Learning how to say “person” in French can be an exciting start for those interested in the language. The word is simple yet versatile and is often used in daily conversations. Whether you’re describing someone you met, introducing yourself, or telling a story, knowing how to use this word will be very helpful. By learning its different forms and related terms, you can improve your vocabulary and sound more natural when speaking French.
In this article, we will explore how to say “person” in French, discuss other related words, and look at polite responses. You’ll also find fun exercises to practice what you’ve learned. By the end, you’ll feel more confident using this word in your French conversations. Let’s begin!
Ways to Say “Person” in French
The word “person” is essential in every language. In French, it takes different forms depending on context, gender, or formality. Below, you’ll find several ways to say “person” in French, along with their meanings, pronunciation, and example sentences to help you use them effectively in conversations. Let’s explore these expressions!
1. Personne
Pronunciation: pair-son
Meaning: Person (general, singular, neutral).
In a Sentence:
- C’est une bonne personne. (She’s a good person.)
- Chaque personne doit participer. (Each person must participate.)
2. Gens
Pronunciation: zhawn
Meaning: People (general, plural).
In a Sentence:
- Les gens sont gentils ici. (People are nice here.)
- J’ai rencontré des gens intéressants au marché. (I met interesting people at the market.)
3. Individu
Pronunciation: ahn-dee-vee-doo
Meaning: Individual.
In a Sentence:
- Cet individu est suspect. (This individual is suspicious.)
- Chaque individu a des droits. (Every individual has rights.)
4. Homme
Pronunciation: ohm
Meaning: Man or human (general term for a male person or mankind).
In a Sentence:
- Cet homme est médecin. (This man is a doctor.)
- L’homme a toujours cherché à explorer. (Humankind has always sought to explore.)
5. Femme
Pronunciation: fahm
Meaning: Woman.
In a Sentence:
- Cette femme est très talentueuse. (This woman is very talented.)
- Une femme courageuse a témoigné. (A brave woman testified.)
6. Monsieur
Pronunciation: muh-syuh
Meaning: Gentleman, man, or sir.
In a Sentence:
- Bonjour, monsieur! (Hello, sir!)
- Ce monsieur travaille ici. (This gentleman works here.)
7. Madame
Pronunciation: mah-dahm
Meaning: Lady, woman, or ma’am.
In a Sentence:
- Bonjour, madame! (Hello, ma’am!)
- Cette madame enseigne à l’école. (This lady teaches at the school.)
8. Enfant
Pronunciation: ahn-fahn
Meaning: Child.
In a Sentence:
- Cet enfant est très curieux. (This child is very curious.)
- Chaque enfant mérite une éducation. (Every child deserves an education.)
9. Adulte
Pronunciation: ah-doolt
Meaning: Adult.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film est réservé aux adultes. (This movie is for adults only.)
- Les adultes sont responsables de leurs choix. (Adults are responsible for their choices.)
10. Ami(e)
Pronunciation: ah-mee (ah-mee for female)
Meaning: Friend or companion.
In a Sentence:
- Mon ami habite à Paris. (My friend lives in Paris.)
- Cette amie est très proche de moi. (This friend is very close to me.)
11. Individuelle
Pronunciation: ahn-dee-vee-dwell
Meaning: Individual (feminine).
In a Sentence:
- Une solution individuelle est parfois nécessaire. (An individual solution is sometimes necessary.)
- Chaque individuelle a une voix. (Every individual has a voice.)
12. Personnalité
Pronunciation: pair-son-ah-lee-tay
Meaning: Personality or public figure.
In a Sentence:
- Elle est une grande personnalité dans ce domaine. (She is a big personality in this field.)
- Sa personnalité est charmante. (Her personality is charming.)
13. Citoyen(ne)
Pronunciation: see-twah-yen (see-twah-yenn for feminine)
Meaning: Citizen.
In a Sentence:
- Chaque citoyen doit respecter les lois. (Every citizen must respect the laws.)
