University life vocabulary in French, covering key terms and phrases for navigating campus, classes, and student experiences.
University life is an exciting and important phase, full of new experiences and challenges. This vocabulary guide covers essential French terms related to campus life, attending classes, and participating in student activities. These words and phrases will help you navigate university with confidence and connect with fellow students.
- Covers key areas: campus, classes, student life, and more
- All vocabulary includes example sentences
- Designed for learners at A2-B1 levels
Campus and Buildings
University campuses are often large and include many different buildings and facilities. Knowing these basic places will help you find your way around.
- le bâtiment — building
- la bibliothèque — library
- le laboratoire — lab
- la cantine — cafeteria
- l’amphithéâtre — lecture hall
- le bureau — office
- la salle de classe — classroom
- le gymnase — gym
- le campus — campus
- l’administration — administration office
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le bâtiment | les bâtiments | building | buildings | Le bâtiment A est ouvert. | Building A is open. |
| la bibliothèque | les bibliothèques | library | libraries | Je vais à la bibliothèque. | I’m going to the library. |
| le laboratoire | les laboratoires | lab | labs | Le laboratoire est au sous-sol. | The lab is in the basement. |
| la cantine | les cantines | cafeteria | cafeterias | Nous mangeons à la cantine. | We eat at the cafeteria. |
| l’amphithéâtre | les amphithéâtres | lecture hall | lecture halls | Le cours est en amphithéâtre 3. | The class is in lecture hall 3. |
| le bureau | les bureaux | office | offices | Je dois voir le professeur au bureau. | I need to see the professor’s office. |
| la salle de classe | les salles de classe | classroom | classrooms | La salle de classe est au deuxième étage. | The classroom is on the second floor. |
| le gymnase | les gymnases | gym | gyms | Je vais au gymnase après les cours. | I’m going to the gym after class. |
| le campus | les campus | campus | campuses | Le campus est très grand. | The campus is very large. |
| l’administration | — | administration office | — | L’administration ferme à 17h. | The administration office closes at 5 PM. |
Le cours est en ___ 3.
How do you say 'lecture hall' in French?
l’amphithéâtre
'L’amphithéâtre' means 'lecture hall.' The sentence says 'The class is in lecture hall 3.'
Academic Life
These are the core terms you’ll need for talking about classes, exams, and studying at university.
- le cours — class, course
- le professeur / la professeure — professor, teacher
- l’étudiant / l’étudiante — student
- le devoir — homework, assignment
- l’examen — exam
- le stage — internship
- la note — grade, mark
- le diplôme — diploma, degree
- l’inscription — registration
- la révision — revision, studying
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le cours | les cours | class, course | classes, courses | J’ai un cours de maths à 9h. | I have a math class at 9 AM. |
| le professeur | les professeurs | professor (m) | professors | Le professeur est très strict. | The professor is very strict. |
| la professeure | les professeures | professor (f) | professors | La professeure est sympathique. | The professor is kind. |
| l’étudiant | les étudiants | student (m) | students | L’étudiant pose une question. | The student asks a question. |
| l’étudiante | les étudiantes | student (f) | students | L’étudiante prépare son exposé. | The student is preparing her presentation. |
| le devoir | les devoirs | assignment | assignments | J’ai un devoir de français. | I have a French assignment. |
| l’examen | les examens | exam | exams | L’examen est la semaine prochaine. | The exam is next week. |
| le stage | les stages | internship | internships | Je fais un stage en entreprise. | I’m doing an internship at a company. |
| la note | les notes | grade | grades | J’ai une bonne note en histoire. | I have a good grade in history. |
| le diplôme | les diplômes | diploma, degree | diplomas, degrees | Elle a obtenu son diplôme. | She earned her degree. |
Student Life
University is about more than just studying — it’s also about making friends and joining activities. Here’s the vocabulary for social life on campus.
