Réel (or its feminine form, réelle) is the most common way to say "real" in French. But there are several other options.

As you learn French, you'll often need to express authenticity, truth, or genuineness, and having a diverse vocabulary for "real" can make all the difference!

Let’s explore some common and nuanced ways to say “real” in French, enriching your vocabulary and helping you sound more like a native speaker!

The standard 'real' (for something actual or factual) – réel/réelle

The French adjective réel(le) is the most direct translation for 'real' when referring to something actual, factual, or tangible.

Like most French adjectives, réel(le) must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies:réel - masculine singular (e.g., un problème réel)réelle - feminine singular (e.g., une menace réelle)réels - masculine plural (e.g., des faits réels)réelles - feminine plural (e.g., des émotions réelles)

It's primarily used to distinguish something from what is imagined, fake, theoretical, or simulated. Think of it as conveying 'actual' or 'true' existence.

Typically, réel(le) is placed after the noun it modifies, following the common rule for descriptive adjectives in French. For example, une histoire réelle (a real story).

While vrai also means 'true' or 'real', réel(le) specifically emphasizes existence or tangibility, contrasting with the imaginary. Vrai often implies authenticity or correctness, while réel(le) implies existence in the physical or objective world.

Beyond physical objects, réel(le) can describe abstract concepts that are genuinely experienced or impactful, such as un danger réel (a real danger) or une joie réelle (a real joy).

💡 * C'est une histoire réelle. (It's a real story.)

Le danger est réel. (The danger is real.)

Elle a une réelle passion pour la musique. (She has a real passion for music.)

Nous avons besoin de solutions réelles. (We need real solutions.)

Ce n'est pas un rêve, c'est la vie réelle. (It's not a dream, it's real life.)

The 'true' or 'genuine' (often for authenticity or truthfulness) – vrai/vraie

In French, the adjective vrai (masculine singular) and vraie (feminine singular) are essential for expressing the concepts of 'true' or 'genuine.' They are used to describe the authenticity, reality, or truthfulness of something.

Like many French adjectives, vrai/vraie must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, you'll use vrai for masculine nouns (e.g., un vrai ami) and vraie for feminine nouns (e.g., une vraie histoire). The plural forms are vrais (masculine) and vraies (feminine).

One primary use of vrai/vraie is to denote authenticity or genuineness. It distinguishes something original or real from something fake, artificial, or merely perceived. Think of it as 'the real deal.'

Beyond authenticity, vrai/vraie also conveys truthfulness or factual correctness. This is particularly common when discussing statements, facts, or narratives. It directly translates to 'true' in the sense of not being false.

You'll frequently encounter vrai/vraie in common expressions. The phrase C'est vrai (It's true) is ubiquitous in conversation, used to confirm a statement or ask for confirmation. Un vrai problème means 'a real problem,' emphasizing its genuine nature.

Typically, vrai/vraie is placed before the noun, especially when emphasizing authenticity or the inherent quality of something (e.g., une vraie amie - a true friend). When used predicatively (with a verb like être), it often confirms a fact or statement.

💡 * C'est une vraie histoire. (It's a true story.)

Il a un vrai talent pour la musique. (He has a genuine talent for music.)

Est-ce que c'est vrai ? (Is that true?)

J'ai rencontré ma vraie famille en France. (I met my real family in France.)

Ce n'est pas du vrai cuir. (It's not real leather.)

The 'authentic' (for something genuine and original) – authentique

When you want to describe something as genuine, original, or true to its origins in French, the word you're looking for is authentique.

The primary meaning of authentique revolves around an object, experience, or emotion being real, not fake, and true to its source or nature. It conveys a sense of originality and sincerity.

Authentique is an adjective, meaning it describes a noun. It's noteworthy because it has the same form for both masculine and feminine singular nouns. For plural nouns, you simply add an 's': authentiques.

This word is commonly used to describe items like artworks, historical artifacts, cuisine, or cultural experiences that are considered original and not imitations. For instance, an 'authentic recipe' would be une recette authentique.

While less common than for objects, authentique can also describe a person's character as genuine or sincere, or a feeling as truly felt. For example, une joie authentique (a genuine joy).

