You probably already know that the most common way to say 'word' in French is mot. But what happens when you want to talk about spoken words, the lyrics of a song, or a solemn promise? Just like in English, French offers a rich vocabulary with specific terms for different contexts. Understanding these nuances will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you sound more like a native speaker. Let's explore nine essential ways to talk about 'words' in French!

The standard 'word' – un mot

The most fundamental and common way to say 'a word' in French is un mot. It's a masculine noun, which is important for agreement with articles and adjectives.

To talk about multiple words, you use the plural form des mots. The 's' at the end is silent, so mot and mots are pronounced exactly the same. The context and the article (un vs. des) tell you whether it's singular or plural.

Un mot refers to a single, distinct unit of language. You use it when you're talking about vocabulary, spelling, or meaning. For example: 'C'est un mot difficile à prononcer.' (That's a difficult word to pronounce).

Figuratively, un mot can also mean 'a short note' or 'a quick message'. This is a very common usage. For example, 'Je te laisse un mot sur la table.' means 'I'm leaving you a note on the table.'

Mot is central to many essential French expressions that are useful to learn:

• mot à mot: word for word
• mot de passe: password
• en un mot: in a word; in short
• avoir le dernier mot: to have the last word

Be careful not to confuse un mot (a word) with la parole (speech, the spoken word, a promise). While related, they are not interchangeable. 'Donner sa parole' means 'to give one's word' (as in a promise), not to give a literal word.

💡 * Peux-tu chercher la définition de ce mot ? (Can you look up the definition of this word?)

• J'ai oublié mon mot de passe. (I forgot my password.)
• En un mot, c'était parfait. (In a word, it was perfect.)
• Il m'a dit quelques mots avant de partir. (He said a few words to me before leaving.)
• Elle a toujours le dernier mot dans une discussion. (She always has the last word in an argument.)

The 'spoken word' or 'speech' – la parole

The 'spoken word' or 'speech' – la parole

In French, la parole refers to the general concept of speech, the spoken word, or the faculty of speaking. It embodies the act of communicating through language and is distinct from un mot (a single, individual word).

While un discours refers to a formal, prepared speech, la parole is broader and more fundamental. It represents the ability to speak and the words that are uttered in any context, from a casual conversation to a solemn promise.

You'll most often encounter la parole in key idiomatic expressions. The most common are prendre la parole (to take the floor, to begin speaking) and donner sa parole (to give one's word, to promise).

This idea of 'giving one's word' is culturally significant. Tenir sa parole (to keep one's word) is a mark of integrity, making la parole a concept deeply tied to honor and trust in French culture.

So, while it translates simply to 'speech' or 'word', la parole carries a deeper meaning of personal expression, commitment, and the power of the spoken promise.

💡 * Le maire va prendre la parole dans cinq minutes. (The mayor is going to speak in five minutes.)

• Je te donne ma parole, je serai là demain sans faute. (I give you my word, I will be there tomorrow without fail.)
• C'est un homme de parole, tu peux lui faire confiance. (He is a man of his word, you can trust him.)
• Elle lui a coupé la parole pour poser une question. (She interrupted him to ask a question.)

The 'term' or 'expression' – un terme

When you need to talk about a specific word, expression, or technical term in French, one of the most common and versatile words you'll use is un terme.

Un terme directly translates to 'a term.' It's a fundamental vocabulary word used to pinpoint a specific piece of language, a concept, or a deadline.

It's important to remember that terme is a masculine noun. Therefore, it is always used with masculine articles like un or le. For example, you would say un terme technique (a technical term) or le bon terme (the right term).

The most frequent use of un terme is to refer to a specific word or piece of jargon. If you're discussing medical vocabulary, you might talk about un terme médical. If you're searching for the right word, you'd ask for le terme exact.

Beyond language, un terme can also refer to a deadline or the end of a period, such as le terme d'un contrat (the end of a contract). In its plural form, les termes, it most often means 'conditions' or 'terms,' as in les termes et conditions (the terms and conditions).

💡 * C'est un terme technique que je ne connais pas.

• Quel est le terme exact pour décrire ce sentiment ?
• Le terme du projet est fixé à la fin du mois.
• Il faut accepter les termes du contrat avant de signer.

The 'saying' or 'proverb' – un proverbe

The French term for a 'saying' or 'proverb' is un proverbe.

Un proverbe refers to a short, well-known saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice. It's the direct equivalent of the English word 'proverb'.

It's important to remember that proverbe is a masculine noun. Therefore, it is always used with masculine articles like un or le, as in 'le proverbe du jour' (the proverb of the day).

French proverbs, like those in any language, offer a window into the culture's values and history. They are frequently used in conversation to summarize a situation or offer wisdom.

💡 * Il connaît beaucoup de proverbes français.

• Comme le dit le proverbe, 'L'union fait la force'.
• C'est un vieux proverbe que ma grand-mère utilisait toujours.
• Peux-tu m'expliquer ce proverbe ?

The 'lyrics' of a song – les paroles

To talk about the words of a song in French, the term you need is les paroles.

Les paroles is the direct and standard French translation for 'lyrics.' It refers specifically to the text or words written for a piece of music.

Crucially, this word is almost always used in the plural form (les paroles) when referring to lyrics. The singular form, une parole, means 'a word' or 'speech' and carries a different meaning, often related to the act of speaking or a promise.

This is a standard vocabulary word, not slang. You can use les paroles in any context, from casually discussing your favorite song with friends to writing a formal musical analysis.

You will frequently encounter les paroles in common phrases like apprendre les paroles (to learn the lyrics), connaître les paroles par cœur (to know the lyrics by heart), and chercher les paroles (to look for the lyrics).

