Level A1 (Beginner)
👉 Discover how to conjugate parler in six tenses (with audio) »
👉 Learn how regular -er verbs in French work »
🎧 Audio by Marie Assel Cambier — native speaker & pro voice artist from France
The French Word of the Day is parler, a must-know verb you’ll hear everywhere in France. Today you’ll learn its:
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
📘 Meaning of parler
Parler is a French verb meaning “to speak” or “to talk.” It’s used for speaking a language, having a conversation, or expressing oneself aloud. In everyday French, parler can be followed by a language (parler français), a person (parler à quelqu’un), or a topic (parler de quelque chose). See examples below.
🎧 Pronunciation of parler
IPA: /paʁ.le/ — listen and repeat to practice.
📝 5 French and English Examples
Parler – to speak, to talk
Je parle un peu espagnol, mais pas très bien.
I speak a little Spanish, but not very well.
Il parle à son professeur après le cours.
He talks to his teacher after class.
Elle aime parler de ses enfants.
She likes to talk about her children.
J’ai parlé avec les voisins ce matin.
I spoke with the neighbors this morning.
Parle plus lentement, je ne comprends pas.
Speak more slowly, I don’t understand.
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📊 Present tense conjugation
- je parle – I speak (or I talk)
- tu parles – you speak (informal)
- il/elle parle – he/she speaks
- nous parlons – we speak
- vous parlez – you speak (formal/plural)
- ils/elles parlent – they speak
🔗 Complete conjugation: See the full parler verb conjugation chart »
💬 Related words & expressions
- bavarder – to chat, to talk casually
- discuter – to discuss, to talk about something
- s’exprimer – to express oneself
- tenir une conversation – to hold a conversation
- prendre la parole – to take the floor, to speak up
- couper la parole à quelqu’un – to interrupt someone
- laisser parler quelqu’un – to let someone speak
- parler à cœur ouvert – to speak openly, from the heart
- parler de la pluie et du beau temps – to make small talk
- parler à tort et à travers – to speak without thinking
📚 Related French Lessons
- Bavarder – To Chat (Word of the Day lesson)
- Parler français comme une vache espagnole (expression)
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