It implies a deeper truth or originality than just vrai (true/real), often carrying a connotation of historical or cultural validity. Common phrases include une œuvre authentique (an authentic work of art) or un témoignage authentique (a genuine testimony).

In essence, authentique is your go-to word for conveying that something is not just real, but also original, unadulterated, and true to its intrinsic nature, whether it's a historical document or a heartfelt emotion.

💡 * C'est une œuvre d'art authentique de la Renaissance. (It's an authentic work of art from the Renaissance.)

Nous avons goûté à la cuisine locale authentique. (We tasted the authentic local cuisine.)

Son sourire était authentique et chaleureux. (Her smile was genuine and warm.)

Ces documents sont considérés comme authentiques. (These documents are considered authentic.)

Ils recherchent une expérience de voyage plus authentique. (They are looking for a more authentic travel experience.)

The 'veritable' or 'true' (emphasizing genuineness or truth) – véritable

The adjective véritable translates to "veritable", "true", or "genuine" in English, emphasizing authenticity and sincerity.

Véritable is used to highlight that something is authentic, real, or exactly what it claims to be, often in contrast to something false or artificial. It conveys a strong sense of undeniable truth.

As an adjective, véritable agrees in number with the noun it modifies, becoming véritables in the plural. It is invariable in gender, ending in '-e' for both masculine and feminine nouns. It often precedes the noun to emphasize an inherent quality.

While similar to vrai (true), véritable often carries a stronger connotation of inherent, undeniable authenticity or a definitive example of something. It implies a deeper, more profound truth rather than just factual correctness.

💡 * C'est une véritable œuvre d'art. (It's a true work of art.)

Il est un véritable ami. (He is a true friend.)

Elle a ressenti une véritable joie. (She felt true joy.)

C'est un véritable défi pour nous. (It's a real challenge for us.)

Nous avons découvert le véritable sens de l'amitié. (We discovered the true meaning of friendship.)

The 'actual' or 'effective' (for something that exists or takes place in reality) – effectif/effective

The 'actual' or 'effective' (for something that exists or takes place in reality) – effectif/effective

The adjective effectif/effective primarily means "actual," "real," or "existing in fact." It's used to describe something that is present or occurs in reality, as opposed to something theoretical or planned.

Secondly, it can mean "effective" or "operational," referring to something that produces a desired result or is actively in use. This nuance is closer to the English word "effective."

As an adjective, effectif agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: effectif (masculine singular), effective (feminine singular), effectifs (masculine plural), and effectives (feminine plural).

You'll often encounter effectif/effective when discussing numbers, staff, measures, or conditions that are genuinely present or actively working. It emphasizes the tangible and concrete nature of something.

💡 * Le nombre effectif de participants était plus élevé que prévu. (The actual number of participants was higher than expected.)

Nous avons besoin de mesures effectives pour résoudre ce problème. (We need effective measures to solve this problem.)

Le personnel effectif sur le terrain est insuffisant. (The actual staff on the ground is insufficient.)

La date effective de mise en œuvre est le premier janvier. (The effective implementation date is January first.)

C'est une solution effective pour réduire les coûts. (This is an effective solution to reduce costs.)

The 'concrete' or 'tangible' (for something physical or perceptible) – concret/concrète

When you want to describe something as 'concrete' or 'tangible' in French, whether it's a physical object or a perceptible idea, the words you'll use are concret (masculine) and concrète (feminine).

Concret and concrète are adjectives derived from the Latin concretus. They mean 'concrete,' 'tangible,' 'solid,' or 'perceptible.' As adjectives, they must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For example, un plan concret (a concrete plan) and une preuve concrète (concrete proof).

One primary use of concret is to refer to something physical, solid, or material that can be touched or perceived by the senses. This is similar to the English 'concrete' as a building material, but in French, it applies more broadly to anything physically real.

Beyond physical objects, concret is also frequently used to describe ideas, plans, or results that are clear, specific, practical, or demonstrable, making them 'tangible' in a conceptual sense. It emphasizes the opposite of abstract or theoretical.

The adverbial form, concrètement, means 'concretely' or 'in practical terms.' For instance, one might say Concrètement, qu'est-ce qu'on fait ? (Concretely, what do we do?). This emphasizes the practical application or reality of a situation.

