French B2 Level Vocabulary

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Learning French is a rewarding endeavor, and reaching a B2 level is a significant milestone.

At this stage, you should be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts, interact
with a degree of fluency and spontaneity, and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range
of subjects. To help you on your journey, it’s essential to expand your vocabulary with words
and phrases that are commonly used in B2 level conversations, writings, and
comprehension tasks.

Here is a comprehensive list of French words and expressions that are important to know
at the B2 level.

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1. **Abordable** – affordable

2. **Agréable** – pleasant

3. **Améliorer** – to improve

4. **Apporter** – to bring

5. **Attirer** – to attract

6. **Avertir** – to warn

7. **Avouer** – to admit

8. **Bénéfice** – benefit, profit

9. **Bien que** – although

10. **Bilan** – assessment, balance sheet

11. **Bref** – in short

12. **Capable** – capable

13. **Chaleureux** – warm, friendly

14. **Chômage** – unemployment

15. **Climatisation** – air conditioning

Expressions and Phrases

1. **À condition que** – provided that

2. **À l’aise** – at ease

3. **À moins que** – unless

4. **Au fur et à mesure** – gradually

5. **Autrement dit** – in other words

6. **Ça m’est égal** – I don’t mind

7. **D’ailleurs** – besides, furthermore

8. **En tant que** – as (in the capacity of)

9. **En ce qui concerne** – as far as … is concerned

10. **Faire face à** – to face, to confront

11. **Il vaut mieux** – it is better to

12. **Jusqu’à ce que** – until

13. **Malgré** – despite

14. **Par conséquent** – therefore

15. **Quant à** – as for

Advanced Adjectives and Adverbs

1. **Adroit** – skillful

2. **Affreux** – awful

3. **Assidu** – diligent

4. **Bizarre** – odd, strange

5. **Compatissant** – compassionate

6. **Confus** – confused

7. **Déçu** – disappointed

8. **Éblouissant** – dazzling

9. **Économe** – thrifty

10. **Égoïste** – selfish

11. **Ému** – moved, touched

12. **Éphémère** – short-lived

13. **Exigeant** – demanding

14. **Fidèle** – faithful

15. **Habile** – clever

Nouns

1. **L’actualité** – current events

2. **L’amitié** – friendship

3. **L’avantage** – advantage

4. **Le comportement** – behavior

5. **La connaissance** – knowledge

6. **Le défi** – challenge

7. **Le développement** – development

8. **L’efficacité** – efficiency

9. **L’employeur** – employer

10. **L’enquête** – survey, investigation

11. **L’entretien** – interview, maintenance

12. **L’environnement** – environment

13. **L’espoir** – hope

14. **L’exigence** – requirement

15. **L’habileté** – skill

Important Verbs

1. **Accueillir** – to welcome

2. **Apercevoir** – to perceive

3. **Appartenir** – to belong to

4. **Contester** – to contest
5. **Décevoir** – to disappoint

6. **Éviter** – to avoid

7. **Fournir** – to provide

8. **Gérer** – to manage

9. **Mener** – to lead

10. **Parvenir** – to achieve, to reach

11. **Prévoir** – to foresee

12. **Réagir** – to react

13. **Remarquer** – to notice

14. **Ressentir** – to feel

15. **Soutenir** – to support

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases whose meanings are not predictable from the usual
meanings of their constituent elements. Here are some important ones to know at the B2
level:

1. **Avoir le cafard** – to be down in the dumps

2. **C’est la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase** – that’s the last straw

3. **Donner un coup de main** – to give a hand

4. **Être au courant** – to be informed

5. **Faire d’une pierre deux coups** – to kill two birds with one stone

6. **Mettre la main à la pâte** – to pitch in

7. **Ne pas être dans son assiette** – to be under the weather

8. **Prendre son courage à deux mains** – to pluck up courage

9. **Raconter des salades** – to tell lies

10. **Se creuser la tête** – to rack one’s brains

Commonly Used Phrases in Conversation

1. **Comment ça se fait que…** – How come…

2. **Je suis d’accord avec toi** – I agree with you

3. **Je ne suis pas sûr(e) que…** – I’m not sure that…

4. **Je pense que…** – I think that…

5. **Qu’est-ce que tu en penses?** – What do you think about it?

6. **Si j’étais toi, je…** – If I were you, I would…

7. **Tu as raison** – You are right

8. **Tu veux dire que…** – You mean that…

9. **Ça dépend de…** – It depends on…

10. **Je suis de ton avis** – I share your opinion

Specialized Vocabulary

Depending on your interests or profession, you might need specialized vocabulary. Here
are some examples for different fields:

Business and Economics

1. **L’actionnaire** – shareholder

2. **Le bénéfice** – profit

3. **La concurrence** – competition

4. **Le marché** – market

5. **La rentabilité** – profitability

6. **L’investissement** – investment

7. **Les ressources** – resources

8. **La stratégie** – strategy

9. **Le taux d’intérêt** – interest rate

10. **Le chiffre d’affaires** – turnover

Health and Medicine

1. **L’ordonnance** – prescription

2. **Le médicament** – medication

3. **La guérison** – recovery

4. **L’infection** – infection

5. **Le symptôme** – symptom

6. **La prévention** – prevention

7. **Le traitement** – treatment

8. **La consultation** – consultation

9. **L’intervention chirurgicale** – surgical operation

10. **La rééducation** – rehabilitation

Technology

1. **L’algorithme** – algorithm

2. **Le logiciel** – software

3. **Le matériel** – hardware

4. **La mise à jour** – update

5. **Le réseau** – network

6. **La sécurité** – security

7. **L’utilisateur** – user

8. **Le virus** – virus

9. **L’application** – application

10. **Le serveur** – server

Linking Words and Conjunctions

To create coherent and cohesive texts, it’s important to use linking words and conjunctions
effectively. Here are some that are essential at the B2 level:

