Higher vocabulary: issues, opinions and linking words

Higher nouns, adjectives and adverbs for discussing issues and giving balanced opinions.

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Nouns for issues

D'un côté, il y a des avantages; de l'autre côté, il y a des inconvénients.
FrenchEnglish
l'avantage (m)advantage
l'inconvénient (m)disadvantage
la conséquenceconsequence
le comportementbehaviour
la confiancetrust, confidence
le chômageunemployment
la libertéfreedom
la paixpeace
la loilaw
le gouvernementgovernment
la pressionpressure
la responsabilitéresponsibility
le soutiensupport
le bonheurhappiness
la peurfear
le besoinneed

Adjectives

False friend: actuel(le) = current, present-day (not actual).
FrenchEnglish
actuel, actuellecurrent
quotidien, quotidiennedaily
mondial(e)worldwide, global
durablesustainable, lasting
efficaceeffective
suffisant(e)enough, sufficient
nombreux, nombreusenumerous, many
graveserious
étranger, étrangèreforeign
humain(e)human
prudent(e)careful
prêt(e)ready
inquiétant(e)worrying
renouvelablerenewable
disponibleavailable
profond(e)deep

Adverbs and linking words

Use them to structure an argument: D'abord... Ensuite... Toutefois... Enfin...
FrenchEnglish
d'abordfirst of all
enfinfinally, at last
toutefoishowever
surtoutabove all, especially
plutôtrather
presquealmost
environabout, approximately
égalementalso, equally
actuellementcurrently, at the moment
peut-êtreperhaps
partouteverywhere
ailleurselsewhere
tellementso (much)
c'est-à-direthat is to say
d'habitudeusually
désormaisfrom now on
Worked example

Translate: Unemployment is currently a serious problem, especially for young people.

  1. unemployment = le chômage
  2. currently = actuellement (false friend)
  3. a serious problem = un problème grave; especially = surtout

Answer: Le chômage est actuellement un problème grave, surtout pour les jeunes.

Key idea

L'avantage / l'inconvénient, la conséquence, le comportement, la confiance, le chômage, la liberté, la loi, la pression, le soutien. Actuel (current), quotidien, mondial, durable, efficace, suffisant, grave, étranger. D'abord, enfin, toutefois, surtout, plutôt, presque, environ, actuellement, partout, désormais.

Key words
la pression
pressure
ensuite
then, next

All GCSE and International GCSE French key terms and definitions →

Common mistakes
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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. What does la paix mean?

    1. trust, confidence
    2. pressure
    3. happiness
    4. peace
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    Answer: peace

    La paix = peace.

  2. Which is the French for "law"?

    1. le chômage
    2. la responsabilité
    3. la peur
    4. la loi
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    Answer: la loi

    Law = la loi.

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Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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