This French A1 lesson explains French forms vocabulary step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on French forms vocabulary and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: To fill in a French form, write your last name (nom) in capitals, your first name (prénom), your birth date as day/month/year, your address with number, street, postal code and city, and tick your family status (situation familiale). Read the instruction verbs: écrivez, cochez, signez.
Level: French A1 (CEFR beginner) · Standards: CEFR A1, Writing
French forms vocabulary: the lesson
What do the main fields of a French form mean?
Registering at a gym, opening a bank account or enrolling in a language course all start with the same boxes. Learn the labels once and every form becomes readable.
| Field | Meaning | Answer example |
|---|---|---|
| le nom / le nom de famille | last name | DIALLO |
| le prénom | first name | Aïssatou |
| la date de naissance | date of birth | 12/09/1994 |
| le lieu de naissance | place of birth | Thiès |
| la nationalité | nationality | sénégalaise |
| l’adresse (f.) | address | 8 rue des Tilleuls |
| le code postal | postal code | 44000 |
| la profession | occupation | infirmière |
Common mistake
English speakers put the month first. In France 04/05/2001 is 4 May 2001. Also, “name” alone is ambiguous: nom is the family name and prénom the first name, the opposite order from many English forms.
How do you write dates, addresses and phone numbers?
Write the day, then the month, then the year. A phone number is written in pairs: 06 12 34 56 78. Mobile numbers start with 06 or 07. An address has no comma between the number and the street: 12 avenue Jean-Jaurès, 69003 Lyon.
What are the family-status words?
These words change with gender when they are adjectives: marié (m.), mariée (f.); divorcé, divorcée. Célibataire is the same for both. Pacsé(e) means in a civil partnership (PACS). Veuf is for a widower, veuve for a widow.
Introducing yourself on paper
Je m’appelle Aïssatou Diallo. Je suis née le 12 septembre 1994 à Thiès. J’habite au 8 rue des Tilleuls, à Nantes. Je suis mariée. — My name is Aïssatou Diallo. I was born on 12 September 1994 in Thiès. I live at 8 rue des Tilleuls, in Nantes. I’m married.
How do you read the instructions on a form?
Instructions use the polite command (the vous form): Écrivez en lettres majuscules — write in capitals; Cochez la case — tick the box; Rayez la mention inutile — cross out what does not apply; Joignez un justificatif de domicile — attach proof of address; Datez et signez — date and sign. A star (*) often means the field is required: champ obligatoire.
Culture note
For proof of address, French offices accept a recent electricity or internet bill, called une facture, or a rental receipt. A birth date can also be asked for with né(e) le, an expression you will see on official documents.
Zoé’s tip
Fill in a form on scrap paper first, in capitals, one letter per box. Check the day/month order twice. Then copy the clean version. This habit saves you from crossed-out answers.
Key points to remember
- French dates go day / month / year: 03/11/2002 is 3 November, not March 11.
- In an address the house number comes before the street name, and the 5-digit postal code before the city.
- Nom is the family name; prénom is the given name. Many forms ask for the surname in capital letters.
- Family status choices: célibataire, marié(e), pacsé(e), divorcé(e), veuf / veuve.
- Forms speak to you with the polite command: Cochez la case, Écrivez en majuscules, Signez ici.
Filling In a French Registration Form: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between nom and prénom?
The nom (or nom de famille) is your last name, like Diallo. The prénom is your first name, like Aïssatou. Forms often ask for the nom first and in capital letters.
How do you write a date of birth on a French form?
Use day/month/year with two digits for the day and the month: 12/09/1994. In words you write le 12 septembre 1994. The month is never first, so 04/05 means 4 May.
What does situation familiale mean?
It means family status. Typical choices are célibataire (single), marié(e) (married), pacsé(e) (in a civil partnership), divorcé(e) (divorced) and veuf / veuve (widowed).
What does cochez la case mean?
It means tick the box. Cochez is the polite command of cocher. Similar form instructions are écrivez en majuscules (write in capitals) and signez ici (sign here).
How do you write an address in French?
Put the number first, then the street, then the five-digit postal code and the city: 8 rue des Tilleuls, 44000 Nantes. Words like rue, avenue and boulevard stay lowercase inside the line.