
ceinture la | belt |
célèbre | famous |
centre commercial le | shopping centre |
champ le | field |
chapeau le | hat |
charcuterie la | delicatessen |
chaussette la | sock |
chaussure la | shoe |
chemise la | shirt |
choix le | choice |
chose la | thing |
circulation la | traffic |
commerces les (m) | shops |
colline la | hill |
commissariat le | police station |
cravate la | tie |
cuisine la | kitchen/cooking |
déménager | to move house |
démodé | old-fashioned |
dépenser | to spend (money) |
devoir | to have to |
économiser | to save |
escalier l’ (m) | staircase |
essayer | to try on |
étage l’ (m) | floor, storey |
fenêtre la | window |
ferme la | farm |
fleur la | flower |
gare la | railway station |
gare routière la | bus station |
gens les (m) | people |
gilet le | waistcoat |
grand magasin le | department store |
gratuit | free (of charge) |
habitant l’ (m) | inhabitant |
hôtel de ville l’ (m) | town hall |
immeuble l’ (m) | block of flats |
jardinage le | gardening |
jupe la | skirt |
laver | to wash |
librairie la | bookshop |
livrer | to deliver |
maison la (individuelle/jumelée/mitoyenne) | house (detached/semi-detached/terraced) |
mairie la | town hall |
manteau le | overcoat |
marché le | market |
meubles les (m) | furniture |
mode la | fashion |
(à la) montagne la | (in the) mountain(s) |
mur le | wall |
musée le | museum |
nettoyer | to clean |
pantalon le | trousers |
parc le | park |
parfum le | perfume |
pâtisserie la | cake shop |
pauvre | poor |
perdre | to lose |
pièce la | room |
place la | square |
portefeuille le | wallet |
porte-monnaie le | purse |
poser | to put down |
poste la | post office |
pouvoir | to be able |
prix le | price |
propre | clean, tidy |
pull le | jumper |
quartier le | quarter, area |
quitter | to leave |
ranger | to tidy |
réduire | to reduce |
réduit | reduced |
rez-de-chaussée le | ground floor |
risque le | risk |
robe la | dress |
sale | dirty |
salle à manger la | dining room |
salle de bains la | bathroom |
salon le | living room, lounge |
sécurité la | safety |
soldes les (m) | sale |
sous-sol le | basement |
station-service la | service station |
tabac le | newsagent’s |
transport en commun le | public transport |
travailler | to work |
se trouver | to be situated |
usine l’ (f) | factory |
vendeur le/vendeuse la | shop assistant |
vendre | to sell |
veste la | jacket |
vêtements les (m) | clothes |
vie la | life |
ville la | town |
vitrine la | shop window |
vivre | to live |
voisin le | neighbour |
zone piétonne la | pedestrian zone |
Social issues
French | English |
---|
alcool l’ (m) | alcohol |
alimentation l’ (f) | food |
aller bien | to be well |
aller mieux | to be better |
(s’) arrêter | to stop |
association caritative l’ (f) | charity |
bonbon le | sweet |
bonheur le | happiness |
chocolat le | chocolate |
combattre | to combat |
déjeuner le | lunch |
se détendre | to relax |
devenir | to become |
dîner le | evening meal |
dormir | to sleep |
drogue la | drug |
se droguer | to take drugs |
eau potable l’ (f) | drinking water |
égalité l’ (f) | equality |
en bonne forme | fit |
en bonne santé | in good health |
équilibré | balanced |
espace vert l’ (m) | green area |
éviter | to avoid |
faible | weak |
faire un régime | to be on a diet |
fatigué | tired |
forme la | fitness |
fort | strong |
fumer | to smoke |
garder | to look after |
gras | fatty |
habitude l’ (f) | habit |
malade | ill, sick |
maladie la | illness |
malsain | unhealthy |
matières grasses les (f) | fats |
médecin le | doctor |
médicament le | medicine |
obésité l’ (f) | obesity |
odeur l’ (f) | smell |
petit déjeuner le | breakfast |
pressé | in a hurry, rushed/squeezed |
se relaxer | to relax |
repas le | meal |
rester | to stay |
réussir | to succeed |
sain | healthy |
santé la | health |
(se) sentir | to feel |
sommeil le | sleep |
sucré | sugary |
suivre | to follow |
tabac le | tobacco |
travail bénévole le | voluntary work |
tuer | to kill |
vide | empty |
vomir | to be sick |
