Students talk about what they are learning, the work they need to finish, and how they are preparing for a test. French uses common verbs for studying, reviewing, learning, taking notes, and completing assignments.
Some of these verbs describe different parts of the process. Étudier refers to studying a subject, apprendre to learning something, and réviser to reviewing material you have already covered.
Study activities
These verbs and phrases describe common activities during independent study and preparation for class:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| étudier | to study |
| apprendre | to learn |
| réviser | to review, revise |
| lire | to read |
| écrire | to write |
| prendre des notes | to take notes |
| faire un exercice | to do an exercise |
| faire ses devoirs | to do homework |
| travailler sur | to work on |
| s'entraîner | to practice |
Étudier focuses on the subject or material you study. Apprendre focuses on knowledge or a skill you are learning. Réviser means going back over material you have already studied.
These verbs combine with subjects, vocabulary, assignments, and other schoolwork:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| J'étudie le français. | I study French. |
| J'apprends le vocabulaire. | I'm learning the vocabulary. |
| Je révise pour l'examen. | I'm reviewing for the exam. |
| Je prends des notes en cours. | I take notes in class. |
| Je travaille sur un projet. | I'm working on a project. |
| Je fais mes devoirs après l'école. | I do my homework after school. |
Homework and assignments
Schoolwork includes tasks that students complete during a lesson or outside class:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| les devoirs | homework |
| un exercice | exercise |
| un devoir | assignment |
| un projet | project |
| une présentation | presentation |
| une rédaction | written composition |
| une question | question |
| une réponse | answer |
| une consigne | instruction |
| rendre un devoir | to hand in an assignment |
Les devoirs refers to homework as a whole. Un devoir can refer to one particular assignment.
These sentences describe work that needs to be completed or submitted:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| J'ai des devoirs de maths. | I have math homework. |
| Je dois finir mon projet. | I have to finish my project. |
| La rédaction est pour lundi. | The composition is due Monday. |
| Je n'ai pas compris la consigne. | I didn't understand the instruction. |
| Je dois rendre mon devoir demain. | I have to hand in my assignment tomorrow. |
| Je fais un exercice. | I'm doing an exercise. |
Tests and revision
Students often use these words to talk about tests, preparation, and results:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un test | test |
| un contrôle | test |
| un examen | exam |
| une note | grade, mark |
| préparer un examen | to prepare for an exam |
| réviser pour un examen | to review for an exam |
| réussir un examen | to pass an exam |
Contrôle is common in France for a test given during a course. Examen usually refers to a more formal or important assessment.
These sentences describe preparation for tests and their results:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| J'ai un examen demain. | I have an exam tomorrow. |
| Je révise pour le contrôle de maths. | I'm reviewing for the math test. |
| Elle prépare un examen. | She's preparing for an exam. |
| J'ai une bonne note. | I have a good grade. |
| Il a réussi son examen. | He passed his exam. |
Current schoolwork and progress
These questions and responses communicate what you are studying, whether you have finished, and whether you need help:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Tu étudies quoi ? | What are you studying? |
| Sur quoi tu travailles ? | What are you working on? |
| Je travaille sur un projet de sciences. | I'm working on a science project. |
| Je révise le vocabulaire. | I'm reviewing the vocabulary. |
| Je fais un exercice de maths. | I'm doing a math exercise. |
| Tu as fini ? | Are you finished? |
| Pas encore. | Not yet. |
| J'ai presque fini. | I'm almost finished. |
| J'ai besoin d'aide. | I need help. |
| Je ne comprends pas cette question. | I don't understand this question. |
From learning to practice
When you study with French materials, describe the task to yourself with the same vocabulary you would use in class. Listen for étudier, réviser, devoirs, and examen when students talk about their workload or plans for the week.