The 100 most common French verbs (and 200 more)
The complete French verbs list with English meanings and full conjugation tables. Ranked by frequency, the top 100 cover most of everyday spoken and written French.
300 verbs · ordered by how often French speakers actually use them.
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The most common French verbs are at the top. The top 10 (être, avoir, aller, faire, dire, pouvoir, vouloir, savoir, voir, devoir) account for a huge share of every sentence in spoken and written French. The top 100 will get you through almost any everyday conversation. Drill those first, then expand outward by frequency rank.
This is the complete French verbs list with English translations, each row links to a full conjugation table covering présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur, subjonctif and every other tense.
| # | Infinitive | English | Group | Aux. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | être irregular | to be | 3rd | avoir |
| 2 | avoir irregular | to have | 3rd | avoir |
| 3 | aller irregular | to go | 3rd | être |
| 4 | faire irregular | to do | 3rd | avoir |
| 5 | dire irregular | to say | 3rd | avoir |
| 6 | pouvoir irregular | can | 3rd | avoir |
| 7 | vouloir irregular | to want | 3rd | avoir |
| 8 | savoir irregular | to know | 3rd | avoir |
| 9 | voir irregular | to see | 3rd | avoir |
| 10 | devoir irregular | must | 3rd | avoir |
| 11 | venir irregular | to come | 3rd | être |
| 12 | suivre irregular | to follow | 3rd | avoir |
| 13 | parler | to speak | 1st | avoir |
| 14 | prendre irregular | to take | 3rd | avoir |
| 15 | croire irregular | to believe | 3rd | avoir |
| 16 | aimer | to love | 1st | avoir |
| 17 | falloir irregular | to be necessary | 3rd | avoir |
| 18 | passer | to pass | 1st | both |
| 19 | penser | to think | 1st | avoir |
| 20 | attendre | to wait | 3rd | avoir |
| 22 | laisser | to leave | 1st | avoir |
| 23 | arriver | to arrive | 1st | être |
| 24 | donner | to give | 1st | avoir |
| 25 | regarder | to watch | 1st | avoir |
| 26 | appeler | to call | 1st | avoir |
| 27 | partir irregular | to leave | 3rd | être |
| 28 | mettre irregular | to put | 3rd | avoir |
| 29 | rester | to stay | 1st | être |
| 30 | arrêter | to stop | 1st | avoir |
| 31 | demander | to ask | 1st | avoir |
| 32 | connaître irregular | to know | 3rd | avoir |
| 33 | tuer | to kill | 1st | avoir |
| 34 | mourir irregular | to die | 3rd | être |
| 35 | comprendre irregular | to understand | 3rd | avoir |
| 36 | sortir irregular | to go out | 3rd | être |
| 37 | tenir irregular | to hold | 3rd | avoir |
| 38 | entendre | to hear | 3rd | avoir |
| 39 | sentir irregular | to feel | 3rd | avoir |
| 40 | chercher | to look for | 1st | avoir |
| 41 | aider | to help | 1st | avoir |
| 42 | essayer | to try | 1st | avoir |
| 43 | revenir irregular | to come back | 3rd | être |
| 44 | plaire irregular | to please | 3rd | avoir |
| 45 | sembler | to seem | 1st | avoir |
| 46 | jouer | to play | 1st | avoir |
| 47 | finir | to finish | 2nd | avoir |
| 48 | perdre | to lose | 3rd | avoir |
| 49 | devenir irregular | to become | 3rd | être |
| 50 | rentrer | to go home | 1st | both |
| 51 | vivre irregular | to live | 3rd | avoir |
| 53 | ouvrir irregular | to open | 3rd | avoir |
| 54 | oublier | to forget | 1st | avoir |
| 55 | travailler | to work | 1st | avoir |
| 56 | porter | to wear | 1st | avoir |
| 57 | écouter | to listen | 1st | avoir |
| 58 | manger | to eat | 1st | avoir |
| 59 | répondre | to answer | 3rd | avoir |
| 60 | entrer | to enter | 1st | être |
| 61 | paraître irregular | to appear | 3rd | avoir |
