Moving to France is a thrilling adventure, but the language barrier can quickly turn everyday tasks into daunting missions. Whether you’re renting an apartment, buying your morning baguette, or figuring out French admin (bonjour, préfecture), knowing practical, everyday French vocabulary can make a huge difference.
Forget textbook phrases about pet zebras. This is the real-life French vocabulary you’ll actually need when living in France.
Table of Contents
Housing & rental vocabulary
When you’re apartment hunting or dealing with a landlord, these terms are essential:
- Appartement (m) – Apartment
- Maison (f) – House
- Bail (m) – Lease
- Propriétaire (m/f) – Landlord / Landlady
- Locataire (m/f) – Tenant
- Charges comprises – Utilities included
- Caution (f) – Security deposit
- État des lieux (m) – Inspection report (check-in/check-out)
- Dossier de location (m) – Rental application file
- Justificatif de domicile (m) – Proof of address
- Loyer (m) – Rent
- Quittance de loyer (f) – Rent receipt
- Frais d’agence (m/pl) – Agency fees
- Non meublé – Unfurnished
- Meublé – Furnished
- Colocation (f) – House share / flat share
- Surface habitable (f) – Living space (in m²)
- Préavis (m) – Notice period
- Relevé de compteur (m) – Meter reading
- Contrat de location (m) – Rental contract
Bakery & market must-knows
You’re going to spend a lot of time at the boulangerie and local markets, here’s what to say:
- Baguette tradition (f) – Traditional baguette
- Croissant (m) – You know this one 😉
- Pain complet (m) – Whole wheat bread
- Pain au levain (m) – Sourdough bread
- Brioche (f) – Buttery sweet bread
- Tarte (f) – Tart / Pie
- Viennoiserie (f) – Breakfast pastry (croissants, pains au chocolat, etc.)
- Fromage (m) – Cheese
- Fruits et légumes (m/pl) – Fruits and vegetables
- Poids (m) – Weight
- Prix au kilo (m) – Price per kilogram
- Marché (m) – Market
- Épicerie (f) – Small grocery shop
- Producteur local (m) – Local producer
- Bio – Organic
- Fermier / fermière (adj) – Farm-raised
- Étal (m) – Market stall
- Dégustation (f) – Tasting / sample
- Panier (m) – Basket
Medical & healthcare vocabulary
Understanding the French healthcare system is a must. These terms will help you navigate doctors, pharmacies, and appointments:
- Carte Vitale (f) – National health insurance card
- Médecin traitant (m) – Primary care doctor/GP
- Rendez-vous (m) – Appointment
- Pharmacie (f) – Pharmacy
- Ordonnance (f) – Prescription
- Mutuelle (f) – Top-up health insurance
- Urgences (f/pl) – Emergency room
- Consultation (f) – Medical appointment
- Spécialiste (m/f) – Specialist
- Analyses (f/pl) – Lab tests
- Laboratoire (m) – Laboratory
- Arrêt de travail (m) – Sick leave note
- CMU / PUMa – Universal healthcare system
- Remboursement (m) – Reimbursement
- Numéro de sécurité sociale (m) – Social security number
- Assurance maladie (f) – Health insurance
- Centre de santé (m) – Health clinic
- Infirmier / infirmière (m/f) – Nurse
- Sécurité sociale (f) – National health system
- Samu (m) – Emergency medical services (dial 15)
Admin & bureaucracy vocabulary
France is famous for its red tape. Knowing these terms helps you survive any visit to the préfecture:
- Préfecture (f) – Local government office (often handles visas)
- Titre de séjour (m) – Residence permit
- Formulaire (m) – Form
- Justificatif (m) – Supporting document
- Attestation (f) – Certificate / statement
- Impôts (m/pl) – Taxes
- Sécurité sociale (f) – Social security
- CAF (f) – Family allowance office (also provides housing help)
- Dossier (m) – Application file
- Avis d’imposition (m) – Tax notice
- RIB (m) – Bank account details
- Quittance de loyer (f) – Rent receipt
- Acte de naissance (m) – Birth certificate
- Numéro fiscal (m) – Tax number
- Déclaration (f) – Declaration / statement
- Assurance maladie (f) – Health insurance
- Relevé d’identité bancaire (m) – Bank account slip
- RDV / Rendez-vous (m) – Appointment
- Carte d’identité (f) – National ID card
Polite phrases you’ll use every day
Even if your French isn’t fluent, good manners go a long way:
- Bonjour / Bonsoir – Hello / Good evening
- Merci (beaucoup) – Thank you (very much)
- S’il vous plaît – Please
- Excusez-moi – Excuse me
- Je ne parle pas bien français – I don’t speak French well
- Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? – Can you repeat that, please?
- Où sont les toilettes ? – Where are the toilets?
- Je cherche… – I’m looking for…
- Comment ça va ? – How are you?
- Ça va, merci – I’m good, thank you
- Enchanté(e) – Nice to meet you
- Je suis désolé(e) – I’m sorry
- Bonne journée / Bonne soirée – Have a good day / evening
- À bientôt / À demain – See you soon / See you tomorrow
- Je voudrais… – I would like…
- Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?
- Je ne comprends pas – I don’t understand
- Pas de problème – No problem
- C’est combien ? – How much is it?
- Merci pour votre aide – Thank you for your help
Transport & navigation vocabulary
If you’re commuting, travelling, or even buying a car, these will help:
- Gare (f) – Train station
- Arrêt de bus (m) – Bus stop
- Abonnement (m) – Subscription / monthly pass
- Voiture (f) – Car
- Permis de conduire (m) – Driver’s license
- Péage (m) – Toll
- Carburant (m) – Fuel
Postal & utility vocabulary
Setting up utilities, getting mail, or contacting service providers? You’ll need these:
- Facture (f) – Bill
- Électricité (f) – Electricity
- Gaz (m) – Gas
- Eau (f) – Water
- Internet haut débit (m) – High-speed internet
- Colis (m) – Parcel
- Lettre recommandée (f) – Registered letter
FAQ: Everyday French vocabulary for expats
Do I need to speak French to live in France?
It depends where you live. In rural areas and smaller towns, basic French is almost essential. In bigger cities, some English is spoken, but French helps with integration and admin.
How much French should I learn before moving to France?
Aim to cover essential phrases related to housing, transport, shopping, and healthcare. Reaching an A2 level will also be required from 2026 for most residence cards.
Are there free ways to learn French?
Yes! Duolingo, YouTube, and podcasts like Coffee Break French are popular. Once in France, check with your mairie for free or subsidised courses.
s French bureaucracy really that bad?
Let’s just say… it helps to know the words “attestation” and “formulaire”. Preparation and vocabulary make it easier!
Moving to France? Start with vocabulary that actually matters
Learning French doesn’t have to mean memorising obscure verbs or convoluted grammar rules. Focus on practical vocabulary that makes daily life easier. From renting an apartment to navigating a medical appointment or ordering your morning coffee, these words and phrases are the building blocks of a smoother relocation.
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