Friends are an important part of our lives. They support us, share good times, and make life more enjoyable. If you’re learning French, knowing how to say “friend” can help you connect with others. French has several words for “friend,” depending on who you’re talking about and how close you are.
In this article, you’ll learn how to say “friend” in French, along with related terms like “girlfriend,” “boyfriend,” and “best friend.” You’ll also discover how to respond when someone calls you their friend and practice using these words through fun exercises. By the end, you’ll feel more confident talking about friends in French!
Ways to Say “Friend” in French
In French, the word “friend” changes based on gender, formality, and the type of friendship. Here are some common ways to say “friend” in French, with pronunciations, meanings, and examples:
1. Ami (ah-mee)
Meaning: Male friend
In a Sentence:
- Paul est mon ami. (Paul is my friend.)
- Nous sommes amis depuis l’école. (We’ve been friends since school.)
2. Amie (ah-mee)
Meaning: Female friend
In a Sentence:
- Marie est mon amie. (Marie is my friend.)
- Elles sont amies depuis longtemps. (They’ve been friends for a long time.)
3. Copain (koh-pan)
Meaning: Male friend or boyfriend (informal)
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon copain, Max. (He’s my boyfriend, Max.)
- J’ai un copain à Paris. (I have a friend in Paris.)
4. Copine (koh-peen)
Meaning: Female friend or girlfriend (informal)
In a Sentence:
- C’est ma copine, Julie. (She’s my girlfriend, Julie.)
- Ma copine vient à la fête. (My friend is coming to the party.)
5. Meilleur ami (meh-yur ah-mee)
Meaning: Best male friend
In a Sentence:
- Tom est mon meilleur ami. (Tom is my best friend.)
- Mon meilleur ami habite à New York. (My best friend lives in New York.)
6. Meilleure amie (meh-yur ah-mee)
Meaning: Best female friend
In a Sentence:
- Anna est ma meilleure amie. (Anna is my best friend.)
- Elle est toujours là pour sa meilleure amie. (She’s always there for her best friend.)
7. Pote (poht)
Meaning: Buddy or pal (informal)
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon pote, Alex. (He’s my buddy, Alex.)
- On va voir un film avec des potes. (We’re going to see a movie with friends.)
8. Camarade (kah-mah-rad)
Meaning: Classmate or companion
In a Sentence:
- C’est un camarade de classe. (He’s a classmate.)
- Elle est ma camarade de voyage. (She’s my travel companion.)
9. Ami proche (ah-mee prohsh)
Meaning: Close friend
In a Sentence:
- Il est un ami proche de la famille. (He’s a close family friend.)
- Nous avons peu d’amis proches. (We have few close friends.)
10. Connaissance (koh-neh-sahns)
Meaning: Acquaintance
In a Sentence:
- C’est juste une connaissance. (He’s just an acquaintance.)
- Nous avons plusieurs connaissances en commun. (We have several mutual acquaintances.)
11. Petit ami (puh-tee tah-mee)
Meaning: Boyfriend (formal)
In a Sentence:
- Elle a un petit ami adorable. (She has a lovely boyfriend.)
- Son petit ami travaille à l’étranger. (Her boyfriend works abroad.)
12. Petite amie (puh-teet ah-mee)
Meaning: Girlfriend (formal)
In a Sentence:
- C’est sa petite amie. (She’s his girlfriend.)
- Ils voyagent avec sa petite amie. (They are traveling with his girlfriend.)
13. Mon ami(e) (mohn ah-mee/ah-mee)
Meaning: My friend (male/female)
In a Sentence:
- Mon amie Sophie est très gentille. (My friend Sophie is very kind.)
- Mon ami Pierre adore le football. (My friend Pierre loves soccer.)
14. Ton ami(e) (tohn ah-mee/ah-mee)
Meaning: Your friend (male/female)
In a Sentence:
- Où est ton ami Paul? (Where is your friend Paul?)
- Ta amie Claire est amusante. (Your friend Claire is funny.)
15. Ami fidèle (ah-mee fee-del)
Meaning: Loyal friend
In a Sentence:
- Thomas est un ami fidèle. (Thomas is a loyal friend.)
- Je peux toujours compter sur mes amis fidèles. (I can always count on my loyal friends.)
