500 Most Common French Verbs: List & Conjugation Reference
This page lists 500 high-frequency French verbs in a learning order (not alphabetical): the same priority as in the Croissant Verbs app, so être, avoir, faire, and other core auxiliaries and modals appear first. Roughly 80% of everyday French runs on a small set of verbs like these—mastering them early gives you the best return on study time.
Each row shows the infinitive plus a short English meaning and links to a dedicated verb page with full conjugation tables for the indicative (present, imperfect, passé composé, future, etc.), subjunctive, conditional, imperative, and non-finite forms where available—ideal to compare endings, spot irregular stems, and prepare speaking and writing. Everything is free to browse; no account required.
Prefer the full catalog? Browse the French verb index or open conjugation lessons and guides.
How to use this list (concrete study tips)
- One verb, three tenses: for each new verb, drill present, then passé composé (notice when the auxiliary is être vs avoir), then a future form (futur simple or futur proche) before you add the next verb. See our 10-minute daily conjugation routine.
- Short sentences, not bare infinitives: say Je fais du sport instead of only faire—context speeds recall in real conversation.
- Know your verb groups: -er verbs behave differently from many -ir and irregular stems. Read French verb groups explained so you are not memorizing thousands of unrelated endings.
- Pair reference with drills: open a verb page for the rule, then read present tense rules and how to build a daily conjugation habit— then drill in the Croissant Verbs app.
Related articles
Verbs in learning order (1–500)
Entries are numbered for quick reference. Each French infinitive links to its conjugation page with tables for indicative, subjunctive, conditional, imperative, and non-finite forms where available.
1. ÊtreTo be
2. AvoirTo have
3. FaireTo do
4. DireTo say
5. AllerTo go
6. VoirTo see
7. SavoirTo know
8. PouvoirCan
9. VouloirTo want
10. VenirTo come
11. PrendreTo take
12. DevoirTo have to
13. CroireTo believe
14. TrouverTo find
15. DonnerTo give
16. ParlerTo speak
17. MettreTo put
18. PasserTo pass
19. RegarderTo watch
20. AimerTo like
21. DemanderTo ask
22. ResterTo stay
23. RépondreTo answer
24. EntendreTo hear
25. PenserTo think
26. ArriverTo arrive
27. ConnaîtreTo know
28. DevenirTo become
29. ComprendreTo understand
30. AttendreTo wait
31. CommencerTo start
32. FinirTo finish
33. SentirTo feel
34. SortirTo go out
35. VivreTo live
36. ChercherTo look for
37. MarcherTo walk
38. ÉcrireTo write
39. PerdreTo lose
40. AppelerTo call
41. ArrêterTo stop
42. OuvrirTo open
43. FermerTo close
44. MangerTo eat
45. TravaillerTo work
46. PartirTo leave
47. RevenirTo return
48. ChangerTo change
49. UtiliserTo use
50. ÉcouterTo listen
51. ContinuerTo continue
52. RéfléchirTo think
53. SouvenirTo remember
54. SemblerTo seem
55. TenirTo hold
56. RendreTo give back
57. SuivreTo follow
58. LaisserTo leave
59. LireTo read
60. BoireTo drink
61. DormirTo sleep
62. JouerTo play
63. AcheterTo buy
64. VendreTo sell
65. PayerTo pay
66. ApprendreTo learn
67. AiderTo help
68. ChoisirTo choose
69. TomberTo fall
70. ExpliquerTo explain
71. EssayerTo try
72. DéciderTo decide
73. EnvoyerTo send
74. EntrerTo enter
75. PartagerTo share
76. AccepterTo accept
77. RefuserTo refuse
78. ProposerTo suggest
79. ObtenirTo get
80. RisquerTo risk
81. VérifierTo check
82. RechercherTo search
83. RéaliserTo achieve
84. GérerTo manage
