When you first start learning French, you're taught that une phrase is the way to say 'sentence'. And while that's absolutely correct, it's just the tip of the iceberg! The French language has a variety of words to describe different types of sentences, from simple clauses to famous sayings.

Knowing these alternatives will not only make your French sound more nuanced and natural, but it will also help you understand native speakers more clearly.

So, are you ready to build a more sophisticated vocabulary? Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'sentence' in French!

1. The standard 'sentence' – la phrase

The most common and direct translation for 'sentence' in French is la phrase. This is the fundamental term you'll use in almost every context, whether you're in a grammar class or having a casual conversation.

It's crucial to remember that phrase is a feminine noun. Therefore, you must always use feminine articles with it, such as la phrase (the sentence) or une phrase (a sentence). Forgetting this is a common mistake for beginners.

In French grammar, a phrase is officially defined as a sequence of words that has a complete meaning. It must begin with a capital letter and end with a strong punctuation mark, like a period (.), a question mark (?), or an exclamation point (!).

The foundational structure for a simple French sentence follows the pattern: Sujet + Verbe + Complément (Subject + Verb + Complement/Object). For instance, in the sentence 'Le garçon lit un livre' (The boy reads a book), 'Le garçon' is the subject, 'lit' is the verb, and 'un livre' is the complement.

While la phrase is 'the sentence,' you may also hear the term la proposition (the clause). A simple phrase contains just one proposition (a single subject-verb group). A complex phrase, however, can contain multiple propositions linked together. For now, mastering la phrase is the most important step.

💡 * Peux-tu répéter la dernière phrase ? (Can you repeat the last sentence?)

• C'est une phrase très bien construite. (That is a very well-constructed sentence.)
• Écris une phrase complète avec le verbe 'parler'. (Write a complete sentence with the verb 'to speak'.)
• Je ne comprends pas le sens de cette phrase. (I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.)

The grammatical 'clause' – la proposition

The grammatical 'clause' – la proposition

In French grammar, la proposition is the direct equivalent of the English 'clause.' It is a fundamental building block of a sentence, defined as a group of words that is structured around a conjugated verb.

At its heart, a proposition must contain a subject (which can be a noun or pronoun) and a conjugated verb. For instance, in the sentence 'Le chien aboie' (The dog barks), the words 'Le chien aboie' form a complete clause because they have a subject (Le chien) and a conjugated verb (aboie).

Similar to English, French clauses are primarily divided into two types. The proposition indépendante (independent clause) can stand on its own as a complete sentence. In contrast, the proposition subordonnée (dependent clause) cannot stand alone and must be attached to an independent clause to make sense.

It's crucial to differentiate between la proposition (clause) and la phrase (sentence). A simple sentence (phrase simple) consists of a single independent clause. A complex sentence (phrase complexe) is formed by combining multiple clauses, using conjunctions like et (and), parce que (because), or relative pronouns like qui (who/that).

Understanding the concept of la proposition is essential for constructing complex sentences in French. It helps you correctly use conjunctions, manage verb tenses across different parts of a sentence, and master more advanced grammatical structures.

💡 * Le train arrive. (The train is arriving.)

• J'étudie le français parce que c'est une belle langue. (I am studying French because it is a beautiful language.)
• L'homme qui parle est mon professeur. (The man who is speaking is my teacher.)
• Elle pense que le film est excellent. (She thinks that the movie is excellent.)

The 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' – l'expression

A key term for any language learner is how to talk about phrases themselves. In French, the word for an 'expression' or a 'turn of phrase' is l'expression.

L'expression is a feminine noun (une expression) and a direct cognate of the English word 'expression'. Its meaning is very similar, referring to a particular way of saying something or a group of words with a specific meaning.

For language learners, you will most often encounter this word in the context of une expression idiomatique (an idiomatic expression). This refers to phrases where the meaning isn't obvious from the individual words, like 'tomber dans les pommes' (to faint, literally 'to fall in the apples').

