Learning how to talk about people in another language is a useful skill, especially when you’re trying to make new friends or have conversations. In French, saying “someone” and referring to others in different ways is essential for everyday communication. This article will help you understand how to say “someone” in French and cover other useful phrases like how to say “by someone,” how to say “someone is hot,” and how to ask about someone’s age.
Whether you’re in a classroom, on a trip to France, or talking to a French speaker online, knowing how to express yourself clearly will help you make the most of your conversations. So, let’s get started and learn how to say “someone” in French, along with other useful phrases related to talking about people!
How to say “someone” in French
There are several ways to say “someone” in French depending on the context. Here’s a list of useful phrases you can use to refer to someone in various situations.
1. Quelqu’un
Pronunciation: /kel-kœ̃/
Meaning: This is the most common way to say “someone” in French. It is used in a general sense to refer to a person.
In a Sentence:
- J’ai vu quelqu’un dans le parc. (I saw someone in the park.)
- Quelqu’un a laissé un message pour toi. (Someone left a message for you.)
2. Une personne
Pronunciation: /yn pɛʁsɔn/
Meaning: Literally translates to “a person.” This phrase is a bit more formal and can refer to anyone.
In a Sentence:
- Une personne a appelé pour toi. (A person called for you.)
- C’est une bonne personne. (She’s a good person.)
3. Un individu
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ɛ̃dividɥ/
Meaning: This is a formal way to say “someone,” used more in academic or legal contexts.
In a Sentence:
- L’individu a été arrêté par la police. (The individual was arrested by the police.)
- C’est un individu intéressant. (He is an interesting individual.)
4. Quelqu’un de spécial
Pronunciation: /kel-kœ̃ də spe-sjal/
Meaning: This phrase translates to “someone special.” It is often used to refer to someone important or unique.
In a Sentence:
- Il est quelqu’un de spécial pour moi. (He is someone special to me.)
- Tu es quelqu’un de spécial. (You are someone special.)
5. Un tel
Pronunciation: /œ̃ tɛl/
Meaning: This phrase can be translated as “such a person” or “someone like that,” often used in a specific context.
In a Sentence:
- Un tel comportement est inacceptable. (Such behavior is unacceptable.)
- Je n’ai jamais rencontré un tel individu. (I’ve never met someone like that.)
6. Un type
Pronunciation: /œ̃ tip/
Meaning: This is an informal and casual way to say “someone,” often used for men.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un type sympa. (He’s a nice guy.)
- Un type est venu me parler hier. (A guy came to talk to me yesterday.)
7. Une personne de plus
Pronunciation: /yn pɛʁsɔn də plys/
Meaning: This means “one more person” or “someone else.” It can be used to talk about additional people in a group.
In a Sentence:
- Nous avons une personne de plus dans notre équipe. (We have one more person in our team.)
- Il y a une personne de plus qui va nous rejoindre. (There is someone else who will join us.)
8. Un ami
Pronunciation: /œ̃ a.mi/
Meaning: This means “a friend.” Used when referring to a specific person in a friendly context.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un ami de longue date. (He’s a long-time friend.)
- J’ai un ami qui parle français. (I have a friend who speaks French.)
9. Une connaissance
Pronunciation: /yn kɔ.nɛ.sɑ̃s/
Meaning: Refers to an acquaintance or someone you know casually.
In a Sentence:
- C’est une connaissance de mon frère. (She’s an acquaintance of my brother.)
- J’ai rencontré une connaissance au café. (I met an acquaintance at the café.)
10. Un inconnu
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ɛ̃.kɔ.ny/
Meaning: This means “a stranger” or “an unknown person.”
In a Sentence:
- Un inconnu m’a demandé des directions. (A stranger asked me for directions.)
- Il y avait un inconnu dans le coin. (There was a stranger in the corner.)
11. Un visiteur
Pronunciation: /œ̃ vi.zi.tœʁ/
Meaning: A visitor. Refers to someone who is visiting a place.
In a Sentence:
- Un visiteur est arrivé ce matin. (A visitor arrived this morning.)
- Nous avons un visiteur spécial aujourd’hui. (We have a special visitor today.)