85. PrévoirTo foresee
86. ProfiterTo enjoy
87. RécupérerTo recover
88. RentrerTo go home
89. ReprendreTo resume
90. RetournerTo return
91. RéussirTo succeed
92. SouhaiterTo wish
93. SuffireTo be enough
94. TerminerTo finish
95. PorterTo wear
96. MontrerTo show
97. RecevoirTo receive
98. ServirTo serve
99. GagnerTo win
100. RappelerTo call back
101. PoserTo put
102. OffrirTo offer
103. GarderTo keep
104. EspérerTo hope
105. PréférerTo prefer
106. PréparerTo prepare
107. CompterTo count
108. RencontrerTo meet
109. QuitterTo leave
110. PrésenterTo present
111. AgirTo act
112. PermettreTo allow
113. EmpêcherTo prevent
114. AssurerTo ensure
115. OccuperTo occupy
116. DécouvrirTo discover
117. ReconnaîtreTo recognise
118. ManquerTo miss
119. RemettreTo put back
120. ÉviterTo avoid
121. ExisterTo exist
122. DiscuterTo discuss
123. ImaginerTo imagine
124. RetrouverTo find again
125. IndiquerTo indicate
126. ExprimerTo express
127. ValoirTo be worth
128. ConsidérerTo consider
129. ÉtudierTo study
130. RireTo laugh
131. OublierTo forget
132. MourirTo die
133. CoûterTo cost
134. DépenserTo spend
135. TournerTo turn
136. OrganiserTo organise
137. RespecterTo respect
138. TesterTo test
139. SupprimerTo delete
140. AugmenterTo increase
141. DiminuerTo decrease
142. DirigerTo lead
143. PromettreTo promise
144. RéagirTo react
145. RecommencerTo start again
146. RéduireTo reduce
147. RegretterTo regret
148. RemarquerTo notice
149. RemercierTo thank
150. RenseignerTo inform
151. RenvoyerTo send back
152. RepartirTo leave again
153. RépéterTo repeat
154. ReposerTo rest
155. RéserverTo book
156. RessemblerTo look like
157. RessentirTo feel
158. RevoirTo see again
159. SignerTo sign
160. SouffrirTo suffer
161. SourireTo smile
162. SubirTo undergo
163. SurvivreTo survive
164. TéléchargerTo download
165. TéléphonerTo phone
166. TraiterTo treat
167. TransmettreTo transmit
168. TraverserTo cross
169. ValiderTo validate
170. VisiterTo visit
171. JeterTo throw
172. VoyagerTo travel
173. MonterTo go up
174. DescendreTo go down
175. RaconterTo tell
176. CourirTo run
177. ConstruireTo build
178. CouperTo cut
179. TirerTo pull
180. LeverTo raise
181. PousserTo push
182. PrévenirTo warn
183. DévelopperTo develop
184. ConduireTo drive
185. ProduireTo produce
186. RejoindreTo join
187. HabiterTo live
188. AmenerTo bring
189. ApporterTo bring
190. EmmenerTo take
191. EmporterTo take
192. EnleverTo remove
193. RemplacerTo replace
194. ProtégerTo protect
195. DéfendreTo defend
196. DécrireTo describe
197. RésoudreTo solve
198. ConvaincreTo convince
199. ObligerTo oblige
200. AutoriserTo allow
201. InterdireTo forbid
202. CommanderTo order
203. ConseillerTo advise
204. RecommanderTo recommend
205. SuggérerTo suggest
206. SignifierTo mean
207. ProuverTo prove
208. ConfirmerTo confirm
209. AdmettreTo admit
210. ExigerTo demand
211. MériterTo deserve
212. FournirTo provide
213. SauverTo save
214. SoutenirTo support
215. RassurerTo reassure
216. ToucherTo touch
217. PlaireTo please
218. ConsulterTo consult
219. RéglerTo settle
220. AdapterTo adapt
221. ModifierTo modify
222. TransformerTo transform
223. ÉchangerTo exchange
224. InclureTo include
225. IntégrerTo integrate
226. RetirerTo remove
227. RéunirTo gather
228. EstimerTo estimate
229. JugerTo judge
230. ÉvaluerTo evaluate
231. ApprécierTo appreciate
232. MesurerTo measure
233. MaintenirTo maintain
234. RetenirTo remember
235. TenterTo try
236. ContrôlerTo check
237. SurveillerTo monitor
238. PoursuivreTo pursue
239. AppuyerTo press
240. MentionnerTo mention
