531 French words ending in -tion you already know.
Same spelling in English, and with the same meaning. Here are all 531, the most common first.
Same word in English
- actionsay it ahk-SYOH(N)in the 1000-word book, number 932
- situationsay it see-twah-SYOH(N)in the 1000-word book, number 706
- conversationsay it koh(n)-vehr-sah-SYOH(N)in the 1000-word book, number 928
- directionsay it dee-rehk-SYOH(N)in the 1000-word book, number 948
- informationsay it a(n)-fawr-mah-SYOH(N)
All 531, the most common first.
Ordered by how often each word turns up in French films and books. A chip like in the 1000-word book, number 242 marks the words in The 1000 Most Common French Words, with their rank in the book.
All 531 words, most common first.
- Number 1questionquestionin the 1000-word book, number 242
- Number 2attentionattentionin the 1000-word book, number 544
- Number 3situationsituationin the 1000-word book, number 706
- Number 4conversationconversationin the 1000-word book, number 928
- Number 5actionactionin the 1000-word book, number 932
- Number 6directiondirectionin the 1000-word book, number 948
- Number 7conditioncondition
- Number 8operationopération
- Number 9relationrelation
- Number 10positionposition
- Number 11intentionintention
- Number 12solutionsolution
- Number 13informationinformation
- Number 14emotionémotion
- Number 15imaginationimagination
- Number 16nationnation
- Number 17revolutionrévolution
- Number 18sensationsensation
- Number 19organisationorganisation
- Number 20dispositiondisposition
- Number 21generationgénération
- Number 22reactionréaction
- Number 23traditiontradition
- Number 24stationstation
- Number 25liberationlibération
- Number 26instructioninstruction
- Number 27convictionconviction
- Number 28populationpopulation
- Number 29satisfactionsatisfaction
- Number 30educationéducation
- Number 31precautionprécaution
- Number 32communicationcommunication
- Number 33affectionaffection
- Number 34reputationréputation
- Number 35collectioncollection
- Number 36propositionproposition
- Number 37sectionsection
- Number 38protectionprotection
- Number 39declarationdéclaration
- Number 40ambitionambition
- Number 41respirationrespiration
- Number 42executionexécution
- Number 43exceptionexception
- Number 44apparitionapparition
- Number 45administrationadministration
- Number 46occupationoccupation
- Number 47admirationadmiration
- Number 48constructionconstruction
- Number 49invitationinvitation
- Number 50receptionréception
- Number 51productionproduction
- Number 52vocationvocation
- Number 53civilisationcivilisation
- Number 54electionélection
- Number 55creationcréation
- Number 56destructiondestruction
- Number 57interventionintervention
- Number 58accusationaccusation
- Number 59hesitationhésitation
- Number 60repetitionrépétition
- Number 61revelationrévélation
- Number 62representationreprésentation
- Number 63obligationobligation
- Number 64institutioninstitution
- Number 65formationformation
- Number 66expositionexposition
- Number 67editionédition
- Number 68agitationagitation
- Number 69inventioninvention
- Number 70considerationconsidération
- Number 71expeditionexpédition
- Number 72discretiondiscrétion
- Number 73inspirationinspiration
- Number 74circulationcirculation
- Number 75perfectionperfection
- Number 76separationséparation
- Number 77observationobservation
- Number 78associationassociation
- Number 79promotionpromotion
- Number 80evolutionévolution
- Number 81objectionobjection
- Number 82compositioncomposition
- Number 83humiliationhumiliation
- Number 84destinationdestination
- Number 85intuitionintuition
- Number 86conventionconvention
- Number 87decorationdécoration
- Number 88demonstrationdémonstration
- Number 89notionnotion
- Number 90installationinstallation
- Number 91descriptiondescription
- Number 92concentrationconcentration
- Number 93aviationaviation
- Number 94resolutionrésolution
- Number 95applicationapplication
- Number 96distractiondistraction
- Number 97indignationindignation
- Number 98collaborationcollaboration
- Number 99exaltationexaltation
- Number 100inspectioninspection
- Number 101vibrationvibration
- Number 102oppositionopposition
- Number 103preparationpréparation
- Number 104reparationréparation
- Number 105presentationprésentation
- Number 106delegationdélégation
- Number 107suggestionsuggestion
- Number 108indicationindication
- Number 109conceptionconception
- Number 110proportionproportion
- Number 111constitutionconstitution
- Number 112consolationconsolation
- Number 113provocationprovocation
- Number 114attractionattraction
- Number 115contradictioncontradiction
- Number 116preoccupationpréoccupation
- Number 117correctioncorrection
- Number 118potionpotion
- Number 119optionoption
- Number 120auditionaudition
- Number 121recreationrécréation
- Number 122competitioncompétition
- Number 123depositiondéposition
- Number 124distributiondistribution
- Number 125meditationméditation
- Number 126hallucinationhallucination
