The 50 Most Common French Verbs (With Examples)
Jul 26, 2026French verbs are the heart of every sentence.
Once you know the most common French verbs, you can start saying real things: what you want, what you like, where you’re going, what you’re doing, what you understand, and what you need.
The good news is that you do not need to learn every French verb right away. Some verbs appear all the time in everyday French, and learning those first will help you make progress much faster.
In this guide, you will learn the 50 most common French verbs with examples, so you can see exactly how they are used in real sentences.
Let’s begin.
Why You Should Learn Common French Verbs First
If you are a beginner, learning common verbs is one of the smartest things you can do.
Why?
Because verbs allow you to build sentences.
For example, if you know just these verbs:
être = to be
avoir = to have
aller = to go
vouloir = to want
pouvoir = to be able to
faire = to do, to make
You can already say:
Je suis débutant.
I am a beginner.
J’ai une question.
I have a question.
Je vais à Paris.
I am going to Paris.
Je veux apprendre le français.
I want to learn French.
Je peux parler un peu français.
I can speak a little French.
Je fais mes devoirs.
I am doing my homework.
That is why verbs are so powerful. Even a small number of them can help you express many ideas.
1. Être = To be
Être is one of the most important verbs in French. You use it to describe identity, nationality, personality, location, and states.
Example:
Je suis française.
I am French.
Another example:
Il est à la maison.
He is at home.
2. Avoir = To have
Avoir means “to have,” but it is also used in many French expressions where English uses “to be.”
Example:
J’ai un chien.
I have a dog.
Another example:
J’ai faim.
I am hungry.
3. Faire = To do, to make
Faire is used constantly in French. You can use it for activities, chores, sports, weather, and more.
Example:
Je fais mes devoirs.
I am doing my homework.
Another example:
Il fait froid aujourd’hui.
It is cold today.
4. Aller = To go
Aller means “to go.” It is also used to form the near future in French.
Example:
Je vais au travail.
I am going to work.
Another example:
Nous allons regarder un film.
We are going to watch a movie.
5. Dire = To say, to tell
Dire is used when reporting what someone says or when expressing something.
Example:
Elle dit bonjour.
She says hello.
Another example:
Je veux dire quelque chose.
I want to say something.
6. Pouvoir = To be able to, can
Pouvoir is essential when you want to say that you can or cannot do something.
Example:
Je peux venir demain.
I can come tomorrow.
Another example:
Vous pouvez répéter, s’il vous plaît ?
Can you repeat, please?
7. Vouloir = To want
Vouloir helps you express what you want.
Example:
Je veux apprendre le français.
I want to learn French.
Another example:
Elle veut un café.
She wants a coffee.
8. Savoir = To know
Savoir means “to know,” especially when talking about facts or how to do something.
Example:
Je sais la réponse.
I know the answer.
Another example:
Tu sais parler français ?
Do you know how to speak French?
9. Voir = To see
Voir is used when talking about seeing a person, place, object, or situation.
Example:
Je vois la mer.
I see the sea.
Another example:
Nous voyons nos amis ce soir.
We are seeing our friends tonight.
10. Venir = To come
Venir means “to come.” You will hear it often in daily conversations.
Example:
Je viens avec toi.
I am coming with you.
Another example:
Elle vient de France.
She comes from France.
11. Devoir = To have to, must
Devoir is used to talk about obligation.
Example:
Je dois travailler aujourd’hui.
I have to work today.
Another example:
Tu dois écouter.
You have to listen.
12. Prendre = To take
Prendre is used for taking something, taking transportation, or having food and drinks.
Example:
Je prends le train.
I am taking the train.
Another example:
Elle prend un café.
She is having a coffee.
13. Trouver = To find
Trouver means “to find.” It can also mean “to think” when giving an opinion.
Example:
Je trouve mes clés.
I find my keys.
Another example:
Je trouve ce film intéressant.
I think this movie is interesting.
14. Donner = To give
Donner means “to give.” It is a very useful verb in everyday French.
Example:
Je donne un livre à Marie.
I give a book to Marie.
Another example:
Il donne son numéro de téléphone.
He gives his phone number.
15. Falloir = To be necessary, to need to
Falloir is a special verb. It is almost always used with il faut, which means “it is necessary” or “you need to.”
Example:
Il faut étudier un peu chaque jour.
