The English word 'present' is surprisingly versatile, isn't it? It can mean a gift, the current time, or the act of being somewhere. Naturally, the French language has a specific word for each of these contexts.

Getting these words right is a key step in moving beyond beginner French and speaking with more nuance and precision. Whether you're giving a cadeau to a friend, discussing the présent, or confirming you are présent(e) for an important meeting, you'll need the correct term.

Let's unwrap the 9 most common and useful ways to say 'present' in French!

1. The standard 'gift' or 'present' – un cadeau

The most common and standard word for 'gift' or 'present' in French is un cadeau. It's the go-to term you'll hear and use in most everyday situations.

Un cadeau (pronounced roughly kuh-doh) is a masculine noun. This is important to remember for article agreement, so you would say le cadeau (the gift) or mon cadeau (my gift).

A key grammatical point is the plural form. Nouns in French ending in -eau typically take an -x in the plural. Therefore, the plural of un cadeau is des cadeaux.

You will often see cadeau paired with specific verbs. The most common are:

• offrir un cadeau - to give/offer a gift (more common than donner in this context)
• faire un cadeau - to give a gift
• recevoir un cadeau - to receive a gift

A popular informal expression is C'est cadeau ! which literally means 'It's a gift!'. It's used to say something is free, a giveaway, or 'on the house'. A baker might give you an extra croissant and say, C'est cadeau !

Un cadeau is perfect for any occasion: birthdays (cadeau d'anniversaire), Christmas (cadeau de Noël), weddings, or just as a thoughtful gesture. It covers everything from a small souvenir to an expensive present.

💡 * J'ai reçu un magnifique cadeau pour mon anniversaire.

• Qu'est-ce que tu veux comme cadeau de Noël ?
• Ils ont offert des cadeaux à tous les invités.
• Merci beaucoup pour ce joli cadeau !
• Le vendeur a ajouté une carte postale et a dit : « C'est cadeau ! »

The slightly more formal 'present' – un présent

The slightly more formal 'present' – un présent

While un cadeau is the most common and versatile word for “gift,” French offers a more formal alternative: un présent. Just like its English counterpart “a present,” it signifies a gift but is typically reserved for more specific, often more formal, contexts.

The core difference is connotation. Un présent often implies a gift given as a token of gratitude, respect, or as a polite gesture. It’s the word you might choose when thanking a host for dinner or acknowledging a professional relationship, rather than for a casual birthday gift among close friends.

Think of un présent as the appropriate term for a hostess gift (like a bottle of wine or flowers), a corporate gift to a client, or any offering made in a context that calls for a degree of formality and politeness.

This formal tone is often reflected in the verb used with it. While you can donner un cadeau (give a gift), it is very common to offrir un présent (to offer a present), which sounds more elegant and deliberate.

In short, use cadeau for everyday gifts for friends and family. Use présent when you want to elevate your language to match a more formal or respectful situation. It’s a subtle but significant distinction that shows a deeper understanding of French etiquette.

💡 * J'ai apporté un petit présent pour vous remercier de votre invitation.

• Veuillez accepter ce modeste présent en signe de notre gratitude.
• L'entreprise offre un présent à ses employés pour les fêtes.
• C'est un présent qui me touche beaucoup.

The 'New Year's gift' – les étrennes

In France, les étrennes refers to a traditional gift, typically a small sum of money, given at the very beginning of the New Year. It's a gesture of gratitude and a way to wish someone well for the upcoming year.

This custom primarily involves giving a bonus or tip to people who provide regular services. This includes the building's caretaker (gardien/gardienne), the postal worker (facteur/factrice), firefighters (pompiers), and sanitation workers (éboueurs). Additionally, children often receive étrennes from grandparents and other family members.

The gift is usually cash in an envelope, but can also be a small present like a calendar, which firefighters famously offer. The tradition takes place from late December through the end of January.

While it might seem like a simple tip, les étrennes are an important cultural ritual. It's a way of acknowledging and maintaining community relationships. For service workers, it often constitutes a significant and expected part of their annual income.