- Cette citoyenne est très engagée. (This citizen is very involved.)
14. Habitants
Pronunciation: ah-bee-tahnt
Meaning: Inhabitants or residents.
In a Sentence:
- Les habitants de ce village sont accueillants. (The inhabitants of this village are welcoming.)
- Tous les habitants doivent se réunir ce soir. (All the residents must gather tonight.)
15. Collègue
Pronunciation: koh-leg
Meaning: Colleague or coworker.
In a Sentence:
- Mon collègue est très serviable. (My colleague is very helpful.)
- Elle travaille bien avec ses collègues. (She works well with her colleagues.)
16. Voisin(e)
Pronunciation: vwah-zan (vwah-zeen for feminine)
Meaning: Neighbor.
In a Sentence:
- Mon voisin est très gentil. (My neighbor is very kind.)
- J’ai rencontré ma voisine aujourd’hui. (I met my neighbor today.)
17. Compatriote
Pronunciation: kom-pa-tree-oht
Meaning: Fellow countryman or compatriot.
In a Sentence:
- Nous sommes tous des compatriotes ici. (We are all compatriots here.)
- Elle a aidé un compatriote en difficulté. (She helped a fellow countryman in need.)
18. Étranger/Étrangère
Pronunciation: ay-trahn-zjay / ay-trahn-zjair
Meaning: Foreigner or stranger.
In a Sentence:
- Cet étranger a demandé de l’aide. (This foreigner asked for help.)
- Elle a parlé à une étrangère dans le train. (She spoke to a stranger on the train.)
19. Conjoint(e)
Pronunciation: kohn-zhuant (kohn-zjuant for feminine)
Meaning: Partner or spouse.
In a Sentence:
- Mon conjoint est toujours là pour moi. (My partner is always there for me.)
- Sa conjointe est médecin. (His partner is a doctor.)
20. Étudiant(e)
Pronunciation: ay-too-dee-an (ay-too-dee-ant for feminine)
Meaning: Student.
In a Sentence:
- Cet étudiant est très sérieux. (This student is very serious.)
- L’étudiante a réussi son examen. (The student passed her exam.)
21. Propriétaire
Pronunciation: proh-pree-ay-tehr
Meaning: Owner or landlord.
In a Sentence:
- Le propriétaire de cette maison est gentil. (The owner of this house is kind.)
- J’ai parlé avec la propriétaire hier. (I spoke with the landlord yesterday.)
22. Acteur/Actrice
Pronunciation: ahk-teur / ahk-treess
Meaning: Actor or actress.
In a Sentence:
- Cet acteur est très connu. (This actor is very famous.)
- L’actrice a reçu un prix. (The actress received an award.)
23. Client(e)
Pronunciation: klee-an (klee-ant for feminine)
Meaning: Customer or client.
In a Sentence:
- Ce client a commandé un café. (This customer ordered a coffee.)
- La cliente était très satisfaite. (The client was very satisfied.)
24. Participant(e)
Pronunciation: par-tee-see-pahn (par-tee-see-pahnt for feminine)
Meaning: Participant.
In a Sentence:
- Chaque participant doit remplir un formulaire. (Each participant must fill out a form.)
- La participante a fait un excellent travail. (The participant did an excellent job.)
25. Travailleur/Travailleuse
Pronunciation: trah-vai-yeur / trah-vai-yeuz
Meaning: Worker.
In a Sentence:
- Le travailleur répare la route. (The worker is fixing the road.)
- Cette travailleuse est très compétente. (This worker is very skilled.)
26. Conducteur/Conductrice
Pronunciation: kohn-dook-teur / kohn-dook-treess
Meaning: Driver.
In a Sentence:
- Le conducteur du bus était très gentil. (The bus driver was very kind.)
- La conductrice a évité un accident. (The driver avoided an accident.)
27. Enseignant(e)
Pronunciation: ahn-seh-nyan (ahn-seh-nyant for feminine)
Meaning: Teacher.
