How Long Does It Really Take to Learn French? (The Honest, Funny, Slightly Painful Truth)”
- carolinefournier16
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 30
So, you want to learn French. The language of love, croissants, and accidentally insulting someone because you confused poisson (fish) with poison (poison).
You’re probably wondering: How long will this take me? Weeks? Months? Years?
Let’s rip the Band-Aid off: it depends on your goals, how much time you invest, and whether you’re binge-watching Netflix in French or just glancing at Duolingo once a week.
The CEFR Levels – And How Long They Take to learn French
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is the gold standard for describing language proficiency, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (near-native mastery). Here’s how long it takes to get there, according to credible sources.
Alliance Française estimates (cumulative from zero)
A1 | 60–100 hours |
A2 | 160–200 hours |
B1 | 360–400 hours |
B2 | 560–650 hours |
C1 | 810–950 hours |
C2 | 1,060–1,200 hours |
Here is a break down by goals to be achieved
Tourist Level (Basic Comprehension | ~80-100 hours |
Working Knowledge (Conversational) | ~200-400 hours |
Higher Level of Fluency | ~550-900 hours |
Factors Influencing Learning Time
Native Language: French is considered one of the easier languages for English speakers to learn.
Age: Younger learners tend to pick up languages more quickly.
Previous Language Experience: Knowledge of other Romance languages can accelerate the learning process.
Learning Style and Intensity: Individuals learn at different paces, and consistent, focused practice (e.g., through language classes, immersion, or dedicated study time) can shorten the learning curve.
Motivation and Consistency: A strong motivation and consistent effort are crucial for achieving fluency.
Real-Life Student Timelines (a.k.a. What Reddit Says) - Is 3 months enough to learn french? Can I master French in 1 year?
B2 in 6 months? Possible if you do 3–4 hours a day, totalling 560–650 hours. It’s like a part-time job — minus the paycheck.
“According to the Alliance Française, it takes between 560 and 650 hours to go from A1 to B2. Which means that in order to reach B2 in 6 months, you would need to study/practice around 3-4 hours every day.” (Source: Reddit)
B2 in 1 year? Very realistic with 3 hours a day (about 1,099 hours in a year).
“If you study 3hrs a day for a full year without skipping a day, you'll be sitting at 1,099 hours. According to the European Language Benchmark, to reach B2 level in French, you need about 600-800 hours.” (Source: Reddit)
How long to learn French?
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
To reach B2 (upper-intermediate): Expect 500–650 hours of serious study. That’s 3–4 hours/day for 6 months, or 1–2 years at a slower pace.
To reach C1 or C2: Double (or triple) that investment. You’re looking at years, not months.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Once you reach B2, you can have real conversations, understand movies without subtitles, and complain about the weather in style.
What is the quickest way to learn French? Tips for Faster Learning
Immersive Experiences: Surround yourself with the language through movies, music, and travel (if possible).
Active Practice: Don't just passively learn; actively use the language through conversation, writing, and listening.
Find a Language Partner or Tutor: Having someone to practice with and provide feedback can be very beneficial.
Utilize Language Learning Apps and Resources:Tools like Lingoda or LanguageTalk can be helpful.
Final Word (With a Dose of Motivation)
If you aim for B2, plan for 500–650 hours of real work. If you want to be the person who casually reads Le Monde over coffee in Paris, be ready for the long haul.
Learning French is a marathon, not a sprint — but it’s also a ticket to a second soul, as the Czech proverb says. Every hour you put in gets you closer to ordering wine in flawless French and actually understanding the answer you get back.