1. **Cependant** – however

2. **Donc** – therefore

3. **En revanche** – on the other hand

4. **Ensuite** – then, next

5. **Étant donné que** – given that

6. **Néanmoins** – nevertheless

7. **Par ailleurs** – moreover

8. **Par contre** – on the contrary

9. **Puisque** – since

10. **Quoique** – although

Practice and Usage

To incorporate these words into your active vocabulary, try the following strategies:

1. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards for each new word or phrase. On one side, write the
French word, and on the other, its English translation. Review these regularly.

2. **Contextual Learning**: Try to use new words in sentences. This helps to understand
their meanings and nuances better.

3. **Reading and Listening**: Engage with French media, such as newspapers, books,
podcasts, and movies. Highlight or note down new vocabulary and try to understand it in
context.

4. **Writing Practice**: Write essays, journal entries, or short stories using the new
vocabulary. This reinforces your learning and helps with retention.

5. **Speaking Practice**: Engage in conversations with native speakers or fellow learners.

Use the new vocabulary actively to make it a part of your spoken language.

Conclusion

Achieving a B2 level in French opens up many opportunities for communication and

comprehension in more complex scenarios. By familiarizing yourself with the vocabulary
listed above, you’ll be better equipped to handle various topics and situations. Remember,
language learning is a gradual process, and consistency is key. Keep practicing, stay
motivated, and enjoy the journey of mastering French!

Bon courage et bonne chance!

15 ESSENTIAL WORDS YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR FRENCH AT THE B2 LEVEL

1. Aborder

Learning French at the B2 level is an exciting milestone. At this intermediate level, you are
expected to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract
topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialization. You should be able to
interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native
speakers quite possible without strain for either party. To help you enhance your vocabulary
and ensure you can handle various topics with ease, here are 50 essential words you need
to know for French at the B2 level.

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1. Aborder

**Aborder** means “to approach” or “to tackle” a subject. It is useful in both formal and
informal contexts.

Example: Nous devons **aborder** ce problème dès que possible. (We need to tackle this
problem as soon as possible.)

2. Affronter

**Affronter** translates to “to confront” or “to face.” It is often used when talking about
challenges or adversities.

Example: Il a dû **affronter** de nombreuses difficultés. (He had to face many difficulties.)

3. Ambiance

**Ambiance** refers to the “atmosphere” or “mood” of a place.

Example: L’**ambiance** de ce restaurant est très agréable. (The atmosphere of this

restaurant is very pleasant.)

4. Améliorer

**Améliorer** means “to improve.” This verb is essential for discussing progress or
enhancement.
Example: Elle veut **améliorer** son français avant de partir. (She wants to improve her
French before leaving.)

5. Appréciation

**Appréciation** can mean “appreciation” or “assessment.” It is commonly used in

academic and professional settings.

Example: Son travail a reçu une **appréciation** positive. (His work received positive
feedback.)

6. Assister

**Assister** means “to attend” or “to assist,” depending on the context.

Example: Il va **assister** à la réunion demain. (He will attend the meeting tomorrow.)

7. Atteindre

**Atteindre** translates to “to reach” or “to achieve.” It is often used in the context of goals
and objectives.

Example: Elle a enfin **atteint** ses objectifs. (She finally achieved her goals.)

8. Avantage

**Avantage** means “advantage” or “benefit.” It is useful in discussions about pros and

cons.

Example: Il y a de nombreux **avantages** à travailler ici. (There are many advantages to

working here.)

9. Bénéfice

**Bénéfice** refers to “profit” or “benefit.” It is often used in business contexts.

Example: L’entreprise a réalisé un **bénéfice** important cette année. (The company

made a significant profit this year.)

10. Compétence

**Compétence** means “skill” or “competency.” It is crucial for discussions about

qualifications and abilities.

Example: Elle a les **compétences** nécessaires pour ce poste. (She has the necessary
skills for this position.)

11. Confiance
**Confiance** translates to “confidence” or “trust.”

Example: J’ai **confiance** en ses capacités. (I have confidence in his abilities.)

12. Contribuer

**Contribuer** means “to contribute.” It is often used when discussing teamwork and
collaboration.

Example: Il a beaucoup **contribué** au succès du projet. (He has greatly contributed to

the project’s success.)

13. Critique

**Critique** can mean both “critical” and “critique.” It is essential for discussions about
evaluations and opinions.

Example: Sa **critique** du film était très perspicace. (His critique of the film was very
insightful.)

14. Découverte

**Découverte** means “discovery.” It is often used in scientific and academic contexts.

Example: La **découverte** de cette nouvelle espèce est fascinante. (The discovery of this
new species is fascinating.)

15. Défi

**Défi** translates to “challenge.” It is useful in discussions about overcoming obstacles.

Example: Ce projet représente un grand **défi** pour nous. (This project represents a great
challenge for us.)