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Last updated:
December 24, 2022
You’ve searched everywhere for a fun way to build your French vocabulary.
And now the search has taken you to your local bookstore.
While perusing the foreign language section, you see a selection of French word game books.
Your interest piqued, you grab one of the paperback volumes off the shelf.
Lists of French words catch your eye as you skim the pages. Each list of words is stacked neatly underneath a square that’s filled with columns and rows of seemingly random letters. Could this be the vocabulary builder you’ve been dreaming of?
Tilt your head 45 degrees. Maybe it’s only half a right angle away.
And there it is! You just found a great French vocab booster known as mots cachés (hidden words), also called mots mélangés (mixed-up words) or mot mystère (mystery word). You may know them better as word search games.
Hidden within the alphabet soup of every French word search is a way to build your personal word-stock. Let’s unlock the secrets of these cryptic grids.
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Advantages of French Word Search Games
Word search puzzles are a convenient and effective way to step up your game in French. Here’s why:
- Portable practice. It’s easy to take French word searches with you wherever you go. They’re available in several different print and digital formats, and you can squeeze in a few moments of searching whenever you have idle time—whether you’re waiting in line at a store or chilling out with a cup of hot coffee.
- Gamified learning. When you choose an entertaining learning activity such as a word search game, you increase your engagement with the subject you’re trying to master. Your brain is stimulated and primed to learn.
- Reading and spelling benefits. Sure, word searches might have seemed like busy work back in elementary school. But it’s time to get busy with French word searches, because these particular puzzles can improve both reading and spelling. As you look for the target words in the puzzle, you’ll familiarize yourself with common French phonetic patterns. The more you see these patterns, the more French spelling will become second nature to you—and reading in French will get easier, too. Word up!
- Flock together with “words of a feather.” Many word search puzzles are themed, which means you’re searching for groups of related words. Learning associated words increases your awareness of their nuances.
- Learn unusual words. Like crossword puzzles, word searches can include rare words. These range from arcane words such as jubé (a structure separating the choir from the altar in a church) to the slang word zigouiller (to “do in,” in the sense of killing).
Techniques for Getting the Most Out of French Word Search Games
Don’t miss out on the learning opportunities offered by French word searches—try these tips!
- Make a list and check it twice. While you’re working on your word searches, jot down any unknown words you encounter. After you’ve completed each puzzle, look up your list of words in the dictionary. Write out their definitions (using actual pen and paper, if possible) and study them. Try to use them when you write and speak in French, so they can become a permanent part of your vocabulary.
- Start your stopwatch. Keep yourself spurred on to keep practicing! Track your stats and watch your speed improve as you get better at recognizing the French words in the puzzles.
- Spell the words out loud. As you move from one word in the search list to the next, spell each word out loud. Instead of defaulting to your native alphabet, try spelling them out using the French alphabet.
- Practice your pronunciation. After you spell each word aloud, pronounce it in French. If it’s a noun, include the definite or indefinite article so you’ll be more apt to remember its gender. The added speaking and sound dimensions will boost sensory input, engaging the benefits of multisensory learning.
5 Fabulous French Word Search Games
We’ve looked at the advantages of improving your French vocabulary with word searches. We’ve discussed how to leverage these popular puzzles for even more learning.
Now it’s time to sharpen your pencils and your wits—and enjoy these five superb French word search games. Jouons! (Let’s play!)
Wordsearcher
Platform: Online
Enter the world of French word searches via the World Wide Web.
Best features:
- Virtual searching — Play directly on your browser—a simple click and glide of your mouse is all you need to get right into the game. As soon as you highlight each of the target words inside of the puzzle grid, it’ll be automatically crossed off the list.
- Dozens of themes — With a wide variety of themes to choose from, play whichever puzzles suit your interests and mood.
Don’t know where to begin? Try Les Nationalités des pays francophones (French-Speaking Nationalities) to learn about the many countries where French plays an important role in communication. If you’re feeling adventurous, Cris et frissons (Screams and Chills) puts you on the trail of words related to crimes, detective work and mysteries.
Notre Temps’ Mots mélangés
Platform: Online magazine
Lifestyle magazine Notre Temps (Our Times) is a great source for online word games, including mots mélangés (word search puzzles).
Best features:
- A puzzle a day — Enjoy a new free puzzle every day, even on the weekends. Miss a day or two? No problem! You can go back through a year’s worth of daily puzzles, any time you’d like.
- Window on the word — A text box at the top of the puzzle shows you the letters you’re currently selecting in the grid.
The game clock starts automatically. Click on the countdown in the upper left-hand corner of the game board to pause the timer. When you’re ready to continue, select Reprendre (Resume), or click the countdown clock again.
Getting stumped? Click the magic wand icon for a single word hint. If you’ve given up entirely, a simple click on the star icon will show you the solution for the whole puzzle. And you have the option to replay, if you’d like to take another crack at the game.
Learn French Word Search
Platform: Android
Soup up your Android device with this free French word search game.
Best features:
- Grow as you learn — Select varying difficulty levels to match your skill. Work your way up from a simple grid to a maze of hidden words. The high contrast of white letters on a purple background makes the letters stand out on the board. Several shades of gray will highlight the words you find.
- Your game, your way — Use the game settings to enable or disable the game timer and game sounds. You can decide whether “reverse words” (words displayed backwards in the puzzle) will be included.
“Mots cachés: A French Vocabulary Review with Word-Search Puzzles”
Format: Paperback
If you’re a fan of paperback word search books, rest assured that you can get your French word search fix. There are several such books available, and “Mots cachés: A French Vocabulary Review with Word-Search Puzzles” stands out among the best.
Best features:
- Learning, unplugged — With all the great digital French word searches available, why play on paper? Well, research shows that unplugging from electronics can relax our minds—making learning easier.
- Keep as sharp as the point of your pencil — You’ll need to be extra careful as you play through the pages of this mots cachés book. Misspelled words scattered throughout the puzzle act as detractors, forcing you to pay attention to correct spellings.
This book is especially effective for French vocabulary review, since it offers topic-based puzzles such as Les animaux (Animals), Les nombres (Numbers) and Les jours et les mois (The Days and the Months).
A French-English glossary is conveniently included in the book, making it easier to look up definitions for unknown words.
Puzzles to Print
Format: Printable
Do you enjoy playing word search puzzles on paper, but don’t always feel like lugging a whole book around? Maybe you need merely a page or two to keep you occupied, something you can slip into a notebook.
Puzzles to Print has you covered, with a set of word search puzzles you can print out as needed. Each puzzle tackles a different topic. Top picks include Le Fromage (cheese) and Je me sens… (“I Feel…”/French Feelings).