Global issues
French | English |
---|
allumer | to switch on |
bain le | bath |
boîte la (en carton) | (cardboard) box |
centre de recyclage le | recycling centre |
chômage le | unemployment |
chauffage central le | central heating |
cultiver | to grow |
en danger | in danger |
déchets les (m) | rubbish |
détruire | to destroy |
disparaître | to disappear |
douche la | shower |
environnement l’ (m) | environment |
éteindre | to switch off |
faire du recyclage | to recycle |
gaspiller | to waste |
inondation l’ (f) | flood |
jeter | to throw (away) |
ordures les (f) | rubbish |
pauvreté la | poverty |
pétrole le | oil |
piste cyclable la | cycle lane |
pollué | polluted |
poubelle la | dustbin |
protéger | to protect |
réchauffement de la Terre le | global warming |
robinet le | tap |
sac en plastique le | plastic bag |
sans-abri le | homeless person |
sauver | to save |
utiliser | to use |
Travel and tourism
French | English |
---|
accueil l’ (m) | welcome |
aéroport l’ (m) | airport |
Afrique l’ (f)/africain | Africa/African |
agence de voyages l’ (f) | travel agency |
Algérie l’ (f)/algérien | Algeria/Algerian |
Allemagne l’ (f)/allemand | Germany/German |
Alpes les (f) | Alps |
Angleterre l’ (f)/anglais | England/English |
arrivée l’ (f) | arrival |
ascenseur l’ (m) | lift |
s’asseoir | to sit down |
attendre | to wait (for) |
auberge de jeunesse l’ (f) | youth hostel |
auto l’ (f) | car |
autobus l’ (m) | bus |
autoroute l’ (f) | motorway |
aventure l’ (f) | adventure |
avion l’ (m) | plane |
bagages les (m) | luggage |
(se) baigner | to bathe, swim |
bateau le | boat |
Belgique la/belge | Belgium/Belgian |
bord de la mer le | seaside |
bronzer | to sunbathe |
car le | coach |
carte la | map |
carte postale la | postcard |
casser | to break |
chambre de famille la | family room |
chercher | to look for |
Chine la/chinois | China/Chinese |
clé la | key |
colonie de vacances la | holiday/summer camp |
conduire | to drive |
se coucher | to go to bed |
crème solaire la | sun cream |
départ le | departure |
descendre | to stay |
dortoir le | dormitory |
Douvres | Dover |
durer | to last |
échange l’ (m) | exchange |
Ecosse l’ (f)/écossais | Scotland/Scottish |
en plein air | in the open air |
Espagne l’ (f)/espagnol | Spain/Spanish |
essence l’ (f) | petrol |
Etats-Unis les (m) | USA |
à l’étranger | abroad |
étranger l’ (m) | stranger/foreigner |
expliquer | to explain |
faire la connaissance | to get to know |
faire du camping | to go camping |
(se) garer | to park |
Grande-Bretagne la/britannique | Great Britain/British |
(s’) habituer à | to get used to |
horaire l’ (m) | timetable |
île l’ (f) | island |
lac le | lake |
laisser | to leave |
laver | to wash |
(se) laver | to get washed |
lentement | slowly |
lever | to lift |
(se) lever | to get up |
lit le | bed |
location de voitures la | car rental |
logement le | accommodation |
loger | to stay, lodge |
loisir le | free time (activity) |
Londres | London |
louer | to hire, rent |
lunettes de soleil les (f) | sun glasses |
maillot de bain le | swimming costume |
Manche la | English C hannel |
marcher | to walk |
Maroc le/marocain | Morocco/Moroccan |
Méditerranée la | Mediterranean |
monde le | world |
montagne la | mountain |
monter | to go up/ascend |
moto la | motor bike |
nager | to swim |
parc d’attractions le | theme park |
partir | to leave |
Pays de Galles le/gallois | Wales/Welsh |
pièce d’identité la | means of identification |
plage la | beach |
plan de ville le | town plan |
se présenter | to introduce oneself |
prêt | ready |
projet le | plan |
se promener | to go for a walk |
propriétaire le/la | owner |
randonnée la | walk, hike |
remercier | to thank |
rendez-vous le | meeting |
renseignements les (m) | information |
réserver | to book, reserve |
rester | to stay |
retour le | return |
retourner | to return |
(se) réveiller | to wake up |
revenir | to come back |
rivière la | river |
route la | road, way |
salle de séjour la | lounge |
