When learning French, it can be helpful to focus on commonly used nouns to build your vocabulary. Below is a list of 50 French nouns that start with the letter “C” and their translations.
Common French Nouns Starting with C
- le café (the coffee)
- la carte (the card/map)
- la chaussure (the shoe)
- le chat (the cat)
- la clé (the key)
- la chambre (the bedroom)
- la chance (the luck)
- la cheminée (the chimney/fireplace)
- le chemin (the path)
- le chapeau (the hat)
- le chocolat (the chocolate)
- le citron (the lemon)
- le ciel (the sky)
- le copain (the friend, informal)
- le cœur (the heart)
- le camion (the truck)
- la campagne (the countryside)
- le couteau (the knife)
- le concert (the concert)
- le cochon (the pig)
- la corde (the rope)
- la cravate (the tie)
- le canard (the duck)
- la cuisine (the kitchen)
- le camarade (the comrade)
- la carte postale (the postcard)
- le cadre (the frame)
- la couleur (the color)
- le crayon (the pencil)
- le carrefour (the intersection)
- le capitaine (the captain)
- le carré (the square)
- le crocodile (the crocodile)
- la couronne (the crown)
- la coiffeuse (the hairdresser)
- le client (the client)
- le chêne (the oak tree)
- la canne (the cane)
- le costume (the suit)
- la couette (the duvet)
- la colle (the glue)
- le camionneur (the truck driver)
- la colline (the hill)
- la chouette (the owl)
- le chant (the singing/song)
- le caillou (the pebble)
- le coude (the elbow)
- la couverture (the blanket)
- le cigare (the cigar)
- la coupe (the cup/trophy)
Different Groups of Nouns
In the following you will find examples of French nouns starting with “C” divided into different groups of nouns:
1. Gender-Based Nouns
Masculine Nouns
- le café (the coffee)
- le chat (the cat)
- le couteau (the knife)
- le camion (the truck)
- le concert (the concert)
Example:
Le chat dort sur le canapé.
(The cat is sleeping on the couch.)
Feminine Nouns
- la chaussure (the shoe)
- la clé (the key)
- la chambre (the bedroom)
- la couronne (the crown)
- la cuisine (the kitchen)
Example:
La clé est sur la table.
(The key is on the table.)
2. Number-Based Nouns
Singular Nouns
- le citron (the lemon)
- la campagne (the countryside)
- le cadre (the frame)
- la colle (the glue)
- le chant (the song)
Example:
Le citron donne une saveur acidulée à la tarte.
(The lemon gives a tangy flavor to the pie.)
Plural Nouns
- les chats (the cats)
- les chaussures (the shoes)
- les crayons (the pencils)
- les clients (the clients)
- les concerts (the concerts)
Example:
Les concerts d’été sont toujours agréables.
(Summer concerts are always enjoyable.)
3. Proper vs. Common Nouns
Proper Nouns
- Canada (Canada)
- Chili (Chile)
- Cannes (Cannes)
- Chamonix (Chamonix)
- César (Caesar)
Example:
Nous partirons au Canada l’été prochain.
(We will go to Canada next summer.)
Common Nouns
- le chemin (the path)
- le chocolat (the chocolate)
- la carte (the map)
- le citron (the lemon)
- la couronne (the crown)
Example:
Le chocolat noir est bon pour la santé.
(Dark chocolate is good for your health.)
4. Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
Countable Nouns
- le camion (the truck)
- le couteau (the knife)
- la corde (the rope)
- le caillou (the pebble)
- le client (the client)
Example:
Le camion est arrivé devant la maison.
(The truck arrived in front of the house.)
Uncountable Nouns
- le café (the coffee)
- la chance (the luck)
- le chocolat (the chocolate)
- le courage (the courage)
- le calme (the calm)
Example:
Le café est chaud ce matin.
(The coffee is hot this morning.)
5. Concrete vs. Abstract Nouns
Concrete Nouns
- la chaussure (the shoe)
- la clé (the key)
- le chapeau (the hat)
- le couteau (the knife)
- le crayon (the pencil)
Example:
La clé de la porte est cassée.
(The door key is broken.)
Abstract Nouns
- la chance (the luck)
- le courage (the courage)
- le calme (the calm)
- la confiance (the confidence)
- le chant (the singing/song)
Example:
Il faut beaucoup de courage pour parler en public.
(It takes a lot of courage to speak in public.)
6. Collective Nouns
- la communauté (the community)
- le comité (the committee)
- la classe (the class)
- la compagnie (the company)
- le corps (the body, group)
Example:
La classe partira en excursion demain.
(The class will go on a field trip tomorrow.)
7. Compound Nouns
- le chef-d’œuvre (the masterpiece)
- le porte-clés (the keychain)
- le coupe-vent (the windbreaker)
- le coq-à-l’âne (the abrupt change of subject)
- la carte postale (the postcard)
Example:
J’ai envoyé une carte postale de Paris à mes amis.
(I sent a postcard from Paris to my friends.)
Sample text
Here is an example where we are using different French nouns that start with “C”:
French Version
Hier, j'ai passé une journée agréable à la campagne. Le matin, j'ai pris un bon café dans la cuisine avant de préparer mon sac pour une petite excursion. Le temps était parfait, alors j'ai décidé de faire une longue marche le long des chemins. En chemin, je suis tombé sur un vieux camion abandonné près d'une grange. Il semblait être là depuis des années, recouvert de mousse et de poussière.
En continuant ma promenade, j'ai entendu le chant des oiseaux qui résonnait à travers les arbres. C'était un moment de calme et de sérénité. La nature autour de moi était magnifique, avec les couleurs vives de l'été et l'odeur des fleurs sauvages dans l'air. J'ai pris quelques photos pour me souvenir de cet instant paisible.
En rentrant chez moi, je suis passé par une petite boutique où j'achète souvent des produits locaux. J'ai acheté quelques fruits frais et du pain pour le dîner. La vendeuse était sympathique, et nous avons discuté un peu du beau temps et de la récolte de cette année. C’était une journée simple mais pleine de petits plaisirs, et je suis rentré chez moi avec le sentiment d’avoir bien profité de ma journée à la campagne.
Translation
Yesterday, I spent a pleasant day in the countryside. In the morning, I had a nice cup of coffee in the kitchen before packing my bag for a short excursion. The weather was perfect, so I decided to take a long walk along the paths. On the way, I came across an old truck abandoned near a barn. It seemed to have been there for years, covered in moss and dust.
As I continued my walk, I heard the song of birds echoing through the trees. It was a moment of calm and serenity. The nature around me was beautiful, with the bright colors of summer and the scent of wildflowers in the air. I took a few photos to remember this peaceful moment.
On my way home, I passed by a small shop where I often buy local products. I bought some fresh fruits and bread for dinner. The shopkeeper was friendly, and we chatted a bit about the nice weather and this year’s harvest. It was a simple day, but full of little pleasures, and I returned home feeling like I had fully enjoyed my day in the countryside.