Christmas, or Noël, is widely celebrated in France with rich traditions, festive meals, and gatherings. Whether you’re talking about decorations, gifts, or traditional foods, this vocabulary list will help you navigate the season in French-speaking regions.
1. General Christmas Terms (Les Termes Généraux de Noël)
These are the key words you’ll need to talk about Christmas in general.
- Noël (m) – Christmas
- Le réveillon – Christmas Eve dinner
- Le jour de Noël – Christmas Day
- La Saint-Sylvestre – New Year’s Eve
- Le Nouvel An – New Year
- Le marché de Noël – Christmas market
- Le sapin de Noël – Christmas tree
- La fête – The celebration / party
- Les fêtes de fin d’année (f) – The end-of-year holidays
Example Sentence:
- Nous décorons le sapin de Noël chaque année. (We decorate the Christmas tree every year.)
2. Christmas Decorations (Les Décorations de Noël)
These words will help you talk about festive decorations during the season.
- Les décorations (f) – The decorations
- Les guirlandes (f) – The tinsel
- Les lumières de Noël (f) – The Christmas lights
- La boule de Noël – The Christmas ornament
- L’étoile de Noël (f) – The Christmas star
- Le gui – The mistletoe
- La couronne de Noël – The Christmas wreath
- La crèche – The nativity scene
- Le bonhomme de neige – The snowman
Example Sentence:
- Nous avons accroché des guirlandes et des lumières de Noël. (We hung up tinsel and Christmas lights.)
3. Christmas Characters (Les Personnages de Noël)
These are some of the figures you’ll find in Christmas stories and traditions.
- Le Père Noël – Santa Claus
- Le Saint Nicolas – Saint Nicholas
- Les rennes (m) – The reindeer
- Le lutin – The elf
- Le traîneau – The sleigh
- Le bonhomme de neige – The snowman
- L’ange (m) – The angel
Example Sentence:
- Le Père Noël apporte des cadeaux aux enfants. (Santa Claus brings gifts to children.)
4. Christmas Gifts (Les Cadeaux de Noël)
These terms will help you talk about gifts and gift-giving.
- Le cadeau – The gift
- Les cadeaux (m) – The gifts
- Offrir un cadeau – To give a gift
- Le papier cadeau – Wrapping paper
- Le ruban – The ribbon
- La carte de Noël – The Christmas card
- La surprise – The surprise
Example Sentence:
- J’adore ouvrir les cadeaux sous le sapin de Noël. (I love opening the gifts under the Christmas tree.)
5. Christmas Traditions (Les Traditions de Noël)
Here are some of the traditions that take place in France around Christmas time.
- Le réveillon de Noël – Christmas Eve dinner
- La messe de minuit – Midnight mass
- Les chants de Noël (m) – Christmas carols
- Les étrennes (f) – New Year’s gifts
- Le calendrier de l’Avent – The Advent calendar
- Les 13 desserts – The 13 desserts (Provençal tradition)
- Le dîner de Noël – The Christmas dinner
- La bûche de Noël – Yule log (cake)
- Le Père Fouettard – The bogeyman figure who punishes naughty children
- La galette des rois – King’s cake (for Epiphany)
Example Sentence:
- Nous chantons des chants de Noël après le dîner de Noël. (We sing Christmas carols after Christmas dinner.)
6. Christmas Foods (Le Repas de Noël)
Christmas meals in France are special and often consist of traditional dishes.
- Le foie gras – Goose liver pâté
- Les huîtres (f) – Oysters
- Le saumon fumé – Smoked salmon
- La dinde – Turkey
- Les marrons (m) – Chestnuts
- Le chapon – Capon (rooster)
- La bûche de Noël – Yule log cake
- Les truffes au chocolat (f) – Chocolate truffles
- Le vin chaud – Mulled wine
- Les biscuits de Noël (m) – Christmas cookies
- Le pain d’épices – Gingerbread
- La salade de fruits – Fruit salad
- Le champagne – Champagne
Example Sentence:
- Nous avons mangé de la dinde et des huîtres pour le dîner de Noël. (We ate turkey and oysters for Christmas dinner.)
7. Winter-Related Vocabulary (Le Vocabulaire de l’Hiver)
These words are useful when talking about the winter season around Christmas time.
- L’hiver (m) – Winter
- La neige – Snow
- Le froid – The cold
- Le verglas – Ice (on the ground)
- La glace – Ice (in general)
- Les flocons de neige (m) – Snowflakes
- La tempête de neige – Snowstorm
- Le bonhomme de neige – Snowman
- Le feu de cheminée – Fireplace fire
- La luge – The sled
- Les patins à glace (m) – Ice skates
Example Sentence:
- Les flocons de neige tombent doucement dehors. (The snowflakes are falling gently outside.)
8. Christmas-Related Phrases
Here are some useful phrases to talk about Christmas and wish others well.
- Joyeux Noël ! – Merry Christmas!
- Bonne année ! – Happy New Year!
- Bonnes fêtes ! – Happy holidays!
- Meilleurs vœux ! – Best wishes!
- Que faites-vous pour Noël ? – What are you doing for Christmas?
- Joyeux Noël et bonne année à tous ! – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
- Passez un bon réveillon ! – Have a good Christmas Eve celebration!
- On décore le sapin ensemble. – We decorate the tree together.
9. Christmas-Related Idiomatic Expressions
Some French expressions that are often used around the holiday season.
- Être comme un enfant à Noël – To be as excited as a child at Christmas
- Ne pas croire au Père Noël – To not believe in Santa Claus (to be skeptical)
- Faire un froid de canard – To be extremely cold (literally: duck cold)
- C’est Noël avant l’heure ! – It’s Christmas early! (Something good happening unexpectedly)
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge with a short quiz:
- What is the French word for “Christmas tree”?
- How do you say “gifts” in French?
- Translate: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
- What is “Yule log cake” in French?
- How do you say “snowman” in French?
Conclusion
With this comprehensive French Christmas vocabulary, you’ll be able to talk about holiday traditions, festive meals, and more. Whether you’re attending a French Christmas market or simply wishing someone well during the holidays, these words will help you celebrate the season with confidence. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année !