Best features:
- Word searches, the old-fashioned way — Nestled on the French Word Puzzles page between the crosswords and word scrambles, you’ll find une dizaine (about ten) French word searches available for printing. If you want to check your work, you can also print out the answer key—look for the button labeled “Print Solution,” right under the option to “Print Puzzle.”
- Simulated paper and pen —Has your ink cartridge run dry? You can play on virtual paper! Simply use the “Print” option to save the puzzle you want as a PDF. If you open up the file you saved in the Microsoft Edge internet browser, you can use the “ballpoint pen” tool to circle words and cross them off the list. (Not all browsers offer this feature.)
Whether you play French word searches on your browser, your phone or your tablet (or go with the time-honored paper-and-ink format), you’ll find the vocabulary boost you’re seeking, right there on the game board.
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Manque du
mot:
Difficulté à trouver ses mots lors de la communication.
Elles peuvent se répéter ou avoir de la difficulté à trouver des mots.
Gümüsays new quest is finding words for life’s inexplicable things.
Il se peut que vous ayez de la difficulté à trouver les bons mots,
à
suivre une pensée,
sometimes have difficulty finding words to talk about the disease.
speech caused by a difficulty in finding words and especially by numerous paraphasias,
d’arrêts occasionnés par une difficulté à trouver les mots et, surtout, par
la
production de nombreuses paraphasies.
Even better, you can try to distinguish yourself by finding words that won’t be
found
Encore mieux, vous pouvez tenter de vous démarquer en dénichant des mots qui ne seront pas
the adaptator must translate while finding words that respect characters lips movements.
l’adaptateur doit faire une traduction tout en trouvant des mots qui respectent le mouvement
des
lèvres
des
personnages.
avoir de la difficulté à trouver ses mots, ou avoir de la difficulté
à
dormir.
we are going to offer you this videogame of finding words in a soup of letters.
are charged with finding words and images to hand on mercy and lay a
You can use Search to find words in the vocabulary.
You will not find words strong enough to express your satisfaction….
As you always find words, to pull me from darkest thoughts.
Comme tu trouves toujours les mots, pour me sortir des pensées
les
plus sombres.
I’m not even able to find words to express the colors magnificence.
The goal is to find words from adjacent letters with a constraint of order.
Le but est de trouver des mots à partir de lettres adjacentes avec une contrainte d’ordre.
personnalités politiques aient progressivement trouvé les mots appropriés pour présenter leurs excuses.
Mr. President I cannot find words to express what lies in my heart today.
Président… je ne trouve pas les mots… pour exprimer ce que ressent mon cœur aujourd’hui.
Find words that are a part of everyday life for genealogists,
Results: 948243,
Time: 0.2033
English
—
French
French
—
English
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English-French Dictionary
Welcome to the English-French Dictionary on WordReference. The site offers two English-French dictionaries:
The WordReference Dictionary
The Collins Dictionary
The WordReference English-French Dictionary is a living, growing dictionary. It contains over 94152 terms and 224776 translations in both English and French and continues to grow and improve. In French-English, thousands more terms that are not included in the main dictionary can be found in the WordReference French-English forum questions and answers. If you still cannot find a term, you can ask in the forums, where many native English and French speakers from around the world love assisting others to find the right translation.
The Collins English-French Dictionary has 182,000 words and phrases with 247,000 translations. It is a high-quality dictionary from one of the world’s most respected publishers.
WordReference also has an extensive verb conjugator.
To get started, type a word in the search box above to look up a word.
Conjugueur de verbes
Copyright © WordReference.com LLC 2023.
La reproduction en grand nombre de pages de traductions est strictement interdite par la loi.
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Online dictionary: French-English translation of words and expressions, definition, synonyms
French » English dictionary with thousands of words and phrases
To search for a translation while learning French or simply check a word meaning, you can always rely on the French English dictionary provided by Reverso. It is a free online dictionary containing commonly used words and expressions, along with thousands of French entries and their English translations, added to the dictionary by our users. Moreover, the French- English dictionary also contains specialized terms that will help you if you are working in the professional translation field.
See the latest user contributions to the French-English dictionary and add your own:
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To add entries to your own vocabulary, become a member of Reverso community or login if you are already a member.
It’s easy and only takes a few seconds:
How to take part:
- Add words and phrases with complete translations and definitions
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» How to contribute
Help us write our French-English dictionary
The French-English Collaborative Dictionary gives you access to words and phrases added by users. In the general dictionary, provided by the world-famous publisher Collins, you will find common words and expressions, while the Collaborative Dictionary also features slang terms, technical translations, colloquial words and expressions, or regionalisms that are difficult to find in traditional online dictionaries.
A wide-ranging dictionary lookup tool
Using a single interface, you can display results from both the general and collaborative dictionaries! To make it easy for you to translate French words and expressions into English, you can search for the synonyms of a word, conjugate it, see its pronunciation, or even add another meaning to the French-English dictionary. All this by just clicking on the word.
Why use the French-English dictionary
- It is a complete dictionary package combining the features of traditional online dictionaries with an innovative collaborative tool. Additional features will help you clarify the meanings of words, if your search did not return the expected results: displaying similar French- English translations, searching the English French dictionary, or asking other users for a suggested translation.
- It provides quick access to synonyms, pronunciation and verb conjugation
- You can build a reputation as an expert in French and English by adding new words and expressions to our online dictionary
- You can help improve the accuracy of a French-English translation, by commenting on it
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Word Unscrambler — Unscramble French Words
Vous pouvez utiliser cet outil pour déchiffrer des mots, des lettres ou résoudre des anagrammes. Déchiffrez les mots en français ou vous pouvez déchiffrer les mots espagnols et vous pouvez déchiffrer les mots anglais . Le mot unscrambler trouvera également des mots dans votre mot. C’est un excellent moyen
pour changer votre chance dans tous les types de jeux de mots où la clé est de déchiffrer des mots, comme Mots avec des amis, mot whomp, etc. Si vous recherchez un outil Scrabble Word Finder ,
nous en avons un aussi. Ne considérez pas cela comme une triche , il ne s’agit que d’une aide!
Max 20 lettres
Voici un exemple de mot brouillé, urttoe, pour vous aider à démarrer! < br />
We found 36 words that match your search.
Our Word Unscrambler is a simple tool for unscrambling words and letters and solving anagrams, which will help you in countless
word games, such as, Scrabble ®, Words With Friends, Word Jumbles & more. We don’t consider this a cheat, everyone needs a little help now and then and our
site is designed just for that… help!
We also have a Spanish Word Unscrambler, Scrabble Word Finder, Word Scrambler, Word Combiner & so many other tools
to help you be the best at all word games! Practice makes perfect. We constantly update the site with new word game tools, so check back often.
