50 Most Common French Verbs: List & Conjugation Reference
This page lists 50 high-frequency French verbs in a learning order (not alphabetical): the same priority as in the Croissant Verbs app, so être, avoir, faire, and other core auxiliaries and modals appear first. Roughly 80% of everyday French runs on a small set of verbs like these—mastering them early gives you the best return on study time.
Each row shows the infinitive plus a short English meaning and links to a dedicated verb page with full conjugation tables for the indicative (present, imperfect, passé composé, future, etc.), subjunctive, conditional, imperative, and non-finite forms where available—ideal to compare endings, spot irregular stems, and prepare speaking and writing. Everything is free to browse; no account required.
Prefer the full catalog? Browse the French verb index or open conjugation lessons and guides.
How to use this list (concrete study tips)
- One verb, three tenses: for each new verb, drill present, then passé composé (notice when the auxiliary is être vs avoir), then a future form (futur simple or futur proche) before you add the next verb. See our 10-minute daily conjugation routine.
- Short sentences, not bare infinitives: say Je fais du sport instead of only faire—context speeds recall in real conversation.
- Know your verb groups: -er verbs behave differently from many -ir and irregular stems. Read French verb groups explained so you are not memorizing thousands of unrelated endings.
- Pair reference with drills: open a verb page for the rule, then read present tense rules and how to build a daily conjugation habit— then drill in the Croissant Verbs app.
Related articles
Verbs in learning order (1–50)
Entries are numbered for quick reference. Each French infinitive links to its conjugation page with tables for indicative, subjunctive, conditional, imperative, and non-finite forms where available.
1. ÊtreTo be
2. AvoirTo have
3. FaireTo do
4. DireTo say
5. AllerTo go
6. VoirTo see
7. SavoirTo know
8. PouvoirCan
9. VouloirTo want
10. VenirTo come
11. PrendreTo take
12. DevoirTo have to
13. CroireTo believe
14. TrouverTo find
15. DonnerTo give
16. ParlerTo speak
17. MettreTo put
18. PasserTo pass
19. RegarderTo watch
20. AimerTo like
21. DemanderTo ask
22. ResterTo stay
23. RépondreTo answer
24. EntendreTo hear
25. PenserTo think
26. ArriverTo arrive
27. ConnaîtreTo know
28. DevenirTo become
29. ComprendreTo understand
30. AttendreTo wait
31. CommencerTo start
32. FinirTo finish
33. SentirTo feel
34. SortirTo go out
35. VivreTo live
36. ChercherTo look for
37. MarcherTo walk
38. ÉcrireTo write
39. PerdreTo lose
40. AppelerTo call
41. ArrêterTo stop
42. OuvrirTo open
43. FermerTo close
44. MangerTo eat
45. TravaillerTo work
46. PartirTo leave
47. RevenirTo return
48. ChangerTo change
49. UtiliserTo use
50. ÉcouterTo listen
Frequently asked questions
- How are the 50 verbs on this page ordered?
- They follow the same learning order as the Croissant Verbs app: verbs are sorted by ascending app verb id (verbeId), so core verbs like être, avoir, and faire appear first—not alphabetically and not by a raw frequency score.
- Does each verb have full conjugation tables?
- Yes. Every row links to a dedicated verb page with conjugation tables for the main moods and tenses, ideal for reference and practice.
- Is this French verb list free to use?
- Yes. The list and conjugation pages are free to browse online with no sign-up required.
- Why is this list not in alphabetical order?
- Verbs follow ascending verbeId so high-utility verbs (être, avoir, faire, aller, etc.) come first. That matches how learners actually progress better than sorting A–Z by infinitive.
- Which tenses should I practice first with these verbs?
- Start with the present tense, then add passé composé (pay attention to être vs avoir as auxiliaries), then futur simple or near future depending on your goals. Each verb page lists the main moods for reference.