12. Un collègue
Pronunciation: /œ̃ kɔ.lɛɡ/
Meaning: A colleague or coworker.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un collègue de travail. (He’s a work colleague.)
- Elle est une collègue très sympathique. (She is a very friendly colleague.)
13. Un membre
Pronunciation: /œ̃ mɑ̃bʁ/
Meaning: A member, typically used for someone belonging to a group or organization.
In a Sentence:
- Il est membre de l’équipe de football. (He is a member of the soccer team.)
- Nous avons un nouveau membre dans le club. (We have a new member in the club.)
14. Une figure
Pronunciation: /yn fiɡyʁ/
Meaning: A figure, often used to refer to someone important in a field or context.
In a Sentence:
- Elle est une figure importante dans le monde de l’art. (She is an important figure in the art world.)
- C’est une figure publique très connue. (He’s a well-known public figure.)
15. Un personnage
Pronunciation: /œ̃ pɛʁ.sɔ.naʒ/
Meaning: A character, often used in literature or storytelling but can also mean an individual.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un personnage fascinant dans le livre. (He is a fascinating character in the book.)
- Elle joue le personnage principal dans le film. (She plays the main character in the movie.)
16. Un inconnu sympathique
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ɛ̃.kɔ.ny sa.mpa.tik/
Meaning: A friendly stranger.
In a Sentence:
- Un inconnu sympathique m’a offert de l’aide. (A friendly stranger offered me help.)
- J’ai rencontré un inconnu sympathique hier. (I met a friendly stranger yesterday.)
17. Un élu
Pronunciation: /œ̃ e.ly/
Meaning: An elected person, often used in politics to refer to someone chosen by vote.
In a Sentence:
- Il est un élu du conseil municipal. (He is an elected member of the city council.)
- Les élus doivent prendre des décisions importantes. (Elected officials must make important decisions.)
18. Un tuteur
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ty.tœʁ/
Meaning: A tutor or mentor.
In a Sentence:
- Mon tuteur m’aide avec mes devoirs. (My tutor helps me with my homework.)
- Il est un excellent tuteur pour les étudiants. (He is an excellent tutor for students.)
19. Un ennemi
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ɛn.nə.mi/
Meaning: An enemy or adversary.
In a Sentence:
- Il est mon ennemi dans cette compétition. (He is my enemy in this competition.)
- Ils étaient ennemis pendant des années. (They were enemies for years.)
20. Un partenaire
Pronunciation: /œ̃ paʁ.tnɛʁ/
Meaning: A partner, often used in business or partnerships.
In a Sentence:
- Elle est mon partenaire dans ce projet. (She is my partner in this project.)
- Nous avons trouvé un bon partenaire commercial. (We found a good business partner.)
21. Un proche
Pronunciation: /œ̃ pʁɔʃ/
Meaning: A close one, someone who is a close friend or family member.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un proche de la famille. (He’s a close family member.)
- Elle est une proche de mon cousin. (She’s a close friend of my cousin.)
22. Un compagnon
Pronunciation: /œ̃ kɔ̃.pa.ɲɔ̃/
Meaning: A companion, often used for someone who accompanies you or a partner.
In a Sentence:
- Mon compagnon m’accompagne au travail. (My companion accompanies me to work.)
- Elle est ma compagne de voyage. (She is my travel companion.)
23. Un contact
Pronunciation: /œ̃ kɔ̃.takt/
Meaning: A contact, someone you know through work or networking.
In a Sentence:
- Il est un contact professionnel. (He’s a professional contact.)
- J’ai un contact à Paris qui peut nous aider. (I have a contact in Paris who can help us.)
24. Un amateur
Pronunciation: /œ̃ a.ma.tœʁ/
Meaning: An amateur, often referring to someone who enjoys a hobby.
In a Sentence:
- Il est un amateur de cinéma. (He is a movie enthusiast.)
- C’est un amateur de musique classique. (She is a classical music fan.)
25. Un étranger
Pronunciation: /œ̃ e.tʁɑ̃.ʒe/
Meaning: A foreigner, someone from another country.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un étranger qui a visité notre ville. (He’s a foreigner who visited our city.)
- Elle est un étranger ici, mais elle s’adapte bien. (She is a foreigner here, but she’s adjusting well.)