You need to study a little every day.
Another example:
Il faut partir maintenant.
We need to leave now.
16. Parler = To speak, to talk
Parler is one of the first verbs French learners should know.
Example:
Je parle anglais.
I speak English.
Another example:
Nous parlons français en classe.
We speak French in class.
17. Mettre = To put
Mettre means “to put,” but it is also used in many expressions, especially with clothes.
Example:
Je mets le livre sur la table.
I put the book on the table.
Another example:
Elle met une robe rouge.
She puts on a red dress.
18. Passer = To pass, to spend time
Passer has several meanings. It can mean “to pass,” “to spend time,” or “to stop by.”
Example:
Je passe beaucoup de temps ici.
I spend a lot of time here.
Another example:
Nous passons devant l’école.
We pass in front of the school.
19. Croire = To believe
Croire means “to believe.”
Example:
Je crois que tu as raison.
I think you are right.
Another example:
Elle croit son ami.
She believes her friend.
20. Aimer = To like, to love
Aimer can mean “to like” or “to love,” depending on the context.
Example:
J’aime le café.
I like coffee.
Another example:
Elle aime sa famille.
She loves her family.
21. Demander = To ask
Demander means “to ask.” Be careful, it does not mean “to demand” in most everyday contexts.
Example:
Je demande une information.
I ask for information.
Another example:
Il demande de l’aide.
He asks for help.
22. Rester = To stay
Rester means “to stay” or “to remain.”
Example:
Je reste à la maison ce soir.
I am staying home tonight.
Another example:
Elle reste calme.
She stays calm.
23. Répondre = To answer, to reply
Répondre means “to answer” or “to reply.”
Example:
Je réponds à la question.
I answer the question.
Another example:
Il répond à son message.
He replies to his message.
24. Entendre = To hear
Entendre means “to hear.”
Example:
J’entends la musique.
I hear the music.
Another example:
Tu entends ce bruit ?
Do you hear that noise?
25. Penser = To think
Penser means “to think.”
Example:
Je pense à toi.
I am thinking of you.
Another example:
Nous pensons que c’est une bonne idée.
We think it is a good idea.
26. Arriver = To arrive, to happen
Arriver can mean “to arrive,” but it can also mean “to happen.”
Example:
J’arrive à huit heures.
I arrive at eight o’clock.
Another example:
Qu’est-ce qui arrive ?
What is happening?
27. Connaître = To know, to be familiar with
Connaître means “to know” a person, place, or thing.
Example:
Je connais Marie.
I know Marie.
Another example:
Tu connais ce restaurant ?
Do you know this restaurant?
28. Devenir = To become
Devenir means “to become.”
Example:
Elle veut devenir professeur.
She wants to become a teacher.
Another example:
Il devient très bon en français.
He is becoming very good at French.
29. Sentir = To feel, to smell
Sentir can mean “to feel” or “to smell,” depending on the context.
Example:
Je sens le café.
I smell the coffee.
Another example:
Je me sens bien.
I feel good.
30. Attendre = To wait, to wait for
Attendre means “to wait” or “to wait for.”
Example:
J’attends le bus.
I am waiting for the bus.
Another example:
Elle attend son amie.
She is waiting for her friend.
31. Vivre = To live
Vivre means “to live.”
Example:
Je vis en Floride.
I live in Florida.
Another example:
Ils vivent à Paris.
They live in Paris.
32. Chercher = To look for
Chercher means “to look for.”
Example:
Je cherche mon téléphone.
I am looking for my phone.
Another example:
Elle cherche un appartement.
She is looking for an apartment.
33. Comprendre = To understand
Comprendre means “to understand.”
Example:
Je comprends la leçon.
I understand the lesson.
Another example:
Je ne comprends pas.
I don’t understand.
34. Porter = To wear, to carry
Porter can mean “to wear” or “to carry.”
Example:
Elle porte une robe bleue.
She is wearing a blue dress.
Another example:
Je porte un sac.
I am carrying a bag.
35. Regarder = To watch, to look at
Regarder means “to watch” or “to look at.”
Example:
Je regarde un film.
I am watching a movie.
Another example:
Regarde cette photo.
Look at this picture.
36. Sortir = To go out, to leave
Sortir means “to go out” or “to leave.”
Example:
Je sors ce soir.
I am going out tonight.
