This is your go-to resource for mastering French verbs that begin with the letter “D.” Whether you’re a beginner building your vocabulary or an advanced learner refining your fluency, this comprehensive list of 200 French verbs will help you express actions, emotions, and ideas with confidence. The verbs are ordered based on their frequency and usage in everyday French, sourced from various linguistic references.
For detailed conjugations of each verb, explore our complete French verb conjugation guide. Irregular verbs are highlighted in red for quick reference.
Why Learn French Verbs Starting with D?
Verbs are the cornerstone of effective communication in French, and those starting with “D” include essential words like dire (to say) and devoir (must, to have to). Learning these verbs will enhance your ability to engage in conversations, write clearly, and understand French media. This list is ideal for students, travelers, or anyone eager to deepen their French proficiency.
List of 200 French Verbs Starting with D
Below is the complete list of 200 French verbs starting with the letter “D,” each paired with its English translation. Irregular verbs are marked in red for easy identification. For full conjugations and usage examples, download our complete French verb conjugation guide.
No. | Verb | English |
---|---|---|
1 | dire | to say, to tell |
2 | devoir | to have to, must, to owe |
3 | demander | to ask, to request |
4 | donner | to give, to produce |
5 | découvrir | to discover |
6 | devenir | to become |
7 | déjeuner | to have lunch |
8 | dessiner | to draw |
9 | décider | to decide |
10 | descendre | to go down, to descend |
11 | discuter | to discuss |
12 | dormir | to sleep |
13 | défendre | to defend |
14 | décrire | to describe |
15 | danser | to dance |
16 | déplacer | to move, to displace |
17 | dépendre | to depend |
18 | découvrir | to uncover, to reveal |
19 | démarrer | to start, to begin |
20 | disparaître | to disappear |
21 | désirer | to desire, to wish |
22 | détruire | to destroy |
23 | développer | to develop |
24 | dîner | to have dinner |
25 | doubler | to double, to overtake |
26 | dépasser | to exceed, to overtake |
27 | distinguer | to distinguish |
28 | desservir | to clear (table), to serve |
29 | détester | to hate |
30 | divorcer | to divorce |
31 | démontrer | to demonstrate |
32 | défendre | to forbid |
33 | décrocher | to pick up (phone), to unhook |
34 | démolir | to demolish |
35 | dissoudre | to dissolve |
36 | décrire | to depict |
37 | déménager | to move (house) |
38 | déranger | to disturb |
39 | déduire | to deduce |
40 | dessécher | to dry out |
41 | déguiser | to disguise |
42 | distraire | to distract |
43 | dépenser | to spend (money) |
44 | décevoir | to disappoint |
45 | dévisser | to unscrew |
46 | définir | to define |
47 | défaire | to undo, to unpack |
48 | devenir | to turn into |
49 | divorcer | to separate |
50 | douter | to doubt |
51 | débattre | to debate |
52 | déchirer | to tear, to rip |
53 | délirer | to rave, to be delirious |
54 | départir | to allot, to share |
55 | dégager | to clear, to release |
56 | déclarer | to declare |
57 | dérober | to steal, to hide |
58 | déployer | to deploy, to spread out |
59 | désobéir | to disobey |
60 | délimiter | to delimit, to mark out |
61 | débrouiller | to sort out, to manage |
62 | dévorer | to devour |
63 | décoller | to take off (plane), to unstick |
64 | décomposer | to decompose |
65 | détendre | to relax |
66 | détourner | to divert, to hijack |
67 | déballer | to unpack |
68 | défier | to challenge |
69 | déformer | to deform |
70 | dépérir | to waste away |
71 | déboucher | to uncork, to unblock |
72 | désigner | to designate |
73 | dégrader | to degrade |
74 | détruire | to ruin |
75 | déverrouiller | to unlock |
76 | dégriser | to sober up |
77 | débarrasser | to clear away, to get rid of |
78 | débroussailler | to clear (brush) |
79 | dénouer | to untie, to resolve |
80 | découdre | to unstitch |
81 | déblayer | to clear (snow, debris) |
82 | dériver | to derive, to drift |
83 | défricher | to clear (land) |
84 | dépouiller | to strip, to tally (votes) |
85 | déraper | to skid, to slip |
86 | décliner | to decline |
87 | dénommer | to name |
88 | désapprendre | to unlearn |
89 | défoncer | to smash in |
90 | déchiffrer | to decipher |
91 | déborder | to overflow |
92 | délivrer | to deliver, to free |
93 | décorer | to decorate |
94 | déguerpir | to clear out, to scram |
95 | dégoûter | to disgust |
96 | déteindre | to fade, to run (color) |
97 | dégriffer | to declaw |
98 | déclencher | to trigger |
99 | dépecer | to carve up, to dismember |
100 | désunir | to disunite |
101 | déceler | to detect |
102 | détourer | to outline, to cut out |
103 | dériver | to divert (stream) |
104 | décéder | to die, to pass away |
105 | déguster | to taste, to savor |