| 62 | tomber | to fall | 1st | être |
| 64 | commencer | to begin | 1st | avoir |
| 65 | payer | to pay | 1st | avoir |
| 66 | retrouver | to find again | 1st | avoir |
| 67 | tirer | to pull | 1st | avoir |
| 68 | changer | to change | 1st | avoir |
| 69 | poser | to put down | 1st | avoir |
| 70 | monter | to go up | 1st | both |
| 71 | excuser | to excuse | 1st | avoir |
| 73 | dormir irregular | to sleep | 3rd | avoir |
| 74 | tourner | to turn | 1st | avoir |
| 75 | occuper | to occupy | 1st | avoir |
| 76 | marcher | to walk | 1st | avoir |
| 77 | envoyer | to send | 1st | avoir |
| 78 | apprendre irregular | to learn | 3rd | avoir |
| 79 | écrire irregular | to write | 3rd | avoir |
| 80 | reprendre irregular | to resume | 3rd | avoir |
| 81 | boire irregular | to drink | 3rd | avoir |
| 82 | garder | to keep | 1st | avoir |
| 83 | jeter | to throw | 1st | avoir |
| 84 | montrer | to show | 1st | avoir |
| 85 | lire irregular | to read | 3rd | avoir |
| 86 | rire irregular | to laugh | 3rd | avoir |
| 87 | quitter | to leave | 1st | avoir |
| 89 | prier | to pray | 1st | avoir |
| 90 | servir irregular | to serve | 3rd | avoir |
| 91 | descendre | to go down | 3rd | both |
| 92 | espérer | to hope | 1st | avoir |
| 93 | désoler | to be sorry | 1st | avoir |
| 94 | gagner | to win | 1st | avoir |
| 95 | retourner | to return | 1st | both |
| 96 | acheter | to buy | 1st | avoir |
| 97 | pousser | to push | 1st | avoir |
| 98 | continuer | to continue | 1st | avoir |
| 100 | emmener | to take away | 1st | avoir |
| 101 | toucher | to touch | 1st | avoir |
| 102 | courir irregular | to run | 3rd | avoir |
| 103 | sourire irregular | to smile | 3rd | avoir |
| 104 | raconter | to tell | 1st | avoir |
| 105 | importer | to matter | 1st | avoir |
| 106 | manquer | to miss | 1st | avoir |
| 107 | sauver | to save | 1st | avoir |
| 108 | imaginer | to imagine | 1st | avoir |
| 109 | rencontrer | to meet | 1st | avoir |
| 110 | crier | to shout | 1st | avoir |
| 111 | voler | to fly | 1st | avoir |
| 112 | fermer | to close | 1st | avoir |
| 113 | valoir irregular | to be worth | 3rd | avoir |
| 114 | expliquer | to explain | 1st | avoir |
| 115 | apercevoir irregular | to notice | 3rd | avoir |
| 116 | suffire irregular | to be enough | 3rd | avoir |
| 117 | glisser | to slip | 1st | avoir |
| 118 | reconnaître irregular | to recognize | 3rd | avoir |
| 119 | compter | to count | 1st | avoir |
| 120 | ajouter | to add | 1st | avoir |
| 121 | recevoir irregular | to receive | 3rd | avoir |
| 123 | agir | to act | 2nd | avoir |
| 124 | tendre | to stretch | 3rd | avoir |
| 125 | décider | to decide | 1st | avoir |
| 126 | offrir irregular | to offer | 3rd | avoir |
| 127 | inquiéter | to worry | 1st | avoir |
| 128 | bouger | to move | 1st | avoir |
| 129 | apporter | to bring | 1st | avoir |
| 130 | serrer | to squeeze | 1st | avoir |
| 131 | vendre | to sell | 3rd | avoir |
| 132 | cacher | to hide | 1st | avoir |
| 133 | remettre irregular | to put back | 3rd | avoir |
| 134 | traverser | to cross | 1st | avoir |
| 135 | battre irregular | to beat | 3rd | avoir |
| 136 | répéter | to repeat | 1st | avoir |
| 137 | découvrir irregular | to discover | 3rd | avoir |
| 139 | approcher | to approach | 1st | avoir |
| 140 | avancer | to advance | 1st | avoir |
| 141 | adorer | to adore | 1st | avoir |
| 142 | pleurer | to cry | 1st | avoir |
| 143 | amener | to bring along | 1st | avoir |
| 144 | promettre irregular | to promise | 3rd | avoir |
| 145 | mentir irregular | to lie | 3rd | avoir |
| 146 | permettre irregular | to allow | 3rd | avoir |
| 147 | disparaître irregular | to disappear | 3rd | both |
