What is the difference between 'logement' and 'appartement'?

'Appartement' is specifically an apartment. 'Logement' is a wider word: housing or living space.

What is the plural of 'bail' (lease)?

The plural of 'le bail' is irregular: 'les baux'. But at beginner level, the singular 'bail' is most important.

Should I use 'payer' or 'louer' for rent?

'Louer' means to rent (a place). 'Payer le loyer' means to pay the rent.

French Home and Living Vocabulary

Getting Started

Home and housing vocabulary is essential for daily conversations. You’ll need these words when describing where you live, your neighbourhood, your routine, and in TEF/TCF when you talk about your home or local area.

Note: Gurmukhi pronunciation is approximate. Practice the final consonants, nasal vowels, and French r with real audio.

1. Housing Words

French	English	Example	Example (EN)
la maison	house	J’habite dans une maison.	I live in a house.
l’appartement	apartment	Je loue un appartement.	I rent an apartment.
le logement	housing	Le logement est cher.	Housing is expensive.
le loyer	rent	Le loyer est payé chaque mois.	The rent is paid every month.
le quartier	neighbourhood	J’aime mon quartier.	I like my neighbourhood.
le propriétaire	landlord	Le propriétaire augmente le loyer.	The landlord raises the rent.
le locataire	tenant	Je suis locataire.	I am a tenant.
le bail	lease	Je signe le bail demain.	I sign the lease tomorrow.
louer	to rent	Je loue un appartement.	I rent an apartment.
déménager	to move	Je vais déménager ce mois.	I’m going to move this month.

Examples:

Je loue un appartement. (I rent an apartment.)
Le loyer est cher. (The rent is expensive.)
J’aime mon quartier. (I like my neighbourhood.)

2. Rooms and Furniture

French	English	Example	Example (EN)
la cuisine	kitchen	La cuisine est propre.	The kitchen is clean.
la salle de bain	bathroom	La salle de bain est moderne.	The bathroom is modern.
la chambre	bedroom	Ma chambre est petite.	My bedroom is small.
le salon	living room	Le salon est grand.	The living room is big.
la salle à manger	dining room	La salle à manger est claire.	The dining room is bright.
le canapé	sofa	Le canapé est confortable.	The sofa is comfortable.
le lit	bed	Le lit est grand.	The bed is big.
la table	table	La table est ronde.	The table is round.
la chaise	chair	Les chaises sont grises.	The chairs are grey.

3. Parts of the House

French	English	Example	Example (EN)
la fenêtre	window	La fenêtre est ouverte.	The window is open.
la porte	door	La porte est fermée.	The door is closed.
l’escalier	stairs	L’escalier est difficile.	The stairs are steep.
nettoyer	to clean	Je vais nettoyer la cuisine.	I’m going to clean the kitchen.
ranger	to tidy	Je range ma chambre.	I tidy my room.
ouvrir	to open	Ouvre la fenêtre.	Open the window.
fermer	to close	Ferme la porte.	Close the door.

Note: La cuisine can mean both cooking and kitchen. Context tells you the meaning.

4. Useful Home Sentences

French	English
Je paie le loyer chaque mois.	I pay rent every month.
La cuisine est propre.	The kitchen is clean.
Je vais déménager ce week-end.	I am going to move this weekend.
Le propriétaire augmente le loyer.	The landlord increases the rent.
Je signe le bail demain.	I sign the lease tomorrow.
Mon quartier est sympathique.	My neighbourhood is nice.
L’appartement a deux chambres.	The apartment has two bedrooms.

What’s Next

Connect home vocabulary with French Articles, Futur Proche (Near Future), and French Shopping and Services. Type these words from memory in the Everyday Vocabulary game.