Basic Verbs

1. aller

   To go

   Usage

   The key motion verb; combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   Irregular: je vais / vous allez / il va

2. venir

   To come

   Usage

   Used when a person or a vehicle arrives

   Grammar Note

   Irregular: je viens / vous venez

3. manger

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for anything about meals

   Grammar Note

   Regular -er verb: je mange / vous mangez

4. boire

   To drink

   Usage

   For ordering or declining drinks

   Grammar Note

   Irregular: je bois / vous buvez

5. acheter

   To buy

   Usage

   Shopping verb; pair it with the item name

   Grammar Note

   The stem takes an accent: j'achète

6. voir

   To see

   Usage

   For sightseeing, and for asking to be shown an item

   Grammar Note

   Irregular: je vois / vous voyez. To look at deliberately is "regarder"

7. attendre

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for explaining a meeting arrangement

   Grammar Note

   Regular -re verb: j'attends / vous attendez

8. Je voudrais aller

   I want to go

   Usage

   The standard way to state a destination; add a place name

   Grammar Note

   "Voudrais" is the conditional of "vouloir" — politer than "je veux". Add the destination

9. Je voudrais manger

   I want to eat

   Usage

   State what you feel like eating; add the dish name

10. Je voudrais ça

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at an item and say you would like it

    Grammar Note

    Say it while pointing; "ça" means "this/that"

11. Je n'en ai pas besoin

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Decline a bag, a receipt, or anything else you do not need

    Grammar Note

    The negative of "avoir besoin de"; "en" stands in for the thing

12. Je cherche

    I'm looking for ...

    Usage

    Say what you are trying to find, place or object

    Grammar Note

    Add the object: "Je cherche la gare"

13. Je l'ai

    I have it

    Usage

    States possession; used to confirm tickets or bookings

    Grammar Note

    "L'" is the elided direct-object pronoun "le/la"

14. Je ne l'ai pas

    I don't have it

    Usage

    States you do not have it, e.g. no cash on you

15. Je voudrais retirer de l'argent

    I'd like to withdraw money

    Usage

    State your intent at an ATM or a bank

    Grammar Note

    A cash machine is "le distributeur" in France

16. Je voudrais réserver

    I'd like to make a reservation

    Usage

    For booking a table or a room

17. Vous pouvez m'aider ?

    Can you help me?

    Usage

    Ask for concrete help: carrying a bag, working a machine

    Grammar Note

    The politer version is "Pourriez-vous m'aider ?"

18. Dites-moi, s'il vous plaît

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Prefaces a question when you want information

    Grammar Note

    "Dites" is the "vous" imperative of "dire"

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