💡 * J'aime beaucoup les paroles de cette chanson. (I really like the lyrics of this song.)

• Est-ce que tu connais les paroles ? (Do you know the lyrics?)
• Il a oublié les paroles pendant sa performance. (He forgot the lyrics during his performance.)
• Les paroles de Jacques Brel sont très poétiques. (Jacques Brel's lyrics are very poetic.)

The 'remark' or 'comment' – un propos

The French noun un propos translates to a 'remark,' 'comment,' or 'statement.' It refers to something that has been said or written, often with a more formal or serious connotation than a simple commentaire. It can also mean the 'subject,' 'theme,' or 'point' of a discussion or text, similar to 'purpose' in English.

Un propos is frequently used in formal contexts like news reports, political discussions, or when analyzing a text. It often carries a neutral-to-serious tone. For example, you might hear about les propos du ministre (the minister's remarks). However, it very often takes on a negative connotation when qualified by an adjective, such as des propos haineux (hateful remarks) or des propos déplacés (inappropriate comments).

Be careful not to confuse the noun un propos with the extremely common prepositional phrase à propos de, which means 'about' or 'regarding.' While they share a root, their grammatical functions are completely different. For example, un livre à propos de l'histoire (a book about history).

In casual, everyday conversation, you are more likely to use une remarque or un commentaire. Use un propos when you are referring to a specific, often recorded or reported statement, especially in a more formal or critical context. Think of it as the 'words' or 'utterances' someone has made.

💡 * Ses propos sur l'environnement ont déclenché une polémique.

• Je ne suis pas d'accord avec le propos de cet article.
• La police enquête sur des propos racistes tenus en ligne.
• Quel était le propos de votre intervention ?

The formal or technical 'term' – un vocable

For a more formal or technical way to say 'term' or 'word', you can use the French noun un vocable. It provides a sophisticated alternative to the more common mot (word) or terme (term).

Un vocable is typically used in academic, linguistic, or literary contexts. It refers to a word as a specific unit of language, often highlighting its unique form or meaning within a particular field.

It's important to remember that un vocable is always a masculine noun, so you will always use masculine articles and agreements with it (e.g., un vocable, le vocable, un vocable ancien).

💡 *Le linguiste a étudié l'origine de ce vocable ancien. (The linguist studied the origin of this ancient term.)
*Ce vocable n'est plus utilisé dans le langage courant. (This term is no longer used in everyday language.)
*L'auteur emploie des vocables rares pour enrichir son style. (The author uses rare words to enrich his style.)

The 'promise' or 'one's word' – donner sa parole

The 'promise' or 'one's word' – donner sa parole

The expression donner sa parole literally means 'to give one's word.' It signifies making a solemn promise or a formal commitment that carries a strong sense of honor and trust. It's more profound than a simple promesse (promise).

In this phrase, the verb donner is conjugated, and the possessive adjective must agree with the subject. For example: je donne ma parole (I give my word), tu donnes ta parole (you give your word), elle donne sa parole (she gives her word).

This expression is used in situations where a high degree of trust is required. To break one's parole is considered a serious betrayal. It’s a powerful way to reassure someone of your sincerity and commitment.

💡 * Je te donne ma parole que je garderai ton secret.

• Il a donné sa parole qu'il rembourserait sa dette avant la fin du mois.
• C'est une question d'honneur, j'ai donné ma parole.

1. The Term for 'Swear Word': Un Gros Mot

In French, the most common way to say 'swear word' or 'curse word' is un gros mot. This is the standard term you'll hear and use when referring to profanity in general.

Literally, un gros mot translates to 'a fat word' or 'a big word'. The adjective gros means 'fat' or 'big', and mot means 'word'. This evocative phrasing helps to convey the weight and impact of such language.

When referring to multiple swear words, the plural form is des gros mots. It's commonly used with the verb dire (to say), as in the phrase dire des gros mots, which means 'to swear' or 'to use curse words'.

While un gros mot is the general term, it's important to note that it covers everything from mild curses to very strong profanity. The context usually determines the severity. Another related verb is jurer, which means 'to swear' or 'to vow', but in colloquial contexts, it often means to use bad language.

💡 * Arrête de dire des gros mots devant les enfants ! (Stop saying swear words in front of the children!)

• Il a été puni pour avoir dit un gros mot en classe. (He was punished for saying a swear word in class.)
• Ce n'est pas un gros mot, c'est juste un mot d'argot. (It's not a swear word, it's just a slang word.)
• Mon père se fâche quand il entend des gros mots à la télévision. (My father gets angry when he hears curse words on television.)

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

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

This article has covered the most essential terms like mot and parole. However, French is rich with more specific vocabulary. You'll find different terms for a 'word' in contexts ranging from linguistics (terme, vocable) to literature and even everyday slang.

To expand your vocabulary, try searching online for “synonymes du mot mot” or looking up specific contexts, like “how to say 'term' in French”.

When you find a new synonym, always check its definition and look for example sentences. A terme is not always interchangeable with a mot, and context is everything in French.

As you immerse yourself in French media—books, films, podcasts—pay close attention to how speakers and writers choose their words. You'll start to notice the subtle differences and develop a more nuanced understanding.

For a deeper dive, explore a French thesaurus like the one on the Larousse or Le Robert websites. Looking up the entry for mot will reveal a fascinating network of related vocabulary.

I hope this guide has been helpful on your language journey. To finish, here is a beautiful quote from Victor Hugo that captures the magic of language: Les mots sont les passants mystérieux de l'âme. (Words are the mysterious passers-by of the soul.)