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The phrases to describe a photo (DELF speaking). This French describe a photo delf speaking vocabulary list gives you 20 essential words — from au premier plan (in the foreground) to à mon avis (in my opinion) — each with audio and its English translation. Use it to build the French words you need to talk about describe a photo delf speaking, then test yourself with the games below.
This is a core DELF / school speaking task. Structure it: 1) présenter (cette image montre…) → 2) décrire (au premier plan… à l’arrière-plan…) → 3) interpréter (on dirait que…).
Move through space in order: au premier plan (front) → au centre → à l’arrière-plan (back); then à gauche / à droite.
Use on for a neutral describer: on voit, on aperçoit, on distingue — more natural than « je vois ».
To hedge (you’re not sure): on dirait que…, il semble que…, peut-être que… — examiners love nuance.
Finish with meaning: le thème est…, cette image illustre…, à mon avis, le message est…
🔊 Useful phrases
Au premier plan, on voit une femme.In the foreground, you can see a woman.
À l’arrière-plan, il y a une montagne.In the background, there’s a mountain.
On dirait que c’est l’automne.It looks like it’s autumn.
À mon avis, cette image illustre la liberté.In my opinion, this image illustrates freedom.
🔊 Example sentences
Cette photo représente une scène de rue.This photo depicts a street scene.
À droite, on aperçoit un café.On the right, you can glimpse a café.
Il semble que les gens sont heureux.It seems that the people are happy.
✍️ Practice
in the foreground = au ___ plan (front)
Show answer
premier
in the background = à l’___-plan (back)
Show answer
arrière
it looks like… (hedging) = on ___ que… (conditional idiom)
French describe a photo delf speaking vocabulary — FAQ
How do you say common describe a photo delf speaking words in French?
For example: in the foreground is « au premier plan », in the background is « à l’arrière-plan », in the centre is « au centre ». The full list above has 20 French describe a photo delf speaking words, each with audio so you can hear the pronunciation.
What are the most useful French describe a photo delf speaking words to learn first?
Start with the basics: au premier plan (in the foreground), à l’arrière-plan (in the background), au centre (in the centre), en haut / en bas (at the top / bottom), à gauche / à droite (on the left / right), au fond (at the back). Master these core French words before moving on to the rest of the list.
How can I memorise French describe a photo delf speaking vocabulary?
Learn the words in small themed groups, say each one out loud with the audio, and use it in a short sentence about your own life. Spaced repetition is what makes new vocabulary stick — see our guide to learning French vocabulary that sticks.
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