Beyond set phrases, l'expression can also refer to a facial expression (l'expression du visage) or the general act of expressing a thought or feeling (la liberté d'expression - freedom of expression).

The plural form is les expressions. Whether you're learning fun new phrases or describing someone's look, understanding l'expression is fundamental to discussing the French language itself.

💡 * J'aime beaucoup cette expression française.

• Quelle est la signification de l'expression 'coûter un bras' ?
• Son visage avait une expression de surprise.
• La liberté d'expression est un droit fondamental.

The 'proverb' or 'saying' – le proverbe

The most direct and common word for 'proverb' or 'saying' in French is le proverbe.

A proverbe refers to a short, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth, a piece of common sense, or advice. It's the direct equivalent of an English proverb, often rooted in cultural history.

Remember that proverbe is a masculine noun. You will always use it with masculine articles like le or un. For example, you would say un proverbe célèbre for 'a famous proverb'.

French speakers often use proverbs in conversation to add color, wisdom, or humor to a statement. Knowing a few can make your French sound more natural and sophisticated.

💡 * Comme dit le proverbe, « L'union fait la force ». (As the proverb says, “Unity is strength.”)

• Mon grand-père connaît de nombreux proverbes français. (My grandfather knows many French proverbs.)
• C'est un vieux proverbe, mais il est toujours vrai. (It's an old proverb, but it is still true.)
• Peux-tu m'expliquer ce que signifie ce proverbe ? (Can you explain to me what this proverb means?)

The 'quote' or 'citation' – la citation

The primary French word for a 'quote' or 'citation' is la citation. This noun is used to refer to a passage or phrase repeated from a book, speech, or person.

La citation is a versatile term appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. You can use it when discussing literature, academic sources, or simply repeating something memorable a friend said.

The verb form is citer, which means 'to quote' or 'to cite'. For example, you would say il a cité un poète célèbre (he quoted a famous poet).

Look for common collocations like une citation célèbre (a famous quote) or une citation de film (a movie quote). This helps build natural-sounding sentences.

The plural form is regular: les citations. You would use this when talking about multiple quotes, such as in an essay or a collection.

💡 * J'adore cette citation de Simone de Beauvoir. (I love this quote by Simone de Beauvoir.)

• Peux-tu vérifier la citation dans ton article ? (Can you check the citation in your article?)
• Son discours était rempli de citations inspirantes. (Her speech was filled with inspiring quotes.)
• Il faut toujours citer ses sources pour éviter le plagiat. (You must always cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.)

The 'line' (from a movie or play) – la réplique

When you want to talk about a memorable line of dialogue from a movie, TV show, or play in French, the correct term is la réplique. This specific word is essential for any film or theatre enthusiast.

It's crucial not to confuse la réplique with une ligne. While une ligne translates to 'a line,' it refers to a line you draw or a line of text on a page. For a spoken part in a script, la réplique is the only appropriate word.

In French culture, people often discuss répliques cultes, which means 'cult classic lines.' These are the famous, unforgettable quotes from beloved films that have become part of the popular lexicon, much like 'I'll be back' or 'May the Force be with you' in English.

Be aware that réplique has other meanings. It can signify a 'retort' or a 'comeback' in a conversation, or even an 'aftershock' following an earthquake. However, in the context of media and performance, it always means a character's line.

💡 * C'est ma réplique préférée de tout le film. (That's my favorite line from the whole movie.)

• Les acteurs ont du mal à mémoriser leurs répliques. (The actors are having trouble memorizing their lines.)
• Tu connais cette réplique culte du film "Le Dîner de Cons" ? (Do you know that cult classic line from the movie "The Dinner Game"?)
• Il m'a sorti une réplique cinglante. (He hit me with a scathing retort.)

The 'maxim' or 'motto' – la maxime

The French word la maxime translates to "maxim," "motto," or "adage" in English. It refers to a short, concise statement that expresses a general truth, a fundamental principle, or a rule of conduct.

La maxime is a feminine noun. It is often used in philosophical, literary, or moral contexts to describe a guiding principle. While similar to une devise (a motto, often for a family or institution), une maxime typically stands alone as a piece of wisdom.

