10 Essential French Verbs and Expressions You Must Know
By Yohann Coussot — French teacher and FIDE test specialist
Published on Updated on
Difficulty:B1
Here are some very important verbs. Mastering these verbs will make a real difference in your ability to communicate in a natural and fluid way.
These are verbs that French speakers use frequently in daily life and that often pose challenges for learners because they are difficult to translate into their language.
10 Verbs and Expressions
Rejoindre
To join(Verb)Alternatives: Retrouver
Je vais rejoindre des amis au café.
Go to a person or a group to be with them.
S'en aller
To leaveAlternatives: Partir - Quitter un lieu
Tu t'en vas déjà ? Oui, je dois y aller.
Used to indicate that one is leaving the place they are at to go elsewhere.
En vouloir à
To hold a grudge againstAlternatives: Être fâché contre - Reprocher quelque chose à quelqu'un
Il m'a menti, donc oui, je lui en veux.
Having resentment towards someone because of an action or behavior.
Faillir
To almost do something(Verb)Alternatives: Être sur le point de
J'ai failli rater le train, c'était juste !
Indicates that an event almost happened but did not eventually occur.
Valoir le coup
To be worth itAlternatives: En valoir la peine
Tu crois que ça vaut le coup ?
Indicates that an action or experience is beneficial or worth doing.
Faire exprès
To do something on purposeAlternatives: Faire volontairement
Je ne l'ai pas fait exprès, promis !
To act with a specific intention, with a precise goal.
Tenir le coup
To hold onAlternatives: Résister - Supporter - Ne pas abandonner
C'était dur, mais j'ai tenu le coup jusqu'à la fin.
To stay strong in front of difficulty, continue despite fatigue or challenges.
Ne pas s'en faire
To not worry(Verb)Alternatives: Rester calme - Ne pas s'inquiéter
Ne t'en fais pas, tout va bien se passer !
Not letting worry or stress take over.
Avoir du mal à
To struggle with(Verb)Alternatives: Peiner à - Éprouver des difficultés à
J'ai du mal à comprendre cette expression.
Failing to do something or struggling to achieve it.
Faire semblant (de)
To pretend(Verb)Alternatives: Simuler - Prétendre
Il a fait semblant d'être surpris.
To take on an attitude or behavior to give a false impression.
Exercises
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Conclusion
By learning these verbs, you're taking a big step toward better mastering French. These words are essential for understanding and expressing yourself more easily in everyday situations.
If you want to go further, join the thousands of students who have already improved their French with Start French Now courses! Our courses are structured, accessible, and have received excellent reviews. Find them now :
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