This French B2 lesson explains describing graphs in French step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on describing graphs in French and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: To present data in French, name the trend with a verb or noun (augmenter, diminuer, une hausse), add the size with de (augmenter de 12 %) and the start and end with passer de … à …. Express shares with la moitié, le tiers, le quart and représenter.
Level: French B2 (CEFR upper intermediate) · Standards: CEFR B2, Spoken production
Describing graphs in French: the lesson
How do you describe a trend in French?
To present a graph, choose a verb or a noun for the direction, then add the size of the change with the right preposition. This is a core skill for the DELF B2 oral and for meetings at work.
| Direction | Verbs | Nouns |
|---|---|---|
| up | augmenter, progresser, grimper, bondir | une hausse, une progression |
| down | diminuer, baisser, reculer, chuter | une baisse, un recul, une chute |
| flat | se stabiliser, stagner | une stabilité, une stagnation |
Rule: prepositions with figures
- augmenter de 12 % — to increase by 12 %
- passer de 8 % à 36 % — to go from 8 % to 36 %
- atteindre 40 % / s’élever à 40 % — to reach 40 %
- une baisse de 11 points — a drop of 11 points
- rester stable à 25 % — to stay at 25 %
Examples
- Entre 2019 et 2021, la part du télétravail est passée de 8 % à 36 %. — Between 2019 and 2021, remote work went from 8 % to 36 %.
- Elle a ensuite reculé de 11 points. — It then fell by 11 points.
How do you express proportions?
| Fraction | French | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | la moitié | La moitié des clients paient en ligne. |
| 1/3 | le tiers | Le tiers du budget part en salaires. |
| 1/4 | le quart | Le quart des élèves vient à vélo. |
| 2/3 | les deux tiers | Les deux tiers des cadres ont accepté. |
| majority | la majorité, la plupart | La plupart des salariés habitent en ville. |
To say that a part makes up a whole, use représenter: Les femmes représentent 45 % des effectifs. — Women make up 45 % of the staff. Add doubler, tripler or diviser par deux for big changes: Le nombre de visiteurs a doublé.
Watch out
English says “an increase of 5 %” or “increase by 5 %”; French uses de in both: une hausse de 5 %, augmenter de 5 %. Do not use par. Also put a space before the sign: 12 %, and use a decimal comma: 3,5. After la moitié des the verb is plural.
How do you structure a short presentation?
- Introduce: Ce graphique présente…
- Describe the trend: On observe une hausse de…
- Compare: par rapport à 2020, alors que
- Conclude: Pour conclure, on constate que…
Culture note
In France, the national statistics institute publishes figures on population, jobs and prices that journalists and teachers present with graphs every day.
Zoé’s tip
Say the trend first, the numbers second. Ça monte, puis ça baisse: your listener follows the story, then checks the figures.
Key points to remember
- Augmenter de means increase by; passer de … à … means go from … to ….
- Représenter says what share of a total something makes up.
- La moitié, le tiers, le quart are the basic fractions.
- Put a space before % and use a decimal comma.
- Describe the trend first, then the numbers.
Describing graphs, trends and proportions aloud: frequently asked questions
How do you say increase by 10 % in French?
Say augmenter de 10 % or une hausse de 10 %. French uses de, never par, to give the size of the change.
What is the difference between de and à after passer?
Passer de 8 % à 36 % gives the starting point with de and the end point with à. It shows the complete journey of a figure.
How do you say half of the employees?
Say la moitié des employés. The verb is usually plural: la moitié des employés travaillent à distance.
Which verbs mean to fall sharply?
Chuter and s’effondrer describe a sharp fall. For a slight fall, use diminuer légèrement or baisser un peu.
How do I conclude a presentation of data?
Use Pour conclure, on constate que… or En résumé, la tendance est…. Finish with one sentence that states the main trend.