A to Z: 25 French Words You May Have Never Heard Of
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When people think of the French language, words like “bonjour,” “amour,” and “croissant” often come to mind: simple, charming and familiar terms. However, beyond these commonly known words lies a wealth of vocabulary many native speakers rarely encounter. From the poetic to the peculiar, the French language is rich with expressions that evoke emotions and create vivid imagery.
Start the New Year in True French Style
To kick start 2025 in style, we’ve curated 25 unique words many non-French speakers may have never heard of. Whether they’re long and tongue-twisting (anticonstitutionnellement), delightfully specific (dépaysement), or simply fun to say (saperlipopette), these words showcase the incredible richness and complexity of the French lexicon. Are you ready to expand your vocabulary and discover a side of the French language that’s often hidden? Très bien, but first, we must ask:
How Many Words Exist in the French Language?
The exact number of words in French is hard to determine as languages evolve continuously, and dictionaries cannot capture every nuance. Here are some approximate figures:
Dictionnaire de l’Académie Française
The official dictionary of the French Academy contains approximately 60,000 words, focusing primarily on standard and formal usage.
Le Petit Robert / Le Larousse
Popular French dictionaries include between 100,000 and 120,000 words, encompassing archaic terms, technical jargon and regional expressions.
Linguistic Estimates
When considering all forms of French, including slang, regional dialects, technical terms, and inflexions, the total number can exceed 1 million words. This figure accounts for variations, conjugations and compound terms.
Usage in Everyday Life
Most French speakers use only a small portion of these words. Typically, an educated French speaker has an active vocabulary of about 20,000 to 30,000 words, along with a passive understanding of many more. The richness of French lies not just in its vocabulary size but in its subtleties, idioms and expressions.
Our A-to-Z of 25 Unusual French Words
A – Anticonstitutionnellement
Pronunciation: /ahn-tee-kohn-stee-tyoo-nehl-mahn/
Meaning: This word means acting or occurring in a manner that does not follow the Constitution, making it a term often used in legal and political contexts to describe unconstitutional actions or decisions.
B – Bricoleur
Pronunciation: /bree-koh-lur/
Meaning: A bricoleur enjoys doing small repairs, constructing, or fixing things around the house, often referred to as a handyman or DIY enthusiast.
C – Clapotis
Pronunciation: /kla-po-tee/
Meaning: Clapotis refers to the gentle, rhythmic sound made by water as it laps against a surface, such as the shore or the side of a boat, creating a soothing and calming effect.
D – Dépaysement
Pronunciation: /day-pey-zuh-mahn/
Meaning: Dépaysement describes the feeling of being disoriented or out of place, often experienced when travelling to a foreign environment where everything seems unfamiliar and new.
E – Épanoui
Pronunciation: /ay-pah-nwee/
Meaning: Being épanoui means feeling radiantly happy, fulfilled, and content with life, often used to describe both people who are thriving and flowers that are in full bloom.
F – Fripon
Pronunciation: /free-pon/
Meaning: A fripon is a mischievous or playful rascal, often used to describe children or individuals who engage in harmless, cheeky behaviour with a sense of humour.
G – Gueuleton
Pronunciation: /gur-luh-tohn/
Meaning: A gueuleton is a hearty and delicious meal shared with friends, typically involving generous portions of food and a convivial atmosphere.
H – Hexagone
Pronunciation: /eks-ah-gohn/
Meaning: Hexagone is a poetic nickname referring to the country’s roughly hexagonal shape of the map of France, often used in literary and cultural contexts to evoke a sense of national identity.
I – Inénarrable
Pronunciation: /ee-nay-rah-bl/
Meaning: Something indescribable or impossible to recount due to its extraordinary nature, often used to express awe or amazement at an incredible experience or event.
J – Jacasser
Pronunciation: /zha-ka-say/
Meaning: Jacasser means to chatter or prattle on, often noisily or incessantly, much like a magpie, and is typically used to describe someone who talks a lot without necessarily saying anything substantial.
K – Kouign-Amann
Pronunciation: /kween-ah-mahn/
Meaning: Kouign-Amann is a rich and indulgent pastry from Brittany, made with layers of butter and sugar that caramelise during baking, resulting in a delightfully sweet and crispy treat.