In a Sentence:
- Cet enseignant est apprécié par ses élèves. (This teacher is appreciated by his students.)
- L’enseignante a expliqué le sujet avec patience. (The teacher explained the topic patiently.)
Other Ways to Say “Person” in French
Here is a table with additional ways to express “person” in French. Each phrase includes its pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences to help you understand its usage.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Passant/Passante | pah-sahn / pah-sahnt | Passerby | Le passant a demandé son chemin. (The passerby asked for directions.) |
| Touriste | too-reest | Tourist | Le touriste a pris beaucoup de photos. (The tourist took many pictures.) |
| Visiteur/Visiteuse | vee-zee-teur / vee-zee-teuz | Visitor | Le visiteur est arrivé ce matin. (The visitor arrived this morning.) |
| Connaissance | kohn-eh-sahns | Acquaintance | Elle est une vieille connaissance. (She is an old acquaintance.) |
| Hôte/Hôtesse | oat / oat-ess | Host or hostess | L’hôte était très accueillant. (The host was very welcoming.) |
| Débutant(e) | day-boo-tahn / day-boo-tahnt | Beginner | Le débutant apprend vite. (The beginner is learning quickly.) |
| Voyageur/Voyageuse | vwah-yah-jur / vwah-yah-juz | Traveler | Le voyageur a adoré la France. (The traveler loved France.) |
| Locataire | loh-kah-tair | Tenant | Le locataire paie son loyer à temps. (The tenant pays their rent on time.) |
| Chef | shehf | Leader, boss, or head | Le chef a pris une décision importante. (The boss made an important decision.) |
| Assistant(e) | ah-sees-tahnt | Assistant | L’assistant organise les réunions. (The assistant organizes the meetings.) |
| Fonctionnaire | fohnk-syon-nair | Civil servant or government worker | Le fonctionnaire travaille au ministère. (The civil servant works at the ministry.) |
| Réfugié(e) | ray-fyu-zjay | Refugee | Le réfugié a trouvé un abri. (The refugee found shelter.) |
Responses to “Person” in French
When someone talks about a “person” or refers to individuals in French, there are polite and natural responses to continue the conversation. Below are examples of how to reply using common French phrases. These responses are practical and easy to use in different contexts.
1. Oui, c’est une personne gentille.
Meaning: Yes, they are a kind person.
In a Sentence:
- Question: Est-ce que tu connais cette personne? (Do you know this person?)
- Response: Oui, c’est une personne gentille. (Yes, they are a kind person.)
2. Je suis d’accord.
Meaning: I agree.
In a Sentence:
- Statement: Cette personne est très intéressante. (This person is very interesting.)
- Response: Je suis d’accord. (I agree.)
3. Ah, je vois.
Meaning: Oh, I see.
In a Sentence:
- Statement: Cette personne aime voyager. (This person loves to travel.)
- Response: Ah, je vois. (Oh, I see.)
4. Qui est cette personne?
Meaning: Who is this person?
In a Sentence:
- Observation: Regarde, cette personne est ici tous les jours. (Look, this person is here every day.)
- Response: Qui est cette personne? (Who is this person?)
5. Je ne suis pas sûr(e).
Meaning: I’m not sure.
In a Sentence:
- Question: Connais-tu cette personne? (Do you know this person?)
- Response: Je ne suis pas sûr(e). (I’m not sure.)
6. Elle semble très intéressante.
Meaning: She seems very interesting.
In a Sentence:
- Observation: Cette personne a des idées uniques. (This person has unique ideas.)
- Response: Elle semble très intéressante. (She seems very interesting.)
7. Oui, je la connais bien.
Meaning: Yes, I know her well.
In a Sentence:
- Question: Tu connais cette personne? (Do you know this person?)
- Response: Oui, je la connais bien. (Yes, I know her well.)
8. Je ne la connais pas.
Meaning: I don’t know her.