Find words for playing the game, or learn words you never knew. Sort the results on word length, alphabet, or word score. Find not the longest, but the best word! You can find words using the letters you have, but also match up letters and word parts on the board.
Lookup words online or in the local dictionary with a Copy/Define/Lookup online/Mail menu.
The word length selector is handy to find words for Draw Something.
New is the «Test word» option: test if a word exists, and find words with missing letters. You can use this to see if there are words that would fit a game situation, and which letters you would need. Also handy to find 2-letter combinations. Use a single dot for one missing letter, an @ sign for more. Also usable for crossword puzzles.
Searches are case and diacritic-marks insensitive, type ‘etre’, and ‘être’ is displayed too. Diactritics can be typed by holding down a letter ‘e’, and choosing the ‘ê’, but also by adding them with the diacritics key of the French keyboard, like ‘e’ and adding the ‘^’ later. That is also recognised.
French language version: ODS5 words list, 378.975 words.
When «ALL words» is selected the words list is 420.828 words.
Extra word lists are ODS4, 369.085 words, ODS6 with 386.264, and Gutenberg with 323574 words.
No internet connection is required, this App will still help you when you are travelling.
What’s New
Sep 25, 2020
Version 7.3.19
1. ODS8 words list
2. Dark mode
3. The letters for «Test word» and «Wordfeud» are now independent. The letters you typed as «your letters» are different from the letters in the «Test word» tab, so you can have different words or letters in each field, looking up words does not disturb «your letters».
4. Slide Over: you can now use the Wordsfinder in front of another app, for example in front of Wordfeud, or a puzzle app! It requires iOS 13, and is only available on iPad.
How to use Slide Over: 1. Make sure Wordsfinder is in the Dock; 2. Open an app; 3. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Dock; 4. On the Dock, touch and hold the Wordsfinder, then drag it up, to the screen; 5. Position or left or right.
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Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
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a selection of word lists sorted by frequency
All word lists were generated from a huge multi-billion sample of language called a corpus which ensures all topics and text types are covered and the word list reflects how words are used by real users. The word lists include the most frequently used words, most frequently used nouns, verbs, adjectives and prepositions and some additional word lists.
How are different forms of the same word counted?
All wordlists are lemmatized (=different forms of the same words are counted together, i.e. goes, went, gone, going and go are counted together and listed as go). This is generally more practical. However, sometimes non-lemmatized word lists listing each word form separately are needed. Sketch Engine can generate both types of word lists.
words
nouns
adjectives
verbs
words containing i with diaeresis (ï)
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Longer French word lists can be generated with Sketch Engine. There is no limit for word lists generated from user corpora, however, there is a limit of 1,000 items for word lists generated from preloaded corpora. The user can produce any number of word lists. Advanced filtering criteria using regex can be applied so that the word list contains exactly what the user needs. Register for a free trial account with Sketch Engine to generate longer word lists in French.
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Please refer to this page to get information about French word lists for commercial use.
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
This list contains French words with their English translations. The words included here are those you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a French-English dictionary. (See the «Additional Resources» section below.)
The French language is a Romance language derived from Latin. Although English is a Germanic language, it has many words of Latin and French derivation. Thus, many French words are similar to words in English but often have different meanings.
French is spoken in France; Quebec and other areas of Canada; Luxembourg; southern Belgium; southwestern Switzerland; northern and central Africa; some islands in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Caribbean Sea; southeast Asia; and other areas formerly colonized or influenced by the French.
Between about 1800 and 1812, French was also used in records of the Rhineland area of Germany, northern Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, French is found in some early records of Louisiana and a few other places in the United States. Since about 1680, the grammar, if not the spelling, of official written French has been fairly well standardized throughout the world, even though there are many different forms of spoken French.
Language Characteristics[edit | edit source]
French words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine or feminine. Generally, adjectives used to describe feminine words end with e.
«Le» (masculine form of «the») is used with masculine words. «La» (feminine form of «the») is used with feminine words. But «l’» is used with either if the word begins with a vowel. For example, the word «enfant» means «child» or «infant,» either masculine or feminine. But «l’enfant est né» («the child is born») is used with a male child, and «l’enfant est née» with a female child.
Variant Forms of Words
In French, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. Who/whose/whom or marry/marries/married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the standard form of each French word. As you read French records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage.
Plural forms of French words are usually created by adding -s or -x to the singular word. Thus «frère» becomes «frères,» and «beau» becomes «beaux.» The plural of «beau-frère» («brother-in-law») is «beaux-frères» («brothers-in-law»).
In French there are five diacritical (accent) marks. These are placed over vowels or under the letter -c- to indicate a change in pronunciation. The following diacritical marks are used in French: à, â, é, è, ê, ë, î, ï, ô, ö, û, ù and ç. The -ç- is pronounced as an -s-. These diacritical marks do not affect alphabetical order.
Spelling
Spelling rules were not fixed in earlier centuries. In French the following spelling variations are common:
Variation Example[edit | edit source]
-bv- used for -v-: «février» spelled «febvrier»
-c- used for -ss-: «aussi» spelled «auci»
-ct- used for -t-: «faites» spelled «faictes»
-es- used for -é-: «témoins» spelled «tesmoins»
-i- used for -j-: «jour» spelled «iour»
-o- used for -ou-: «tournier» spelled «tornier»
-os- used for -ô-: «nôtre» spelled «nostre»
-sç- used for -s-: «savoir» spelled «sçavoir»
-t- used for -tt-: «cette» spelled «cete»
-y- used for -i-: «hier» spelled «hyer»
-y- used for -ill-: «filleul» spelled «fyeul»
-z- used for -s-: «baptisé» spelled «baptizé»
Return to Top of Page
Additional French Language Resources[edit | edit source]
This word list includes only words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, consult a French-English dictionary. You can obtain a French-English dictionary at most public libraries and through many bookstores.
Several French-English dictionaries are available at the FamilySearch Library. These are in the European collection. Their call numbers begin with 443.21.
The following dictionary is available on microfilm for use in FamilySearch Centers:
A. Spiers. The Standard Pronouncing Dictionary of the French and English Languages. New York, NY, USA: Appleton, 1900. (FS Library book 443.21 Sp44s, film 1181694 item 4.)
Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject search of the FamilySearch Catalog under FRENCH LANGUAGE—DICTIONARIES.
A helpful guide for reading genealogical records written in French is:
French Records Extraction. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. (FS Library fiche 6068523.) In addition to being a glossary of names and genealogical words, this guide includes examples of French documents and instructions in reading the handwriting.