- Number 127interpretationinterprétation
- Number 128citationcitation
- Number 129exclamationexclamation
- Number 130distinctiondistinction
- Number 131complicationcomplication
- Number 132fractionfraction
- Number 133consultationconsultation
- Number 134infectioninfection
- Number 135transitiontransition
- Number 136approbationapprobation
- Number 137reproductionreproduction
- Number 138definitiondéfinition
- Number 139cooperationcoopération
- Number 140plantationplantation
- Number 141superstitionsuperstition
- Number 142fabricationfabrication
- Number 143seductionséduction
- Number 144participationparticipation
- Number 145rationration
- Number 146fictionfiction
- Number 147imitationimitation
- Number 148projectionprojection
- Number 149interrogationinterrogation
- Number 150exploitationexploitation
- Number 151vegetationvégétation
- Number 152resignationrésignation
- Number 153augmentationaugmentation
- Number 154confirmationconfirmation
- Number 155orientationorientation
- Number 156detonationdétonation
- Number 157portionportion
- Number 158transformationtransformation
- Number 159intonationintonation
- Number 160injectioninjection
- Number 161irritationirritation
- Number 162mentionmention
- Number 163aspirationaspiration
- Number 164corruptioncorruption
- Number 165attributionattribution
- Number 166contemplationcontemplation
- Number 167interdictioninterdiction
- Number 168mutationmutation
- Number 169animationanimation
- Number 170detentiondétention
- Number 171evacuationévacuation
- Number 172tractiontraction
- Number 173partitionpartition
- Number 174suppositionsupposition
- Number 175contributioncontribution
- Number 176illustrationillustration
- Number 177evocationévocation
- Number 178compensationcompensation
- Number 179publicationpublication
- Number 180identificationidentification
- Number 181utilisationutilisation
- Number 182precipitationprécipitation
- Number 183navigationnavigation
- Number 184restrictionrestriction
- Number 185constellationconstellation
- Number 186capitulationcapitulation
- Number 187interruptioninterruption
- Number 188affirmationaffirmation
- Number 189dominationdomination
- Number 190salutationsalutation
- Number 191variationvariation
- Number 192reconciliationréconciliation
- Number 193indiscretionindiscrétion
- Number 194desolationdésolation
- Number 195justificationjustification
- Number 196reductionréduction
- Number 197radiationradiation
- Number 198determinationdétermination
- Number 199verificationvérification
- Number 200articulationarticulation
- Number 201acclamationacclamation
- Number 202realisationréalisation
- Number 203habitationhabitation
- Number 204selectionsélection
- Number 205sanctionsanction
- Number 206adaptationadaptation
- Number 207extinctionextinction
- Number 208persecutionpersécution
- Number 209adoptionadoption
- Number 210modificationmodification
- Number 211frustrationfrustration
- Number 212jubilationjubilation
- Number 213perceptionperception
- Number 214nominationnomination
- Number 215explorationexploration
- Number 216violationviolation
- Number 217abominationabomination
- Number 218reconstructionreconstruction
- Number 219equationéquation
- Number 220factionfaction
- Number 221incarnationincarnation
- Number 222premonitionprémonition
- Number 223lamentationlamentation
- Number 224motivationmotivation
- Number 225illuminationillumination
- Number 226speculationspéculation
- Number 227decompositiondécomposition
- Number 228contractioncontraction
- Number 229initiationinitiation
- Number 230adorationadoration
- Number 231acquisitionacquisition
- Number 232confrontationconfrontation
- Number 233inaugurationinauguration
- Number 234rotationrotation
- Number 235investigationinvestigation
- Number 236eruptionéruption
- Number 237transactiontransaction
- Number 238immigrationimmigration
- Number 239combustioncombustion
- Number 240aberrationaberration
- Number 241introductionintroduction
- Number 242negationnégation
- Number 243celebrationcélébration
- Number 244reservationréservation
- Number 245predictionprédiction
- Number 246petitionpétition
- Number 247evaluationévaluation
- Number 248mobilisationmobilisation
- Number 249consternationconsternation
- Number 250infractioninfraction
- Number 251supplicationsupplication
- Number 252insurrectioninsurrection
- Number 253exasperationexaspération
- Number 254appreciationappréciation
- Number 255federationfédération
- Number 256reconstitutionreconstitution
- Number 257coalitioncoalition
- Number 258manipulationmanipulation
- Number 259proclamationproclamation
- Number 260estimationestimation
- Number 261renovationrénovation
- Number 262prescriptionprescription
- Number 263allocationallocation
- Number 264improvisationimprovisation
- Number 265accelerationaccélération
- Number 266dissertationdissertation
- Number 267accumulationaccumulation
- Number 268digestiondigestion
- Number 269incantationincantation
- Number 270motionmotion
- Number 271simulationsimulation
