Basic vocabulary (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Basic vocabulary
Understanding fundamental French vocabulary is crucial for building strong communication skills. This revision guide covers the essential words and phrases you'll need to express yourself clearly in French, from basic numbers to common expressions used in everyday conversation.
Numbers
French numbers follow specific patterns that make learning them more manageable once you understand the system. The basic numbers from one to twenty form the foundation, while larger numbers build upon these patterns.
Master the Foundation First Learning numbers 1-20 thoroughly is essential because all larger French numbers build upon these basic patterns. Once you understand the foundation, the rest becomes much easier.
Essential numbers
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| un/une | one | onze | eleven |
| deux | two | douze | twelve |
| trois | three | treize | thirteen |
| quatre | four | quatorze | fourteen |
| cinq | five | quinze | fifteen |
| six | six | seize | sixteen |
| sept | seven | dix-sept | seventeen |
| huit | eight | dix-huit | eighteen |
| neuf | nine | dix-neuf | nineteen |
| dix | ten | vingt | twenty |
Larger numbers
French handles larger numbers systematically. Notice how "trente" (thirty) follows the same pattern as other multiples of ten, and compound numbers use hyphens to connect the parts.
Pattern Recognition French numbers from 70-99 use unique patterns: "soixante-dix" (literally "sixty-ten") for 70, and "quatre-vingts" (literally "four-twenties") for 80. These patterns reflect historical counting systems.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| trente | thirty |
| quarante | forty |
| cinquante | fifty |
| soixante | sixty |
| soixante-dix | seventy |
| quatre-vingts | eighty |
| quatre-vingt-dix | ninety |
| cent | one hundred |
| mille | thousand |
| million | million |
Worked Example: Using Numbers in Context
Step 1: Age expressions J'ai dix-huit ans. (I am eighteen years old.)
Step 2: Quantity expressions
Il y a trente élèves dans la classe. (There are thirty pupils in the class.)
Notice how the number comes directly before the noun it modifies.
Question words
Asking questions effectively requires mastering these essential interrogative words. Each serves a specific purpose in gathering information and understanding French conversations.
| French | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Combien? | How many? / How much? | For quantities and amounts |
| Comment? | How? | For methods and descriptions |
| Où? | Where? | For locations |
| Pourquoi? | Why? | For reasons |
| Quand? | When? | For time |
| Que/Qu'? | What? | For objects and actions |
| Quel(le)(s)? | Which? / What? | For specific choices |
| Qui? | Who? | For people |
| Quoi? | What? | Informal "what" |
Question Formation Tip Most French question words can be used with simple inversion (verb-subject) or with "est-ce que" for a more formal approach. The question word always comes at the beginning of the sentence.
Worked Example: Question Formation
Using different question words in context:
- Combien coûte ce livre? (How much does this book cost?)
- Où habites-tu? (Where do you live?)
- Quand arrives-tu? (When are you arriving?)
Notice the natural word order and how each question word seeks specific information.
Common phrases and expressions
These frequently used phrases will help you navigate everyday conversations with confidence. They're essential for polite interaction and expressing common sentiments.
Greetings and farewells
À bientôt means "see you soon" and is perfect for casual goodbyes when you expect to meet again shortly. Au revoir is the standard "goodbye" for more formal situations.
Expressing opinions and feelings
Ça m'est égal translates to "I'm not bothered" or "I don't mind," showing indifference to a choice or situation. Ça va is wonderfully versatile, meaning both "It's fine" and "How's it going?" depending on context.
Time expressions
En ce moment means "at the moment" and helps you discuss current situations. Il est temps indicates "it is time," useful for scheduling and time management.
Weather and conditions
Il fait beau describes nice weather, while Il faut expresses necessity ("it is necessary" or "one must").
Worked Example: Using Common Phrases
Casual conversation:
- À bientôt, Marie! (See you soon, Marie!)
- Il fait beau aujourd'hui. (It's nice weather today.)
- Il faut étudier pour l'examen. (It's necessary to study for the exam.)
These phrases create natural, flowing conversations in French.
Negative constructions
French negatives typically use a two-part structure that wraps around the verb. Understanding this pattern is essential for expressing what you don't do, don't have, or don't want.
The Two-Part Rule Never forget that French negatives require TWO parts: "ne" (before the verb) + another negative word (after the verb). Missing either part makes the sentence incorrect.
Basic negative patterns
Ne...pas is the most common negative, meaning "not." The "ne" comes before the verb, and "pas" comes after it.
Ne...personne means "no one" or "nobody," while Ne...jamais means "never." Ne...rien translates to "nothing" and is useful for expressing the absence of things.
Worked Example: Negative Constructions
Step 1: Basic negation with "ne...pas" Je ne parle pas anglais. (I don't speak English.)
Step 2: Negating with "personne" Il n'y a personne ici. (There's nobody here.)
Step 3: Using "jamais" for never Elle ne mange jamais de viande. (She never eats meat.)
Notice how the negative elements always surround the verb.
Prepositions
Prepositions show relationships between words and are crucial for expressing location, time, and direction. French prepositions often don't translate directly to English, so learning them in context is important.
Translation Challenge French prepositions rarely have direct English equivalents. The preposition "à" can mean "at," "to," "in," or "on" depending on context. Always learn prepositions through example sentences rather than isolated translations.
Location and direction
À is extremely versatile, meaning "at," "to," "in," or "on" depending on context. Chez specifically means "at someone's place" and is used with people rather than places.
Après means "after," while avant means "before." These help you express time relationships clearly.
Other essential prepositions
Avec means "with," contre means "against," and dans means "in." Derrière means "behind," devant means "in front of," and entre means "between."
Worked Example: Prepositions in Context
Location expressions:
- Je vais à l'école. (I'm going to school.)
- Le chat est derrière la chaise. (The cat is behind the chair.)
- Nous mangeons avec nos amis. (We eat with our friends.)
Each preposition creates a specific spatial or temporal relationship.
Conjunctions
Conjunctions connect ideas and help create more complex, interesting sentences. They're essential for expressing relationships between thoughts and building fluency.
Car and parce que both mean "because," but "car" is slightly more formal. Cependant means "however" and helps contrast ideas.
Comme can mean "like" or "as," while donc means "so" or "therefore." Et means "and," mais means "but," and ou means "or."
Worked Example: Using Conjunctions
Building complex sentences:
- J'aime le français car c'est intéressant. (I like French because it's interesting.)
- Il pleut, donc nous restons à la maison. (It's raining, so we're staying at home.)
Conjunctions create logical flow and show relationships between ideas.
Translation practice
Test your understanding with these translation exercises:
Practice Strategy When translating, think about the grammatical patterns you've learned rather than word-for-word translation. Consider verb placement, negative structures, and preposition usage.
French to English
- Combien d'élèves sont dans la classe?
- Je ne mange jamais de poisson.
English to French
- Where is the library?
- I am going to my friend's house.
Answers
- How many pupils are in the class?
- I never eat fish.
- Où est la bibliothèque?
- Je vais chez mon ami.
Key Points to Remember:
- Numbers follow patterns - learn the basics (1-20) and build from there
- Question words are essential for communication - practise using them in different contexts
- Negative constructions use the "ne...pas" pattern around the verb
- Prepositions often don't translate directly - learn them through example sentences
- Common phrases and conjunctions will make your French sound more natural and fluent