- BYU Script French Tutorials
Key Words[edit | edit source]
To find and use specific types of French records, you will need to know some key words in French. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the French words with the same or similar meanings.
For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find French words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in French records to indicate marriage.
| English | French |
| banns | publications bans |
| baptism | baptême |
| birth | naissance, né, née |
| burial | sépulture, enterrement, enterré, inhumé, enseveli, funèbre |
| Catholic (Roman) | catholique romaine |
| child | enfant |
| christening | baptême |
| civil registry | registres de l’état civil, mairie, maison communale, hôtel de ville |
| death | décès, mort, expiré, inanimé, défunt |
| father | père |
| husband | mari, époux, marié |
| index | index, tables répertoire |
| Jewish | juif, juive, israélite, hébreu |
| marriage | mariage, alliance, unir, épouser |
| month | mois, mensuel |
| mother | mère |
| name, given | prénom, nom de baptême |
| name, surname | nom, nom de famille |
| parents | parents, père et mère |
| parish | paroisse, paroissiaux, paroissiale |
| Protestant | protestant, réformé, huguenot, R.P.R., luthérien, calviniste |
| town, village | ville, village, hameau, commune |
| wife | femme, épouse, mariée |
| year | an, année, annuel |
Return to Top of Page
General Word List[edit | edit source]
This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list. Words with the same spelling and meaning in English and French, such as «confirmation» or «date,» are not included in this list.
In this list, optional versions of French words or variable endings are given in parentheses. A few phrases are listed under the key word, not necessarily the first word. Words in parentheses in the English column clarify the definition. Feminine or masculine meanings of French words are indicated by (f.) or (m.).
Return to Top of Page
A[edit | edit source]
| French | English |
| à | at, to, in |
| a | has |
| abjurations | renunciations of Protestant faith |
| absolution | absolution, last rites |
| accoucher | give birth |
| accoucheuse | midwife |
| à cet endroit | in this place |
| acheter | to buy |
| acte de baptême | baptismal record |
| acte de décès | death record |
| acte de naissance | birth certificate, record |
| acte de sépulture | burial record |
| adjoint du maire | mayor’s assistant |
| adopté(e) | adopted |
| adultère | adulterer |
| affiché | posted (on door) |
| afficher les bans | post banns |
| âgé(e) | aged |
| ai (ay) | (I) have |
| aïeul | grandfather |
| aïeule | grandmother |
| aîné (l’aîné) | the older, senior |
| ainsi que | as well as |
| à jour | current |
| Algérie | Algeria |
| alité | bedridden |
| allemand(e) | German |
| Allemagne | Germany |
| alliance | marriage |
| alsacien(ne) | Alsatian |
| ami(e) | friend |
| an (année) | year |
| anabaptiste | Mennonite |
| anglais(e) | English |
| anniversaire | anniversary |
| annuaire | directory |
| annuel | annual, yearly |
| août | August |
| apparu | appeared |
| appelé(e) | named |
| apprenti | apprentice |
| approuvé | approved |
| après | after |
| après-midi | afternoon |
| arbre généalogique | family tree, pedigree |
| archives | archive |
| Archives du Royaume | state archives (Belgium) |
| Archives Nationales | state archives (France) |
| a reçu | has received |
| armoiries | coat of arms |
| arpent | acre |
| arpenteur | surveyor |
| arpète | errand boy, apprentice |
| arrière | great (as in great-grandparents) |
| arrondissement | district (administrative division of a French département) |
| attaque | seizure |
| attestation | witness or testimony (of a person) |
| au | at the, in the |
| aubergiste | innkeeper |
| aucun(e) | no, none |
| au dessus | over |
| aujourd’hui | today |
| au même endroit | at the same place |
| auparavant | former |
| aussi | also, as, since |
| autant | as much |
| autorisation | permission |
| autour | around |
| autre | other |
| avant | former, before |
| avant-hier | the day before yesterday |
| avec | with |
| avocat | attorney |
| avoir | to have |
| avons | (we) have |
| avril | April |
| ayant | having |
| Words starting with: |
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B[edit | edit source]
| ban (le) | the territory |
| bans | marriage banns, announcement(s) |
| baptême | baptism |
| baptême d’urgence | emergency baptism |
| baptisé | baptized |
| baptisé sous condition | conditionally baptized |
| Baptiste | Baptist |
| bas | low, lower |
| batisseur | builder |
| beau-fils | son-in-law, stepson |
| beau-frère | brother-in-law, stepbrother |
| beau-père | father-in-law, stepfather |
| bêcheur | field worker |
| belge | Belgian |
| belle-fille | daughter-in-law, stepdaughter |
| belle-mère | mother-in-law, stepmother |
| belle-sœur | sister-in-law, stepsister |
| berger | shepherd |
| bien | well |
| biens | goods, property |
| biographie | biography |
| blanc (blanche) | white |
| bon (bonne) | good |
| bonne | maid, female servant |
| boucher | butcher |
| boulanger | baker |
| bourgeois | citizen, member of the middle class |
| bourguignon | Burgundian |
| bouvier | herdsman, cowherd |
| brasseur | brewer |
| brassier | farmworker, laborer (old word) |
| Bretagne [oncle à la mode de Bretagne] | Brittany [first cousin of one’s parent] |
| briquetier | brick maker |
| bru | daughter-in-law |
| bureau | office |
| Words starting with: |
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C[edit | edit source]
| cabaretier | barkeeper |
| canton | administrative division of an arrondissement (in France), province (in Switzerland), township (in French Canada) |
| carte | map |
| catholique romaine | Roman Catholic |
| ce, c’ | it |
| ce, cet, cette | this, that |
| céans | here within |
| cejourd’hier | yesterday |
| cejourd’hui | today |
| célèbre | famous |
| célibataire | bachelor, unmarried, single |
| celle | this one, she |
| celle-ci | the latter (f.) |
| celle-là | the former (f.) |
| celui | this one, he |
| celui-ci | the latter (m.) |
| celui-là | the former (m.) |
| cent | hundred |
| centième | hundredth |
| certificat | certificate |
| ceux | those |
| charbonnier | charcoal burner |
| charcutier | pork merchant |
| charretier | cart or carriage man |
| charron | cartwright, wheelwright |
| chasseur | hunter |
| château | castle |
| châtelain | owner of a castle |
| chaudronnier | cooper, barrel maker |
| chez | at the home of |
| chirurgien | surgeon |
| ci-dessous | below here |
| ci-dessus | above here |
| cimetière | cemetery |
| cinq | five |
| cinquante | fifty |
| cinquantième | fiftieth |
| cinquième | fifth |
| citoyen(ne) | citizen |
| clergé | clergymen |
| colline | hill |
| communauté | community (of goods), religious community |
| commune | town, commune (smallest political division in France) |
| communion | communion |
| compagnon | journeyman, partner |
| comparu | appeared |
| comprend | includes |
| comte | count |
| concubine | concubine |
| congestion cérébrale | stroke |
| conjoint | spouse, assistant |
