Christmas is here!
Before you head off to do Christmas-y activities, here is a list of the most useful vocabulary and expressions related to the holidays. Learn the French holiday words and phrases for common Christmas topics, and spruce up your conversations with French Christmas words this season.
If you need more details about how Christmas is celebrated by the French, you can also visit this article about the ABCs of French Christmas and new Year or you can listen to this podcast episode about French Christmas traditions.
But now, here’s the list of French Christmas words. You can also download the PDF copy of this list.
| Noël | Christmas |
| à Noël | at Christmas |
| la veille de Noël | Christmas eve |
| le jour de Noël | Christmas day |
| la Fête de Noël | Christmas holiday |
| le vingt-cinq décembre | December 25 |
| un cadeau de Noël | Christmas present |
| une carte de Noël | Christmas card |
| une carte de vœux | greeting card |
| une bûche de Noël | Yule Log |
| le sapin de Noël | Christmas tree |
| le repas de Noël | Christmas lunch, Christmas dinner |
| les décorations de Noël | Christmas decorations |
| offrir | to give (as a present) |
| le jour de Noël | Christmas Day |
| la veille de Noël | Christmas Eve |
| un chant de Noël | Christmas carol |
| la Fête des Rois | Epiphany, Twelfth Night |
| chanter des chants de noël | to sing Christmas carols |
| chanter des cantiques de noël | to sing Christmas hymns |
| un ange | angel |
| l'avent | advent |
| un calendrier de l'Avent | advent calendar |
| une cheminée (conduit de) | chimney |
| l' église | church |
| les illuminations | Christmas lights |
| les fêtes (de fin d’année) | Holiday season |
| le gui | mistletoe |
| la crèche | Nativity scene |
| le père Noël | Santa Claus |
| la musique de Noël | Christmas music |
| une chanson de Noël | Christmas song |
| un renne | reindeer |
| le marché de Noël | Christmas market |
| réveillonner | to celebrate Christmas |
| décorer le sapin | decorate the tree |
| un jouet, un joujou | toy |
| un ruban | ribbon |
| un berger | shepherd |
| un traîneau | sleigh |
| la neige | snow |
| une boule de neige | snow ball |
| un bonhomme de neige | snowman |
| Noël sous la neige | white Christmas |
| l'hiver | winter |
| un bonhomme de pain d'épice | gingerbread man |
| Meilleurs vœux | Seasons greetings! Best wishes! |
| la Saint-Sylvestre | New Year's Eve |
| le jour de l'an | New Year’s Day |
| La messe de minuit | midnight mass |
| qu'est-ce que tu veux pour Noël? | what do you want for Christmas? |
| qu'est-ce que tu as reçu comme cadeaux de Noël? | what did you get for Christmas? |
| mettre des cadeaux sous l'arbre | to put presents under the tree |
| organiser une fête de Noël | to have a Christmas party |
But wait--- that’s not all. Here is also a list of best wishes and greetings you can use this joyous season:
- Joyeux Noël ! Merry Christmas!
- Bonnes Fêtes ! Happy Holidays
- Joyeuses Fêtes ! Happy Holidays
- Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année ! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
- Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année de la part de… Season's greetings from…
- Bonne Année ! Happy New Year!
- Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année ! Happy Holidays!
And there you go, your French holiday words. For more useful French words and expressions sent to your inbox, subscribe to the Talk in French newsletter. You’ll also get loads of free resources when you do.
Have a happy holiday season! Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année !
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Thank you! So helpful!
De rien 🙂
Thanks, quite useful!
Thanks for the vocabulary words! It would also be fun and helpful if someone could put these words in context – say, in a paragraph or a dialogue.
Great work, I learn a lot via your site 😀
MERCI
– Andrew
People can participate if they want. I will try to update this blog post later. Thank you