L – Loufoque
Pronunciation: /loo-fok/
Meaning: Loufoque describes something or someone that is absurd or wildly eccentric, often used to characterise behaviour or ideas that are humorously strange or unconventional.
M – Métro-Boulot-Dodo
Pronunciation: /may-tro-boo-lo-do-do/
Meaning: “Métro-boulot-dodo” refers to the repetitive daily grind of commuting to work, working, and then returning home to sleep, often described as the rat race in English, highlighting the monotony of modern life.
N – Nénuphar
Pronunciation: /nay-new-far/
Meaning: Nénuphar is the French word for water lily, a beautiful aquatic plant known for its large, floating leaves and elegant flowers that grace the surfaces of ponds and lakes.
O – Oisiveté
Pronunciation: /wah-zee-vuh-tey/
Meaning: Oisiveté refers to idleness or laziness, describing a state of inactivity or lack of productivity, often used to criticise someone who avoids work or responsibilities.
P – Pamplemousse
Pronunciation: /pahm-pluh-moos/
Meaning: Pamplemousse is the French word for grapefruit, a citrus fruit known for its tart and slightly bitter flavour, commonly used in French-speaking regions to refer to this refreshing fruit.
Q – Quiproquo
Pronunciation: /kee-pro-ko/
Meaning: A quiproquo is a misunderstanding or misinterpretation, often used in a comedic context to describe a situation where a message or action is mistakenly interpreted, leading to humorous or confusing outcomes.
R – Rêverie
Pronunciation: /ray-vuh-ree/
Meaning: Rêverie refers to daydreaming or being lost in thought, often involving pleasant or fanciful musings that allow the mind to wander freely, disconnected from the present moment. Perhaps a person dreaming about the prospect of owning a property and enjoying the incredible lifestyle France has to offer.
S – Saperlipopette
Pronunciation: /sa-per-lee-po-pet/
Meaning: “Saperlipopette” is an old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, akin to saying “Good heavens!” or “My goodness!” It is used to express astonishment or shock at an unexpected event or revelation. This term is more likely to be found in books or cartoons rather than used in everyday conversation.
T – Terroir
Pronunciation: /tehr-wahr/
Meaning: Terroir refers to the natural environment in which a particular wine or produce is made or grown, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate, which contribute to its unique characteristics and taste.
U – Usufruit
Pronunciation: /oo-zoo-froo-ee/
Meaning: Usufruit is the legal right to use and profit from something without owning it, allowing an individual to enjoy the benefits and revenues of a property or asset while the ownership remains with another party.
V – Verglas
Pronunciation: /ver-glah/
Meaning: Verglas refers to black ice or thin, transparent ice that forms on roads and surfaces, making them extremely slippery and dangerous, often leading to hazardous driving conditions during cold weather.
Y – Yaourtiser
Pronunciation: /yah-oor-tee-zay/
Meaning: Yaourtiser means to sing along to a song by mumbling the words when you don’t know the lyrics, usually trying to mimic and copy songs with English words, often resulting in a humorous or nonsensical rendition.
Z – Zythum
Pronunciation: /zee-tom/
Meaning: Zythum is an ancient beer made from malted grains, particularly barley or wheat, in old Egyptian times. We’ve never heard this word before, although not commonly used in modern French, it is the final entry in many French dictionaries, adding a historical touch to the language. Voila!
Where’s the X?
Being a list of 25 words, we had to live a letter out. We couldn’t find a word that we liked to start with the letter, and a couple were slightly scary. Can you guess what they are?
Explore our Other A to Z’s
French Real Estate Terms
If you’re considering purchasing property in France, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the various terms used in the real estate industry. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, understanding these French words and expressions will help you navigate the buying process more effectively.
A to Z to Buying a Property
Here’s our A to Z to buying a French property, covering most of the topics and terms at various stages of the property buying process. Please take a look, and if you have more questions, please visit our FAQ section or search for a specific topic on our French blog.
Looking for a French Property?
If you’re interested in relocating, investing, or finding a holiday retreat, our team is here to make the buying process easy and stress-free. Register to receive alerts for properties that match your criteria, or contact us to start your journey in owning your own home in France.
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