The impact of French on the English language is clear. We use many French words and phrases every day. Looking at these 85 standard French terms helps us understand more than words. It shows us how France and England’s histories are linked.
When we see how these phrases fit into English, we learn about cultural exchanges and how cultures adapt. Let’s think about how language influences our view of the world. It’s worth appreciating the subtle details that enrich our conversations and writings.
85 Common French Words And Phrases Used in English
| French Word/Phrase | English Meaning |
| à la carte | According to the menu |
| à la mode | In fashion, with ice cream |
| avant-garde | Innovative, ahead of its time |
| beau | Beautiful, handsome |
| bon appétit | Enjoy your meal |
| bon voyage | Have a good trip |
| carte blanche | Complete freedom |
| cliché | Overused expression |
| coup d’état | Sudden overthrow of a government |
| déjà vu | Feeling of having already experienced something |
| du jour | Of the day |
| en route | On the way |
| encore | Again, additional performance |
| faux pas | Social blunder |
| fait accompli | Accomplished fact |
| fiancé(e) | Engaged person |
| genre | Category, type |
| hors d’oeuvre | Appetizer |
| laissez-faire | Let do, non-interference |
| ménage à trois | Household of three |
| naïve | Innocent, inexperienced |
| papier-mâché | Paper mache |
| raison d’être | Reason for being |
| rendezvous | Meeting, appointment |
| résumé | Summary, CV |
| risqué | Slightly indecent or shocking |
| sabotage | Deliberate destruction |
| savoir-faire | Know-how, expertise |
| tête-à-tête | Private conversation |
| touché | Acknowledgment of a point made |
| vis-à-vis | In relation to |
| à la | In the manner of |
| au pair | Live-in child carer |
| bête noire | Pet peeve |
| carte | Menu |
| coup de grâce | Final blow |
| cul-de-sac | Dead end |
| dénouement | Resolution of a story |
| double entendre | Double meaning |
| en masse | In a group |
| fête | Party, celebration |
| film noir | Dark, crime drama |
| joie de vivre | Joy of living |
| matinée | Morning performance |
| nouveau riche | Newly rich |
| pièce de résistance | Main item, masterpiece |
| précis | Precise, summary |
| protégé | Protected person |
| raison d’état | Reason of state |
| sang-froid | Composure, coolness |
| savoir-vivre | Knowledge of proper behavior |
| tour de force | Feat of strength or skill |
| vis-à-vis | Face-to-face, counterpart |
| voilà | There it is |
| apropos | Appropriate, to the point |
| au contraire | On the contrary |
| bon vivant | Person who enjoys good living |
| café au lait | Coffee with milk |
| crêpe | Thin pancake |
| critique | Criticism, review |
| décor | Scenery, decoration |
| entrée | Main course (US), starter (UK) |
| faux pas | Social mistake |
| gaffe | Blunder, mistake |
| haut couture | High fashion |
| laissez-passer | Permit, pass |
| mélange | Mixture |
| motif | Theme, pattern |
| papier-mâché | Paper maché |
| petite | Small, little |
| raison d’être | Reason for being |
| soirée | Evening party |
| touché | Acknowledgment of a hit or point |
| à propos | Regarding, about |
| belle | Beautiful |
| bon mot | Witty remark |
| cuisine | Cooking, kitchen |
| enfant terrible | Troublesome child |
| hors d’oeuvre | Appetizer |
| liaison | Relationship, link |
| pièce de résistance | Main dish, masterpiece |
| roulette | Gambling game |
| sous-chef | Assistant chef |
| trompe l’oeil | Optical illusion |
| vinaigrette | Salad dressing |
Conclusion
In conclusion, blending French words into English shows a deep cultural exchange. This mix makes English richer, giving us more expressive and sophisticated talking methods. French words are everywhere – in fashion, food, everyday talk, and even law. This shows how much French adds to English, making it more diverse. Knowing where these words come from can deepen our love for English and connect us more with French culture. As languages keep changing, the French influence on English shows how connected our cultures and ways of speaking are.
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Ines Yaïci, born and raised in France, brings her native fluency in French to the Translation Blog as a part-time content writer. With a master’s degree from the prestigious University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne, Ines combines her academic expertise with a keen interest in the stock markets. Her diverse background and passion for languages make her contributions to the blog both insightful and engaging.