France has a rich history of moralist writers who specialized in writing maximes. The most famous is François de La Rochefoucauld, whose work Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales is a cornerstone of French literature, offering cynical and insightful observations on human nature.

💡 * « Connais-toi toi-même » est une maxime célèbre. (Know thyself is a famous maxim.)

• Il vit sa vie selon une simple maxime : ne jamais abandonner. (He lives his life by a simple motto: never give up.)
• Les maximes de La Rochefoucauld sont étudiées en cours de philosophie. (The maxims of La Rochefoucauld are studied in philosophy class.)

The 'remark' or 'statement' – le propos

The 'remark' or 'statement' – le propos

Le propos is a masculine noun that translates to 'remark,' 'statement,' 'comment,' or even 'subject' or 'purpose.' It refers to what is said or written, often in a specific context.

This word is frequently used in formal or literary contexts to discuss the content of a speech, text, or conversation. A very common and useful expression using this word is à ce propos, which means 'by the way' or 'on that subject'.

You might also encounter phrases like tenir des propos (to make remarks) or propos déplacés (inappropriate remarks). It's important not to confuse le propos (the statement) with la proposition (the proposal or suggestion).

💡 * Ses propos sur l'économie ont surpris tout le monde. (His remarks on the economy surprised everyone.)

• À ce propos, j'ai quelque chose à te dire. (By the way, I have something to tell you.)
• Le propos de cette réunion est de finaliser le projet. (The purpose of this meeting is to finalize the project.)
• Il a été critiqué pour avoir tenu des propos injurieux. (He was criticized for making insulting remarks.)

1. The 'Dictum' or 'Common Saying': Le Dicton

The French noun le dicton translates to 'saying,' 'proverb,' or 'adage.' It refers to a short, well-known statement that expresses a general truth, a piece of advice, or a common observation, often passed down through generations. Think of it as a traditional piece of folk wisdom.

While very similar to le proverbe (proverb), le dicton often has a more practical, regional, or observational nature, frequently related to weather or agriculture. For example, "Noël au balcon, Pâques aux tisons" (Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the embers) is a classic dicton. A proverbe tends to carry a more universal moral lesson. In everyday language, however, the two terms are often used interchangeably.

You will typically encounter this word in phrases that introduce a piece of wisdom. Common constructions include comme le dit le dicton ('as the saying goes') and selon le dicton ('according to the saying').

💡 * Comme le dit le dicton, « En avril, ne te découvre pas d'un fil ». (As the saying goes, 'In April, don't remove a single thread of clothing.')

• Mon grand-père connaît un dicton pour chaque situation. (My grandfather knows a saying for every situation.)
• Selon un vieux dicton marin, le temps va changer. (According to an old sailor's saying, the weather is going to change.)
• C'est un dicton bien connu dans ma région. (It's a well-known saying in my region.)

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

So, are there other ways to say 'sentence' in French beyond the main ones?

This list features the most essential ways to say 'sentence' in French, from the all-purpose une phrase to the more grammatical une proposition. But the French language, with its rich literary and legal traditions, certainly has more specialized terms.

You can uncover more nuanced terms by searching for specific contexts. For example, try an online search for “comment dire phrase en droit français” (how to say sentence in French law) to find field-specific vocabulary.

Remember, context is everything. Using une phrase is almost always correct for a general sentence. However, understanding when to use a more precise term will show a deeper command of the language. Always observe how a new word is used before trying it yourself.

Pay close attention as you read French literature, news articles, or academic papers. You'll begin to notice these different words for 'sentence' in their natural habitat, which is the best lesson of all.

If you want to explore the grammatical nuances and synonyms in detail, the online dictionary entries for phrase on Larousse or Le Robert are excellent and trustworthy resources for any serious learner.

I hope this guide has helped you structure your understanding. To finish, here is a perfect quote from the master of the French sentence, Gustave Flaubert: “La phrase est une architecture.” (The sentence is an architecture.)