Length and distance vocabulary in French, including common units and expressions for measuring and describing spatial relationships.
Understanding how to talk about length and distance is essential for navigating everyday situations, from shopping to giving directions. This guide covers the most common French vocabulary for measuring and describing length and distance.
- How to say common units of length in French
- Useful verbs and expressions for talking about measuring distance
- Examples to help you use the vocabulary in context
- Tips for asking and giving measurements in French
Units of Length
These are the standard units of length used in French, along with examples of how to use them in a sentence.
| Singular/Plural (Masc./Fem.) | English Singular/Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| mètre / mètres (masc.) | meter / meters | La table fait deux mètres de long. | The table is two meters long. |
| centimètre / centimètres (masc.) | centimeter / centimeters | Ce livre fait 20 centimètres de haut. | This book is 20 centimeters tall. |
| kilomètre / kilomètres (masc.) | kilometer / kilometers | Il habite à cinq kilomètres d'ici. | He lives five kilometers from here. |
| millimètre / millimètres (masc.) | millimeter / millimeters | Ce fil mesure trois millimètres. | This wire is three millimeters thick. |
| pouce / pouces (masc.) | inch / inches | L'écran mesure 15 pouces. | The screen is 15 inches. |
Ils ont parcouru dix ___ en voiture.
How do you say 'kilometers' in French?
kilomètres
'Kilomètres' is the French plural for 'kilometers'. Singular is 'kilomètre'.
Verbs for Measuring Length
These verbs are commonly used when talking about measuring length or distance.
| French Verb | English Equivalent | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| mesurer | to measure | Je vais mesurer la longueur du mur. | I’m going to measure the length of the wall. |
| faire (X mètres) | to be (X meters long) | Cette corde fait trois mètres. | This rope is three meters long. |
| calculer | to calculate | On doit calculer la distance totale. | We have to calculate the total distance. |
| estimer | to estimate | J’estime la distance à environ 10 kilomètres. | I estimate the distance at about 10 kilometers. |
| parcourir | to travel / cover (a distance) | Il a parcouru 20 kilomètres en vélo. | He traveled 20 kilometers by bike. |
Expressions for Talking About Length and Distance
These expressions help you describe and ask about length and distance more naturally.
| French Expression | English Equivalent | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| de long / de longue | long (length) | La table est de deux mètres de long. | The table is two meters long. |
| de haut / de hauteur | tall (height) | Le bâtiment fait 50 mètres de haut. | The building is 50 meters tall. |
| de large | wide | Ce tapis fait un mètre de large. | This carpet is one meter wide. |
| à une distance de | at a distance of | La maison est à une distance de 3 kilomètres. | The house is at a distance of 3 kilometers. |
| à environ / à peu près | about / approximately | Le village est à environ 10 kilomètres. | The village is about 10 kilometers away. |
Giving and Asking for Measurements
Use these question and answer formats to request or provide length and distance information.
| French Question/Answer | English Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Quel est la longueur / la hauteur / la largeur de… ? | What is the length / height / width of…? |
| Cette table fait combien de mètres ? | How many meters is this table? |
| La distance entre les deux villes est de combien ? | What is the distance between the two cities? |
| C’est loin d’ici ? | Is it far from here? |
| Oui, c’est à environ 5 kilomètres. | Yes, it’s about 5 kilometers away. |
Translate: 'C’est loin d’ici ?'
Is it far from here?
'C’est loin d’ici ?' means 'Is it far from here?'
Summary
- Length and distance vocabulary includes units like mètre, centimètre, and kilomètre.
- Common verbs for measuring include mesurer, faire, and parcourir.
- Use expressions like de long, de haut, à une distance de, and à environ to describe measurements.
- Ask for measurements with questions like Quelle est la longueur de… ? and Cette table fait combien de mètres ?.
With this vocabulary, you can confidently talk about length and distance in a variety of everyday situations.
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- Singular/Plural (Masc./Fem.): mètre / mètres (masc.)
- English Singular/Plural: meter / meters
- English Example: The table is two meters long.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