26. Un voisin
Pronunciation: /œ̃ vwa.zɛ̃/
Meaning: A neighbor.
In a Sentence:
- Mon voisin est très gentil. (My neighbor is very kind.)
- Le voisin d’à côté a un chien. (The neighbor next door has a dog.)
27. Un membre de la famille
Pronunciation: /œ̃ mɑ̃bʁ də la fa.mi.j/
Meaning: A family member.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un membre de ma famille. (He’s a member of my family.)
- Un membre de la famille a besoin d’aide. (A family member needs help.)
28. Une personne âgée
Pronunciation: /yn pɛʁ.sɔ.nə a.ʒe/
Meaning: An elderly person.
In a Sentence:
- Une personne âgée a besoin de soins. (An elderly person needs care.)
- Elle aide une personne âgée tous les jours. (She helps an elderly person every day.)
29. Un réfugié
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ʁe.fy.ʒe/
Meaning: A refugee.
In a Sentence:
- Un réfugié a trouvé un abri sûr. (A refugee found a safe shelter.)
- Ils sont des réfugiés de la guerre. (They are refugees from the war.)
30. Un jeune
Pronunciation: /œ̃ ʒœn/
Meaning: A young person, often used to refer to youth.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un jeune homme plein d’énergie. (He’s a young man full of energy.)
- Elle est une jeune étudiante. (She is a young student.)
Other ways to say “someone” in French
Here is a table with other ways to say “someone” in French. Each entry includes the pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences. These phrases provide you with even more ways to refer to someone in different contexts.
| Other ways to say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example sentences |
| Un homme | /œ̃ ɔm/ | A man, someone who is male | Un homme m’a demandé où est la gare. (A man asked me where the train station is.) |
| Une femme | /yn fam/ | A woman, someone who is female | Une femme a téléphoné pour toi. (A woman called for you.) |
| Un adolescent | /œ̃ adɔ.lɛsɑ̃/ | A teenager | Un adolescent m’a demandé l’heure. (A teenager asked me for the time.) |
| Une voisine | /yn vwa.zin/ | A female neighbor | Ma voisine m’a aidé à porter mes courses. (My neighbor helped me carry my groceries.) |
| Un jeune homme | /œ̃ ʒœn ɔm/ | A young man | Un jeune homme est venu me parler. (A young man came to talk to me.) |
| Une jeune fille | /yn ʒœn fij/ | A young girl | Une jeune fille a chanté à l’école. (A young girl sang at school.) |
| Un étranger sympathique | /œ̃ e.tʁɑ̃.ʒe sa.mpa.tik/ | A friendly foreigner | Un étranger sympathique a demandé des directions. (A friendly foreigner asked for directions.) |
| Une célébrité | /yn se.le.bʁi.te/ | A celebrity | Une célébrité est venue à la fête. (A celebrity came to the party.) |
| Un inconnu gentil | /œ̃ ɛ̃.kɔ.ny ʒɑ̃.til/ | A kind stranger | Un inconnu gentil m’a aidé à trouver mon chemin. (A kind stranger helped me find my way.) |
| Un voisinage | /œ̃ vwa.zi.naʒ/ | A neighborhood (group of people) | Le voisinage est très calme. (The neighborhood is very calm.) |
| Un employé | /œ̃ ɑ̃.plwa.je/ | An employee | Un employé m’a montré où aller. (An employee showed me where to go.) |
| Une victime | /yn vik.tim/ | A victim | Une victime a été retrouvée près du parc. (A victim was found near the park.) |
| Un client | /œ̃ kli.ɑ̃/ | A customer | Un client a demandé une table près de la fenêtre. (A customer asked for a table by the window.) |
| Une partenaire | /yn paʁt.nɛʁ/ | A partner (business, relationship) | Une partenaire d’affaires m’a aidé à organiser l’événement. (A business partner helped me organize the event.) |
| Un agent | /œ̃ a.ʒɑ̃/ | An agent (official) | Un agent de sécurité m’a demandé mon badge. (A security agent asked me for my badge.) |
