French CEFR glossary
Quick, plain-English definitions for every CEFR level, French language exam, and grammar term used across the site.
- CEFR
- The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — a six-level scale (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) used to describe language ability. Almost every French course, textbook, and exam aligns with it.See also: A1, C2, DELF, DALF
- A1
- Beginner. ~500 words, present tense, predictable everyday exchanges. You can introduce yourself and order food.
- A2
- Elementary. ~1,000 words, the passé composé and basic imperfect, simple connectors. You can describe your background and the recent past.
- B1
- Intermediate (the 'threshold' level). ~2,000 words, futur simple, conditionnel, early subjunctive. You can hold a conversation and read straightforward articles.
- B2
- Upper-intermediate. ~4,000 words, the full subjunctive, conditionnel passé, plus-que-parfait. The level required for university study in France.
- C1
- Advanced. ~8,000 words, comfortable with idioms, register shifts, and even literary tenses like the passé simple. Effective fluent use.
- C2
- Mastery. Effectively native command of register, regionalisms, and style. Very few learners actually need C2 as a target.
- DELF
- Diplôme d'études en langue française. Official French ministry of education exams certifying levels A1, A2, B1, and B2. Lifetime-valid.See also: DALF, CEFR
- DALF
- Diplôme approfondi de langue française. The advanced sister of DELF, certifying C1 and C2. Lifetime-valid.See also: DELF, CEFR
- TCF / TEF
- Multiple-choice French level tests used for immigration (TEF Canada) and university entry (TCF). Both deliver a CEFR result but unlike DELF/DALF the certificate expires after two years.
- Passé composé
- The everyday past tense of spoken French. Formed with avoir or être + past participle. Appears from A2 onward.
- Imparfait
- The 'background' or 'habitual' past tense. Used for ongoing situations, descriptions, and repeated actions. A2 in recognition, B1 to use correctly against passé composé.
- Subjonctif
- A mood used after certain triggers (vouloir que, il faut que, bien que, pour que…) to mark uncertainty, desire, or subjectivity. Introduced at B1, mastered at B2.
- Passé simple
- Literary past tense. Almost never spoken; pervasive in novels, news, and history writing. C1 to read comfortably.
- i+1
- Stephen Krashen's input hypothesis: language is best acquired from material that is just slightly above the learner's current level. The sweet spot for French reading is text where you understand 90–95% unaided.