Learning a new language can help us express ourselves better and understand different cultures. French is known for its beautiful words and phrases, which add charm to everyday conversations. When learning French, it’s helpful to start with simple words we often use in daily life. One such word is “real.”
In French, there are many ways to express the idea of “real,” depending on the situation. Knowing how to use these words can make your sentences more meaningful and accurate. In this article, we’ll explore how to say “real” in French, other ways to express it, and how to respond to it in conversations. There’s even an exercise to help you practice!
Ways to Say “Real” in French
In French, “real” can be expressed in several ways depending on the context. Here are 25 different ways to say “real” in French, along with their pronunciation, meanings, and examples to help you use them confidently.
Réel(ray-el)
- Meaning: Real, actual.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce rêve semblait si réel. (This dream felt so real.)
- Il est important de distinguer le réel de l’imaginaire. (It’s important to distinguish the real from the imaginary.)
Véritable(veh-ree-tah-bluh)
- Meaning: Genuine, true, real.
- In a Sentence:
- C’est un véritable chef-d’œuvre. (It’s a true masterpiece.)
- Elle est une véritable amie. (She is a real friend.)
Authentique(oh-tawn-teek)
- Meaning: Authentic, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Cette bague est authentique. (This ring is authentic.)
- Le goût de ce plat est authentique. (The taste of this dish is authentic.)
Effectif(eh-fek-teef)
- Meaning: Actual, effective, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Le nombre effectif de participants est plus faible. (The actual number of participants is lower.)
- Nous devons résoudre les problèmes effectifs. (We need to solve the real problems.)
Sincère(san-sair)
- Meaning: Sincere, genuine, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Son sourire est sincère. (Her smile is real.)
- J’apprécie une opinion sincère. (I value a real opinion.)
Tangible(tawn-zheebluh)
- Meaning: Tangible, real, concrete.
- In a Sentence:
- Les preuves sont tangibles. (The evidence is real.)
- Nous avons besoin de résultats tangibles. (We need real results.)
Vrai(vreh)
- Meaning: True, real.
- In a Sentence:
- C’est une vraie histoire. (It’s a real story.)
- Ce diamant est-il vrai? (Is this diamond real?)
Certain(sair-tan)
- Meaning: Sure, real, certain.
- In a Sentence:
- Il y a un certain danger ici. (There is real danger here.)
- Je veux une réponse certaine. (I want a real answer.)
Factuel(fahk-twell)
- Meaning: Factual, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ces données sont factuelles. (This data is real.)
- Nous devons nous concentrer sur les éléments factuels. (We need to focus on the real facts.)
Légitime(lay-zhee-teem)
- Meaning: Legitimate, real.
- In a Sentence:
- C’est une inquiétude légitime. (It’s a real concern.)
- Cette demande est légitime. (This request is real.)
Exact(eg-zakt)
- Meaning: Exact, real, precise.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce n’est pas exact. (This is not real.)
- Peux-tu donner un chiffre exact? (Can you give a real number?)
Sérieux(seh-ree-yuh)
- Meaning: Serious, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Il a un problème sérieux. (He has a real problem.)
- C’est un projet sérieux. (This is a real project.)
Vécu(veh-kew)
- Meaning: Lived, real-life.
- In a Sentence:
- Cette histoire est basée sur du vécu. (This story is based on real life.)
- J’ai partagé mon expérience vécue. (I shared my real experience.)
Palpable(pahl-pah-bluh)
- Meaning: Palpable, real.
- In a Sentence:
- La tension dans la salle était palpable. (The tension in the room was real.)
- Il y avait une énergie palpable dans l’air. (There was real energy in the air.)
Profond(proh-fohn)
- Meaning: Deep, real (emotionally).
- In a Sentence:
- Son amour est profond. (Her love is real.)
- C’est une question profonde. (This is a real question.)
Honnête(oh-net)
- Meaning: Honest, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Il est honnête dans ses intentions. (He is real in his intentions.)
- J’aime les gens honnêtes. (I like real people.)
Évident(ay-vee-dawn)
- Meaning: Evident, real, obvious.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce problème est évident. (This problem is real.)
- C’est évident que tu es stressé. (It’s real that you’re stressed.)
Raisonnable(ray-zoh-nah-bluh)
- Meaning: Reasonable, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ses attentes sont raisonnables. (Her expectations are real.)
- Nous devons avoir des demandes raisonnables. (We must have real demands.)
Fidèle(fee-dell)
- Meaning: Faithful, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce chien est fidèle. (This dog is real to its owner.)
- Elle est fidèle à ses amis. (She is real to her friends.)
Concret(kohn-kreh)
- Meaning: Concrete, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Nous avons besoin d’un plan concret. (We need a real plan.)