| 148 | utiliser | to use | 1st | avoir |
| 149 | préférer | to prefer | 1st | avoir |
| 150 | cesser | to cease | 1st | avoir |
| 152 | préparer | to prepare | 1st | avoir |
| 153 | ramener | to bring back | 1st | avoir |
| 154 | enlever | to remove | 1st | avoir |
| 155 | empêcher | to prevent | 1st | avoir |
| 156 | lâcher | to let go | 1st | avoir |
| 157 | choisir | to choose | 2nd | avoir |
| 158 | conduire irregular | to drive | 3rd | avoir |
| 159 | calmer | to calm | 1st | avoir |
| 160 | frapper | to hit | 1st | avoir |
| 161 | chanter | to sing | 1st | avoir |
| 163 | accepter | to accept | 1st | avoir |
| 164 | lancer | to throw | 1st | avoir |
| 165 | rouler | to roll | 1st | avoir |
| 166 | revoir irregular | to see again | 3rd | avoir |
| 167 | installer | to install | 1st | avoir |
| 168 | casser | to break | 1st | avoir |
| 169 | remonter | to go back up | 1st | both |
| 170 | apparaître irregular | to appear | 3rd | both |
| 171 | ressembler | to resemble | 1st | avoir |
| 172 | ignorer | to ignore | 1st | avoir |
| 173 | parvenir irregular | to manage to | 3rd | être |
| 174 | pencher | to lean | 1st | avoir |
| 175 | couper | to cut | 1st | avoir |
| 176 | oser | to dare | 1st | avoir |
| 178 | refuser | to refuse | 1st | avoir |
| 179 | tromper | to deceive | 1st | avoir |
| 180 | jurer | to swear | 1st | avoir |
| 181 | exister | to exist | 1st | avoir |
| 182 | retenir irregular | to hold back | 3rd | avoir |
| 183 | terminer | to finish | 1st | avoir |
| 184 | remarquer | to notice | 1st | avoir |
| 186 | fixer | to fix | 1st | avoir |
| 187 | intéresser | to interest | 1st | avoir |
| 188 | pardonner | to forgive | 1st | avoir |
| 189 | embrasser | to kiss | 1st | avoir |
| 190 | mener | to lead | 1st | avoir |
| 191 | danser | to dance | 1st | avoir |
| 192 | saisir | to grab | 2nd | avoir |
| 193 | rejoindre irregular | to join | 3rd | avoir |
| 194 | sauter | to jump | 1st | avoir |
| 195 | annoncer | to announce | 1st | avoir |
| 196 | couvrir irregular | to cover | 3rd | avoir |
| 197 | éloigner | to move away | 1st | avoir |
| 198 | échapper | to escape | 1st | avoir |
| 199 | réussir | to succeed | 2nd | avoir |
| 200 | protéger | to protect | 1st | avoir |
| 201 | prévenir irregular | to warn | 3rd | avoir |
| 202 | demeurer | to remain | 1st | both |
| 203 | abandonner | to abandon | 1st | avoir |
| 204 | habiter | to live | 1st | avoir |
| 205 | rêver | to dream | 1st | avoir |
| 206 | éprouver | to feel | 1st | avoir |
| 207 | tenter | to try | 1st | avoir |
| 208 | déranger | to disturb | 1st | avoir |
| 209 | atteindre irregular | to reach | 3rd | avoir |
| 210 | assurer | to ensure | 1st | avoir |
| 211 | détruire irregular | to destroy | 3rd | avoir |
| 212 | appuyer | to press | 1st | avoir |
| 213 | relever | to lift up | 1st | avoir |
| 214 | accompagner | to accompany | 1st | avoir |
| 215 | murmurer | to murmur | 1st | avoir |
| 216 | détester | to hate | 1st | avoir |
| 217 | traîner | to drag | 1st | avoir |
| 218 | hésiter | to hesitate | 1st | avoir |
| 219 | charger | to load | 1st | avoir |
| 220 | maintenir irregular | to maintain | 3rd | avoir |
| 221 | emporter | to take away | 1st | avoir |
| 222 | couler | to flow | 1st | avoir |
| 223 | supposer | to suppose | 1st | avoir |
| 224 | proposer | to propose | 1st | avoir |
| 225 | naître irregular | to be born | 3rd | être |
| 226 | souffrir irregular | to suffer | 3rd | avoir |
| 227 | épouser | to marry | 1st | avoir |
| 228 | craindre irregular | to fear | 3rd | avoir |
| 229 | inviter | to invite | 1st | avoir |
| 230 | réfléchir | to think | 2nd | avoir |
| 231 | surprendre irregular | to surprise | 3rd | avoir |