sable le | sand |
sac de couchage le | sleeping bag |
séjour le | stay, visit |
spectacle le | show |
Suisse la/suisse | Switzerland/Swiss |
tourisme le | tourism |
tourner | to turn |
Tunisie la/tunisien | Tunisia/Tunisian |
vacances les (f) | holidays |
valise la | suitcase |
visite la (guidée) | (guided) visit |
voiture la | car |
vol le | flight |
voler | to fly |
voyager | to travel |
vue de mer la | sea view |
3.5.3.3 Current and future study and employment
My studies
French | English |
---|
chimie la | chemistry |
dessin le | art |
EPS l’ (f) | PE (physical education) |
français le | French |
informatique (l’) (f) | IT (information technology) |
instituteur l’ (m) | primary school teacher (male) |
institutrice l’ (f) | primary school teacher (female) |
langue la | language |
matière la | subject |
physique la | physics |
professeur le | teacher |
religion la | religious studies |
Life at school/college
French | English |
---|
apprendre | to learn |
calculette la | calculator |
collège le | secondary school |
comprendre | to understand |
cours le | lesson |
demander | to ask |
devoirs les (m) | homework |
difficulté la | difficulty |
diplôme le | qualification |
directeur le | headmaster |
directrice la | headmistress |
discuter | to discuss |
distribuer | to give out |
droit le | right |
école l’ (f) (primaire/secondaire) | (primary/secondary) school |
élève l’ (m/f) | pupil |
emploi du temps l’ (m) | timetable |
en seconde | in year 11 |
études les (f) | study |
étudiant l’ (m) | student |
examen l’ (m) | examination |
faire attention | to pay attention |
leçon la | lesson |
lecture la | reading |
lire | to read |
maquillage le | make up |
note la | mark |
oublier | to forget |
passer un examen | to sit an exam |
pause la | break, pause |
penser | to think |
permettre | to allow, permit |
porter | to wear, carry |
pression la | pressure |
récré(ation) la | break |
règle la | rule |
règlement le | school rules |
rentrée la | return to school |
répéter | to repeat |
réponse la | reply |
résultat le | result |
réussir un examen | to pass an exam |
salle de classe la | classroom |
savoir | to know |
scolaire | school (adj) |
tableau le | board |
terrain de sport le | sports ground |
trimestre le | term |
trouver | to find |
Education post-16
French | English |
---|
année sabbatique l' (f) | gap year |
apprenti(e) l' (m/f) | apprentice |
avoir envie de | to want to |
avoir l’intention (de) | to intend (to) |
bac(calauréat) le | A-level(s) |
en première | in year 12 |
en terminale | in year 13 |
étudier | to study |
laisser tomber | to drop |
liberté la | freedom |
lycée le | sixth form college, grammar school |
Jobs, career choices and ambitions
French | English |
---|
agent de police l’ (m) | policeman |
avenir l’ (m) | future |
boucher le | butcher |
boulanger le | baker |
boulot le | job |
candidat le | candidate |
coiffeur le | hairdresser |
compter (sur) | to count (on) |
employé(e) l' | employee |
employeur l' | employer |
espérer | to hope |
facteur le | postman |
fermier le | farmer |
gagner | to earn, win |
idée l’ (f) | idea |
infirmier l’ (m) | nurse |
informaticien l’ | IT worker |
ingénieur l’ (m) | engineer |
journal le | newspaper |
livre la (sterling) | pound (sterling) |
maçon le | builder |
mécanicien le | mechanic |
mettre de l’argent de côté | to save money |
patron le; patronne la | boss |
petit job le | part - time job |
plombier le | plumber |
policier le | policeman |
rêve le | dream |
rêver | to dream |
recevoir | to receive |
varié | varied |
vétérinaire le | vet |
3.5.4 Theme-based vocabulary (Higher Tier)
3.5.4.1 Identity and culture
Me, my family and friends
French | English |
---|
bague la | ring |
bouton le | spot, pimple |
compréhensif/compréhensive | understanding |
confiance la | trust |
connaître | to know (a person) |
de mauvaise humeur | bad tempered |
épouser | to marry |
esprit l’ (m) | mind |
étonnant | amazing |
étrange | strange |
fiançailles les (f) | engagement |
