French word families: verbs, nouns and people on one sheet

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 23 September 2026 · About the library

Connect travailler with le travail, choisir with le choix and apprendre with l’apprentissage. Compare each word’s grammar and choose the right form.

In short

A French word family links forms such as travailler, le travail and un travailleur. Keep each form’s own grammar: a verb describes an action, a noun needs its article, and a person word may have masculine and feminine forms.

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An experienced female cabinetmaker works at a simple French workshop bench shaping a small wooden stool, plain tools no labels. — The scene connects travailler, le travail and une travailleuse. Illustration: Atelier

From an action to a noun

1 · Work: an action, a thing, a person

The verb and noun have different spellings. Learn the person forms together.

travailler	to work
le travail	work
un travailleur / une travailleuse	a worker

Elle travaille ici. Son travail est intéressant.She works here. Her work is interesting.

C’est une travailleuse expérimentée.She is an experienced worker.

2 · Choose: the noun is short

The noun choix keeps its final -x in both singular and plural.

choisir	to choose
un choix / des choix	a choice / choices

Nous choisissons une formation. Notre choix est fait.We are choosing a course. We have made our choice.

3 · Reflect: keep the accent and the noun’s article

Réfléchir à introduces a topic. La réflexion names thought or reflection.

réfléchir à une question	to think a question through
la réflexion	reflection, thought

Je réfléchis à ma réponse. Cette question demande de la réflexion.I am thinking about my answer. This question needs some thought.

4 · Learn: the family changes shape

Learn the whole noun apprentissage. Its ending gives you a useful memory link once you know the word.

apprendre	to learn
l’apprentissage (m.)	learning
un apprenant / une apprenante	a learner

J’apprends le français. L’apprentissage prend du temps.I am learning French. Learning takes time.

The word changes, so the sentence changes

Action	Noun phrase	What changed?
Elle travaille le matin.	Son travail commence le matin.	The noun becomes the subject.
Nous choisissons ce cours.	C’est notre choix.	The noun follows a possessive.
Je réfléchis avant de répondre.	Je prends un temps de réflexion.	The noun fits into a new phrase.

Use endings as clues after checking the word. Choisir gives le choix; réfléchir gives la réflexion. One suffix cannot produce both. Record the article with the noun, then read the full example to see where the new form belongs.

Mon travailler commence à neuf heures.Mon travail commence à neuf heures.
After mon, this sentence needs the noun travail.
Nous faisons un choisir.Nous faisons un choix.
The phrase is faire un choix: choisir is the infinitive.

1 · Work: an action, a thing, a person

2 · Choose: the noun is short

3 · Reflect: keep the accent and the noun’s article

4 · Learn: the family changes shape

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