16. Ami d’enfance (ah-mee dahn-fahs)
Meaning: Childhood friend
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon ami d’enfance, Louis. (He’s my childhood friend, Louis.)
- Elle a retrouvé ses amis d’enfance. (She reconnected with her childhood friends.)
17. Partenaire (par-tuh-nair)
Meaning: Partner or friend (formal)
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon partenaire dans ce projet. (He’s my partner in this project.)
- Ils sont partenaires depuis des années. (They’ve been partners for years.)
18. Meilleur copain (meh-yur koh-pan)
Meaning: Best male buddy
In a Sentence:
- Max est mon meilleur copain. (Max is my best buddy.)
- Mon meilleur copain m’aide toujours. (My best buddy always helps me.)
19. Meilleure copine (meh-yur koh-peen)
Meaning: Best female buddy
In a Sentence:
- Léa est ma meilleure copine. (Léa is my best buddy.)
- Nous faisons tout ensemble, elle est ma meilleure copine. (We do everything together; she’s my best buddy.)
20. Âme sœur (ahm suhr)
Meaning: Soulmate
In a Sentence:
- Il dit que sa femme est son âme sœur. (He says his wife is his soulmate.)
- Je crois que j’ai trouvé mon âme sœur. (I think I’ve found my soulmate.)
21. Frère de cœur (frehr duh kur)
Meaning: Brother from another mother
In a Sentence:
- Marc est mon frère de cœur. (Marc is like a brother to me.)
- Nous sommes frères de cœur depuis l’enfance. (We’ve been like brothers since childhood.)
22. Sœur de cœur (suhr duh kur)
Meaning: Sister from another mother
In a Sentence:
- Julie est ma sœur de cœur. (Julie is like a sister to me.)
- Elles sont sœurs de cœur depuis l’enfance. (They’ve been like sisters since childhood.)
23. Meilleur pote (meh-yur poht)
Meaning: Best buddy (informal)
In a Sentence:
- Antoine est mon meilleur pote. (Antoine is my best buddy.)
- On va à la plage avec mon meilleur pote. (We’re going to the beach with my best buddy.)
24. Bien-aimé(e) (byan-ay-may)
Meaning: Beloved or dear friend
In a Sentence:
- Elle est ma bien-aimée. (She’s my beloved.)
- Il a toujours été mon bien-aimé. (He has always been my beloved.)
25. Confident(e) (kohn-fee-dahn/ dahnt)
Meaning: Trusted friend or confidant
In a Sentence:
- Marie est ma confidente. (Marie is my confidant.)
- Je partage mes secrets avec mon confident. (I share my secrets with my trusted friend.)
26. Ami spécial (ah-mee spay-syal)
Meaning: Special friend
In a Sentence: Elle est une amie spéciale pour moi. (She is a special friend to me.)
J’ai invité mon ami spécial à la fête. (I invited my special friend to the party.)
27. Amie proche du cœur (ah-mee prohsh duh kur)
Meaning: Close friend from the heart
In a Sentence:
- C’est une amie proche du cœur. (She’s a close friend from the heart.)
- Nous partageons tout, elle est mon amie proche du cœur. (We share everything; she’s my close friend from the heart.)
28. Compagnon (kohm-pah-nyohn)
Meaning: Companion (male)
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon compagnon de voyage. (He’s my travel companion.)
- Mon compagnon m’accompagne toujours aux événements. (My companion always comes with me to events.)
29. Compagne (kohm-pahn-yuh)
Meaning: Companion (female)
In a Sentence:
- C’est ma compagne dans cette aventure. (She’s my companion in this adventure.)
- Ma compagne de voyage est très gentille. (My travel companion is very kind.)
30. Associé(e) (ah-so-see-ay)
Meaning: Business partner or associate
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon associé dans l’entreprise. (He’s my business partner.)
- Nous avons fondé la société avec notre associée. (We founded the company with our partner.)
31. Collègue (koh-leg)
Meaning: Colleague or work friend
In a Sentence:
- Mon collègue Pierre est très professionnel. (My colleague Pierre is very professional.)
- J’ai déjeuné avec ma collègue après le travail. (I had lunch with my work friend after work.)
32. Camarade de jeu (kah-mah-rad duh zhuh)
Meaning: Playmate
In a Sentence:
- Mon fils a trouvé un camarade de jeu au parc. (My son found a playmate at the park.)