fier/fière | proud |
fou/folle | mad, crazy |
gâter | to spoil |
gêner | to annoy |
jaloux/jalouse | jealous |
jumeau le/jumelle la | twin |
jeunesse la | youth |
marre (en avoir) | (to be) fed up |
mépriser | to despise |
se mettre en colère | to get angry |
mourir | to die |
naître | to be born |
neveu le | nephew |
les noces (f) | wedding |
ondulé | wavy |
se rendre compte | to realise |
(se) séparer | to separate |
vif/vive | lively |
Technology in everyday life
French | English |
---|
bloggeur le | blogger |
caméscope le | camcorder |
compte le | account |
console de jeux la | games console |
courrier électronique le | email |
écran tactile l’ (m) | touch screen |
effacer | to delete |
enregistrer | to record |
fichier le | file |
genre le | type, kind |
imprimer | to print |
internaute l’ (m) | internet user |
logiciel le | software |
moniteur le | monitor |
numérique | digital |
page d’accueil la | welcome page |
pile la | battery |
remplir | to fill (in) |
sauvegarder | to save |
traitement de texte le | word processing |
Free-time activities
French | English |
---|
s’abonner | to subscribe |
ado l’ (m/f) | adolescent |
ail l’ (m) | garlic |
amer/amère | sour |
ananas l’ (m) | pineapple |
bien cuit | well cooked |
chorale la | choir |
course la | race |
échecs les (m) | chess |
effets spéciaux (m) les | special effects |
épicé | spicy |
espèce l’ (f) | type, kind |
féliciter | to congratulate |
lieu le (avoir lieu) | place (to take place) |
marquer un but/un essai | to score a goal/try |
noix la | nut |
pamplemousse la | grapefruit |
piquant | spicy |
prune la | plum |
séance la | performance |
tournée la | tour |
tournoi le | tournament |
veau le | veal |
Customs and festivals in French-speaking countries/communities
French | English |
---|
défilé le | procession |
jour férié le | public holiday |
messe la | mass |
Pentecôte la | Whitsuntide |
réunion la | meeting |
3.5.4.2 Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Home, town, neighbourhood and region
French | English |
---|
bricolage le | DIY (do it yourself) |
distractions les (f) | things to do |
écharpe l’ (f) | scarf |
embouteillage l’ (m) | traffic jam |
endroit l’ (m) | place |
fermeture la | closure |
foulard le | scarf |
four le | oven |
foyer le | home |
garder | to look after |
grande surface la | superstore |
lèche-vitrine le (faire du) | window shopping (to go window shopping) |
loyer le | rent |
lumière la | light |
marque la | make, label, brand |
pelouse la | lawn |
pull à capuche le | hoodie |
rayon le | department |
rembourser | to reimburse |
surchargé | overcrowded |
tâche la | task |
Social issues
French | English |
---|
accro | addicted |
agir (il s’agit de) | to act (it’s a question of) |
alcoolique | alcoholic |
avertir | to warn |
avoir sommeil | to be sleepy |
cacher | to hide |
cancer (des poumons) le | (lung) cancer |
coupable | guilty |
casse-croûte le | snack |
conseil le | advice |
consommation la | consumption, usage |
crise cardiaque la | heart attack |
dégoûtant | disgusting |
déprimé | depressed |
désintoxiquer | to detox |
dette la | debt |
douleur la | pain |
s’enivrer | to get drunk |
enquête l’ (f) | enquiry |
entraînement l’ (m) | training |
épuiser | to exhaust |
s’entraîner | to train |
essoufflé | breathless |
foie le | liver |
hors d’haleine | out of breath |
ivre | drunk |
mannequin le | model |
mener | to lead |
musculation la | weight training |
nourriture bio la | organic food |
peau la | skin |
quotidien(ne) | daily |
personnes défavorisées les (f) | disadvantaged people |
renoncer | to give up |
respirer | to breathe |
salé | salty |
sida le | AIDS |
soigner | to care for |
soin le | care |
surveiller | to watch |
tabagisme le | addiction to smoking |
tatouage le | tattooing |
tenter | to attempt |
tousser | to cough |
toxicomane le/la | drug addict |
valoir mieux | to be better, preferable |
voix la | voice |
Global issues
French | English |
---|
agresser | to attack |
améliorer | to improve |