- Ses idées sont concrètes. (His ideas are real.)
Précis(preh-see)
- Meaning: Precise, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Sois précis dans tes explications. (Be real in your explanations.)
- Donne-moi une réponse précise. (Give me a real answer.)
Vivant(vee-vahn)
- Meaning: Lively, real.
- In a Sentence:
- La ville est vivante la nuit. (The city is real at night.)
- Ce tableau est si vivant! (This painting is so real!)
Manifesté(mah-nee-fes-tay)
- Meaning: Expressed, made real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ses émotions étaient manifestées. (Her emotions were real.)
- L’amour manifesté est puissant. (Real love is powerful.)
Naturel(nah-tu-rell)
- Meaning: Natural, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce paysage est naturel. (This landscape is real.)
- Elle a un talent naturel. (She has real talent.)
Sérieusement(seh-ree-yuhz-mohn)
- Meaning: Seriously, really.
- In a Sentence:
- Tu parles sérieusement? (Are you being real?)
- Je le prends sérieusement. (I take it real seriously.)
Authentifié (oh-tawn-tee-fee-ay)
- Meaning: Verified, authenticated, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce document est authentifié. (This document is real/authenticated.)
- Les bijoux ont été authentifiés par un expert. (The jewelry was verified as real by an expert.)
Véridique (veh-ree-deek)
- Meaning: Truthful, real, genuine.
- In a Sentence:
- Son récit est véridique. (Her account is real/truthful.)
- Ce journal est connu pour ses reportages véridiques. (This newspaper is known for its real and truthful reports.)
Incontestable (an-kon-test-ah-bluh)
- Meaning: Undeniable, real, indisputable.
- In a Sentence:
- C’est une preuve incontestable. (This is real/undeniable evidence.)
- Son talent est incontestable. (His talent is real/undeniable.)
Réalisable (ray-ah-lee-zah-bluh)
- Meaning: Feasible, achievable, real.
- In a Sentence:
- Ce projet est réalisable. (This project is real/feasible.)
- Avec du travail, ton rêve est réalisable. (With effort, your dream is real/achievable.)
Substantiel (soob-stan-see-el)
- Meaning: Substantial, real, meaningful.
- In a Sentence:
- Les résultats sont substantiels. (The results are real/substantial.)
- Elle a fait une contribution substantielle. (She made a real/substantial contribution.)
Other Ways to Say “Real” in French
Here’s a table of alternative expressions for “real” in French, along with their pronunciations, meanings, and example sentences:
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Sérieusement | (seh-ree-yuhz-mohn) | Seriously, truly, really | Tu es sérieusement en retard. (You are really late.) Je l’ai sérieusement considéré. (I seriously considered it.) |
| Indéniable | (an-day-nee-ah-bluh) | Undeniable, unquestionable, real | C’est une preuve indéniable. (It’s undeniable proof.) Son succès est indéniable. (His success is real/unquestionable.) |
| Fondamental | (fohn-dah-men-tahl) | Fundamental, essential, real | L’eau est un besoin fondamental. (Water is a fundamental need.) Les droits fondamentaux sont importants. (Fundamental rights are important.) |
| Vivant | (vee-vahn) | Lively, real, alive | Ce quartier est vivant. (This neighborhood is lively/real.) La musique était si vivante! (The music was so real!) |
| Exactitude | (eg-zahk-tee-tewd) | Accuracy, precision, real | L’exactitude de ces données est impressionnante. (The accuracy of this data is impressive.) Son travail montre une grande exactitude. (His work shows great precision.) |
Responses to “Real” in French
When someone uses the word “real” in French, you can respond in various ways depending on the context. Here are some examples of responses:
C’est vrai.(say vreh)
- Meaning: That’s true.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette histoire est réelle. (This story is real.)
Person 2: C’est vrai. (That’s true.)
- Person 1: Cette histoire est réelle. (This story is real.)
Absolument.(ahb-soh-loo-mahn)
- Meaning: Absolutely.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces faits sont réels. (These facts are real.)
Person 2: Absolument. (Absolutely.)
- Person 1: Ces faits sont réels. (These facts are real.)
Je suis d’accord.(zhuh swee dah-kor)
- Meaning: I agree.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce problème est réel. (This problem is real.)
Person 2: Je suis d’accord. (I agree.)
- Person 1: Ce problème est réel. (This problem is real.)
Oui, exactement.(wee, eg-zakt-mohn)
- Meaning: Yes, exactly.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: C’est un souci légitime. (This is a real concern.)
Person 2: Oui, exactement. (Yes, exactly.)
- Person 1: C’est un souci légitime. (This is a real concern.)
C’est sûr.(say syur)
- Meaning: That’s certain/sure.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Il y a un danger réel ici. (There’s real danger here.)
