French–English Dictionary
French Dictionary
Search 323+ French words with English translations, IPA pronunciation, example sentences and CEFR level ratings. Click any word to hear it spoken.
40 results
approfondir
/a.pʁɔ.fɔ̃.diʁ/To make more thorough or complete
Je veux approfondir mes connaissances.
I want to deepen my knowledge.
autrement dit
/otʁ.mɑ̃.di/Introducing a reformulation
Il est parti, autrement dit, il a démissionné.
He left, in other words, he resigned.
bénévole
/be.ne.vɔl/A person who freely offers their time and effort to work for an organisation or cause without being paid.
Des centaines de bénévoles ont aidé à organiser la fête de quartier.
Hundreds of volunteers helped to organise the neighbourhood festival.
💡 Also used as an adjective: 'un travail bénévole' (voluntary work). Related noun: le bénévolat (volunteering as a concept/activity).
cependant
/sə.pɑ̃.dɑ̃/Used to introduce a contrast
Il est fatigué ; cependant, il travaille.
He is tired; however, he works.
citoyen
/si.twa.jɛ̃/A person who is a member of a particular country and has rights and responsibilities within that society.
Chaque citoyen a le droit de voter aux élections.
Every citizen has the right to vote in elections.
💡 Feminine form: citoyenne /si.twa.jɛn/. Can also be used figuratively, e.g. 'un citoyen du monde' (a citizen of the world).
d'ailleurs
/da.jœʁ/In addition to what has been said
D'ailleurs, il parle trois langues.
Besides, he speaks three languages.
débat
/de.ba/A formal or public discussion in which different opinions on a topic are expressed and argued.
Le débat politique télévisé a attiré des millions de téléspectateurs.
The televised political debate attracted millions of viewers.
💡 The final 't' is silent. Related verb: débattre (to debate).
donc
/dɔ̃k/Used to introduce a conclusion
Il pleut, donc je prends mon parapluie.
It is raining, so I take my umbrella.
droits de l'homme
/dʁwa də lɔm/The basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled, regardless of nationality, sex, or ethnicity.
La France a signé la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme en 1950.
France signed the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950.
💡 Literally 'rights of man'. Also seen as 'droits humains', a more inclusive modern variant. Capitalized when referring to the 1789 Declaration: 'la Déclaration des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen'.
égalité
/e.ɡa.li.te/The state of being equal, especially in terms of rights, opportunities, and treatment.
L'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes est garantie par la Constitution française.
Equality between women and men is guaranteed by the French Constitution.
💡 One of the three values of the French Republic: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.
élu
/e.ly/A person who has been chosen by voters to hold a political office or position.
Les élus locaux ont décidé de construire une nouvelle école dans le quartier.
The local elected officials decided to build a new school in the neighbourhood.
💡 Feminine form: une élue. Also used as past participle of 'élire' (to elect): 'Il a été élu président.'
en effet
/ɑ̃.ne.fɛ/Used to confirm what has just been said
En effet, tu as raison.
Indeed, you are right.
en revanche
/ɑ̃.ʁə.vɑ̃ʃ/Introducing a contrasting point
Il est lent, en revanche il est précis.
He is slow; on the other hand, he is precise.
engagé
/ɑ̃.ɡa.ʒe/Describing a person or work that is actively involved in or committed to a political or social cause.
C'est un écrivain très engagé qui dénonce les inégalités sociales dans ses romans.
He is a very committed writer who denounces social inequalities in his novels.
💡 Feminine form: engagée. Also used in other contexts, e.g. 'une table engagée' (a reserved table) from the verb 'engager'.
l'assurance
/a.sy.ʁɑ̃s/A policy providing financial protection
J'ai une assurance maladie.
I have health insurance.
l'entreprise
/ɑ̃.tʁə.pʁiz/An organisation formed for commercial activity
Cette entreprise emploie cinq cents personnes.
This company employs five hundred people.
la formation
/fɔʁ.ma.sjɔ̃/The process of learning skills for a job
Elle suit une formation en informatique.
She is doing an IT training course.
la réunion
/ʁe.y.njɔ̃/A gathering of people for a discussion
La réunion commence à neuf heures.
The meeting starts at nine o'clock.
laïcité
/la.i.si.te/The principle of keeping religion separate from public institutions and government, a core value in French society.
La laïcité est un principe fondamental de la République française depuis 1905.
Secularism has been a fundamental principle of the French Republic since 1905.
💡 A distinctly French concept with no perfect English equivalent. Frequently debated in contemporary French society.
le contrat
/kɔ̃.tʁa/A legally binding agreement
Il a signé son contrat de travail.
He signed his employment contract.