- Number 272deductiondéduction
- Number 273experimentationexpérimentation
- Number 274bastionbastion
- Number 275obstructionobstruction
- Number 276conservationconservation
- Number 277afflictionaffliction
- Number 278inflationinflation
- Number 279contraventioncontravention
- Number 280implicationimplication
- Number 281preventionprévention
- Number 282recuperationrécupération
- Number 283liquidationliquidation
- Number 284demolitiondémolition
- Number 285fixationfixation
- Number 286documentationdocumentation
- Number 287deportationdéportation
- Number 288degradationdégradation
- Number 289appellationappellation
- Number 290moderationmodération
- Number 291pollutionpollution
- Number 292abstractionabstraction
- Number 293contaminationcontamination
- Number 294indigestionindigestion
- Number 295science-fictionscience-fiction
- Number 296corporationcorporation
- Number 297predilectionprédilection
- Number 298coordinationcoordination
- Number 299desertiondésertion
- Number 300eliminationélimination
- Number 301frictionfriction
- Number 302importationimportation
- Number 303ovationovation
- Number 304elevationélévation
- Number 305migrationmigration
- Number 306aerationaération
- Number 307ventilationventilation
- Number 308perturbationperturbation
- Number 309dissolutiondissolution
- Number 310deformationdéformation
- Number 311requisitionréquisition
- Number 312qualificationqualification
- Number 313infiltrationinfiltration
- Number 314extractionextraction
- Number 315eruditionérudition
- Number 316insinuationinsinuation
- Number 317premeditationpréméditation
- Number 318recitationrécitation
- Number 319inclinationinclination
- Number 320innovationinnovation
- Number 321venerationvénération
- Number 322deliberationdélibération
- Number 323transplantationtransplantation
- Number 324fortificationfortification
- Number 325substitutionsubstitution
- Number 326legationlégation
- Number 327collationcollation
- Number 328multiplicationmultiplication
- Number 329narrationnarration
- Number 330congestioncongestion
- Number 331dictiondiction
- Number 332anticipationanticipation
- Number 333exportationexportation
- Number 334inattentioninattention
- Number 335inhibitioninhibition
- Number 336configurationconfiguration
- Number 337altercationaltercation
- Number 338imperfectionimperfection
- Number 339alienationaliénation
- Number 340invocationinvocation
- Number 341contritioncontrition
- Number 342donationdonation
- Number 343absorptionabsorption
- Number 344intersectionintersection
- Number 345legislationlégislation
- Number 346expirationexpiration
- Number 347modulationmodulation
- Number 348intimidationintimidation
- Number 349discriminationdiscrimination
- Number 350inactioninaction
- Number 351conciliationconciliation
- Number 352deviationdéviation
- Number 353lotionlotion
- Number 354allegationallégation
- Number 355amputationamputation
- Number 356irrigationirrigation
- Number 357purificationpurification
- Number 358transcriptiontranscription
- Number 359emulationémulation
- Number 360integrationintégration
- Number 361enumerationénumération
- Number 362gestationgestation
- Number 363activationactivation
- Number 364secretionsécrétion
- Number 365agglomerationagglomération
- Number 366emancipationémancipation
- Number 367localisationlocalisation
- Number 368rehabilitationréhabilitation
- Number 369oscillationoscillation
- Number 370gravitationgravitation
- Number 371diminutiondiminution
- Number 372colorationcoloration
- Number 373detectiondétection
- Number 374saturationsaturation
- Number 375alterationaltération
- Number 376designationdésignation
- Number 377constipationconstipation
- Number 378continuationcontinuation
- Number 379incinerationincinération
- Number 380demarcationdémarcation
- Number 381abdicationabdication
- Number 382elaborationélaboration
- Number 383abolitionabolition
- Number 384usurpationusurpation
- Number 385insubordinationinsubordination
- Number 386unificationunification
- Number 387tribulationtribulation
- Number 388seditionsédition
- Number 389exhortationexhortation
- Number 390incorporationincorporation
- Number 391ablationablation
- Number 392cassationcassation
- Number 393fluctuationfluctuation
- Number 394defectiondéfection
- Number 395prolongationprolongation
- Number 396reorganisationréorganisation
- Number 397suffocationsuffocation
- Number 398reverberationréverbération
- Number 399emigrationémigration
- Number 400devastationdévastation
- Number 401confederationconfédération
- Number 402limitationlimitation
- Number 403classificationclassification
- Number 404commemorationcommémoration
- Number 405incarcerationincarcération
- Number 406assimilationassimilation
- Number 407approximationapproximation
- Number 408fermentationfermentation
- Number 409dissectiondissection
- Number 410stimulationstimulation
- Number 411subordinationsubordination
- Number 412formulationformulation
- Number 413dentitiondentition
- Number 414perforationperforation