- Les enfants sont devenus camarades de jeu rapidement. (The kids quickly became playmates.)
33. Camarade de classe (kah-mah-rad duh klass)
Meaning: Classmate
In a Sentence:
- Mon camarade de classe est très intelligent. (My classmate is very smart.)
- Nous faisons nos devoirs avec nos camarades de classe. (We do our homework with our classmates.)
34. Complice (kohm-plees)
Meaning: Partner in crime (informal)
In a Sentence:
- C’est mon complice pour les blagues. (He’s my partner in crime for jokes.)
- Nous sommes complices depuis l’enfance. (We’ve been partners in crime since childhood.)
35. Bienfaiteur (byan-feh-teur)
Meaning: Supportive friend or benefactor
In a Sentence:
- Il est mon bienfaiteur dans cette aventure. (He’s my supporter in this adventure.)
- Nous sommes reconnaissants envers notre bienfaiteur. (We’re grateful to our benefactor.)
36. Parrain (pah-ranh)
Meaning: Godfather
In a Sentence:
- Mon oncle est mon parrain. (My uncle is my godfather.)
- Le parrain de Paul est venu à son anniversaire. (Paul’s godfather came to his birthday.)
37. Marraine (mah-ren)
Meaning: Godmother
In a Sentence:
- Ma tante est ma marraine. (My aunt is my godmother.)
- Sa marraine lui a offert un beau cadeau. (His godmother gave him a beautiful gift.)
38. Protecteur (proh-tehk-teur)
Meaning: Protector or guardian (male)
In a Sentence:
- Mon frère est mon protecteur. (My brother is my protector.)
- Il est un protecteur fidèle de sa famille. (He’s a loyal protector of his family.)
39. Protectrice (proh-tehk-trees)
Meaning: Protector or guardian (female)
In a Sentence:
- Ma sœur est ma protectrice. (My sister is my protector.)
- Elle est toujours une protectrice attentionnée. (She’s always a caring protector.)
40. Partenaire de vie (par-tuh-nair duh vee)
Meaning: Life partner
In a Sentence:
- Mon partenaire de vie est mon meilleur ami. (My life partner is my best friend.)
- Ils sont partenaires de vie depuis 10 ans. (They’ve been life partners for 10 years.)
Other Ways to Say “Friend” in French
Here’s a table listing additional ways to say “friend” in French, including pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences:
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Compagnon de route | kohm-pah-nyohn duh root | Travel companion | Mon compagnon de route est très gentil. (My travel companion is very kind.) |
| Âme jumelle | ahm zhoo-mehl | Twin soul | Elle est mon âme jumelle. (She’s my twin soul.) |
| Binôme | bee-nohm | Partner or teammate | Mon binôme à l’école est très intelligent. (My partner at school is very smart.) |
| Camarade de chambre | kah-mah-rad duh shahmbr | Roommate | Mon camarade de chambre est super sympa. (My roommate is super nice.) |
| Coéquipier | koh-ay-kee-pee-ay | Teammate | Mon coéquipier joue bien au football. (My teammate plays soccer well.) |
| Coéquipière | koh-ay-kee-pee-ehr | Female teammate | Ma coéquipière est très sportive. (My female teammate is very athletic.) |
| Ami intime | ah-mee an-teem | Close/intimate friend | Pierre est mon ami intime. (Pierre is my close friend.) |
| Ami de confiance | ah-mee duh kon-fee-ahns | Trusted friend | Elle est mon amie de confiance. (She is my trusted friend.) |
| Partenaire de danse | par-tuh-nair duh dahns | Dance partner | Son partenaire de danse est talentueux. (His dance partner is talented.) |
| Soutien fidèle | soo-tyan fee-del | Loyal supporter | Il est mon soutien fidèle dans tout ce que je fais. (He is my loyal supporter in everything I do.) |
| Accompagnateur | ah-kohm-pah-nah-teur | Guide/companion | Mon accompagnateur lors du voyage était très aimable. (My guide during the trip was very kind.) |
| Accompagnatrice | ah-kohm-pah-nah-trees | Female guide/companion | L’accompagnatrice de la classe est gentille. (The class chaperone is kind.) |
| Associé proche | ah-so-see-ay prohsh | Close associate | Mon associé proche m’a beaucoup aidé. (My close associate helped me a lot.) |
| Soutien moral | soo-tyan moh-ral | Moral support | Mon amie est toujours mon soutien moral. (My friend is always my moral support.) |
| Ami virtuel | ah-mee veer-twee-el | Online friend | J’ai rencontré un ami virtuel sur un forum. (I met an online friend on a forum.) |
Responses to “Friend” in French
When someone calls you their friend in French, it’s polite to respond warmly. Here are common ways to reply, showing appreciation and affection:
1. Moi aussi (mwah oh-see)
Meaning: Me too
In a Sentence:
- Tu es mon ami! (You are my friend!)
