The 100 most common French words with example sentences

Have you ever heard of the Pareto principle? It states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts put into them. Applied to language learning, this rule means that people use 20% of the words they know 80% of the time. This is not a perfectly accurate number, of course, but it highlights an …

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More than but: The other common meanings of “mais”

Mais means “but” in French – but it can also have other meanings. Notably, it’s often used for emphasis — usually to show disbelief or annoyance. It’s also a common filler or transition word. Let’s get to know the most common meanings of mais. Mais as “but” Mais is probably most commonly  used to mean “but” in …

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7 common French greetings (and the faux-pas to avoid)

There are a number of ways to greet people in French, including saying Bonjour and exchanging la bise (cheek kisses). Let’s look at the ones you’ll come across most often, and how use these greetings like a native French person! 7 common French greetings The typical French greeting: Bonjour As you probably know, Bonjour means “Hello” …

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You in French: How to Choose Between Tu and Vous

Tu or vous means “you” in French. But it depends on who you’re talking to. Knowing how to choose between tu and vous is one of the most complicated things a non-native French speaker will have to learn. Fortunately, there are some rules and tips that will make it a lot easier. Here is how to …

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The most common French adjectives (and how to use them)

In English, adjectives are pretty easy to use. You put them before the noun they describe and you’re done. In French however, the placement of adjectives varies. And if that wasn’t enough to confuse you, most adjectives also change depending on whether the noun they describe is masculine, feminine, singular or plural. Luckily, in today’s lesson, you’ll …

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