Traffic & Transport Vocabulary in French

Navigate cities with ease using Traffic & Transport Vocabulary in French. Learn essential words for vehicles, directions, public transport, tickets, and road situations to communicate clearly and move around confidently in real travel scenarios.

Being able to describe vehicles, traffic, directions, and transportation rules in French helps you navigate daily situations with confidence. GuruLango structures these essential words using its Spaced Repetition system, allowing you to memorize them naturally and recall them instantly when needed.

Below is a snapshot from the Transport in French collection, taken from GuruLango’s extended vocabulary bank.

1. Vehicle

A concise list of common vehicles in French.

French Vocabulary

IPA (French)

English Meaning

la voiture

la vwatyʁ

car

le bus

lə bys

bus

le métro

lə metʁo

subway

le train

lə tʁɛ̃

train

le vélo

lə velo

bicycle

la moto

la moto

motorcycle

le taxi

lə taksi

taxi

le camion

lə kamjɔ̃

truck

le tramway

lə tʁamwɛ

tram

le bateau

lə bato

boat

l’avion

lavjɔ̃

airplane

2. Traffic

Useful vocabulary for describing traffic and roadway situations.

French Vocabulary

IPA (French)

English Meaning

la circulation

la siʁkylasjɔ̃

traffic

le feu rouge

lə fø ʁuʒ

red light

le rond-point

lə ʁɔ̃pwɛ̃

roundabout

le passage piéton

lə pasaʒ pjetɔ̃

crosswalk

le carrefour

lə kaʁfuʁ

intersection

l’embouteillage

lɑ̃butɛjaʒ

traffic jam

le trottoir

lə tʁotwaʁ

sidewalk

la route

la ʁut

road

l’autoroute

lotoʁut

highway

le panneau

lə panno

signboard

la voie

la vwa

lane

3. Traffic Action

Common verbs and actions related to moving in traffic.

French Vocabulary

IPA (French)

English Meaning

conduire

kɔ̃dɥiʁ

to drive

tourner

tuʁne

to turn

aller tout droit

ale tu dʁwa

to go straight

traverser

tʁavɛʁse

to cross

freiner

fʁene

to brake

accélérer

akselere

to accelerate

dépasser

depase

to overtake

s’arrêter

saʁete

to stop

reculer

ʁəkyle

to reverse

marcher

maʁʃe

to walk

prendre la sortie

pʁɑ̃dʁ la sɔʁti

to take the exit

4. Traffic Law

Important vocabulary for understanding road laws and safety guidelines.

French Vocabulary

IPA (French)

English Meaning

la loi routière

la lwa ʁutjɛʁ

traffic law

la limitation de vitesse

la limitasjɔ̃ də vitɛs

speed limit

le permis de conduire

lə pɛʁmi də kɔ̃dɥiʁ

driver’s license

l’amende

lamɑ̃d

fine

la ceinture de sécurité

la sɑ̃tyʁ də sekyʁite

seat belt

la priorité

la pʁijoʁite

right of way

l’alcool au volant

lalkɔl o vɔlɑ̃

drunk driving

le contrôle routier

lə kɔ̃tʁol ʁutje

roadside check

la règle

la ʁɛgl

rule

l’assurance auto

lasyʁɑ̃s oto

car insurance

la sécurité routière

la sekyʁite ʁutjɛʁ

road safety

5. Direction

Common expressions for navigating and giving directions.

French Vocabulary

IPA (French)

English Meaning

à gauche

a ɡoʃ

to the left

à droite

a dʁwat

to the right

tout droit

tu dʁwa

straight ahead

près de

pʁɛ də

near

loin de

lwɛ̃ də

far from

en face de

ɑ̃ fas də

across from

derrière

dɛʁjɛʁ

behind

devant

dəvɑ̃

in front of

au coin

o kwɛ̃

at the corner

tourner à gauche

tuʁne a ɡoʃ

turn left

comment aller à… ?

kɔmɑ̃ ale a

how to get to…?

These transport-related vocabulary groups help you communicate clearly about vehicles, traffic conditions, driving actions, rules, and directions in French. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition approach, memorizing them becomes simple, efficient, and long-lasting.

Keep improving with GuruLango and navigate French-speaking places with ease and confidence!