- Moi aussi! (Me too!)
2. C’est gentil, merci (say zhahn-tee mehr-see)
Meaning: That’s kind, thank you
In a Sentence:
- Tu es mon meilleur ami. (You’re my best friend.)
- C’est gentil, merci! (That’s kind, thank you!)
3. Pareillement (pah-ray-yeh-mahn)
Meaning: Likewise
In a Sentence:
- Tu es une amie incroyable! (You’re an amazing friend!)
- Pareillement! (Likewise!)
4. Avec plaisir (ah-vek pleh-zeer)
Meaning: With pleasure
In a Sentence:
- Tu es mon ami proche. (You are my close friend.)
- Avec plaisir! (With pleasure!)
5. Je suis touché(e) (zhuh swee too-shay)
Meaning: I’m touched
In a Sentence:
- Tu es comme un frère pour moi. (You’re like a brother to me.)
- Je suis touché(e), merci! (I’m touched, thank you!)
6. Tu comptes beaucoup pour moi (tew kohnt boh-koo poor mwah)
Meaning: You mean a lot to me
In a Sentence:
- Tu es ma meilleure amie. (You’re my best friend.)
- Tu comptes beaucoup pour moi. (You mean a lot to me.)
7. Merci, c’est réciproque (mehr-see, say ray-see-prohk)
Meaning: Thank you, it’s mutual
In a Sentence:
- Je suis content d’être ton ami. (I’m glad to be your friend.)
- Merci, c’est réciproque! (Thank you, it’s mutual!)
8. Je tiens à toi (zhuh tee-ahn ah twah)
Meaning: I care about you
In a Sentence:
- Tu es un ami spécial. (You’re a special friend.)
- Je tiens à toi. (I care about you.)
9. Toujours là pour toi (too-zhoor lah poor twah)
Meaning: Always here for you
In a Sentence:
- Merci d’être un bon ami. (Thank you for being a good friend.)
- Toujours là pour toi! (Always here for you!)
10. Tu es précieux(se) pour moi (tew ay pray-syuh/pray-syuhz poor mwah)
Meaning: You are precious to me
In a Sentence:
- Tu es mon meilleur ami. (You’re my best friend.)
- Tu es précieux(se) pour moi! (You are precious to me!)
11. J’apprécie beaucoup (zhah-pray-see boh-koo)
Meaning: I really appreciate it
In a Sentence:
- Tu es toujours là pour moi. (You’re always there for me.)
- J’apprécie beaucoup! (I really appreciate it!)
12. Tu es comme de la famille (tew ay kohm duh lah fah-mee)
Meaning: You are like family
In a Sentence:
- Tu es plus qu’un ami! (You are more than a friend!)
- Tu es comme de la famille! (You are like family!)
13. Tu es irremplaçable (tew ay ee-ram-plah-sah-bluh)
Meaning: You are irreplaceable
In a Sentence:
- Je ne pourrais jamais te remplacer. (I could never replace you.)
- Tu es irremplaçable! (You are irreplaceable!)
14. Tu es mon soutien (tew ay mohn soo-tyan)
Meaning: You are my support
In a Sentence:
- Tu es là dans les bons et les mauvais moments. (You’re there in good and bad times.)
- Tu es mon soutien! (You are my support!)
15. C’est un privilège (say uh pree-vee-lezh)
Meaning: It’s a privilege
In a Sentence:
- Être ton ami est important pour moi. (Being your friend is important to me.)
- C’est un privilège! (It’s a privilege!)
