This is the perfect starting point for beginners looking to master the most common French verbs. The list below is ordered based on frequency of use, compiled from various reliable sources. Whether you’re just starting out or brushing up on your French, these verbs are essential for everyday communication.
For a more extensive list of verbs, complete with full conjugations, check out our full list of French verbs.
| No. | Verb | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | être | to be |
| 2 | avoir | to have |
| 3 | pouvoir | to be able (can) |
| 4 | faire | to do, to make |
| 5 | mettre | to put, to place |
| 6 | dire | to say, to tell |
| 7 | devoir | to have to, must, to owe |
| 8 | prendre | to take, to catch, to capture |
| 9 | donner | to give, to produce |
| 10 | aller | to go |
| 11 | vouloir | to want, to wish |
| 12 | savoir | to know |
| 13 | falloir | to have to |
| 14 | voir | to see |
| 15 | demander | to ask, to request |
| 16 | trouver | to find, to discover |
| 17 | rendre | to return (something), to give back |
| 18 | venir | to come |
| 19 | passer | to pass, to go past |
| 20 | comprendre | to understand, to include, to comprehend |
| 21 | rester | to stay, to remain |
| 22 | tenir | to hold, to keep |
| 23 | porter | to carry, to wear |
| 24 | parler | to speak, to talk |
| 25 | montrer | to show, to display |
| 26 | continuer | to continue |
| 27 | penser | to think |
| 28 | suivre | to follow, to pursue |
| 29 | connaître | to know, to be acquainted with |
| 30 | croire | to believe |
| 31 | commencer | to begin, to start |
| 32 | compter | to count, to intend |
| 33 | entrer | to enter, to come in |
| 34 | servir | to serve, to be useful |
| 35 | laisser | to leave, to let |
| 36 | recevoir | to receive, to welcome |
| 37 | vivre | to live |
| 38 | appeler | to call, to name |
| 39 | arriver | to arrive, to happen |
| 40 | reprendre | to take back, to resume |
| 41 | partir | to leave, to depart |
| 42 | sortir | to go out, to exit |
| 43 | écrire | to write |
| 44 | lire | to read |
| 45 | perdre | to lose |
| 46 | attendre | to wait for, to expect |
| 47 | répondre | to answer, to reply |
| 48 | finir | to finish, to end |
| 49 | envoyer | to send, to dispatch |
| 50 | choisir | to choose, to select |
| 51 | apprendre | to learn |
| 52 | offrir | to offer, to give |
| 53 | souffrir | to suffer, to endure |
| 54 | plaire | to please, to be pleasing |
| 55 | jouer | to play |
| 56 | présenter | to present, to introduce |
| 57 | accepter | to accept |
| 58 | refuser | to refuse |
| 59 | changer | to change, to alter |
| 60 | expliquer | to explain |
| 61 | promettre | to promise |
| 62 | manquer | to miss, to lack |
| 63 | agir | to act, to behave |
| 64 | former | to form, to shape |
| 65 | reconnaître | to recognize, to acknowledge |
| 66 | permettre | to allow, to permit |
| 67 | décider | to decide |
| 68 | empêcher | to prevent, to stop |
| 69 | obtenir | to obtain, to get |
| 70 | proposer | to propose, to suggest |
| 71 | éviter | to avoid |
| 72 | réussir | to succeed |
| 73 | garder | to keep, to look after |
| 74 | oublier | to forget |
| 75 | essayer | to try, to attempt |
| 76 | devenir | to become |
| 77 | toucher | to touch, to affect |
| 78 | monter | to climb, to go up |
| 79 | descendre | to go down, to descend |
| 80 | rentrer | to return, to go back |
| 81 | songer | to think about, to dream |
| 82 | quitter | to leave, to abandon |
| 83 | lever | to raise, to lift |
| 84 | amener | to bring (someone) |
| 85 | emmener | to take (someone) |
| 86 | revenir | to come back |
| 87 | courir | to run |
| 88 | naître | to be born |
| 89 | mourir | to die |
| 90 | valoir | to be worth |
| 91 | produire | to produce |
| 92 | atteindre | to reach, to attain |
| 93 | peindre | to paint |
| 94 | craindre | to fear |
| 95 | joindre | to join, to connect |
| 96 | plaindre | to pity, to feel sorry for |
| 97 | résoudre | to resolve, to solve |
| 98 | exister | to exist |
| 99 | signer | to sign |
| 100 | fermer | to close, to shut |
Start practicing these verbs today to build a strong foundation in French! Let us know in the comments which verbs you find the most useful or challenging.
Conclusion
Mastering the 100 most common French verbs is a crucial step toward fluency. These verbs form the backbone of everyday conversations, from expressing needs and desires to describing actions and emotions. By focusing on these essentials—especially the irregular ones highlighted in red—you’ll gain confidence in speaking, writing, and understanding French. Practice them in context, pair them with conjugation drills, and soon you’ll see them become second nature. Dive in, stay consistent, and share your progress with us in the comments below!
