French Vocabulary About the Environment: Essential Words for Eco-Conscious Learners
Learning a language is more than just grammar and verbs—it’s about understanding the world through a new lens. And in today’s world, being able to talk about the environment is essential. Whether you’re a student, a traveler, or simply passionate about sustainability, this guide to French environmental vocabulary will help you speak with purpose and clarity.
🌍 Why Learn Environmental Vocabulary in French?
Environmental issues are global. If you care about topics like climate change, pollution, renewable energy, and conservation, knowing how to talk about them in French can:
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Help you engage in international discussions
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Prepare for exams like the DELF/DALF (where environment is a common theme)
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Read French news articles or documents about climate and ecology
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Travel more responsibly in French-speaking countries
🌱 Key Environmental Vocabulary in French
1. General Terms
| French | English |
|---|---|
| l’environnement (m) | the environment |
| la nature | nature |
| l’écologie (f) | ecology |
| Ă©cologique / Ă©colo | eco-friendly / green |
| durable | sustainable |
| la planète | the planet |
2. Climate & Global Warming
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le changement climatique | climate change |
| le réchauffement climatique | global warming |
| la hausse des températures | rising temperatures |
| l’effet de serre (m) | greenhouse effect |
| la couche d’ozone | ozone layer |
| la fonte des glaces | melting ice |
3. Pollution & Waste
| French | English |
|---|---|
| la pollution | pollution |
| polluer | to pollute |
| les déchets (m) | waste / garbage |
| les ordures (f) | trash |
| le plastique | plastic |
| les Ă©missions de COâ‚‚ | COâ‚‚ emissions |
| les produits chimiques | chemicals |
4. Recycling & Green Living
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le recyclage | recycling |
| recycler | to recycle |
| le compost | compost |
| trier les déchets | to sort waste |
| une ampoule LED | an LED bulb |
| les Ă©nergies renouvelables | renewable energies |
5. Natural Disasters & Environmental Threats
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une inondation | a flood |
| une sécheresse | a drought |
| un incendie | a fire |
| une tempĂŞte | a storm |
| un tremblement de terre | an earthquake |
| la déforestation | deforestation |
đź“– Useful Phrases
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Il faut protéger l’environnement. — We must protect the environment.
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Les énergies fossiles sont dangereuses pour la planète. — Fossil fuels are harmful to the planet.
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Je fais du compost à la maison. — I compost at home.
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La pollution de l’air est un problème sérieux. — Air pollution is a serious problem.
🌿 Ready to Go Green in French?
Whether you’re preparing for an oral exam, writing an essay, or simply looking to talk about the environment in French, these words and phrases will give you a strong foundation.
Learning French is also about learning to care—for the language, for others, and for the planet.