16. Tu es unique (tew ay ew-neek)
Meaning: You are one of a kind
In a Sentence:
- Tu es un ami exceptionnel! (You are an exceptional friend!)
- Tu es unique! (You are one of a kind!)
17. Je t’apprécie vraiment (zhuh tah-pray-see vrah-mahn)
Meaning: I really appreciate you
In a Sentence:
- Merci pour ton soutien constant. (Thank you for your constant support.)
- Je t’apprécie vraiment. (I really appreciate you.)
18. C’est une chance de t’avoir (say tewn shahns duh tah-vwahr)
Meaning: I’m lucky to have you
In a Sentence:
- Tu es toujours là pour moi. (You’re always there for me.)
- C’est une chance de t’avoir! (I’m lucky to have you!)
19. Tu es formidable (tew ay for-mee-dah-bluh)
Meaning: You are amazing
In a Sentence:
- Tu fais toujours de ton mieux. (You always do your best.)
- Tu es formidable! (You are amazing!)
20. Tu es mon ange gardien (tew ay mohn ahnzh gar-dyan)
Meaning: You are my guardian angel
In a Sentence:
- Tu es là dans les moments difficiles. (You are there during tough times.)
- Tu es mon ange gardien! (You are my guardian angel!)
21. Je suis reconnaissant(e) (zhuh swee ruh-koh-nay-sah(n)t)
Meaning: I’m grateful
In a Sentence:
- Merci pour tout ce que tu fais. (Thank you for everything you do.)
- Je suis reconnaissant(e). (I’m grateful.)
22. Tu es mon modèle (tew ay mohn moh-del)
Meaning: You are my role model
In a Sentence:
- Tu es un exemple pour moi. (You are an example for me.)
- Tu es mon modèle! (You are my role model!)
23. Tu es mon pilier (tew ay mohn pee-lyay)
Meaning: You are my pillar
In a Sentence:
- Tu es mon soutien dans la vie. (You are my support in life.)
- Tu es mon pilier! (You are my pillar!)
24. Merci d’être toi-même (mehr-see deh-truh twah-mehm)
Meaning: Thank you for being yourself
In a Sentence:
- Tu es toujours authentique et gentil. (You’re always authentic and kind.)
- Merci d’être toi-même! (Thank you for being yourself!)
25. Je suis fier/fière de toi (zhuh swee fee-ehr duh twah)
Meaning: I’m proud of you
In a Sentence:
- Tu es une personne incroyable. (You’re an incredible person.)
- Je suis fier/fière de toi! (I’m proud of you!)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Friend” in French
Complete the following fill-in-the-blank sentences using the correct French terms for “friend.” Each sentence reflects real-life situations and helps reinforce your vocabulary.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Paul est mon ________. (male friend)
- Marie est ma ________. (female friend)
- Lisa est ma ________ de confiance. (trusted friend)
- Max est mon ________ au travail. (work friend)
- Je vais au cinéma avec mes ________. (buddies)
- Pierre est mon ________ d’enfance. (childhood friend)
- Léa est ma ________ de classe. (classmate)
- Thomas est un ________ spécial. (special friend)
- Sophie est ma ________ meilleure. (best friend – female)
- Marc est mon ________ proche. (close friend)
- Lucas est mon ________ de jeu. (playmate)
- Emma est ma ________ d’enfance. (childhood friend – female)
Answers
- Ami
- Amie
- Amie
- Collègue
- Potes
- Ami
- Camarade
- Ami
- Amie
- Ami
- Camarade
- Amie
Meaning of the Sentences
- Paul is my friend.
- Marie is my friend.
- Lisa is my trusted friend.
- Max is my work friend.
- I’m going to the movies with my buddies.
- Pierre is my childhood friend.
- Léa is my classmate.
- Thomas is a special friend.
- Sophie is my best friend.
- Marc is my close friend.
- Lucas is my playmate.
- Emma is my childhood friend.
Conclusion
Learning how to say “friend” in French opens the door to meaningful conversations and deeper connections. Whether you’re talking about a best friend, a classmate, or even a life partner, using the right term shows warmth and respect.
Keep practicing the different words for “friend” in French, along with common responses and phrases. With time, you’ll feel more comfortable expressing friendship in real-life situations. Remember, true friendships go beyond words, but knowing how to say them in French makes every interaction special!