Person 2: C’est sûr. (That’s certain.)
- Person 1: Il y a un danger réel ici. (There’s real danger here.)
Tu as raison.(tew ah ray-zohn)
- Meaning: You’re right.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce sentiment est authentique. (This feeling is real.)
Person 2: Tu as raison. (You’re right.)
- Person 1: Ce sentiment est authentique. (This feeling is real.)
C’est évident.(say ay-vee-dawn)
- Meaning: It’s obvious.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Les preuves sont tangibles. (The evidence is real.)
Person 2: C’est évident. (It’s obvious.)
- Person 1: Les preuves sont tangibles. (The evidence is real.)
Tout à fait.(too tah feh)
- Meaning: Exactly, totally.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette peur est légitime. (This fear is real.)
Person 2: Tout à fait. (Exactly.)
- Person 1: Cette peur est légitime. (This fear is real.)
Pas de doute.(pah duh doot)
- Meaning: No doubt.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces documents sont authentiques. (These documents are real.)
Person 2: Pas de doute. (No doubt.)
- Person 1: Ces documents sont authentiques. (These documents are real.)
Bien sûr.(bee-ehn syur)
- Meaning: Of course.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cet amour est sincère. (This love is real.)
Person 2: Bien sûr. (Of course.)
- Person 1: Cet amour est sincère. (This love is real.)
C’est clair.(say klair)
- Meaning: That’s clear.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette histoire est vraie. (This story is real.)
Person 2: C’est clair. (That’s clear.)
- Person 1: Cette histoire est vraie. (This story is real.)
Sans aucun doute.(sahnz oh-kuhn doot)
- Meaning: Without a doubt.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces résultats sont authentiques. (These results are real.)
Person 2: Sans aucun doute. (Without a doubt.)
- Person 1: Ces résultats sont authentiques. (These results are real.)
Je le crois.(zhuh luh krwah)
- Meaning: I believe it.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Son témoignage est sincère. (Her testimony is real.)
Person 2: Je le crois. (I believe it.)
- Person 1: Son témoignage est sincère. (Her testimony is real.)
C’est logique.(say loh-zheek)
- Meaning: That’s logical.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: La peur qu’elle ressent est légitime. (The fear she feels is real.)
Person 2: C’est logique. (That’s logical.)
- Person 1: La peur qu’elle ressent est légitime. (The fear she feels is real.)
C’est exact.(say eg-zakt)
- Meaning: That’s correct/exact.
- In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ces faits sont tangibles. (These facts are real.)
Person 2: C’est exact. (That’s correct.)
- Person 1: Ces faits sont tangibles. (These facts are real.)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Real” in French
Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises using the ways to say “real” in French. The sentences are in French, and their meanings are provided in parentheses. Use the word bank to fill in the blanks.
Word Bank:
- réel
- véritable
- authentique
- tangible
- sincère
- exact
- légitime
- incontestable
- profond
- naturel
- fondamental
- précis
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Ce rêve semblait si ________ que j’ai cru qu’il était vrai. (This dream felt so real that I thought it was true.)
- Elle est une amie ________ qui m’a toujours soutenu. (She is a real friend who has always supported me.)
- Ces documents sont 100 % ________ et validés par un expert. (These documents are 100% real and verified by an expert.)
- Les résultats sont ________ et montrent une nette amélioration. (The results are real and show a clear improvement.)
- Son amour pour sa famille est ________. (Her love for her family is real.)
- Donne-moi un chiffre ________ pour terminer ce rapport. (Give me a real/exact number to finish this report.)
- Cette demande est ________, nous devons l’accepter. (This request is real/legitimate; we must accept it.)
- Il y a une preuve ________ que cette méthode fonctionne. (There is undeniable proof that this method works.)
- Son chagrin était si ________ qu’il a touché tout le monde. (Her grief was so real/deep that it moved everyone.)
- Ce paysage est tout à fait ________, rien n’a été modifié. (This landscape is completely real/natural; nothing has been altered.)
- L’accès à l’éducation est un droit ________. (Access to education is a real/fundamental right.)
- Il a donné une explication très ________ de la situation. (He gave a very real/precise explanation of the situation.)
Answers
- réel
- véritable
- authentique
- tangible
- sincère
- exact
- légitime
- incontestable
- profond
- naturel
- fondamental
- précis
Conclusion
Learning how to say “real” in French helps you express ideas clearly and naturally. By understanding the different ways to use the word, you can adapt your speech to match the situation, whether it’s formal or casual. These expressions also allow you to show sincerity and precision in your conversations.
Practice regularly to build confidence in using these phrases. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to use words like réel, vrai, and others in your daily speech. Keep exploring the richness of the French language, and you’ll find new ways to express yourself effectively. Happy learning!