241. ÉvoquerTo evoke
242. SignalerTo report
243. EffectuerTo carry out
244. MenerTo lead
245. MaîtriserTo master
246. CraindreTo fear
247. ParaîtreTo appear
248. AtteindreTo reach
249. DisparaîtreTo disappear
250. EmployerTo use
251. ObserverTo observe
252. PréciserTo specify
253. AffirmerTo state
254. ReprésenterTo represent
255. PleurerTo cry
256. LaverTo wash
257. NettoyerTo clean
258. CoucherTo lie down
259. RéveillerTo wake up
260. RéparerTo fix
261. AllumerTo turn on
262. ÉteindreTo turn off
263. RespirerTo breathe
264. RemplirTo fill
265. RoulerTo roll
266. BaisserTo lower
267. SéparerTo separate
268. RangerTo tidy
269. FatiguerTo tire
270. VolerTo fly
271. AttaquerTo attack
272. LibérerTo free
273. GrandirTo grow up
274. DépasserTo exceed
275. CalculerTo calculate
276. CopierTo copy
277. AbandonnerTo abandon
278. AmuserTo amuse
279. BlesserTo hurt
280. ProgresserTo progress
281. PrononcerTo pronounce
282. ProvoquerTo cause
283. PublierTo publish
284. QuestionnerTo question
285. RamenerTo bring back
286. RapporterTo bring back
287. RaterTo miss
288. RattraperTo catch up
289. RédigerTo write
290. RedonnerTo give back
291. RejeterTo reject
292. ReleverTo raise
293. RemonterTo go back up
294. RepérerTo spot
295. RésisterTo resist
296. RessortirTo go out again
297. RésumerTo summarise
298. RévélerTo reveal
299. RêverTo dream
300. SélectionnerTo select
301. SituerTo locate
302. SoulignerTo underline
303. StopperTo stop
304. StresserTo stress
305. TaperTo type
306. TransférerTo transfer
307. TransporterTo transport
308. VerserTo pour
309. VoterTo vote
310. LouerTo rent
311. CasserTo break
312. TuerTo kill
313. CacherTo hide
314. EncouragerTo encourage
315. ForcerTo force
316. TraduireTo translate
317. TromperTo deceive
318. MentirTo lie
319. RéclamerTo demand
320. PrêterTo lend
321. EmprunterTo borrow
322. RembourserTo refund
323. AttraperTo catch
324. CalmerTo calm
325. SurprendreTo surprise
326. ImpressionnerTo impress
327. SatisfaireTo satisfy
328. NourrirTo feed
329. SoignerTo treat
330. ExaminerTo examine
331. ExclureTo exclude
332. IntroduireTo introduce
333. FuirTo flee
334. ÉchapperTo escape
335. SerrerTo tighten
336. FixerTo fix
337. LierTo link
338. JoindreTo join
339. RassemblerTo gather
340. ClasserTo classify
341. PrivilégierTo prioritise
342. FavoriserTo favour
343. RalentirTo slow down
344. AccélérerTo speed up
345. DépêcherTo hurry
346. DérangerTo disturb
347. GênerTo bother
348. ÉliminerTo eliminate
349. BattreTo beat
350. BloquerTo block
351. CiterTo quote
352. NommerTo name
353. QualifierTo qualify
354. AccomplirTo accomplish
355. ExécuterTo execute
356. GuiderTo guide
357. FabriquerTo manufacture
358. ProcéderTo proceed
359. ProjeterTo plan
360. PromouvoirTo promote
361. ProvenirTo come from
362. RecourirTo resort to
363. RecueillirTo collect
364. RéférerTo refer
365. RefléterTo reflect
366. RelancerTo restart
367. RenforcerTo strengthen
368. RenoncerTo renounce
369. RépartirTo distribute
370. ReporterTo postpone
371. RepousserTo push back
372. ReprocherTo blame
373. SoucierTo care
374. SpécifierTo specify
375. SuccéderTo succeed
376. SurvenirTo occur
377. SusciterTo arouse
378. TémoignerTo testify
379. TendreTo stretch
380. TolérerTo tolerate
381. VarierTo vary
382. VeillerTo ensure
383. ViserTo aim at
384. DétruireTo destroy
385. PosséderTo possess
386. FrapperTo hit
387. PrétendreTo claim
388. DouterTo doubt
389. NierTo deny
390. PersuaderTo persuade
391. DésignerTo designate
392. InterpréterTo interpret
393. DémontrerTo demonstrate
394. DébattreTo debate