Though some consider it an old-fashioned custom, giving les étrennes is still very common throughout France. Refusing to give them, or not having anything prepared, can be seen as impolite. It's a tangible way to say 'thank you' for the year's service.

💡 * N'oublie pas de préparer les étrennes pour la gardienne. (Don't forget to prepare the New Year's gift for the caretaker.)

• J'ai dépensé toutes mes étrennes en bonbons. (I spent all my New Year's money on candy.)
• Les pompiers sont passés pour nous vendre leur calendrier et recevoir leurs étrennes. (The firefighters came by to sell us their calendar and receive their New Year's gift.)
• Le facteur vous remerciera si vous lui donnez ses étrennes. (The postal worker will thank you if you give him his New Year's tip.)

The 'souvenir' or 'memento' – un souvenir

The 'souvenir' or 'memento' – un souvenir

Un souvenir in French has a dual meaning. It can refer to a memory (an intangible recollection) or a souvenir/memento (a physical object you keep to remember a place or event).

Crucially, souvenir is a masculine noun. You will always use masculine articles like un, le, or mon. For example, you would say un bon souvenir (a good memory).

The noun is directly linked to the verb se souvenir, which means 'to remember'. For instance, Je me souviens de nos vacances translates to 'I remember our vacation'.

💡 * J'ai acheté un petit souvenir de la Tour Eiffel.

• Ce voyage m'a laissé de très bons souvenirs.
• Garde cette photo comme un souvenir de notre amitié.
• J'ai un vague souvenir de cette soirée.

The 'donation' or 'endowment' – un don

The word un don in French translates to “a donation,” “a gift,” or “an endowment.”

Its most common usage refers to a contribution, typically of money or goods, made to a cause, organization, or charity. The common phrase is faire un don, which means “to make a donation.”

Beyond material giving, un don also describes a natural talent or innate ability. For example, someone might have un don pour la musique (a gift for music) or un don pour la parole (a gift of the gab).

It is important to remember that un don is a masculine noun. Therefore, any accompanying articles or adjectives must also be in the masculine form, such as un don généreux (a generous donation).

The context of the sentence will almost always clarify whether un don refers to a charitable act or a personal talent. The former is often associated with verbs like faire (to make) or recevoir (to receive), while the latter is used with avoir (to have).

💡 * Nous vous remercions pour votre don généreux. (We thank you for your generous donation.)

• Elle a un don naturel pour le dessin. (She has a natural gift for drawing.)
• L'association a lancé un appel aux dons pour aider les sinistrés. (The organization launched an appeal for donations to help the victims.)
• Avoir un tel don est une grande responsabilité. (Having such a gift is a great responsibility.)

The 'offering' (often religious) – une offrande

The French word for an 'offering,' particularly in a religious, spiritual, or ceremonial context, is une offrande. This noun is feminine and carries a formal, often solemn tone, directly corresponding to something presented as a tribute or act of devotion.

The most common use of une offrande is for items given to a deity, a spirit, or left at a sacred place like an altar or temple. It's distinct from un cadeau (a gift), which is typically exchanged between people. An offrande implies a sense of sacrifice, worship, or reverence.

An offrande can be tangible or intangible. Common examples include des fleurs (flowers), de la nourriture (food), de l'argent (money), or even une prière (a prayer). In ancient contexts, it could refer to animal sacrifices (une offrande sacrificielle).

While less common, une offrande can be used figuratively to describe a significant gesture of goodwill or a symbolic tribute. For instance, you might hear about an 'offering of peace' (une offrande de paix), signifying a major gesture made to end a conflict.

💡 * Les fidèles ont déposé une offrande de fruits sur l'autel.

• Dans les civilisations anciennes, le sacrifice d'un animal était une offrande courante aux dieux.
• Son poème était une véritable offrande à la beauté de la nature.
• Faire un don à cette association est une offrande pour aider les plus démunis.

The 'bonus' or 'gratuity' – une gratification

The French noun une gratification translates to a 'bonus,' 'gratuity,' or 'reward.' It typically refers to a sum of money given to someone in recognition of their services or good performance, separate from their regular salary or wages.