| connaissance | acquaintance |
| conquêt | goods/property acquired by one spouse to the other during the act of marriage |
| conseil d’état civil | civil registrar’s |
| conseiller | councilor |
| consentement | consent |
| contenu | content |
| contractant | the groom (in a marriage record) |
| contractante | the bride (in a marriage record) |
| contrat de mariage | marriage contract |
| contre | against |
| coqueluche | whooping cough |
| cordier | rope maker |
| cordonnier | shoemaker |
| côte | hill |
| couches [morte en couches] | bed, marital bed [died in childbirth] |
| coup de sang | paralytic stroke |
| cour | court |
| courant | current |
| cousin(e) | cousin |
| cousin(e) germain(e) | first cousin |
| couvreur | roofer |
| culte | religion |
| cultivateur | farmer, cultivator |
| curateur | guardian |
| curé | parish minister, pastor, priest, clergyman |
| Words starting with: |
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D[edit | edit source]
| d’ | of |
| dame | lady |
| dans | in |
| de | of, from, out |
| décapité | decapitated |
| décédé | the deceased |
| décembre | December |
| décennal(e) | decennial |
| décennie | decade |
| décès | death, deaths |
| déclarant | informant |
| déclaré | declared, stated |
| décrépitude | old age |
| défunt(e) | deceased |
| dehors | outside |
| de la | of the, some |
| demain | tomorrow |
| demeurant | living at |
| demi | half |
| demi frère | stepbrother, half brother |
| demi soeur | stepsister, half sister |
| demoiselle | Miss (of well-to-do parents, may be a married woman) |
| département | department (French “county” since 1790) |
| depuis | since |
| derniers sacrements | last rites |
| des | of the, some |
| desdits | of the said (pl.) |
| dessous | lower, below |
| dessus | above |
| deux | two |
| deuxième | second |
| devant | in front of |
| devenir | to become |
| devoir | should |
| d’hier | yesterday’s |
| dictionnaire | dictionary |
| dictionnaire des communes | gazetteer |
| dimanche | Sunday |
| dîme | tithing |
| diocèse | diocese |
| dispense | exemption, dispensation |
| dit(e) (ditte) | said, also known as, aforementioned |
| divers(e) | various |
| divorcé(e) | divorced |
| dix | ten |
| dix-huit | eighteen |
| dix-huitième | eighteenth |
| dixième | tenth |
| dix-neuf | nineteen |
| dix-neuvième | nineteenth |
| dix-sept | seventeen |
| dix-septième | seventeenth |
| domaine | estate |
| domestique | servant girl, maid |
| domicile | home, residence, domicile |
| donné | given |
| donner | to give |
| dons | donations |
| dont | of whom, of which |
| double | duplicate record |
| douze | twelve |
| douzième | twelfth |
| droguiste | druggist |
| droit(e) | right |
| du | of the, some |
| duc | duke |
| duché | duchy |
| duchesse | duchess |
| durant | during |
| Words starting with: |
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E[edit | edit source]
| eaux-et-forêts | waters and forests, forestry service |
| ébéniste | cabinetmaker, furniture maker |
| échevin | alderman, municipal magistrate |
| école | school |
| écolier | schoolboy/school child |
| écrire | to write |
| écrit | written, document |
| écrivain | scribe, writer |
| église | church |
| elle | she, her |
| elles | they, them (f.) |
| émigrant(e) | emigrant |
| émigré(e) | emigrant |
| empêchement | prevention |
| employé(e) | clerk |
| en | in |
| enceinte | pregnant |
| encore | again |
| endroit | place |
| enfant | baby, child |
| enfant exposé | foundling |
| enfant trouvé | foundling |
| enflement | swelling |
| ensemble | together |
| entend | intends, hears |
| enterré(e) | buried |
| enterrement | burial, interment |
| entre | between, among |
| environ | about, approximately |
| épicier | grocer, spice merchant |
| épousailles | wedding |
| épouse | bride, wife |
| époux | bridegroom, husband |
| espagnol(e) | Spanish |
| est | is, east |
| et | and |
| étaient | were |
| était | was |
| étant (estant) | being |
| état | state |
| état | civil civil registration |
| été | been, summer |
| étranger/étrangère | foreign, foreigner, strange |
| être [un être] | to be [a being] |
| évéché | diocese |
| évêque | bishop |
| exécuté | performed |
| expédié(s) | sent |
| extérieur | outside |
| extrait | extract |
| Words starting with: |
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F[edit | edit source]
| fabricant de bas | maker of stockings |
| fabricant de savon | maker of soap |
| facteur | postman, mailman |
| facture | account, bill |
| faiblesse | weakness |
| fait(e) | made, done |
| famille | family, relative(s) |
| féminin(e) | female |
| femme | wife, woman |
| ferblantier | tin man, tinsmith |
| fermier | farmer |
| fête | holiday, feast |
| feu(e) | deceased, the late |
| feuille | folio, leaf, page |
| février | February |
| fiançailles | engagement |
| fiançé | betrothed, engaged, fiancé (m.) |
| fiançée | betrothed, engaged, fiancée (f.) |
| fiancer | to become engaged |
| fichier | card index |
| fièvre | fever |
| fileuse | spinster |
| fille | daughter, girl |
| fille de mauvaise vie | prostitute |
| fils | son |
| fonction [faisant les fonctions] | duty, occupation, function [doing the functions (occupation), serving as] |
| fonts | (baptismal) font |
| forestier | forester |
| forêt | forest |
| forgeron | smith |
| forteresse | fortress |
| frais | fee |
| français(e) | French |
| franc-tenancier | freeholder, yeoman |
| frère | brother |
| frère consanguin | brother by the same father but different mother |
| frère germain | brother by the same mother and father |
| frère utérin | brother by the same mother but different father |
| fromager | cheese merchant or maker |
| frontière | border |
| funèbre | funeral |
| furent | were |
| fut | was |
| futur, fiancé | the intended groom |
| future, fiancée | the intended bride |
| Words starting with: |
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G[edit | edit source]
| garçon | boy, unmarried young man |
| garde champêtre | field guard |
| garde | forestier forest guard |
| gardien | herdsman |
| gauche | left |
| gendarme | policeman |
| gendre | son-in-law |
| généalogique | genealogical |
| géomètre | surveyor |
| germinal | See “Months” |
| goutte | gout |
| grand(e) | large, great, tall |
| grandmère | grandmother |
| grandparents | grandparents |
| grandpère | grandfather |
| greffier | clerk of the court, registrar |
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H[edit | edit source]
| habitant | residing |
| habitation | residence |
| habiter | to inhabit |
| haut | high, upper |
| hectare | acre |
| héraldique | heraldry |
| héritage | inheritance |
| heure | hour, time |
| hier | yesterday |
| histoire | story, history |
| hollandais(e) | Dutch |
| homme | man |
| homme de main | day worker |
| honnête | honest |
| horloger | clock merchant or maker |
| houilleur | coal miner |
| huguenot(te) | Huguenot |
| huissier | usher, doorman |
| huit | eight |
| huitante | eighty |
| huitantième | eightieth |
| huitième | eighth |
| hydropisie | dropsy, edema |
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I[edit | edit source]
