Identity and relationships
un ami / une amiea friend
s’entendre avecto get on with
la confiancetrust / confidence
A phrase to adapt: Mes amis me donnent confiance.
IGCSE · French · vocabulary
For Years 9–11 · Learn, try, checkIGCSE French Vocabulary: Useful Phrases by Revision Area
Start with useful words and adaptable phrases across nine broad revision areas.
Learn a word with a sentence attached
Learn nouns with their article and verbs with a phrase you could actually use. Cover the English, retrieve the meaning, then cover the French and try to produce it. Finish by changing one detail in the phrase.
These are starter words, not a complete vocabulary list. Exact specification vocabulary varies by board and exam year. The categories below are student-friendly revision groups, not identical official themes across AQA, Pearson and Cambridge.
- Retrieve a small set from memory rather than rereading a long list.
- Mix old and new words so familiar items stay available.
- Learn a useful opposite or related expression: expensive / cheap, arrive / leave.
- For listening, use an authentic recording or teacher model to connect each word with its sound.
Nine useful revision areas
School
une matièrea subject
les devoirshomework
apprendreto learn
A phrase to adapt: J’apprends mieux quand je travaille en groupe.
Free time
jouerto play
un loisira leisure activity
se détendreto relax
A phrase to adapt: Ce loisir me permet de rencontrer des gens.
Food and health
un repasa meal
avoir faimto be hungry
la santéhealth
A phrase to adapt: Pour rester en bonne santé, je marche souvent.
Travel and holidays
un billeta ticket
le trajetthe journey
réserverto book
A phrase to adapt: J’ai réservé une chambre près de la gare.
Home and local area
un quartiera neighbourhood
près denear
une bibliothèquea library
A phrase to adapt: Notre quartier manque de pistes cyclables.
Environment
les déchetswaste / rubbish
réutiliserto reuse
économiserto save
A phrase to adapt: Nous économisons l’eau en prenant des douches courtes.
Technology and media
un écrana screen
un réseau sociala social network
partagerto share
A phrase to adapt: Il faut réfléchir avant de partager une photo.
Work and future plans
un métiera job / profession
un stagea work placement
plus tardlater / in the future
A phrase to adapt: Mon stage m’a aidé à choisir un métier.
Retrieve, then use
Original practice · not an exam paper
A town-and-travel vocabulary check
- Give the French for “a ticket” and “a library”.
- Complete: Il faut réfléchir avant de ___ une photo.
- Write one sentence describing a useful feature of your area.
Reveal answers and explanations
un billet ; une bibliothèque ; partager
A possible sentence: La bibliothèque est utile parce qu’on peut y étudier. Other relevant, accurate sentences work too.
Watch the little differences
Un stage means a work placement, not a theatre stage. Les devoirs is plural even when English “homework” is not. Use jouer au football, but jouer de la guitare.
Use vocabulary to understand reading passages as well as to write or speak. When you meet an unfamiliar word, record the sentence around it so you remember its meaning in context. Do not label a list “Higher” or “Cambridge” unless it has actually been checked against that specification.
Check the assessment for your board
Confirm your board with your teacher. These are original learning resources, not official papers or a grade prediction.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses five topic areas: Home and abroad; Education and employment; Personal life and relationships; The world around us; Social activities, fitness and health. Map our categories to your school’s course.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French speaking guide
Official Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French specification (PDF)Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE provides topic areas and a vocabulary list for the applicable syllabus. These broad revision groups help organise practice but are not official board headings. Use the 2025–2027 syllabus only for exams in those years.
Cambridge IGCSE French speaking guide
Official Cambridge IGCSE French 2025–2027 syllabus (PDF)Cambridge exam year matters: 2025–2027 and 2028–2030 are different syllabuses. The PDF above is for 2025–2027; for a later exam, choose your year on the official Cambridge French qualification page. Pearson guidance here concerns the linear 2017 International GCSE specifications (4FR1 / 4SP1); check the precise qualification your school enters.
Carry the skill into your next answer
Move between understanding language and using it. Pick a related resource rather than starting another long checklist.
Ready to say it aloud?
The website supports broad revision. The ScoreMySpeech app stays specialist: French and Spanish speaking practice with feedback, not full reading, listening or writing assessment.