How Good Is Your French?

EDUCATION

By: Ashley Linkletter

5 Min Quiz

Image: F.J. Jiménez / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Growing up in English-speaking Canada, children begin taking French in grade three (or earlier, depending on the curriculum.) French classes generally remain mandatory up until grade nine, at which point it's up to the individual to keep going either academically or in everyday life. Some children attend French immersion school, which means all of their education is conducted in French — in this scenario, all conversation, reading and written work is done in French. Unfortunately, many people don't have the opportunity to practice the French they learned, or they feel uncomfortable not being fluent and abandon what they've learned in school. 

Being bilingual is extremely advantageous in Canada. Jobs that require fluency in both English and French offer higher pay, especially government jobs (especially if you're running for Prime Minister and you want to do well in the French-language debates!). Being able to speak French and English (or any other languages) is also good for your brain and for cognition; it also helps you to immerse yourself in other cultures completely — be that French-Canadian culture or that of any other French-speaking communities worldwide. 

This quiz features basic French vocabulary words that you might recognize from your earliest days learning French at school. From school supplies to days of the week, can you remember what these French words and simple phrases mean in English?


You see a sign that says "LOST CHAT" and want to help out. What are you looking for?

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Do you know what the French word "chien" means?

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How do you say "hello" in French?

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You want to tell your French partner that you love them — what do you say?

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What does the word "bonheur" mean in English?

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When someone tells you to "sourire," what are they telling you to do?

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It's always polite to say please and thank you. How do you say thank you in French?

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When someone tells you that they're late for "école," what do they mean?

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Here's a hint for this French vocabulary word: You probably sat in one of these in school. How does the French word "pupitre" translate into English?

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A "livre" can be found in a library or a bookstore. What is it?

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"Babiche" is a type of winter footwear. Which piece is it referring to?

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In the French language, a "crayon" is not a crayon; it's another type of writing equipment. Do you know what it is?

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How do you say the word "eraser" in French?

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The word "ciseaux" is an important one to remember if you like making paper snowflakes. What does it mean in English?

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You might need a "stylo" when you're signing a document. What does this word translate to in English?

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"Somewhere over the arc-en-ciel, bluebirds fly." What's an arc-en-ciel?

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It's the end of the week, but you want to say "week" en français. What is the word you're looking for?

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Do you know what the term "aujourd'hui" means?

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A "pendule" helps people tell time. What do you think the word means?

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If we said the verb "rire" to you, would you know what it meant?

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When you show someone a work of art and they say "c'est belle," what are they telling you?

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Which day of the week is "mercredi"?

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It's the first day of "août" — which month is this?

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Do you know which number "cinq" is?

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If someone offers you a cup of "thé," what are they trying to give you?

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Do you know how to say "water" in the French language?

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When someone invites you over for a "poulet" dinner, what are they referring to?

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You might know the word "poisson" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid." But what was the French chef singing about?

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Which bodily appendage is a "main" in English?

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When you go to "la mer," where are you headed?

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