How To Talk About Animals In French

Animal vocabulary is a fun topic to dive into when you’re starting out learning a language. Plus, you’ll be able to use animal-related words in many different conversations, because (almost) everyone loves animals! Thus, you’ll definitely want to study the vocab related to animals in French if that’s the language you’re learning. 

On your next trip to France, you’ll be able to ask for help if there’s a rat in your Paris Airbnb or talk admiringly about wildlife in the French countryside. Even right here at home, learning how to talk about animals in French will make your language learning a little cuter and more fun.

Check out this quick guide to animals in French, and click the play button to hear how each word is pronounced. And don’t forget to scroll down to hear what French animals sounds are like.

General Animal Vocab

the pet — l’animal domestique

the wild animal — l’animal sauvage

the farm animal — l’animal de la ferme

the sea creature — l’animal marin

the fur — le pelage

the veterinarian — le vétérinaire (m) / la vétérinaire (f)

to feed — nourrir

Names Of Animals In French

the dog — le chien

the cat — le chat

the fish — le poisson

the mouse — la souris

the hamster — le hamster

the rabbit — le lapin

the rat — le rat

the guinea pig — le cochon d’Inde

the chicken — la poule

the duck — le canard

the cow — la vache

the pig — le porc

the horse — le cheval

the bird — l’oiseau

the penguin — le pingouin

the dolphin — le dauphin

the octopus — le poulpe

the blue whale — la baleine bleue

the shark — le requin

the bear — l’ours

the wolf — le loup

the snake — le serpent

the frog — la grenouille

the squirrel — l’écureuil

the giraffe — la girafe

the deer — le chevreuil

the bug — la bestiole

the mosquito — le moustique

the spider — l’araignée

the bee — l’abeille

the butterfly — le papillon

Animal Sounds In French

woof — ouaf

meow — miaou

cock-a-doodle-doo — cocorico

quack-quack — coin-coin

moo — meuh

ribbit — coâ-coâ