Learn the key French words for all parts of the body, as well as related adjectives and verbs that help you describe and talk about how the body works.
Anatomy
Starting with the basic nouns, these are the French words for the main parts of the body, from head to toe.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| la tête | the head |
| le visage | the face |
| le bras | the arm |
| la main | the hand |
| le doigt | the finger |
| la jambe | the leg |
| le pied | the foot |
| le dos | the back |
| le cou | the neck |
| le cœur | the heart |
Descriptive Adjectives
These adjectives help you describe how parts of the body look or feel.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| grand(e) | tall |
| petit(e) | short |
| fort(e) | strong |
| faible | weak |
| maigre | thin |
| gros(se) | fat |
| vieux/vieille | old |
| jeune | young |
| beau/belle | beautiful/handsome |
| pâle | pale |
Actions and Verbs
The most common verbs used when talking about the body and its movements.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| bouger | to move |
| marcher | to walk |
| courir | to run |
| sauter | to jump |
| toucher | to touch |
| tenir | to hold |
| lever | to raise |
| baisser | to lower |
| sentir | to feel/smell |
| regarder | to look at |
Complete with correct verb: 'Je _____ mes doigts.' (I touch my fingers.)
touche
'Toucher' means 'to touch', so 'Je touche mes doigts' is 'I touch my fingers'. 'Tenir' means 'to hold', 'lever' means 'to raise', and 'baisser' means 'to lower'.
Common Phrases
These are useful set phrases and expressions that include body vocabulary.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| J’ai mal à la tête. | I have a headache. |
| Il a cassé son bras. | He broke his arm. |
| Elle lève la main. | She raises her hand. |
| Je me sens fatigué(e). | I feel tired. |
| Regarde ce doigt ! | Look at this finger! |
| Il marche vite. | He walks fast. |
| Elle a les cheveux longs. | She has long hair. |
| Mon dos me fait mal. | My back hurts. |
| Prenez soin de votre cœur. | Take care of your heart. |
| On utilise les jambes pour courir. | We use legs to run. |
Pronunciation Tips
- The final “-e” in feminine adjectives (like grande, petite) is pronounced.
- The “s” in plural nouns (like doigts, jambes) is usually silent.
- Many body part nouns are feminine (la tête, la main, la jambe), so adjectives must agree in gender.
- The verb se sentir is reflexive and used to express how one feels (e.g., Je me sens).
- Liaison happens in phrases like J’ai mal à la tête ([z‿a mal a la tɛt]).
You can now talk about the body, describe appearances, and describe physical sensations in French!
How is the reflexive verb se sentir used in French?
It is used to express how one feels, e.g., Je me sens fatigué(e).
'Se sentir' is reflexive and means 'to feel' oneself in terms of physical or emotional state (e.g., Je me sens bien).
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- English: the head
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
