baby-sitting
The English phrase "baby sitting" is translated into French as baby-sitting.
The term refers to the act of looking after children while their parents are away.
Which one should you use?
While baby-sitting is a direct loanword from English, the more traditional and common way to express the act of baby-sitting in French is using the verb garder with des enfants. In a more professional context, you might see garde d'enfants or service de garde used to describe childcare services.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual conversation, you can use the informal phrase faire du baby-sitting. In more formal or professional settings, the term garde d'enfants is the most widely used, while service de garde specifically refers to a childcare service.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the English loanword in a casual way, it is typically paired with the French verb faire to create the phrase faire du baby-sitting (to do baby-sitting).
Did you know?
- In France, the government has heavily regulated the 'grey market' of baby-sitting through the Chèque Emploi Service Universel, a system of state-subsidized vouchers specifically for paying home services like childcare.
- French speakers often use the verb garder for pets as well, meaning you can garder un chien just as you garder des enfants.
- The use of baby-sitting as a noun is an example of an 'anglicisme', and purists in France often fight to replace it with garde d'enfants to protect the French language from English influence.
Examples in context
- Ma sœur fait de la garde d'enfants pendant les weekends pour gagner un peu d'argent.My sister does babysitting on weekends to earn some money.
- Nous avons besoin d'un service de garde pour notre enfant pendant que nous sommes au travail.We need a babysitting service for our child while we are at work.
- Est-ce que tu peux faire du baby-sitting vendredi soir ? Mes parents sont sortis et j'ai besoin de quelqu'un pour s'occuper de ma petite sœur.Can you do some babysitting on Friday night? My parents went out and I need someone to take care of my little sister.
- Ma voisine propose de garder des enfants après l'école pour les parents qui travaillent tard.My neighbor offers babysitting after school for parents who work late.
- Je cherche un travail de baby-sitting.I am looking for a baby-sitting job.
- Le baby-sitting est très fatigant.Baby-sitting is very tiring.
- Elle propose ses services de baby-sitting.She is offering her baby-sitting services.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing their weekend plans.
- NathanTu fais quoi ce soir, Chéloe ?What are you doing tonight, Chloé?
- ChloéJe fais du baby-sitting chez des voisins.I am baby-sitting for some neighbors.
- NathanC'est pour combien de temps ?How long is it for?
- ChloéJuste trois heures, c'est facile.Just three hours, it's easy.