- Number 415propagationpropagation
- Number 416rectificationrectification
- Number 417probationprobation
- Number 418assertionassertion
- Number 419dislocationdislocation
- Number 420condensationcondensation
- Number 421transmutationtransmutation
- Number 422implantationimplantation
- Number 423interceptioninterception
- Number 424preservationpréservation
- Number 425proliferationprolifération
- Number 426excavationexcavation
- Number 427reunificationréunification
- Number 428abstentionabstention
- Number 429argumentationargumentation
- Number 430inflammationinflammation
- Number 431colonisationcolonisation
- Number 432ratificationratification
- Number 433cohabitationcohabitation
- Number 434prohibitionprohibition
- Number 435relaxationrelaxation
- Number 436notationnotation
- Number 437confiscationconfiscation
- Number 438exemptionexemption
- Number 439evaporationévaporation
- Number 440derivationdérivation
- Number 441denominationdénomination
- Number 442deteriorationdétérioration
- Number 443attestationattestation
- Number 444mediationmédiation
- Number 445nutritionnutrition
- Number 446nationalisationnationalisation
- Number 447aggravationaggravation
- Number 448insertioninsertion
- Number 449permutationpermutation
- Number 450restitutionrestitution
- Number 451locomotionlocomotion
- Number 452telecommunicationtélécommunication
- Number 453annotationannotation
- Number 454interactioninteraction
- Number 455modernisationmodernisation
- Number 456hibernationhibernation
- Number 457inhalationinhalation
- Number 458incubationincubation
- Number 459levitationlévitation
- Number 460cessationcessation
- Number 461malformationmalformation
- Number 462vaccinationvaccination
- Number 463remunerationrémunération
- Number 464gratificationgratification
- Number 465instigationinstigation
- Number 466transpositiontransposition
- Number 467teleportationtéléportation
- Number 468dissipationdissipation
- Number 469superpositionsuperposition
- Number 470adulationadulation
- Number 471inductioninduction
- Number 472sequestrationséquestration
- Number 473decontaminationdécontamination
- Number 474retentionrétention
- Number 475revocationrévocation
- Number 476cremationcrémation
- Number 477extraditionextradition
- Number 478fragmentationfragmentation
- Number 479notificationnotification
- Number 480sophisticationsophistication
- Number 481bifurcationbifurcation
- Number 482predispositionprédisposition
- Number 483intubationintubation
- Number 484juxtapositionjuxtaposition
- Number 485specialisationspécialisation
- Number 486defecationdéfécation
- Number 487regenerationrégénération
- Number 488regulationrégulation
- Number 489stagnationstagnation
- Number 490relegationrelégation
- Number 491stabilisationstabilisation
- Number 492compilationcompilation
- Number 493simplificationsimplification
- Number 494amplificationamplification
- Number 495maturationmaturation
- Number 496vivisectionvivisection
- Number 497dissociationdissociation
- Number 498expropriationexpropriation
- Number 499fibrillationfibrillation
- Number 500connotationconnotation
- Number 501devaluationdévaluation
- Number 502generalisationgénéralisation
- Number 503refractionréfraction
- Number 504duplicationduplication
- Number 505pigmentationpigmentation
- Number 506malnutritionmalnutrition
- Number 507falsificationfalsification
- Number 508reelectionréélection
- Number 509refutationréfutation
- Number 510constrictionconstriction
- Number 511irradiationirradiation
- Number 512consolidationconsolidation
- Number 513coagulationcoagulation
- Number 514reintegrationréintégration
- Number 515electrocutionélectrocution
- Number 516perpetuationperpétuation
- Number 517ejectionéjection
- Number 518exhumationexhumation
- Number 519commercialisationcommercialisation
- Number 520germinationgermination
- Number 521gradationgradation
- Number 522specificationspécification
- Number 523normalisationnormalisation
- Number 524annihilationannihilation
- Number 525appropriationappropriation
- Number 526introspectionintrospection
- Number 527pacificationpacification
- Number 528distillationdistillation
- Number 529redistributionredistribution
- Number 530congratulationcongratulation
- Number 531medicationmédication
How we counted
- Everyday words only: each one turns up at least once in every two million words of French films and books (Lexique 3.83).
- Each has a real English twin that people still use, and the twin means the same thing. We checked every word against a dictionary, then by hand.
- We left out 24 words that look like English ones but mean something else, like caution, which means a deposit. We also skip a few words to do with sex, violence, religion or politics.
Learn the top 1000 first
1000 Most Common French Words
The 1,000 words that make up about 70% of everyday written French, grouped by theme and by the patterns that link French to English, each with IPA, an easy English respelling and three example sentences glossed word by word.