| icelle | this one (f.) |
| icelui | this one (m.) |
| ici | here |
| id. (Latin) | the same |
| identique | same, alike, similar |
| il | he |
| illégitime | illegitimate |
| immigrant(e) | immigrant |
| imposé | imposed, gave |
| impôts | taxation |
| inconnu(e) | unknown |
| inférieur(e) | lower |
| instituteur | schoolteacher (m.) |
| institutrice | schoolteacher (f.) |
| intérieur | inside |
| interpellé | interviewed |
| inventaire | après décès inventory after death |
| italien(ne) | Italiann |
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J[edit | edit source]
| jamais | never |
| janvier | January |
| jardinier | gardener |
| je | I |
| jeudi | Thursday |
| jeune | young, the younger, junior |
| jeûne | fasting, fast day |
| jour | day |
| jour de baptême | day of baptism |
| jour d’hier, le | yesterday |
| journalier | day laborer, farmworker |
| jour | suivant the following day |
| juge | judge |
| Juif | Jewish, Jew |
| juillet | July |
| juin | June |
| Juive | Jewish, Jewess |
| jumeaux | twins (male, or male and female) |
| jumelles | twins (female) |
| juré | juryman |
| Words starting with: |
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K[edit | edit source]
| Words starting with: |
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L[edit | edit source]
| l’ | the (m. and f.) |
| la | the (f.) |
| là | there |
| laboureur | plowman, farmer (man with team and plow) |
| lac | lake |
| laisser | let, leave, allow |
| laquelle | which (f.) |
| le | the (m.) |
| lecture | reading |
| légal(e) | legal |
| légitime | legitimate |
| lendemain | following day |
| lequel | which (m.) |
| les | the (plural) |
| lesquels | which (plural) |
| leur | their, to them |
| lieu | place |
| livre | book |
| livret de famille | family register |
| loi | law |
| lui | him, to him |
| lundi | Monday |
| luxembourgeois(e) | Luxembourger |
| Words starting with: |
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M[edit | edit source]
| M. | sir, Mr. |
| maçon | mason, bricklayer |
| Madame | Mrs. |
| Mademoiselle | unmarried woman, Miss |
| magister | village schoolmaster |
| mai | May |
| main levée [à main levée,
donner main lévee] |
show of hand [by show of hand i.e. with
the approval of someone; to give a show of hand i.e. to give approval] |
| maire | mayor |
| mairie | town hall |
| mais | but |
| maison [maison communale] | house [town hall] |
| maître | master |
| maître | d’école schoolteacher |
| majeur | of legal age, older |
| majorité | legal age, majority |
| maladie | disease, sickness |
| maraîcher | market gardener |
| marchand | merchant |
| marchant | trader, merchant |
| marché | market |
| mardi | Tuesday |
| maréchal ferrant | blacksmith |
| mari | husband |
| mariage | marriage, wedding |
| marié | groom, husband, married (m.) |
| mariée | bride, wife, married (f.) |
| marier (se marier) | to get married |
| mariés | the married ones |
| marin | sailor |
| marocain(e) | Moroccan |
| marraine | godmother |
| mars | March |
| masculin | male, masculine |
| matin | early (a.m.), morning |
| mégisseur | tanner |
| membre | member |
| même | the same, even |
| mendiant | beggar |
| menuisier | joiner, carpenter |
| mercredi | Wednesday |
| mère | mother |
| mériter | to be worthy |
| messe | Catholic mass |
| métayer | dairy keeper, cowherd, sharecropper |
| métier | trade, occupation, profession |
| métis, métisse | mixed blood |
| meunier | miller |
| midi | noon |
| mil | thousand |
| militaire | military |
| mille | thousand |
| millième | thousandth |
| mineur | under legal age, younger, minor |
| minorité | under legal age, minority |
| minuit | midnight |
| mis(e) en terre | buried |
| Mlle., Mademoiselle | Miss |
| Mme., Madame | Mrs. |
| moi | me |
| mois | month |
| Monsieur | sir, Mr. |
| montagne | hill, mountain |
| mort(e) | dead, death |
| mort | né stillborn |
| moulin | mill |
| mourant | dying |
| mourir | to die |
| moyen(ne) | middle, median, central |
| mulâtre | mulatto |
| muni des sacrements de l’Eglise | furnished with the (last) rites of the church |
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N[edit | edit source]
| naissance | birth |
| naturel | illegitimate (not always true) |
| né(e) | born |
| née | maiden name |
| négociant | trader, businessman |
| neuf | nine |
| neuvième | ninth |
| neveu | nephew |
| ni | neither, nor |
| nièce | niece |
| noble | nobleman |
| noblesse | nobility |
| noces | wedding |
| noir(e) | black |
| nom | name, surname |
| nom | de famille surname, last name |
| nommé(e) | named, alias |
| non | not |
| nonante | ninety |
| nonantième | ninetieth |
| nord | north |
| norman(de) | Norman |
| notaire | notary |
| notes | remarks |
| nôtre (nostre) | our |
| nous | we, us |
| nouveau, nouvelle | new |
| novembre | November |
| noyé(e) | drowned |
| nuit | night |
| numéro | number |
| nuptial(e) | bridal, pertaining to a wedding |
| Words starting with: |
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O[edit | edit source]
| obsèques | funeral, burial |
| octante | eighty |
| octantième | eightieth |
| octobre | October |
| oncle | uncle |
| ondoyé(e) | baptized provisionally |
| ont | (they) have |
| onze | eleven |
| onzième | eleventh |
| orphelin(e) | orphan |
| ou | or |
| où | where |
| ouest | west |
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P[edit | edit source]
| Palatinat | Palatinate, Pfalz |
| par | by |
| pareil(le) | same, alike, similar |
| parent | parent, relative |
| paroisse | parish (office) |
| parrain | godfather |
| part [d’une part] [et d’autre part] | portion, part [on the one hand] [and on the other hand] |
| pas | not |
| pas encore | not yet |
| passé | past |
| pasteur | pastor |
| pâtissier | pastry maker |
| pâtre | herdsman |
| pauvre | indigent, poor |
| pays | land, country |
| paysan(ne) | small farmer, peasant |
| pêcheur | fisher |
| peintre | painter |
| penultième | day before the last |
| percer des dents | teething |
| père | father |
| petit | small, little |
| petite-fille | granddaughter |
| petite | noblesse gentry |
| petit-fils | grandson |
| petit propriétaire | yeoman |
| peuple | citizens |
| peut-être | maybe, perhaps |
| pharmacien | pharmacist |
| pièces | documents |
| pied terrier | land record |
| place | square, plaza |
| plus, en | besides, in addition to |
| plus âgé(e) | older, elder, oldest, eldest |
| plus vieux | older, elder, oldest, eldest |
| policier | policeman |
| pont | bridge |
| population | population |
| porte | door |
| portugais(e) | Portuguese |
| poser | place, put |
| pour | for |
| pourquoi | why |
| précédent(e) | previous, preceding |
| préfet | prefect (the head of a département in France) |
| premier, première | first |
| prénom | given (first) name |
| près | de next to |
| présenté | presented |
| prêtre | clergyman, priest |
| preuve | proof |
| principalité | principality |
| prochain(e) | following, next, nearest |
| proche | parent close relative |
| professeur | professor, teacher |
| propos de, à | about, concerning |
| propriétaire | owner, proprietor |
| protestant | Protestant |
| provincial(e) | provincial |
