Common French Terms
of Family Ties –
Essential French Vocabulary
The family is a very important part of French life. Family values are often held in high esteem and many French people will give their family life priority over their jobs, where possible. French families also have their share of divorces and separations, so it’s a good idea to be able to understand who is related to whom, and how.
That way you’ll be able to show your interest when people talk about their family in French, which is often a sign of friendliness on their part. Not only that, but you’ll be able to reciprocate by telling them a little about your own family as well.
In this guide, you will find the basic French words and phrases that deal with family relationships.
| |
Phrase in French |
Phrase in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Mère |
Mother |
Mare |
|
Père |
Father |
Pare |
|
Sœur |
Sister |
Sir |
|
Frère |
Brother |
Fr-air |
|
Fils |
Son |
Feees |
|
Fille |
Daughter |
Fee |
|
Grand-mère |
Grandmother |
Grahn-mare |
|
Grand-père |
Grandfather |
Grahn-pare |
|
La famille |
Family |
Lah Fah-mee |
|
Ami(e) |
Friend |
Ah-mee |
|
Cousin(e) |
Cousin (add the e for female) |
Koo-zahn/Koo-zine |
|
Oncle |
Uncle |
On-cluh |
|
Tante |
Aunt |
Tahnt |
|
Femme |
Wife |
Fam |
|
Mari |
Husband |
Mah-ree |
|
Neveu |
Nephew |
Nuh-vuh |
|
Nièce |
Niece |
Nee-ess |
|
Petit ami |
Boyfriend |
Puh-tee tah-me |
|
Petite amie |
Girlfriend |
Puh-tee tah-me |
|
Belle-mère |
Stepmother |
Bell-mare |
|
Beau-père |
Stepfather |
Bow-pare |
|
Enfan |
Child |
On-fon |
|
Bébé |
Baby |
Bay-bay |
|
Marié(e) |
Married |
Mah-ree-ay |
|
Célibataire |
Single |
Say-lee-bah-tair |
|
Divorcé(e) |
Divorced |
Dee-vohr-say |
|
Separé(e) |
Separated |
Say-pah-ray |
|
Veuf/Veuve |
Widower/Widow |
Vuhf/Vuhv |
|
Mon/Ma |
My (masc. & fem.) |
Mohn/Mah |
|
Ton/Ta |
Your |
Tohn/Tah |
Slang/Commonly Used Expressions:
| |
Expression in French |
Expression in English |
Pronunciation |
|
J'habite chez ma reum. |
I live with my mom. (slang) |
Zhah-beet shay ma ruhm. |
|
Le beauf |
Slang for brother-in-law |
Luh bohf |
|
Ma meuf |
My girlfriend |
Mah muhf |
|
Mon ex |
My ex |
Mohnex |
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