Most Common -ER Verbs in French 📖🇫🇷

French verbs are divided into three groups, and the -ER verbs are by far the most common and the easiest to learn.

Since they all follow the same conjugation pattern (with very few exceptions), mastering them will give you a solid foundation for everyday French conversation.

This guide covers the most common -ER verbs in French, with English translations and examples.

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🔑 Why Learn -ER Verbs First?

• Around 90% of French verbs end in -er.

• They are regular verbs (with simple conjugation).

• They cover a wide range of everyday actions.

👉 If you learn the common -ER verbs, you’ll be able to talk about daily life with ease.

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📌 Conjugation Pattern of -ER Verbs

Take the verb parler (to speak) as an example:

• Je parle – I speak

• Tu parles – You speak

• Il/elle parle – He/She speaks

• Nous parlons – We speak

• Vous parlez – You (formal/plural) speak

• Ils/elles parlent – They speak

Most -ER verbs follow this exact pattern.

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📝 Most Common -ER Verbs in French

Here’s a list of useful -ER verbs you’ll encounter every day:

1. Parler – to speak, to talk

2. Aimer – to like, to love

3. Regarder – to watch, to look at

4. Écouter – to listen

5. Travailler – to work

6. Étudier – to study

7. Jouer – to play

8. Marcher – to walk

9. Donner – to give

10. Demander – to ask

11. Trouver – to find

12. Porter – to wear, to carry

13. Arriver – to arrive

14. Rentrer – to return, to go home

15. Entrer – to enter

16. Montrer – to show

17. Penser – to think

18. Appeler – to call

19. Fermer – to close

20. Ouvrer – to open (archaic, modern verb: ouvrir, irregular)

21. Manger – to eat

22. Chanter – to sing

23. Danser – to dance

24. Cuisiner – to cook

25. Habiter – to live (in a place)

26. Visiter – to visit (a place)

27. Rester – to stay

28. Nager – to swim

29. Téléphoner – to call (by phone)

30. Commencer – to begin, to start

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💬 Example Sentences with -ER Verbs

• Je parle français. – I speak French.

• Nous aimons voyager. – We love to travel.

• Tu regardes la télévision. – You watch TV.

• Ils travaillent dans une école. – They work in a school.

• Elle habite à Lyon. – She lives in Lyon.

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🎯 Practice Activity

👉 Choose 5 -ER verbs from the list and write your own sentences in French. For example:

• Je joue au football. (I play soccer.)

• Nous étudions le français. (We study French.)

• Elle chante très bien. (She sings very well.)

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✅ Conclusion

The -ER verbs in French are regular, common, and easy to use. By learning them, you’ll unlock hundreds of verbs that follow the same conjugation rules. These French -ER verbs will allow you to express yourself in everyday conversations with ease.

If you enjoyed this, check out more of our French verb lists and grammar guides to keep improving step by step!