Here are some very common French words that are used in everyday speech and which you can express in a more formal way, giving a touch of “sophistication” to your language.
The truth is that you may become fed up with using the same words all the time. With these words you will bring your knowledge of French to the next level and surprise your French friends.
Even if you are a beginner, you will learn here some basic but essential French vocabulary that you will certainly find useful in everyday conversations. You come back later to learn their more advanced synonymes.
Common French Words
with their Formal Synonyms
|
Basic French Word |
Sophisticated French Synonym |
Part of speech |
English |
Context |
|
1. obsession |
hantise |
noun (fem) |
obsession, obsessive fear |
Avoir la hantise de la mort. |
|
2. fatiguer |
éreinter |
verb |
to exhaust, to wear somebody out |
Ce chef d’entreprise éreinte tous ses employés. |
|
3. extrêmement fatigué |
exténué, éreinté |
adjective |
exhausted, worn out |
Monter en haut de la Tour Eiffel m’a exténué. |
|
4. drôle |
hilarant |
adjective |
hilarious |
Ce qui s’est passé était hilarant ! |
|
5. déplacé |
incongrue |
adjective |
incongruous, out of place |
Sa réponse a été complètement incongrue ! |
|
6. paresseux |
indolent |
adjective |
indolent, lazy |
Il est trop indolent pour réussir dans la vie. |
|
7. ennuyeux |
fastidieux |
adjective |
tedious, boring |
Apprendre une leçon par coeur est très fastidieux. |
|
8. voler |
dérober |
verb |
to steal, to rob |
On lui a dérobé son portefeuille. |
|
9. cher |
onéreux |
adjective |
expensive |
C’est un achat très onéreux. |
|
10. choquer |
abasourdir |
verb |
to stun, to dumbfound |
La nouvelle de son décès nous a abasourdis. |
Exercises
Exercise 1:
Additional Exercises
Additional Exercises for the article “10 Great Formal French Words to Amaze Your French Friends”
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