395. InfluencerTo influence
396. AvouerTo confess
397. AccorderTo grant
398. AcquérirTo acquire
399. SaisirTo grab
400. ConserverTo keep
401. PréserverTo preserve
402. AssisterTo assist
403. MenacerTo threaten
404. MarquerTo mark
405. ConsacrerTo devote
406. CondamnerTo condemn
407. MélangerTo mix
408. SauterTo jump
409. ProgrammerTo program
410. ImprimerTo print
411. DécevoirTo disappoint
412. FâcherTo make angry
413. ÉnerverTo annoy
414. GoûterTo taste
415. PromenerTo walk
416. RamasserTo pick up
417. ReculerTo move back
418. RelireTo reread
419. RepasserTo iron
420. SaluerTo greet
421. TutoyerTo use 'tu'
422. VouvoyerTo use 'vous'
423. ChanterTo sing
424. ÉconomiserTo save
425. InvestirTo invest
426. HabillerTo dress
427. EndormirTo put to sleep
428. GuérirTo heal
429. GlisserTo slide
430. AvalerTo swallow
431. BrûlerTo burn
432. InspirerTo inspire
433. ArracherTo pull out
434. DébarrasserTo clear
435. ViderTo empty
436. EnfuirTo run away
437. ÉtendreTo spread
438. DiviserTo divide
439. PresserTo squeeze
440. AttacherTo tie
441. UnirTo unite
442. GrouperTo group
443. RegrouperTo group
444. StructurerTo structure
445. PrioriserTo prioritise
446. RécompenserTo reward
447. FreinerTo brake
448. ExpédierTo ship
449. StockerTo store
450. ExpérimenterTo experiment
451. ExplorerTo explore
452. ChasserTo hunt
453. EnnuyerTo bore
454. ÉpuiserTo exhaust
455. BriserTo shatter
456. RompreTo break
457. VaincreTo defeat
458. DominerTo dominate
459. SoumettreTo submit
460. EnfermerTo lock up
461. DélivrerTo deliver
462. RelâcherTo release
463. CoincerTo wedge
464. DéfaireTo undo
465. EntourerTo surround
466. SurmonterTo overcome
467. DoublerTo double
468. ListerTo list
469. IllustrerTo illustrate
470. ManagerTo manage
471. ReproduireTo reproduce
472. DétournerTo divert
473. DistraireTo distract
474. AgacerTo annoy
475. PrierTo pray
476. PriverTo deprive
477. ProcurerTo provide
478. ProlongerTo extend
479. PunirTo punish
480. RapprocherTo bring closer
481. RecouvrirTo cover
482. RedouterTo fear
483. RefermerTo close again
484. RelierTo connect
485. RemporterTo win
486. RenouvelerTo renew
487. RétablirTo restore
488. RetarderTo delay
489. SongerTo dream
490. SoulagerTo relieve
491. SouleverTo lift up
492. SoupçonnerTo suspect
493. SouscrireTo subscribe
494. StimulerTo stimulate
495. SurgirTo arise
496. SuspendreTo suspend
497. TâcherTo try
498. TaireTo keep quiet
499. TarderTo delay
500. TracerTo draw
Frequently asked questions
- How are the 500 verbs on this page ordered?
- They follow the same learning order as the Croissant Verbs app: verbs are sorted by ascending app verb id (verbeId), so core verbs like être, avoir, and faire appear first—not alphabetically and not by a raw frequency score.
- Does each verb have full conjugation tables?
- Yes. Every row links to a dedicated verb page with conjugation tables for the main moods and tenses, ideal for reference and practice.
- Is this French verb list free to use?
- Yes. The list and conjugation pages are free to browse online with no sign-up required.
- Why is this list not in alphabetical order?
- Verbs follow ascending verbeId so high-utility verbs (être, avoir, faire, aller, etc.) come first. That matches how learners actually progress better than sorting A–Z by infinitive.
- Which tenses should I practice first with these verbs?
- Start with the present tense, then add passé composé (pay attention to être vs avoir as auxiliaries), then futur simple or near future depending on your goals. Each verb page lists the main moods for reference.