💡 * Nous avons besoin d'un plan concret. (We need a concrete plan.)

Ce sont des résultats concrets. (These are concrete results.)

Elle a apporté une preuve concrète. (She brought concrete proof.)

L'architecte a dessiné une structure concrète. (The architect drew a concrete structure.)

Donne-moi un exemple concret. (Give me a concrete example.)

The 'sincere' or 'heartfelt' (for genuine feelings or intentions) – sincère

The adjective sincère translates to 'sincere' or 'heartfelt' in English, describing something that is genuine, honest, and truly felt.

You'll use sincère to describe emotions, apologies, intentions, or statements that come from a true place, without pretense or deception. It emphasizes authenticity.

Sincère is an adjective that agrees in number with the noun it modifies. It has the same form for both masculine and feminine singular nouns, but adds an 's' for plural nouns: sincère (m/f singular), sincères (m/f plural).

💡 *Elle a présenté des excuses sincères. (She offered sincere apologies.)
*Son amour pour la musique est vraiment sincère. (His love for music is truly heartfelt/sincere.)
*Je te fais une promesse sincère. (I'm making you a sincere promise.)
*Nous avons eu une conversation très sincère. (We had a very sincere conversation.)
*Leurs intentions étaient sincères. (Their intentions were sincere.)

The 'palpable' or 'tangible' (for something perceivable or manifest) – palpable

The French adjective palpable directly translates to 'palpable' or 'tangible' in English. It describes something that is so intense, evident, or clear that it feels almost as if it could be touched or physically perceived.

While its literal meaning relates to touch, palpable is most commonly used figuratively. It applies to abstract concepts like emotions, atmospheres, or results that are unmistakably present and easily perceived, such as 'palpable tension' or 'palpable relief'.

This word emphasizes the intense and undeniable presence of something. It conveys a stronger sense than merely 'visible' or 'audible,' implying a deep, almost physical, sensation of its reality.

💡 * La tension était palpable dans la pièce. (The tension was palpable in the room.)

Son soulagement était palpable après l'annonce des résultats. (His relief was palpable after the announcement of the results.)

Il y avait une joie palpable parmi la foule. (There was a palpable joy among the crowd.)

Les effets de la crise sont devenus palpables. (The effects of the crisis have become palpable.)

The 'pure' or 'unadulterated' (implying true or genuine quality) – pur/pure

The French adjective pur (masculine singular) and pure (feminine singular) directly translates to 'pure' in English. It signifies something unadulterated, genuine, or untainted.

Like all French adjectives, pur must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The feminine form is pure, and the plural forms are purs (masculine plural) and pures (feminine plural). This agreement is crucial for correct grammar.

In its most literal sense, pur/pure describes physical purity. For example, you might talk about eau pure (pure water), air pur (pure air), or or pur (pure gold), referring to something free from contaminants or mixtures.

Beyond physical purity, pur/pure is widely used for abstract concepts or qualities, implying genuineness, intensity, or moral integrity. Examples include joie pure (pure joy), pure folie (pure madness/utter folly), or un pur génie (a pure genius, meaning a true/unadulterated genius).

💡 * L'eau de cette source est très pure. (The water from this spring is very pure.)

Il respire l'air pur de la montagne. (He breathes the pure mountain air.)

Elle a une pureté d'âme rare. (She has a rare purity of soul.)

C'était une pure coïncidence. (It was a pure coincidence.)

J'ai ressenti une joie pure en le voyant. (I felt a pure joy upon seeing him.)

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

Are there other ways to say "real" in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say "real" in French. But the concept of 'real' can be expressed with many nuances, from formal expressions to regional or contemporary slang that even this author might not be fully aware of!

You can also do an online search for "comment dire réel en ___" followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local idioms and expressions.

You might find some interesting synonyms for réel or vrai on this list. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express the idea of 'real' or 'authentic'.

And if you’re looking for ways to talk about different aspects of 'realness' or related concepts in French, the WordReference entry for réel is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s what I think is a perfect quote to finish it with, courtesy of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. (One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.)

9 ways to say "real" in French