- la vie étudiante — student life
- l’association étudiante — student club
- la fête — party
- le logement — housing, dorm
- le camarade — classmate
- le week-end — weekend
- le partiel — midterm exam
- la pause — break
- travailler en groupe — to work in a group
- faire ses devoirs — to do one’s homework
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la vie étudiante | — | student life | — | La vie étudiante est très active. | Student life is very active. |
| l’association étudiante | les associations étudiantes | student club | student clubs | Je fais partie d’une association étudiante. | I’m part of a student club. |
| la fête | les fêtes | party | parties | Il y a une fête ce soir. | There’s a party tonight. |
| le logement | les logements | housing, dorm | housings, dorms | Mon logement est près du campus. | My dorm is near the campus. |
| le camarade | les camarades | classmate | classmates | Mon camarade s’appelle Pierre. | My classmate’s name is Pierre. |
| le week-end | les week-ends | weekend | weekends | Le week-end, je dors tard. | On weekends, I sleep late. |
| le partiel | les partiels | midterm exam | midterms | J’ai un partiel de biologie. | I have a biology midterm. |
| la pause | les pauses | break | breaks | On fait une pause de 10 minutes. | We’re taking a 10-minute break. |
| travailler en groupe | — | work in a group | — | Nous devons travailler en groupe. | We have to work in a group. |
| faire ses devoirs | — | do one’s homework | — | Je fais mes devoirs avant de sortir. | I do my homework before going out. |
Administrative Tasks
There are also many administrative tasks to handle during university — registering for classes, requesting documents, and more.
- l’inscription — registration
- la candidature — application
- le dossier — file, application
- le bulletin — report card, transcript
- la bourse — scholarship
- le retrait — withdrawal
- le rendez-vous — appointment
- le relevé de notes — transcript
- le certificat — certificate
- le formulaire — form
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| l’inscription | — | registration | — | L’inscription se fait en ligne. | Registration is done online. |
| la candidature | les candidatures | application | applications | J’ai envoyé ma candidature hier. | I sent my application yesterday. |
| le dossier | les dossiers | file, application | files, applications | Mon dossier est complet. | My file is complete. |
| le bulletin | les bulletins | report card | report cards | Le bulletin sera disponible en juin. | The report card will be available in June. |
| la bourse | les bourses | scholarship | scholarships | Elle a reçu une bourse. | She received a scholarship. |
| le retrait | les retraits | withdrawal | withdrawals | Le retrait des documents est au bureau. | Document pickup is at the office. |
| le rendez-vous | les rendez-vous | appointment | appointments | J’ai un rendez-vous avec le conseiller. | I have an appointment with the advisor. |
| le relevé de notes | — | transcript | — | J’ai demandé mon relevé de notes. | I requested my transcript. |
| le certificat | les certificats | certificate | certificates | Il faut un certificat médical. | A medical certificate is required. |
| le formulaire | les formulaires | form | forms | Remplis ce formulaire, s’il te plaît. | Fill out this form, please. |
Common Phrases
Here are some common French phrases that will help you communicate effectively in university settings.
- Je suis en première année. — I’m a first-year student.
- Où est la salle 204 ? — Where is room 204?
- J’ai un rendez-vous avec le professeur. — I have an appointment with the professor.
- Quand est l’examen ? — When is the exam?
- Je dois rendre mon devoir demain. — I have to submit my assignment tomorrow.
- Peux-tu m’aider avec ce problème ? — Can you help me with this problem?
- Comment s’inscrit-on aux cours ? — How do you register for classes?
- Je cherche un logement étudiant. — I’m looking for student housing.
- La bibliothèque ferme à quelle heure ? — What time does the library close?
- Je travaille en groupe ce week-end. — I’m working in a group this weekend.
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je suis en première année. | I’m a first-year student. |
| Où est la salle 204 ? | Where is room 204? |
| J’ai un rendez-vous avec le professeur. | I have an appointment with the professor. |
| Quand est l’examen ? | When is the exam? |
| Je dois rendre mon devoir demain. | I have to submit my assignment tomorrow. |
| Peux-tu m’aider avec ce problème ? | Can you help me with this problem? |
| Comment s’inscrit-on aux cours ? | How do you register for classes? |
| Je cherche un logement étudiant. | I’m looking for student housing. |
| La bibliothèque ferme à quelle heure ? | What time does the library close? |
| Je travaille en groupe ce week-end. | I’m working in a group this weekend. |
This essential vocabulary will help you navigate university life in French, from attending classes to joining social activities. Good luck with your studies!
Quand est l’examen ?
When is the exam?
'Quand est l’examen ?' means 'When is the exam?'
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Singular: building
- English Plural: buildings
- English Example: Building A is open.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