| prussien(ne) | Prussian |
| publié | published, announced |
| publier | publish |
| Words starting with: |
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Q[edit | edit source]
| quand | when |
| quarante | forty |
| quarantième | fortieth |
| quartier | district or neighborhood in a city |
| quatorze | fourteen |
| quatorzième | fourteenth |
| quatre | four |
| quatre-vingt-dix | ninety |
| quatre-vingt-dixième | ninetieth |
| quatre-vingt | eighty |
| quatre-vingtième | eightieth |
| quatrième | fourth |
| que (qu’) | what, which, that |
| qui | who, whom |
| quinze | fifteen |
| quinzième | fifteenth |
| quoi | what |
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R[edit | edit source]
| recensement | census |
| recherche | research |
| reconnu | recognized, acknowledged |
| reçu(e) | received |
| réformé(e) | Reformed/Calvinist |
| régisseur | farm manager, steward |
| registre | register |
| registres d’état civil | registers of births, civil marriages, and deaths |
| registres paroissiaux | parish registers |
| reine | queen |
| religion | religion |
| religion prétendue réformé (R.P.R.) | Reformed Church, Huguenot |
| rentier(e) | retired person living from rents, landlord |
| répertoire | register, index |
| répertoire toponymique | gazetteer |
| République Française | French Republic |
| retraité | formerly employed, retired |
| revue | periodical |
| requis | required |
| rien | nothing |
| rivière | stream, river |
| roi (roy) | king |
| rouge | red |
| rougeole | measles |
| royaume | kingdom |
| rue | street |
| russe | Russian |
| Words starting with: |
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S[edit | edit source]
| sa | his, her, its |
| sabotier | wooden-shoe maker |
| sacristain | sacristan, sexton |
| sage-femme | midwife |
| saignement | bleeding |
| sain | sane, healthy |
| saints sacrements (d’absolution) | last rites |
| samedi | Saturday |
| sans | without |
| sans vie | without life, lifeless |
| savoir | to know, namely |
| savonnier | soap merchant, soapmaker |
| saxon | Saxon |
| scarlatine | scarlet fever |
| sceau | seal |
| scieur | sawyer |
| Seigneur | the Lord |
| seize | sixteen |
| seizième | sixteenth |
| selon | according to |
| semaine | week |
| sénilité | old age |
| sept | seven |
| septante | seventy |
| septantième | seventieth |
| septembre | September |
| septième | seventh |
| sépulture | burial |
| seront | (they) will be |
| serrurier | locksmith |
| servante | maid, servant girl |
| ses | his, her, its |
| seul(e) | single, alone |
| seulement | only |
| sexe | sex |
| siècle | century |
| signature | signature |
| signé | signed |
| six | six |
| sixième | sixth |
| société | society |
| soeur | sister |
| soeur consanguine | sister by the same father but different mother |
| soeur germaine | sister by the same mother and father |
| soeur utérine | sister by the same mother but different father |
| soir (soirée) | evening |
| soixante | sixty |
| soixante-dix | seventy |
| soixante-dixième | seventieth |
| soixantième | sixtieth |
| soldat | soldier |
| son | his, her, its |
| sont | are |
| sous | under, low |
| soussigné | the undersigned |
| souvent | often |
| statut légal | status, condition |
| statut personnel | status, condition |
| sud | south |
| suisse | Swiss |
| suivant(e) | next, following, according to |
| supérieur(e) | upper |
| sur | on, above, upon, at |
| surlendemain | two days later |
| survivant | surviving |
| sus-dit | aforementioned |
| susnommé | aforementioned |
| Words starting with: |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V |
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T[edit | edit source]
| table | index |
| tables décennales | ten-year indexes |
| tailleur | cloth maker, draper |
| tailleur de pierre | stonecutter |
| tailleur | d’habits tailor |
| tanneur | tanner |
| tant | as, so much |
| tante | aunt |
| tantôt | afternoon |
| tavernier | tavern owner |
| teinturier | dyer |
| témoin | witness |
| temps | time |
| tenir un enfant sur les fonts | to act as godfather or godmother to a child |
| terre | earth, land |
| terres | estate |
| testament | last will |
| tisserand | weaver |
| tisserand de lin | linen weaver |
| tisseur | weaver |
| tome | volume |
| tonnelier | cooper |
| tôt | early (a.m.) |
| toujours | always |
| tournier | turner, woodworker |
| tous | all |
| tous | les deux both |
| toux | cough |
| travailleur | worker, laborer |
| travers, à | through, across |
| treize | thirteen |
| treizième | thirteenth |
| trente | thirty |
| trente-et-un | thirty-one |
| trente-et-unième | thirty-first |
| trentième | thirtieth |
| tribunal | court |
| trois | three |
| troisième | third |
| tuilier | tile maker |
| tumeurv | tumor |
| tuteur | guardian |
| Words starting with: |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V |
|---|
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U[edit | edit source]
| un, une | a, an, one |
| unième | first |
| unis en mariage | united in marriage |
| Words starting with: |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V |
|---|
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V[edit | edit source]
| valet | servant |
| vallée | valley |
| varie | various |
| variole | smallpox |
| veille | previous evening or day |
| vendeur | seller, salesman |
| vendeuse | seller, saleslady |
| vendredi | Friday |
| vérole | venereal disease, syphilis |
| vérole, petite | smallpox |
| verrier | glassmaker |
| vers | toward |
| vert | green |
| veuf | widowed, widower |
| veuve | widowed, widow |
| vie | life |
| vieillesse | old age |
| vierge | virgin, unmarried woman |
| vieux (vielle) | old |
| vieux garçon | bachelor |
| vigneron | grape grower |
| village | hamlet, village |
| ville | village or town, city |
| vingt | twenty |
| vingt-cinq | twenty-five |
| vingt-cinquième | twenty-fifth |
| vingt-deux | twenty-two |
| vingt-deuxième | twenty-second |
| vingt-et-un | twenty-one |
| vingt-et-unième | twenty-first |
| vingt-huit | twenty-eight |
| vingt-huitième | twenty-eighth |
| vingtième | twentieth |
| vingt-neuf | twenty-nine |
| vingt-neuvième | twenty-ninth |
| vingt-quatre | twenty-four |
| vingt-quatrième | twenty-fourth |
| vingt-sept | twenty-seven |
| vingt-septième | twenty-seventh |
| vingt-six | twenty-six |
| vingt-sixième | twenty-sixth |
| vingt-trois | twenty-three |
| vingt-troisième | twenty-third |
| vivant | living, lifetime |
| vivant, de son | during his (her) life |
| vivre | to live |
| voir | see |
| voisin(e) | neighbor |
| vouloir | to wish, to want |
| Words starting with: |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V |
|---|
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Numbers[edit | edit source]
In some genealogical sources, numbers are written out. This is especially true with dates. The following list gives the cardinal (1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. Dates are usually written in ordinal form. Ordinal numbers are made by adding ième to the cardinal form of a number. If the number ends in an e, drop the e before adding ième.