106 | déprendre | to detach |
107 | déserter | to desert |
108 | désespérer | to despair |
109 | déshabiller | to undress |
110 | détacher | to detach, to untie |
111 | déstabiliser | to destabilize |
112 | décevoir | to deceive |
113 | déjouer | to foil, to thwart |
114 | démonter | to dismantle |
115 | démentir | to contradict |
116 | déplaire | to displease |
117 | débusquer | to flush out |
118 | déchristianiser | to secularize |
119 | décoloniser | to decolonize |
120 | décroître | to decrease |
121 | délabrer | to dilapidate |
122 | dépeindre | to portray |
123 | délaver | to wash out |
124 | désenchanter | to disenchant |
125 | démolisser | to tear down |
126 | désister | to desist |
127 | dénicher | to unearth, to find |
128 | dételer | to unharness |
129 | déprécier | to depreciate |
130 | dépayser | to disorient |
131 | déprogrammer | to cancel (program) |
132 | déraciner | to uproot |
133 | désherber | to weed |
134 | désaltérer | to quench (thirst) |
135 | décomplexer | to make less self-conscious |
136 | dénuder | to strip bare |
137 | dénoter | to denote |
138 | désosser | to debone |
139 | dépatouiller | to sort out (informal) |
140 | dépérir | to languish |
141 | déplanter | to uproot (plant) |
142 | désapprivoiser | to untame |
143 | dépolitiser | to depoliticize |
144 | détromper | to undeceive |
145 | déraisonner | to talk nonsense |
146 | désavouer | to disavow |
147 | déraciner | to eradicate |
148 | désensorceler | to break a spell |
149 | déshydrater | to dehydrate |
150 | déstocker | to clear inventory |
151 | dévaloriser | to devalue |
152 | détrousser | to rob |
153 | débudgétiser | to remove from budget |
154 | débecter | to disgust (slang) |
155 | décanter | to decant |
156 | désembourber | to pull out of mud |
157 | déglinguer | to wreck (informal) |
158 | désincorporer | to disembody |
159 | dénationaliser | to denationalize |
160 | désopiler | to cheer up |
161 | déparfumer | to remove scent |
162 | désarrimer | to unmoor |
163 | déphosphater | to remove phosphates |
164 | désacraliser | to desacralize |
165 | détraquer | to throw out of order |
166 | désaimanter | to demagnetize |
167 | déclasser | to downgrade |
168 | désennuyer | to relieve boredom |
169 | déflorer | to deflower |
170 | désemparer | to disconcert |
171 | dégermer | to remove germs |
172 | désengorger | to unclog |
173 | dégringoler | to tumble down |
174 | désinformer | to misinform |
175 | déjudiciariser | to remove from legal system |
176 | désapparenter | to dissociate |
177 | délaminer | to delaminate |
178 | désaveugler | to open eyes (fig.) |
179 | délocaliser | to relocate (business) |
180 | désembrouiller | to untangle |
181 | démaquiller | to remove makeup |
182 | désencrasser | to clean thoroughly |
183 | démystifier | to demystify |
184 | désoperculer | to uncap (honeycomb) |
185 | dénaturaliser | to denature |
186 | désarçonner | to unseat, to disconcert |
187 | déparier | to unpair |
188 | désembarquer | to disembark |
189 | dépoétiser | to strip of poetry |
190 | désenchevêtrer | to disentangle |
191 | déradicaliser | to deradicalize |
192 | désacclimater | to unacclimatize |
193 | dératiser | to exterminate rats |
194 | désamouracher | to fall out of love |
195 | désexualiser | to desexualize |
196 | désembuer | to defog |
197 | détonner | to be out of place |
198 | désencombrer | to declutter |
199 | dévitaminiser | to devitaminize |
200 | désenfler | to reduce swelling |
How to Use This List
- Prioritize High-Frequency Verbs: Start with commonly used verbs like dire, devoir, and demander to build a strong foundation.
- Master Conjugations: Use our conjugation tool to practice these verbs across different tenses, such as present, past, and future.
- Apply in Context: Incorporate these verbs into sentences or conversations to reinforce their meanings and usage.
- Focus on Irregular Verbs: Verbs in red (e.g., dire, découvrir, descendre) have unique conjugation patterns that require extra attention.
Tips for Learning French Verbs
- Create Flashcards: Write the French verb on one side and its English translation on the other to aid memorization.
- Practice Consistently: Spend 10–15 minutes daily conjugating a handful of verbs from this list.
- Engage with French Content: Listen for these verbs in French songs, movies, or podcasts to see how they’re used in context.
- Connect with Learners: Join French language communities on platforms like X to practice these verbs with native speakers or fellow learners.
Conclusion
Mastering French verbs starting with “D” is a powerful step toward fluency. From dire to doubler, these verbs are essential for everyday communication. Save this page, download the full list, and start practicing today! For more French learning resources, check out our verb conjugation guides and vocabulary lists.
Happy learning, and à bientôt!