| Un professeur | /œ̃ pʁɔ.fe.sœʁ/ | A teacher | Un professeur de mathématiques est venu discuter avec nous. (A math teacher came to discuss with us.) |
| Une assistante | /yn a.sis.tɑ̃t/ | An assistant | Une assistante m’a aidé à organiser la réunion. (An assistant helped me organize the meeting.) |
| Un soldat | /œ̃ sɔl.da/ | A soldier | Un soldat est venu nous rendre visite. (A soldier came to visit us.) |
| Un citoyen | /œ̃ si.twa.jɛ̃/ | A citizen | Un citoyen a signalé un problème dans le quartier. (A citizen reported a problem in the neighborhood.) |
| Une personne âgée | /yn pɛʁ.sɔ.nə a.ʒe/ | An elderly person | Une personne âgée traverse la rue. (An elderly person is crossing the street.) |
| Un visiteur spécial | /œ̃ vi.zi.tœʁ spe.sjal/ | A special visitor | Un visiteur spécial est arrivé à l’école. (A special visitor arrived at the school.) |
| Un conseiller | /œ̃ kɔ̃.sɛ.je/ | A counselor | Un conseiller financier m’a aidé à mieux gérer mon argent. (A financial advisor helped me manage my money better.) |
| Un adversaire | /œ̃ ad.vɛʁ.sɛʁ/ | An opponent (in a game, competition) | Un adversaire fort a gagné le match. (A strong opponent won the match.) |
| Une victime d’accident | /yn vik.tim dak.si.dɑ̃/ | An accident victim | Une victime d’accident a été transportée à l’hôpital. (An accident victim was taken to the hospital.) |
| Un directeur | /œ̃ di.ʁɛk.tœʁ/ | A director (manager) | Un directeur de projet m’a demandé de travailler sur ce rapport. (A project director asked me to work on this report.) |
| Un voisin de palier | /œ̃ vwa.zɛ̃ də pa.lje/ | A neighbor (on the same floor) | Un voisin de palier a eu un problème avec la porte. (A neighbor on my floor had a problem with the door.) |
| Un ami proche | /œ̃ a.mi pʁɔʃ/ | A close friend | Un ami proche m’a aidé à traverser une période difficile. (A close friend helped me through a tough time.) |
| Un intervenant | /œ̃ ɛ̃.tɛʁ.ve.nɑ̃/ | A speaker or participant | Un intervenant a donné une conférence intéressante. (A speaker gave an interesting lecture.) |
Response to “someone” in French
When someone refers to “someone” in French, you may need to respond or follow up in different ways. Here are a few common phrases you can use when replying to someone, acknowledging their presence, or responding to a statement about another person.
1. Qui ?
Pronunciation: /ki/
Meaning: “Who?”
In a Sentence:
- — Il est venu me parler.
- — Qui ? (— He came to talk to me. — Who?)
- — Quelqu’un a appelé.
- — Qui ? (— Someone called. — Who?)
2. C’est qui ?
Pronunciation: /se ki/
Meaning: “Who is it?” or “Who’s that?”
In a Sentence:
- — Il a frappé à la porte.
- — C’est qui ? (— He knocked on the door. — Who is it?)
- — C’est quelqu’un de ma famille.
- — C’est qui ? (— It’s someone from my family. — Who’s that?)
3. Je ne sais pas.
Pronunciation: /ʒə nə sɛ pa/
Meaning: “I don’t know.”
In a Sentence:
- — Quelqu’un est venu ici.
- — Je ne sais pas. (— Someone came here. — I don’t know.)
- — Une personne a appelé pour toi.
- — Je ne sais pas qui c’est. (— A person called for you. — I don’t know who it is.)
4. Peut-être un ami.
Pronunciation: /pø.tɛtʁ œ̃ a.mi/
Meaning: “Maybe a friend.”
In a Sentence:
- — Tu vois quelqu’un à la porte ?
- — Peut-être un ami. (— Do you see someone at the door? — Maybe a friend.)
- — Quelqu’un m’a donné ce message.
- — Peut-être un ami. (— Someone gave me this message. — Maybe a friend.)
5. Ah, c’est lui !
Pronunciation: /a, se lɥi/
Meaning: “Ah, it’s him!”
In a Sentence:
- — J’ai vu quelqu’un dans le parc.
