Building on the basic verbs, here are 20 more essential French verbs to expand your conversational skills. These verbs cover common actions, movements, and daily activities.

Daily
21
Mettre
to put/place/wear
(Irregular verb – je mets, tu mets, il met)
Example / Exemple
Je mets mon manteau.
I put on my coat.
Daily
22
Ouvrir
to open
(Regular -ir verb)
Example / Exemple
Elle ouvre la fenêtre.
She opens the window.
Movement
23
Partir
to leave/depart
(Irregular verb – je pars, tu pars, il part)
Example / Exemple
Nous partons demain.
We leave tomorrow.
Daily
24
Comprendre
to understand
(Similar to prendre conjugation)
Example / Exemple
Tu comprends la leçon ?
Do you understand the lesson?
Daily
25
Apprendre
to learn
(Similar to prendre conjugation)
Example / Exemple
J’apprends le français.
I am learning French.
Daily
26
Boire
to drink
(Irregular verb – je bois, tu bois, il boit)
Example / Exemple
Il boit du café.
He drinks coffee.
Communication
27
Écrire
to write
(Irregular verb – j’écris, tu écris, il écrit)
Example / Exemple
Elle écrit une lettre.
She writes a letter.
Movement
28
Courir
to run
(Irregular verb – je cours, tu cours, il court)
Example / Exemple
Je cours au parc.
I run to the park.
Daily
29
Lire
to read
(Irregular verb – je lis, tu lis, il lit)
Example / Exemple
Nous lisons un livre.
We read a book.
Daily
30
Dormir
to sleep
(Irregular -ir verb – je dors, tu dors, il dort)
Example / Exemple
Ils dorment bien.
They sleep well.
Movement
31
Marcher
to walk
(Regular -er verb)
Example / Exemple
Tu marches vite.
You walk fast.
Communication
32
Répondre
to answer/reply
(Regular -re verb)
Example / Exemple
Elle répond au téléphone.
She answers the phone.
Daily
33
Sentir
to feel/smell
(Irregular -ir verb – je sens, tu sens, il sent)
Example / Exemple
Je sens bon.
I smell good.
Daily
34
Tenir
to hold
(Irregular verb – je tiens, tu tiens, il tient)
Example / Exemple
Il tient la porte.
He holds the door.
Daily
35
Attendre
to wait
(Regular -re verb)
Example / Exemple
Nous attendons le bus.
We wait for the bus.
Daily
36
Choisir
to choose
(Regular -ir verb)
Example / Exemple
Je choisis le rouge.
I choose the red one.
Daily
37
Finir
to finish
(Regular -ir verb)
Example / Exemple
Elle finit son travail.
She finishes her work.
Daily
38
Perdre
to lose
(Regular -re verb)
Example / Exemple
Tu perds toujours tes clés.
You always lose your keys.
Daily
39
Vendre
to sell
(Regular -re verb)
Example / Exemple
Ils vendent des fruits.
They sell fruits.
Movement
40
Sortir
to go out/exit
(Irregular -ir verb – je sors, tu sors, il sort)
Example / Exemple
Nous sortons ce soir.
We go out tonight.

French Verb Conjugation Patterns

French verbs follow different conjugation patterns. Here are the main types:

Regular -ER Verbs

The most common group (marcher, parler, etc.)

Je marche
Tu marches
Il/Elle marche
Nous marchons
Vous marchez
Ils/Elles marchent

Regular -IR Verbs

Second most common group (finir, choisir, etc.)

Je finis
Tu finis
Il/Elle finit
Nous finissons
Vous finissez
Ils/Elles finissent

Irregular Verbs

Must be memorized (être, avoir, aller, faire, etc.)

Je suis
Tu es
Il/Elle est
Nous sommes
Vous êtes
Ils/Elles sont