Studying vocabulary in French, covering common subjects, classroom essentials, and study activities to help learners discuss their educational routine with confidence.
Studying is an essential part of student life, and having the right vocabulary helps you talk about your classes, routines, and school supplies in French. This guide covers three key categories: Subjects & Classes, Classroom & Study Supplies, and Study Activities & Routines. Each section includes common words and example sentences to build your confidence.
Subjects & Classes
This section covers common school subjects and class types that appear in French schools, along with example sentences to show how they’re used in context.
| French Singular / Plural / Gender | English Singular / Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le/la mathématicien / les mathématiques (f.) | mathematics / math | J'ai un examen de mathématiques demain. | I have a math exam tomorrow. |
| le/la biologiste / la biologie (f.) | biology | La biologie est intéressante. | Biology is interesting. |
| le/la physicien(ne) / la physique (f.) | physics | Nous étudions la physique aujourd'hui. | We’re studying physics today. |
| le/la chimiste / la chimie (f.) | chemistry | La chimie est une science expérimentale. | Chemistry is an experimental science. |
| le professeur / les professeurs | teacher / teachers | Mon professeur est très gentil. | My teacher is very kind. |
| l'étudiant(e) / les étudiants | student / students | Les étudiants préparent leurs examens. | The students are preparing for their exams. |
| l'art (m.) | art | J'aime les cours d'art. | I like art classes. |
| l'histoire (f.) | history | L'histoire mondiale est fascinante. | World history is fascinating. |
| la géographie (f.) | geography | Nous avons un devoir de géographie. | We have a geography assignment. |
| l'anglais (m.) | English | J'ai cours d'anglais à 10 heures. | I have English class at 10 o’clock. |
Classroom & Study Supplies
These are common items you’ll find in a French classroom or use while studying. They’re useful for describing your study environment and asking for materials.
| French Singular / Plural / Gender | English Singular / Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| le cahier / les cahiers | notebook / notebooks | J'écris dans mon cahier. | I write in my notebook. |
| le stylo / les stylos | pen / pens | Peux-tu me prêter un stylo ? | Can you lend me a pen? |
| le crayon / les crayons | pencil / pencils | J'ai un crayon bleu. | I have a blue pencil. |
| la règle / les règles | ruler / rulers | Utilise la règle pour dessiner une ligne. | Use the ruler to draw a line. |
| la gomme / les gommes | eraser / erasers | J'ai effacé mon erreur avec la gomme. | I erased my mistake with the eraser. |
| le livre / les livres | book / books | Ce livre est très intéressant. | This book is very interesting. |
| le classeur / les classeurs | binder / binders | Mes devoirs sont dans le classeur. | My homework is in the binder. |
| la feuille / les feuilles | sheet / sheets (of paper) | J'ai besoin d'une feuille de papier. | I need a sheet of paper. |
| l'ordinateur (m.) / les ordinateurs | computer / computers | J'écris mon devoir sur l'ordinateur. | I’m typing my homework on the computer. |
| la calculatrice / les calculatrices | calculator / calculators | La calculatrice est utile en mathématiques. | The calculator is useful in math. |
J'écris mon devoir sur l'___.
How do you say 'I’m typing my homework on the computer' in French?
ordinateur
'Ordinateur' means computer, which fits the context of typing homework. 'Livre' is book, 'cahier' is notebook, and 'calculatrice' is calculator.
Study Activities & Routines
This section includes verbs and phrases related to study habits and classroom activities. They help you describe what you do during your study sessions.
| French Infinitive | English Infinitive | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| étudier | to study | J'étudie avant le dîner. | I study before dinner. |
| faire ses devoirs | to do homework | Il fait ses devoirs tous les soirs. | He does his homework every evening. |
| réviser | to review | Je révise mes notes pour l'examen. | I review my notes for the exam. |
| écouter | to listen | Écoutez bien le professeur. | Listen carefully to the teacher. |
| lire | to read | Je lis un chapitre avant de dormir. | I read a chapter before sleeping. |
| écrire | to write | J'écris un résumé du cours. | I write a summary of the lesson. |
| poser une question | to ask a question | Je pose une question en classe. | I ask a question in class. |
| participer | to participate | Elle participe activement au cours. | She participates actively in class. |
| travailler | to work | Nous travaillons en groupe aujourd'hui. | We’re working in groups today. |
| prendre des notes | to take notes | Je prends des notes pendant le cours. | I take notes during class. |
That's a solid foundation for French studying vocabulary, organized into three key categories to cover subjects, supplies, and activities. Is there a specific area you'd like to explore next?
Je ___ avant le dîner. (je, étudier)
How do you say 'I study before dinner' in French?
étudie
The correct conjugation for 'je' (I) in the present tense of 'étudier' is 'j'étudie'. The other forms are for 'nous', 'vous', or the infinitive.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- English Singular / Plural: mathematics / math
- English Example: I have a math exam tomorrow.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