In a Sentence:
- Question: Tu sais qui est cette personne? (Do you know who this person is?)
- Response: Je ne la connais pas. (I don’t know her.)
9. Cette personne est incroyable!
Meaning: This person is amazing!
In a Sentence:
- Statement: Elle a aidé tout le monde au travail. (She helped everyone at work.)
- Response: Cette personne est incroyable! (This person is amazing!)
10. Il me semble qu’elle est gentille.
Meaning: It seems to me she is kind.
In a Sentence:
- Observation: Cette personne a toujours un sourire. (This person always has a smile.)
- Response: Il me semble qu’elle est gentille. (It seems to me she is kind.)
11. Je crois que oui.
Meaning: I believe so.
In a Sentence:
- Question: Penses-tu que cette personne va venir? (Do you think this person will come?)
- Response: Je crois que oui. (I believe so.)
12. Ça pourrait être intéressant.
Meaning: That could be interesting.
In a Sentence:
- Statement: Cette personne va donner une présentation. (This person will give a presentation.)
- Response: Ça pourrait être intéressant. (That could be interesting.)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Person” in French
Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank sentences to practice the ways to say “person” in French. Complete each sentence by using the correct word from the list. Each sentence is provided in French, followed by its English meaning. At the end, you’ll find the answers for reference.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Cette ______ est très gentille avec les enfants. (personne/gens)
- Les ______ du village sont tous réunis pour la fête. (personnes/habitants)
- Mon ______ de bureau est toujours très serviable. (collègue/voisin)
- Cette ______ célèbre est une actrice connue. (personne/personnalité)
- Chaque ______ a droit au respect et à la dignité. (individu/citoyen)
- Mon ______ a organisé une grande réunion hier. (chef/assistant)
- Les ______ étaient très curieux au musée. (touristes/voyageurs)
- Cette ______ est une étrangère qui visite notre pays. (personne/étrangère)
- Le ______ de l’appartement m’a donné une clé supplémentaire. (propriétaire/locataire)
- Les ______ arrivent toujours à l’heure pour la classe. (étudiants/enseignants)
- Cette ______ est nouvelle dans notre quartier. (voisine/personnalité)
- L’______ du bus est très prudent sur la route. (conducteur/travailleur)
Answers
- Cette personne est très gentille avec les enfants. (This person is very kind to children.)
- Les habitants du village sont tous réunis pour la fête. (The inhabitants of the village are all gathered for the festival.)
- Mon collègue de bureau est toujours très serviable. (My colleague at the office is always very helpful.)
- Cette personnalité célèbre est une actrice connue. (This famous personality is a well-known actress.)
- Chaque individu a droit au respect et à la dignité. (Each individual is entitled to respect and dignity.)
- Mon chef a organisé une grande réunion hier. (My boss organized a big meeting yesterday.)
- Les touristes étaient très curieux au musée. (The tourists were very curious at the museum.)
- Cette étrangère est une étrangère qui visite notre pays. (This person is a foreigner visiting our country.)
- Le propriétaire de l’appartement m’a donné une clé supplémentaire. (The apartment owner gave me an extra key.)
- Les étudiants arrivent toujours à l’heure pour la classe. (The students always arrive on time for class.)
- Cette voisine est nouvelle dans notre quartier. (This neighbor is new to our neighborhood.)
- L’conducteur du bus est très prudent sur la route. (The bus driver is very careful on the road.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “person” in French is a valuable step for improving your vocabulary and building confidence in conversations. From basic terms like personne to more specific words like conducteur or collègue, each expression helps you describe people more accurately. These words are useful in everyday interactions, whether you’re talking about someone you know, meeting new people, or describing roles in society.
Practice regularly with the phrases and exercises provided to make them part of your everyday speech. Understanding these words not only enhances your language skills but also helps you communicate clearly and effectively in French. Keep practicing, and soon, using these expressions will feel as natural as speaking in English!