In French, as in English, verbs are words that describe an action or a state of being. They are essential for talking about what you do, what you like, and how you feel. Learning how to use action verbs is an essential part of mastering the French language. In this lesson, you will learn about action verbs and how to use them in sentences.
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Cuire
Bake
Se baigner
Bathe
Souffler
Blow
Casser
Break
Brosser
Brush
coup
Kick
houblon
Hop
Nager
Swim
Marcher
Walk
Acheter
Buy
Porter
Carry
Hacher
Chop
Applaudir
Clap
Grimper
Climb
Peigner
Comb
Cuisiner
Cook
Ramper
Crawl
Pleurer
Cry
Couper
Cut
Danser
Dance
Frapper
Hit
Servir
Serve
Attraper
Catch
Courir
Run
Tomber
Fall
Sauter
Jump
patin
Skate
Lancer
Throw
Surfer
Surf
Tirer
Shoot
Monter
Ride
Plonger
Dive
Conduire
Drive
Action Verbs in French
- Cuire Bake
- Se baigner Bathe
- Souffler Blow
- Casser Break
- Brosser Brush
- coup Kick
- houblon Hop
- Nager Swim
- Marcher Walk
- Acheter Buy
- Porter Carry
- Hacher Chop
- Applaudir Clap
- Grimper Climb
- Peigner Comb
- Cuisiner Cook
- Ramper Crawl
- Pleurer Cry
- Couper Cut
- Danser Dance
- Frapper Hit
- Servir Serve
- Attraper Catch
- Courir Run
- Tomber Fall
- Sauter Jump
- patin Skate
- Lancer Throw
- Surfer Surf
- Tirer Shoot
- Monter Ride
- Plonger Dive
- Conduire Drive
Types of verbs in French:
Verbs are the essence of language, allowing us to convey action and state. In French, verbs are categorized into two main types: action verbs "Les verbes d’action" in French and stative verbs "Les Verbes d’État" in French. Action Verbs "Les verbes d’action": These verbs describe physical or mental actions performed by the subject. They can be transitive requiring a direct object or intransitive not requiring a direct object. Here are some common French action verbs:
- Courir "to run": For example "Je cours chaque matin"/ I run every morning.
- Danser "to dance": For example "Ils dansent au bal"/ They dance at the ball.
- Lire "to read": For example "Nous lisons un livre"/ We read a book.
- Faire "to do/make": For example "Elle fait ses devoirs"/ She does her homework.
- Aller "to go": For example "Nous allons à l’école"/ We go to school.
Stative verbs or Les verbes d’état in French are used to express a state, condition, or manner of being rather than an action. They describe a subject’s state of being or a change of state and are not used to indicate actions or durations. Here are some common stative verbs in French:
- Être "to be": For example, "Je suis étudiant" / I am a student.
- Paraître "to appear": For example, "Il paraît fatigué aujourd’hui"/ He appears tired today.
- Sembler "to seem": For example, "Elle semble heureuse avec ses résultats" / She seems happy with her results.
- Devenir "to become": For example, "Ils deviennent médecins"/ They are becoming doctors.
- Rester "to stay": For example, "Nous restons à la maison ce weekend"/ We are staying at home this weekend.
- Avoir l’air "to look like": For example, "Tu as l’air d’un artiste" / You look like an artist.
List of action verbs in French:
The French language has a vast array of action verbs. To learn them effectively, it’s recommended to start with the most common ones and gradually expand your knowledge by learning them in thematic groups or categories. Here’s a list of common French action verbs:
- Accepter "to accept": For example, "J’accepte les conditions."/ I accept the conditions.
- Aider "to help": For example, "J’aide mon ami." / I help my friend.
- Aimer "to like/love": For example, "J’aime ce livre." / I like this book.
- Appeler "to call": For example, "J’appelle ma mère." / I call my mother.
- Apporter "to bring": For example, "J’apporte le dessert." / I bring the dessert.
- Apprendre “to learn”: For example, “J’apprends le français.” / I learn French.
- Arrêter "to stop": For example, "J’arrête la voiture." / I stop the car.
- Arriver "to arrive": For example, "J’arrive à l’école." / I arrive at school.
- Chanter "to sing": For example, "Je chante une chanson." / I sing a song.
- Chercher “to look for”: For example, “Je cherche mes clés.” / I look for my keys.
- Choisir “to choose”: For example, “Je choisis un livre.” / I choose a book.
- Commencer “to begin/start”: For example, "Je commence le travail." / I start work.
- Comprendre "to understand": For example, "Je comprends la leçon." / I understand the lesson.
- Conduire "to drive": For example, "Je conduis ma voiture." / I drive my car.
