Top 20 Irregular Verbs Every French Learner Must Know

Top 20 Irregular French Verbs You Need to Master

When learning French, regular verbs (-ER, -IR, -RE) are a great starting point because their patterns are predictable. But to speak naturally and pass official exams like the DELF, DALF, or TCF, you must master irregular verbs. These verbs don’t follow standard rules and appear constantly in spoken and written French.

In this guide, we’ll look at the 20 most important irregular French verbs, their meanings, and examples in everyday sentences.

1. Être (to be)

The most essential verb in French. Used for identity, description, and compound tenses.

• Je suis étudiant. (I am a student.)

2. Avoir (to have)

Crucial for possession and compound past tenses.

• Elle a un chien. (She has a dog.)

3. Aller (to go)

Common for movement and the futur proche (near future).

• Nous allons au cinéma. (We are going to the cinema.)

4. Faire (to do, to make)

Used in many expressions.

• Il fait froid. (It’s cold.)

5. Pouvoir (can, to be able to)

Expresses ability and permission.

• Je peux venir demain. (I can come tomorrow.)

6. Vouloir (to want)

Essential for expressing desires politely.

• Je voudrais un café. (I would like a coffee.)

7. Devoir (must, to have to)

Indicates obligation or probability.

• Tu dois finir ce travail. (You must finish this work.)

8. Savoir (to know – facts, skills)

Different from connaître, which is used for people/places.

• Je sais parler français. (I know how to speak French.)

9. Connaître (to know – people, places)

• Elle connaît bien Paris. (She knows Paris well.)

10. Venir (to come)

Also used in passé récent (recent past).

• Ils viennent de manger. (They just ate.)

11. Prendre (to take)

Common in daily life and food contexts.

• Je prends le bus chaque matin. (I take the bus every morning.)

12. Mettre (to put, to place)

Appears in many expressions: mettre la table, mettre du temps.

• Mets ton manteau. (Put on your coat.)

13. Dire (to say, to tell)

Very frequent in spoken French.

• Elle dit toujours la vérité. (She always tells the truth.)

14. Voir (to see)

Important for both literal and figurative uses.

• Je vois la différence. (I see the difference.)

15. Croire (to believe)

Often used for opinions or beliefs.

• Je crois que c’est une bonne idée. (I believe it’s a good idea.)

16. Vivre (to live)

• Il vit à Lyon depuis 5 ans. (He has lived in Lyon for 5 years.)

17. Tenir (to hold)

Also appears in expressions like tenir compte de (take account of [sth]; take [sth] into consideration).

• Tiens ma main. (Hold my hand.)

18. Sortir (to go out, to exit)

Different from partir (to leave).

• Nous sortons ce soir. (We’re going out tonight.)

19. Partir (to leave, to depart)

• Elle part en vacances demain. (She is leaving on vacation tomorrow.)

20. Écrire (to write)

Used in daily communication and exams.

• J’écris un email. (I am writing an email.)

Why Focus on These 20 Irregular Verbs?

• They are the most common in conversation and French exams.

• Many are auxiliary verbs (être, avoir), required for forming compound tenses.

• They appear in expressions and idioms that are part of natural speech.

Tips for Learning Irregular Verbs

1. Group by similarity: For example, venir and tenir have related conjugations.

2. Use flashcards: Test yourself regularly on present, past, and future forms.

3. Practice with phrases: Don’t just memorize lists. Create sentences like Je prends du café or Nous sortons le soir.

4. Listen to native speakers: Songs, podcasts, and dialogues help reinforce patterns.

5. Write daily: Short journal entries will make irregular verbs feel natural.

Conclusion

Irregular verbs may seem intimidating at first, but they form the backbone of French communication. By mastering these 20 essential verbs, you’ll understand conversations, succeed in exams, and sound more fluent in everyday life.

Start small—focus on five verbs at a time, use them in context, and gradually add more. Before long, you’ll be using them naturally and confidently in your French journey.