{"id":384,"date":"2022-05-01T18:05:36","date_gmt":"2022-05-01T16:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/?p=384"},"modified":"2024-02-19T09:06:26","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T08:06:26","slug":"how-many-words-are-there-in-french","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/how-many-words-are-there-in-french\/","title":{"rendered":"How many words are there in French?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How many words are there in French? That’s a question that I get asked all the time by my students. And, to be honest, I’m not really sure how to answer it. There are certainly a lot of words in French \u2013 but how many exactly, I can’t say for sure. Estimates vary, but some sources put the number at around 200,000 words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it’s hard to know for sure, since new words are added all the time. So how do you figure out how many words there are in French? The best way is to just start learning them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a little practice and exposure, you’ll start picking up new words all the time. And before you know it, you’ll be Speaking like a native in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what are you waiting for? Start learning French today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the different types of French words?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few different types of French words that you need to know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French basic words<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, there are basic words, which are the most common words in the language. These are the words that you’ll see and use the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French compound words<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Then there are compound words, which are basically two or more words joined together to form a new word. Compound words can be especially tricky to learn, but once you get the hang of them, they’re really not that bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French idiomatic expressions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, there are idiomatic expressions \u2013 which are basically groups of words that have a specific meaning that can’t be translated literally into English. Idiomatic expressions can be a little tough to get your head around at first, but with a little  practice, you’ll be using them like a pro in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Classification of French words according to their nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We can also classify words according to their nature. There are common nouns, proper nouns, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, pronouns, determiners, prepositions and conjunctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French common nouns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It can be things, people, abstract concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples<\/span>: une tab<\/em>le, un policier, le bonheu<\/em>r…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French proper nouns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The proper name is derived from the common name but has the particularity of designating something unique. It is then written with a capital letter at the beginning of the word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples<\/span>: la France, Christian, Chanel<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Tips<\/strong>: Be careful, when you read a text, to use capital letters. This will give you a lot of information to understand what we are talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, what is the difference between these words : hexagone <\/em>vs. Hexagone <\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The first – hexagone <\/strong>– refers to the geometric shape that has six sides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The second one – Hexagone <\/strong>– which is written with a capital letter, is used to designate France.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    French adjectives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It gives additional information about the name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Examples<\/span>: gentil<\/em>, grand<\/em>, petit<\/em>, vert<\/em>, riche<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    French adverbs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    French adverbs allow to complete a sentence or to modify a verb or an adjective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Examples<\/span>: hier<\/em>, vite<\/em>, lentement<\/em>, demain<\/em>, jamais<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    French verbs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It is the word that is conjugated in the sentence. The French verbs is the one that gives the information of the action that is performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Examples<\/span>: manger<\/em>, dormir<\/em>, danser<\/em>, lire<\/em>, faire<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Be careful with conjugations! The conjugations will allow you to situate the action in time (past, present, future) but also in its possibilities of realization (Sure? Indicative and all its tenses. Uncertain? The conditional tense. Subjective? The subjunctive. Etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n