Another example:
Elle sort de la maison.
She leaves the house.
37. Partir = To leave
Partir means “to leave.”
Example:
Je pars demain.
I am leaving tomorrow.
Another example:
Nous partons à huit heures.
We are leaving at eight o’clock.
38. Rentrer = To return home, to go back in
Rentrer is often used when someone returns home.
Example:
Je rentre à la maison.
I am going home.
Another example:
Il rentre tard ce soir.
He is coming home late tonight.
39. Écrire = To write
Écrire means “to write.”
Example:
J’écris un message.
I am writing a message.
Another example:
Elle écrit une lettre.
She writes a letter.
40. Lire = To read
Lire means “to read.”
Example:
Je lis un livre.
I am reading a book.
Another example:
Nous lisons un article en français.
We are reading an article in French.
41. Manger = To eat
Manger means “to eat.”
Example:
Je mange une pomme.
I am eating an apple.
Another example:
Nous mangeons au restaurant.
We are eating at the restaurant.
42. Boire = To drink
Boire means “to drink.”
Example:
Je bois de l’eau.
I am drinking water.
Another example:
Elle boit du thé.
She is drinking tea.
43. Apprendre = To learn
Apprendre means “to learn.”
Example:
J’apprends le français.
I am learning French.
Another example:
Nous apprenons une nouvelle règle.
We are learning a new rule.
44. Travailler = To work
Travailler means “to work.”
Example:
Je travaille aujourd’hui.
I am working today.
Another example:
Elle travaille dans une école.
She works in a school.
45. Acheter = To buy
Acheter means “to buy.”
Example:
J’achète du pain.
I am buying bread.
Another example:
Nous achetons une voiture.
We are buying a car.
46. Appeler = To call
Appeler means “to call.” It is also used in the expression s’appeler, meaning “to be called” or “to be named.”
Example:
J’appelle ma mère.
I am calling my mother.
Another example:
Je m’appelle Sophie.
My name is Sophie.
47. Aider = To help
Aider means “to help.”
Example:
Je peux t’aider.
I can help you.
Another example:
Elle aide son frère.
She helps her brother.
48. Jouer = To play
Jouer means “to play.” It is used with games, sports, and instruments.
Example:
Je joue au tennis.
I play tennis.
Another example:
Il joue de la guitare.
He plays guitar.
49. Essayer = To try
Essayer means “to try.”
Example:
J’essaie de parler français.
I am trying to speak French.
Another example:
Nous essayons un nouveau restaurant.
We are trying a new restaurant.
50. Utiliser = To use
Utiliser means “to use.”
Example:
J’utilise mon téléphone.
I use my phone.
Another example:
Elle utilise une application pour apprendre le français.
She uses an app to learn French.
How to Study These French Verbs
Do not try to memorize all 50 verbs in one day.
Start with the verbs you need most:
être = to be
avoir = to have
aller = to go
faire = to do, to make
vouloir = to want
pouvoir = can, to be able to
parler = to speak
comprendre = to understand
Then create simple sentences with them.
For example:
Je suis débutant.
I am a beginner.
J’ai une question.
I have a question.
Je veux apprendre.
I want to learn.
Je peux parler un peu.
I can speak a little.
Je comprends la phrase.
I understand the sentence.
Learning verbs in context is much more useful than memorizing them alone.
A Simple Practice Exercise
Try translating these sentences into French using verbs from the list.
- I speak French.
- She has a dog.
- We are going to Paris.
- I want a coffee.
- He is reading a book.
- I am waiting for the bus.
- She is looking for her phone.
- We are learning French.
- I do not understand.
- Can you help me?
Answers:
- Je parle français.
- Elle a un chien.
- Nous allons à Paris.
- Je veux un café.
- Il lit un livre.
- J’attends le bus.
- Elle cherche son téléphone.
- Nous apprenons le français.
- Je ne comprends pas.
- Tu peux m’aider ?
Keep Practicing These Common French Verbs
The most common French verbs are the ones you will use again and again in real conversations.
Start with a few verbs at a time, learn them in simple sentences, and practice saying them out loud. Once you feel comfortable with the first 10 or 15 verbs, add more.
You do not need perfect grammar to begin using French. Start small, repeat often, and focus on real phrases you can use in everyday life.
The more you practice these verbs in context, the more natural French will feel.
