French Neighbors Vocabulary – Les Voisins
Whether you’re moving into a new apartment in Paris, renting a house in the countryside, or just curious about daily life in France, knowing how to talk about neighbors and the neighborhood can be incredibly useful. From greeting people in the hallway to chatting about le bruit (noise) or l’ascenseur (the elevator), this vocabulary will help you handle everything from friendly small talk to more practical matters like une fuite (a leak) or des travaux (construction work).
This list includes essential French words and expressions connected to neighbors, housing, and community life. Perfect for anyone planning a move, traveling, or simply wanting to add real-world vocabulary to their French!
You can download a PDF of this list and much more in my private French Grammar Library.
| au dessus | above |
| en dessous | below |
| à côté | next to |
| le quartier | the district |
| un arrondissement | a district (in some cities like Paris) |
| un ascenseur | an elevator |
| un escalier | stairs |
| un paillasson | a doormat |
| la co-propriété | co-ownership |
| un immeuble | a building |
| une maison individuelle | a single-family home |
| rencontrer | to meet |
| rencontrer | to come across someone |
| monter | to go upstairs |
| descendre | to go downstairs |
| emménager | to move in |
| déménager | to move out |
| saluer | to greet |
| le bruit | noise |
| le tapage nocturne | night-time disturbance |
| une fuite | a leak |
| une inondation | a flood |
| le sous-sol | the basement |
| un(e) gardien(ne) | a concierge |
| le parking | the parking garage |
| arroser | to water |
| s’occuper de | to look after |
| surveiller | to watch |
| la boîte aux lettres | the mailbox |
| faire des travaux | to do construction work |
| des invités | guests |
| la courtoisie | courtesy |
| les parties communes | common areas |
| l’interphone | the intercom |
| un cambriolage | a burglary |
| les rideaux | curtains |
| le volume | the volume |
| se disputer | to argue |
| porter plainte | to file a complaint |
| rendre service | to be of service |
| un locataire | a renter |
| un propriétaire | an owner |
| le local poubelle | the garbage room |
| une cave | a cellar |
| entretenir | to maintain |
| parler de la pluie et du beau temps | to make small talk |
| les potins | gossip |
| la réputation | reputation |
| un balcon | a balcony |
| bruyant(e) | noisy |
| gentil(le) | nice |
| désagréable | unpleasant |
| poli(e) | polite |
| espionner | to spy on |
| sympathiser | to make friends with |
| repeindre | to repaint |
| discret, discrète | discreet |
| poser une question | to ask a question |
| un animal de compagnie | a pet |
| le voisinage | the neighborhood |