From 60 to 99, the French count by twenties rather than by tens. Thus, 70 in French is sixty-ten, and 71 is sixty-eleven. The number 80 is four-twenties; 81 is four-twenties-one; 91 is four-twenties-eleven; and so on through 99, which is four-twenties-nineteen. In some areas, however, you will see the older style of 70 (septante), 80 (octante or huitante), and 90 (nonante).
| Cardinal | Ordinal |
| 1 un | 1st premier |
| 2 deux | 2nd deuxième |
| 3 trois | 3rd troisième |
| 4 quatre | 4th quatrième |
| 5 cinq | 5th cinquième |
| 6 six | 6th sixième |
| 7 sept | 7th septième |
| 8 huit | 8th huitième |
| 9 neuf | 9th neuvième |
| 10 dix | 10th dixième |
| 11 onze | 11th onzième |
| 12 douze | 12th douzième |
| 13 treize | 13th treizième |
| 14 quatorze | 14th quatorzième |
| 15 quinze | 15th quinzième |
| 16 seize | 16th seizième |
| 17 dix-sept | 17th dix-septième |
| 18 dix-huit | 18th dix-huitième |
| 19 dix-neuf | 19th dix-neuvième |
| 20 vingt | 20th vingtième |
| 21 vingt-et-un | 21st vingt-et-unième |
| 22 vingt-deux | 22nd vingt-deuxième |
| 23 vingt-trois | 23rd vingt-troisième |
| 24 vingt-quatre | 24th vingt-quatrième |
| 25 vingt-cinq | 25th vingt-cinquième |
| 26 vingt-six | 26th vingt-sixième |
| 27 vingt-sept | 27th vingt-septième |
| 28 vingt-huit | 28th vingt-huitième |
| 29 vingt-neuf | 29th vingt-neuvième |
| 30 trente | 30th trentième |
| 31 trente-et-un | 31st trente-et-unième |
| 40 quarante | 40th quarantième |
| 50 cinquante | 50th cinquantième |
| 60 soixante | 60th soixantième |
| 70 soixante-dix, septante | 70th soixante-dixième, septantième |
| 71 soixante-onze, septante-un | 71st soixante-onzième, septante-et-unième |
| 80 quatre-vingt(s), octante, huitante | 80th quatre-vingtième, octantième, huitantième |
| 90 quatre-vingt-dix, nonante | 90th quatre-vingt-dixième, nonantième |
| 99 quatre-vingt-dix-neuf, nonante-neuf | 99th quatre-vingt-dix-neuvième, nonante-neuvième |
| 100 cent | 100th centième |
| 1000 mil, mille | 1000th millième |
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Dates and Time[edit | edit source]
In French records, dates are often written out. For example:
Le vingt-trois mars mil sept cent soixante dix-neuf [on the twenty-third day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred sixty and nineteen (1779)]
To understand French dates, use the following lists as well as the preceding “Numbers” section.
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Months[edit | edit source]
| English | French |
| January | janvier |
| February | février |
| March | mars |
| April | avril |
| May | mai |
| June | juin |
| July | juillet |
| August | août |
| September | septembre, 7bre |
| October | octobre, 8bre |
| November | novembre, 9bre |
| December | décembre, 10bre, Xbre |
During the years 1792 to 1806, the French used a unique calendar that related to the founding of the French Republic. It included the following months:
vendémiaire, brumaire, frimaire,
nivôse, pluviôse, ventôse,
germinal, floréal, prairial,
messidor, thermidor, fructidor.
These month names cannot be translated because they do not correspond to the months we know as January to December. See the French Republican Calendar.
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Days of the Week[edit | edit source]
| English | French |
| Sunday | dimanche |
| Monday | lundi |
| Tuesday | mardi |
| Wednesday | mercredi |
| Thursday | jeudi |
| Friday | vendredi |
| Saturday | samedi |
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Times of the Day[edit | edit source]
In French birth and death records, the registrar often indicated the exact time of day when the birth or death occurred. This is usually written out.
| French | English |
| à cinq heures | at 5 o’clock |
| au matin | in the morning |
| au soir | in the evening |
| après-demain | the day after tomorrow |
| après-midi | afternoon |
| avant-veille | two days before |
| avant-hier | day before yesterday |
| demain | tomorrow |
| du matin | in the morning, a.m. |
| du soir | in the evening, p.m. |
| heure | hour |
| hier | yesterday |
| hier soir | yesterday evening |
| hier au soir | yesterday evening |
| jour | day |
| lendemain | next day |
| matin | morning |
| midi | noon |
| minuit | midnight |
| nuit | night |
| soir | evening |
| surlendemain | two days later |
| veille | previous evening |
France French Genealogical Word List France Paper publication: Second edition 1997. English approval: 4/97.
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