attaque l’ (f) | attack |
augmenter | to increase |
bande la | gang |
campagne la | campaign |
charbon le | coal |
couche d’ozone la | ozone layer |
croire | to believe |
déboisement le | deforestation |
effet de serre l’ (m) | greenhouse effect |
effrayant | frightening |
égal | equal |
emballage l’ (m) | packaging |
empêcher | to prevent |
endommager | to damage |
énergie renouvelable l’ (f) | renewable energy |
ennui l’ (m) | problem, worry |
entouré | surrounded |
état l’ (m) | state |
gaz carbonique le | carbon dioxide |
gaz d’échappement le | exhaust fumes |
guerre la | war |
harceler | to bully, harass |
harcèlement le | bullying, harassment |
immigré l’ (m) | immigrant |
incendie l’ (m) | fire |
inonder | to flood |
s’inquiéter | to worry |
lourd | heavy, serious |
lutter | to struggle |
manifestation la | demonstration |
marée la | tide |
mentir | to lie |
mondial | worldwide |
niveau le | level |
paix la | peace |
paysage le | countryside/landscape |
(se) plaindre | to complain |
produire | to provide |
produits bio les (m) | green products |
ramasser | to pick up |
reconnaissant | grateful |
réfugié le | refugee |
supporter | to tolerate, put up with |
supprimer | to suppress/eliminate |
souci le | worry, concern |
témoin le | witness |
trou le | hole |
vague la | wave |
voler | to steal |
voyou le | yob, hooligan |
Travel and tourism
French | English |
---|
aire de jeux l’ (f) | play area |
atterrir | to land |
avis l’ (m) | opinion |
chambre d’hôte la | bed and breakfast |
chemin le | way, path |
chemin de fer le | railway |
climatisation la | air conditioning |
concours le | competition |
se débrouiller | to get by, to cope |
décoller | to take off |
déranger | to disturb |
donner sur | to overlook |
dresser | to put up (tent) |
emplacement l’ (m) | pitch (tent) |
événement l’ (m) | event |
faire la grasse matinée | to lie in, sleep in |
foire la | fair |
frontière la | border, frontier |
héberger | to lodge, accommodate |
herbe l’ (f) | grass |
inconnu | unknown |
jardin zoologique le | zoo |
jumelé | twinned |
lavabo le | wash basin |
lits superposés les (m) | bunk beds |
manquer | to miss |
se mettre en route | to set off |
moquette la | carpet |
paraître | to seem |
permis de conduire le | driving licence |
la perte | loss |
plaire | to please |
plongée sous-marine la | underwater diving |
ralentir | to slow down |
remarquer | to notice |
sommet le | summit |
station balnéaire la | seaside resort |
tour la | tower, tour |
traduire | to translate |
trajet le | journey |
traversée la | crossing |
3.5.4.3 Current and future study and employment
My studies
French | English |
---|
couture la | sewing |
langues vivantes les (f) | modern languages |
instruction civique l’ (f) | citizenship |
proviseur le | head teacher |
Life at school/college
French | English |
---|
bien équipé | well equipped |
bulletin scolaire le | school report |
car de ramassage le | school bus |
couloir le | corridor |
doué | gifted |
échouer | to fail |
enseigner | to teach |
incivilités les (f) | rudeness |
injure l' (f) | insult |
mal équipé | badly equipped |
maternelle la | nursery school |
redoubler | to repeat the year |
retenue la | detention |
Education post-16
French | English |
---|
conseiller d’orientation le | careers adviser |
épreuve l’ (f) | test |
établissement l’ (m) | establishment |
faculté la | university, faculty |
former | to train |
licence la | degree |
Jobs, career choices and ambitions
French | English |
---|
à peine | scarcely |
assis | sitting |
avocat l’ (m) | lawyer |
comptable le | accountant |
croisière la | cruise |
débouché le | prospect/job prospect/opportunity |
debout | standing |
dessinateur de mode le | fashion designer |
disponible | available |
élargir | to widen |
entreprise l’ (f) | firm, enterprise |
entretien l’ (m) | interview |
enrichissant | enriching, rewarding |
espoir l’ (m) | hope |
interprète l’ (m) | interpreter |
outil l’ (m) | tool |
venir de | to have just |