This term is often used in a professional or formal context. For example, an employer might give une gratification de fin d'année (an end-of-year bonus) to their employees. It implies a voluntary reward rather than a contractual obligation.

As a feminine noun, it is always preceded by the article une for 'a' or la for 'the.' You would say une belle gratification (a nice bonus).

💡 * Les employés ont reçu une gratification exceptionnelle ce mois-ci. (The employees received an exceptional bonus this month.)

• Le stagiaire a eu droit à une petite gratification pour son travail. (The intern was entitled to a small gratuity for his work.)
• Une gratification sera versée à toute personne fournissant des informations utiles. (A reward will be paid to anyone providing useful information.)

The 'little something' or 'thoughtful gesture' – une petite attention

The phrase une petite attention translates literally to “a little attention,” but it's used to describe a “little something,” a “thoughtful gesture,” or a small, kind gift.

This expression emphasizes the thoughtfulness behind an action or gift rather than its monetary value. It’s the perfect phrase for when you bring a small gift to a dinner party or do something kind for someone “just because.”

You will often see it used with the verb faire (to do/make), as in faire une petite attention, which means “to make a thoughtful gesture.” It shows kindness and consideration for another person.

In French culture, these small gestures are highly valued. Bringing a bottle of wine, a dessert, or flowers when invited to someone's home is a common petite attention.

💡 * J'ai apporté des fleurs, c'est juste une petite attention. (I brought some flowers, it's just a little something.)

• Merci pour cette petite attention, ça me touche beaucoup. (Thank you for this thoughtful gesture, it touches me a lot.)
• Il m'a offert un livre pour me remonter le moral, c'était une gentille petite attention. (He gave me a book to cheer me up, it was a nice thoughtful gesture.)

1. The 'Party Favor' – Un Cadeau pour les Invités

In French, there isn't a single, direct equivalent for the term 'party favor.' Instead, the concept is described literally. The most common and widely understood phrase is un cadeau pour les invités, which translates directly to 'a gift for the guests'.

This phrase is used for any small gift given to guests at an event as a token of thanks for their attendance. It applies to various celebrations, including weddings (mariages), birthday parties (fêtes d'anniversaire), and baptisms (baptêmes).

A classic example of a cadeau pour les invités, especially at weddings and baptisms, is les dragées. These are sugar-coated almonds, often presented in small, decorative bags (des sachets) or boxes (des boîtes). While specific, this term is instantly recognizable as a type of party favor in French culture.

You might also hear people refer to them as un petit souvenir (a little souvenir) or un petit cadeau (a small gift). These alternatives emphasize the small, memorable nature of the item being given.

💡 * Pour notre mariage, nous avons préparé des petits cadeaux pour les invités.

• Les enfants étaient ravis de recevoir leurs cadeaux d'invités à la fin de l'anniversaire.
• Traditionnellement, on offre des dragées comme cadeau pour les invités lors d'un baptême.
• N'oublie pas de prendre ton petit souvenir avant de partir.

Are there other ways to say 'present' in French?

Are there other ways to say “present” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “present” in French, covering both a gift and the current time. However, French is a rich language with many other terms, from formal vocabulary to regional expressions you might hear on your travels.

You can expand your vocabulary by doing an online search for “synonyme de cadeau” or exploring phrases related to time. This can help you find the perfect word for any context.

When you encounter a new word for “present,” it's a good idea to check its definition and see how it's used in a sentence. This will help you understand its specific meaning and avoid confusion between a gift and a moment in time.

Pay attention when you watch French films or read French literature. You'll notice how different words for “present” are used in various situations, which is a fantastic way to learn naturally.

For a deeper dive into related words, the WordReference entries for cadeau (gift) and présent (present) are excellent resources to explore adjectives, verbs, and related expressions.

I hope this article was a helpful gift for your language journey. To finish, here is a quote that beautifully plays on the dual meaning of our topic: Hier est de l'histoire, demain est un mystère, mais aujourd'hui est un cadeau. C'est pourquoi on l'appelle le présent. (Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.)