Introduction to French Law Terms: Ten Words You Need to Know

As an American master’s degree student studying Public Law in France, I’ve learned heaps of new vocabulary throughout my studies. Though the average French-learner won’t regularly use the specialized language that studying law in France requires, increasing your lexicon can be useful for understanding French news, participating in conversations with native speakers, and expanding your general fluency.

Here are ten useful French vocabulary words that will help you begin to understand and discuss legal topics in French.

French Vocabulary	English Equivalents
Accord (nom masculin)	Agreement, Treaty
Avocat (nom masculin) Avocate (nom féminin)	Lawyer, Counsel
Cour (nom féminin)	Court
Droit (nom masculin)	Law
État (nom masculin)	State
Juge (nom masculin/féminin)	Judge
Jurisprudence (nom féminin)	Case Law, Legal Precedent
Juriste (nom masculin/féminin)	Legal Expert, Jurist
Justice (nom féminin)	Justice, Fairness
(La) Loi (nom féminin)	(The) Law

Which words will you be incorporating into your French conversations? Let me know in a comment!