When you start speaking… and get stuck

You’ve probably experienced this:
👉 You begin to speak in French, everything’s going well,
👉 And suddenly, you’re searching for a word…
👉 It doesn’t come. You hesitate. You stop.

The conversation stops and you feel frustrated. You feel like your idea was “too simple.” You had something to say, but couldn’t find les bons mots (the right words).

You might also feel embarrassed, or think your partner is judging you (“Elle ne parle pas bien…”, “Il ne connaĂźt pas de vocabulaire…”). So, you speak less, take fewer risks, and block yourself even more. The classic vicious circle.

But is vocabulary really the problem?

 

No, you don’t need a “perfect” vocabulary

When we think of “fluency,” we often imagine someone who knows thousands of words and speaks like a dictionary. But in reality, that’s not what fluency is. What you need is flexibility — flexible strategies that help you keep going, even when a word is missing.

That’s exactly what native speakers do:
âžĄïž They go around the missing word.
âžĄïž They rephrase.
âžĄïž They ask.
âžĄïž They improvise.

And you can do the same.

Here are 3 practical tips to handle vocabulary gaps and keep speaking with confidence:

 

💡 Tip #1: Use a synonym

You don’t remember “gigantesque”? Say “trĂšs grand”.
You forgot “s’effondrer”? Say “tomber complĂštement”.

The idea is to use simple words that you already know and express the idea your way. For example:

“C’est une personne… pas mĂ©chante, mais… pas sympa non plus.”
(= “It’s a person… not mean, but… not nice either.”)
Even if it’s not the perfect word, you’re communicating your idea — and that’s what really matters.

 

💡 Tip #2: Explain using other words

Can’t remember the word aspirateur? No big deal. Just say:

“L’appareil qu’on utilise pour nettoyer le sol, qui fait du bruit…”
(= “The device we use to clean the floor, that makes noise…”)

Your conversation partner will understand — or even give you the word! It’s a technique kids use naturally, and it works really well: it keeps the conversation going.

 

💡 Tip #3: Just ask

Talking to a French native or another learner? No problem! You can say:

“Comment on dit… en français ?”
“Je ne connais pas le mot exact, tu peux m’aider ?”
(= “How do you say… in French?” / “I don’t know the exact word, can you help me?”)

It’s natural — and it builds connection. You show that you want to learn, and most people will be happy to help you.

 

🎁 Bonus: Practice in a conversation group

Want to progress faster and gain confidence? Join a French conversation group.

Why is this so effective?

  • Because it’s less intimidating than speaking with natives.

  • Because you’re not alone in searching for your words.

  • Because you get space to practice, with no pressure.

And most of all, you’ll realize that speaking is not about being perfect. It’s about communicating. Even with mistakes. Even with hesitation.

 

Fluency is not perfection

Remember: speaking fluently doesn’t mean knowing every word in the dictionary. It means being able to keep speaking even when you forget, make mistakes, or hesitate.

✅ You can say meaningful things with simple vocabulary.
✅ You can express your ideas even if you get stuck sometimes.
✅ You can make progress by speaking — not by waiting to be “ready.”

 

What now?

👉 Write down the words you often forget.
👉 Practice replacing or explaining them.
👉 Join a conversation group to practice without pressure.
👉 And most importantly… keep talking. Again and again. Even when you can’t find le mot parfait (the perfect word).

Because you know what? Le mot parfait n’existe pas (The perfect word doesn’t exist).
But your voice, your message, your desire to connect — that’s what really matters. So don’t let a missing word stop you.
 

See you soon in a conversation! đŸ‡«đŸ‡·