| 232 | étonner | to astonish | 1st | avoir |
| 233 | secouer | to shake | 1st | avoir |
| 234 | allumer | to turn on | 1st | avoir |
| 235 | arranger | to arrange | 1st | avoir |
| 236 | observer | to observe | 1st | avoir |
| 237 | baisser | to lower | 1st | avoir |
| 238 | remercier | to thank | 1st | avoir |
| 239 | arracher | to tear off | 1st | avoir |
| 240 | soulever | to lift | 1st | avoir |
| 241 | mêler | to mix | 1st | avoir |
| 242 | attraper | to catch | 1st | avoir |
| 243 | deviner | to guess | 1st | avoir |
| 244 | entourer | to surround | 1st | avoir |
| 245 | étendre | to extend | 3rd | avoir |
| 246 | dépêcher | to hurry | 1st | avoir |
| 247 | vérifier | to check | 1st | avoir |
| 248 | éviter | to avoid | 1st | avoir |
| 249 | brûler | to burn | 1st | avoir |
| 250 | former | to form | 1st | avoir |
| 251 | séparer | to separate | 1st | avoir |
| 252 | obliger | to oblige | 1st | avoir |
| 253 | coller | to stick | 1st | avoir |
| 254 | poursuivre irregular | to pursue | 3rd | avoir |
| 255 | songer | to think | 1st | avoir |
| 256 | enfoncer | to push in | 1st | avoir |
| 257 | traiter | to treat | 1st | avoir |
| 258 | élever | to raise | 1st | avoir |
| 259 | blesser | to hurt | 1st | avoir |
| 260 | dégager | to clear | 1st | avoir |
| 261 | respirer | to breathe | 1st | avoir |
| 262 | placer | to place | 1st | avoir |
| 263 | durer | to last | 1st | avoir |
| 264 | marquer | to mark | 1st | avoir |
| 265 | entraîner | to train | 1st | avoir |
| 266 | filer | to dash off | 1st | avoir |
| 267 | éclater | to burst | 1st | avoir |
| 268 | risquer | to risk | 1st | avoir |
| 269 | accrocher | to hang up | 1st | avoir |
| 270 | dresser | to set up | 1st | avoir |
| 271 | attaquer | to attack | 1st | avoir |
| 272 | fumer | to smoke | 1st | avoir |
| 273 | retirer | to withdraw | 1st | avoir |
| 274 | signer | to sign | 1st | avoir |
| 275 | adresser | to address | 1st | avoir |
| 276 | ficher | to put | 1st | avoir |
| 278 | mériter | to deserve | 1st | avoir |
| 279 | juger | to judge | 1st | avoir |
| 280 | discuter | to discuss | 1st | avoir |
| 281 | avouer | to admit | 1st | avoir |
| 282 | diriger | to lead | 1st | avoir |
| 283 | reposer | to rest | 1st | avoir |
| 284 | engager | to hire | 1st | avoir |
| 285 | trembler | to tremble | 1st | avoir |
| 286 | sonner | to ring | 1st | avoir |
| 287 | écarter | to push aside | 1st | avoir |
| 288 | appartenir irregular | to belong to | 3rd | avoir |
| 289 | refermer | to close again | 1st | avoir |
| 290 | profiter | to enjoy | 1st | avoir |
| 291 | défendre | to defend | 3rd | avoir |
| 292 | écraser | to crush | 1st | avoir |
| 293 | allonger | to lie down | 1st | avoir |
| 294 | agiter | to shake | 1st | avoir |
| 295 | regretter | to regret | 1st | avoir |
| 296 | prouver | to prove | 1st | avoir |
| 297 | hurler | to scream | 1st | avoir |
| 298 | douter | to doubt | 1st | avoir |
| 299 | obtenir irregular | to obtain | 3rd | avoir |
| 300 | repartir irregular | to leave again | 3rd | avoir |
| 301 | considérer | to consider | 1st | avoir |
| 302 | pénétrer | to penetrate | 1st | avoir |
| 303 | plaisanter | to joke | 1st | avoir |
| 304 | prêter | to lend | 1st | avoir |
| 305 | virer | to turn | 1st | avoir |
| 306 | plonger | to dive | 1st | avoir |
| 307 | prononcer | to pronounce | 1st | avoir |
| 308 | supporter | to bear | 1st | avoir |
| 309 | éclairer | to light up | 1st | avoir |
| 310 | régler | to settle | 1st | avoir |
| 311 | souhaiter | to wish | 1st | avoir |
| 312 | représenter | to represent | 1st | avoir |
| 313 | créer | to create | 1st | avoir |
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