🇫🇷 How to say

“thing” in French

chose
Illustration of "thing" in a French cultural setting
A person is looking around their messy desk, picking up a pen, a coffee cup, and a book one by one while thinking about what to tidy up next.

Usage note

Use 'chose' for any object when you don't know or can't remember its specific name. It's the most common and neutral word for 'thing' in French.

Examples

  • C'est une chose utile.

    It's a useful thing.

  • Qu'est-ce que c'est que cette chose ?

    What is this thing?

  • J'ai oublié une chose importante.

    I forgot an important thing.

Quick check

What does "chose" mean?

  • A. thing
  • B. face
  • C. door
  • D. street

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