- — Ah, c’est lui ! (— I saw someone in the park. — Ah, it’s him!)
- — Un homme est passé par ici.
- — Ah, c’est lui ! (— A man passed by here. — Ah, it’s him!)
6. Je suis désolé(e), je ne le connais pas.
Pronunciation: /ʒə sɥi de.zɔ.le, ʒə nə lə kə.nɛ pa/
Meaning: “I’m sorry, I don’t know him/her.”
In a Sentence:
- — Quelqu’un a frappé à ma porte.
- — Je suis désolé, je ne le connais pas. (— Someone knocked on my door. — I’m sorry, I don’t know him.)
- — Une femme est venue me parler.
- — Je suis désolé(e), je ne la connais pas. (— A woman came to talk to me. — I’m sorry, I don’t know her.)
7. C’est quelqu’un de bien.
Pronunciation: /se kel.kœ̃ də bjɛ̃/
Meaning: “He/She is a good person.”
In a Sentence:
- — Tu connais Pierre ?
- — Oui, c’est quelqu’un de bien. (— Do you know Pierre? — Yes, he’s a good person.)
- — Je n’aime pas cette personne.
- — C’est quelqu’un de bien, tu verras. (— I don’t like this person. — He/She is a good person, you’ll see.)
8. Tu veux dire quelqu’un d’autre ?
Pronunciation: /ty vø diʁ kel.kœ̃ d‿otʁə/
Meaning: “Do you mean someone else?”
In a Sentence:
- — Quelqu’un m’a volé mon sac.
- — Tu veux dire quelqu’un d’autre ? (— Someone stole my bag. — Do you mean someone else?)
- — Une personne m’a demandé des informations.
- — Tu veux dire quelqu’un d’autre ? (— Someone asked me for information. — Do you mean someone else?)
9. Il est toujours occupé.
Pronunciation: /il ɛ tu.ʒuʁ ɔ.kype/
Meaning: “He is always busy.”
In a Sentence:
- — J’ai essayé de parler à Jean, mais…
- — Il est toujours occupé. (— I tried talking to Jean, but… — He’s always busy.)
- — Elle est en réunion.
- — Il est toujours occupé. (— She’s in a meeting. — He’s always busy.)
10. Je crois qu’il/elle est là.
Pronunciation: /ʒə kʁwa k‿il/ɛl ɛ la/
Meaning: “I think he/she is there.”
In a Sentence:
- — Quelqu’un m’a dit que tu voulais me voir.
- — Je crois qu’il/elle est là. (— Someone told me you wanted to see me. — I think he/she is there.)
- — Est-ce que quelqu’un a appelé ?
- — Je crois qu’il est là. (— Did anyone call? — I think he’s there.)
11. C’est quelqu’un que je connais bien.
Pronunciation: /se kel.kœ̃ kə ʒə kə.nɛ bjɛ̃/
Meaning: “It’s someone I know well.”
In a Sentence:
- — Qui est cette personne ?
- — C’est quelqu’un que je connais bien. (— Who is that person? — It’s someone I know well.)
- — Tu as vu cette personne ?
- — C’est quelqu’un que je connais bien. (— Did you see that person? — It’s someone I know well.)
12. Il/Elle est très gentil(le).
Pronunciation: /il/ɛl ɛ tʁɛ ʒɑ̃.til/
Meaning: “He/She is very kind.”
In a Sentence:
- — Qui est cette personne ?
- — Il/Elle est très gentil(le). (— Who is that person? — He/She is very kind.)
- — J’ai rencontré quelqu’un aujourd’hui.
- — Il/Elle est très gentil(le). (— I met someone today. — He/She is very kind.)
13. C’est quelqu’un de confiance.
Pronunciation: /se kel.kœ̃ də kɔ̃.fjɑ̃s/
Meaning: “He/She is someone you can trust.”
In a Sentence:
- — Tu penses à qui ?
- — C’est quelqu’un de confiance. (— Who are you thinking of? — He/She is someone you can trust.)
- — Tu lui confierais tes secrets ?
- — C’est quelqu’un de confiance. (— Would you trust him/her with your secrets? — He/She is someone you can trust.)