- Connaître "to know": For example, "Je connais cette personne." / I know this person.
- Construire "to build": For example, "Je construis une maison." / I build a house.
- Continuer "to continue": For example, "Je continue mon chemin." / I continue my way.
- Courir "to run": For example, "Je cours chaque matin." / I run every morning.
- Couvrir "to cover": For example, "Je couvre le gâteau." / I cover the cake.
- Créer "to create": For example, "Je crée une œuvre d’art." / I create a work of art.
- Croire "to believe": For example, "Je crois en toi." / I believe in you.
- Cuisiner "to cook": For example, "Je cuisine le dîner." / I cook dinner.
- Danser "to dance": For example, "Je danse avec mes amis." / I dance with my friends.
- Décrire "to describe": For example, "Je décris le paysage." / I describe the landscape.
- Demander “to ask": For example, "Je demande de l’aide." / I ask for help.
- Démarrer "to start": For example, "Je démarre la voiture." / I start the car.
- Dépenser "to spend": For example, "Je dépense de l’argent." / I spend money.
- Détester "to hate": For example, "Je déteste les mensonges." / I hate lies.
- Devoir "to have to": For example, "Je dois étudier." / I have to study.
- Dire "to say": For example, "Je dis la vérité." / I say the truth.
- Dormir "to sleep": For example, "Je dors huit heures par nuit." / I sleep eight hours a night.
- Écouter "to listen": For example, "J’écoute de la musique." / I listen to music.
- Écrire "to write": For example, "J’écris une lettre." / I write a letter.
- Embrasser "to kiss": For example, "J’embrasse ma grand-mère." / I kiss my grandmother.
- Emmener "to take": For example, "J’emmène mon frère au cinéma." / I take my brother to the cinema.
- Empêcher "to prevent": For example, "J’empêche l’accident." / I prevent the accident.
- Enseigner "to teach": For example, "J’enseigne les mathématiques." / I teach mathematics.
- Entendre "to hear": For example, "J’entends un bruit." / I hear a noise.
- Entrer "to enter": For example, "J’entre dans la maison." / I enter the house.
- Envoyer "to send": For example, "J’envoie un colis." / I send a package.
- Espérer "to hope": For example, "J’espère te voir bientôt." / I hope to see you soon.
- Essayer "to try": For example, "J’essaie de faire du vélo." / I try to ride a bike.
- Être "to be": For example, "Je suis heureux." / I am happy.
- Étudier "to study": For example, "J’étudie pour l’examen." / I study for the exam.
- Faire "to do/make": For example, "Je fais mes devoirs." / I do my homework.
- Fermer "to close": For example, "Je ferme la porte." / I close the door.
- Finir "to finish": For example, "Je finis le projet." / I finish the project.
- Fuir "to flee": For example, "Je fuis le danger." / I flee from danger.
- Gagner "to win": For example, “Je gagne le match." / I win the match.
- Garder "to keep": For example, "Je garde le secret." / I keep the secret.
- Habiter "to live (in)": For example, "J’habite à Paris." / I live in Paris.
- Ignorer "to ignore": For example, "J’ignore les rumeurs." / I ignore the rumors.
- Inviter "to invite": For example, "J’invite mes amis.” / I invite my friends.
- Jouer "to play": For example, "Je joue au football.” / I play football.
- Laisser "to leave/let" : For example, “Je laisse la porte ouverte.” / I leave the door open.
- Lancer "to throw": For example, “Je lance le ballon.” / I throw the ball.
- Laver "to wash": For example, “Je lave la voiture.” / I wash the car.
- Lire "to read": For example, “Je lis un livre.” / I read a book.
- Manger "to eat" : For example, “Je mange une pomme." / I eat an apple.
- Marcher "to walk" : For example, “Je marche dans le parc." / I walk in the park.
- Mentir "to lie" : For example, “Je ne mens jamais." / I never lie.
- Mettre "to put": For example, “Je mets la table." / I set the table.
- Montrer "to show": For example, "Je montre la photo." / I show the picture.
- Naître "to be born": For example, "Je suis né en France." / I was born in France.
- Nager "to swim": For example, "Je nage dans la piscine." / I swim in the pool.
- Nettoyer "to clean": For example, "Je nettoie ma chambre." / I clean my room.
- Oublier "to forget": For example, "J’oublie tout le temps mes clés." / I always forget my keys.
- Ouvrir "to open": For example, "J’ouvre la fenêtre." / I open the window.
- Parler "to speak": For example, "Je parle anglais." / I speak English.
- Partager "to share": For example, "Je partage mon goûter." / I share my snack.