14. Je pense que c’est lui/elle.
Pronunciation: /ʒə pɑ̃s kə sɛ lɥi/ɛl/
Meaning: “I think it’s him/her.”
In a Sentence:
- — Il y a quelqu’un à la porte.
- — Je pense que c’est lui/elle. (— There’s someone at the door. — I think it’s him/her.)
- — Tu connais cette personne ?
- — Je pense que c’est lui/elle. (— Do you know this person? — I think it’s him/her.)
15. C’est quelqu’un de très respecté.
Pronunciation: /se kel.kœ̃ də tʁɛ ʁɛs.pɛk.te/
Meaning: “He/She is someone who is very respected.”
In a Sentence:
- — Quelqu’un a mentionné ce nom.
- — C’est quelqu’un de très respecté. (— Someone mentioned that name. — He/She is someone who is very respected.)
- — Tu parles de lui ?
- — C’est quelqu’un de très respecté. (— Are you talking about him? — He/She is someone who is very respected.)
16. Je suis content(e) de le/la connaître.
Pronunciation: /ʒə sɥi kɔ̃.tɑ̃ də lə/la kɔ.nɛtʁ/
Meaning: “I’m happy to know him/her.”
In a Sentence:
- — Tu connais Marie ?
- — Oui, je suis content(e) de la connaître. (— Do you know Marie? — Yes, I’m happy to know her.)
- — C’est quelqu’un que je viens de rencontrer.
- — Je suis content(e) de le/la connaître. (— It’s someone I just met. — I’m happy to know him/her.)
Exercise to practice “someone” in French
Here is a list of 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises using different ways to say “someone” in French. The sentences are designed to help you practice these expressions in real-life contexts. After the exercise, I will provide the answers along with the meanings of the sentences.
Fill-in-the-blanks (in French)
- __________ m’a demandé l’heure.
- J’ai vu __________ dans le parc ce matin.
- __________ a frappé à la porte hier soir.
- __________ de ma famille va venir demain.
- __________ m’a appelé mais je n’ai pas répondu.
- Je crois que __________ a pris mon stylo.
- __________ dans la rue a vu l’accident.
- __________ a laissé son sac sur la chaise.
- __________ est venu me parler après la classe.
- Je ne sais pas qui __________ a mangé mon chocolat.
- __________ a demandé des directions à l’agent.
- __________ dans le coin a dit bonjour.
Answers and Meanings:
- Quelqu’un m’a demandé l’heure.
Meaning: Someone asked me for the time. - J’ai vu une personne dans le parc ce matin.
Meaning: I saw a person in the park this morning. - Un inconnu a frappé à la porte hier soir.
Meaning: A stranger knocked on the door last night. - Un membre de ma famille va venir demain.
Meaning: A member of my family is coming tomorrow. - Un ami m’a appelé mais je n’ai pas répondu.
Meaning: A friend called me, but I didn’t answer. - Je crois que quelqu’un a pris mon stylo.
Meaning: I think someone took my pen. - Un témoin dans la rue a vu l’accident.
Meaning: A witness in the street saw the accident. - Une personne a laissé son sac sur la chaise.
Meaning: A person left their bag on the chair. - Un collègue est venu me parler après la classe.
Meaning: A colleague came to talk to me after class. - Je ne sais pas qui un voisin a mangé mon chocolat.
Meaning: I don’t know who a neighbor ate my chocolate. - Un touriste a demandé des directions à l’agent.
Meaning: A tourist asked the agent for directions. - Une jeune fille dans le coin a dit bonjour.
Meaning: A young girl in the corner said hello.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored various ways to say “someone” in French, helping you understand how to use this important word in different contexts. From common expressions like quelqu’un to more specific phrases such as un voisin or une victime, each term has its own nuance and application. By mastering these phrases, you can enhance your ability to communicate with others in French, whether you’re describing a person, asking about someone’s identity, or responding to questions.
In addition, we also practiced how to respond when someone mentions a person, using simple and clear responses like C’est lui/elle or Je ne sais pas. Finally, we did an exercise to help you put all this knowledge into practice, reinforcing your understanding through real-life scenarios.
By incorporating these phrases into your everyday conversations, you’ll feel more confident when speaking French. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to refer to “someone” and respond with ease in any situation!