meilleur ami
/mɛ.jœʁ a.mi/masculine
The English phrase "best friend" is translated into French as meilleur ami. Wiktionary also lists meilleure amie.
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| meilleur ami | /mɛ.jœʁ a.mi/ /me.jœʁ a.mi/ |
masculine |
| meilleure amie | /mɛ.jœʁ a.mi/ /me.jœʁ a.mi/ |
feminine |
The term refers to an especially close and trusted friend.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, where "best friend" is gender-neutral, French requires you to choose the form based on the gender of the person being described.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form meilleur ami is used when the best friend is male or when referring to a group of mixed gender. The feminine form meilleure amie is used when the best friend is female. To make the phrase plural, add an s to both words: meilleurs amis. To refer to a group of only female best friends, use the plural feminine form meilleures amies.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mɛ.jœʁ a.mi/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In certain historical contexts, the feminine form amie could be understood more as a 'lover' than just a 'friend'.
- Unlike in English, calling someone your meilleur ami in a formal professional setting in France can be seen as inappropriately intimate.
- The word meilleur comes from a root meaning 'strong' or 'big', suggesting that a 'best' friend is someone of great substance.
Examples in context
- J'ai un meilleur ami.I have a best friend.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a meilleur ami.Tatoeba #12681342 by Olcyx, translation #2796000 by rul
- C'est mon meilleur ami.He is my best friend.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your meilleur ami.Tatoeba #132282 by sacredceltic, translation #297783 by CK
- Tu es mon meilleur ami.You are my best friend.This sentence is useful for telling someone directly that they are your meilleur ami.Tatoeba #427921 by Archibald, translation #20116 by CK
- Mon meilleur ami s'appelle Pierre.My best friend is named Pierre.
- Marie est mon amie la plus chère.Marie is my dearest friend.
- Marine est ma meilleure depuis le lycée.Marine has been my bestie since high school.
- 165 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about their childhood companions in a cafe.
- ManonNathan, qui est ton meilleur ami ?Nathan, who is your best friend?
- NathanLucas est mon meilleur ami depuis l'enfance.Lucas has been my best friend since childhood.
- ManonC'est super d'avoir un meilleur ami comme lui.It is great to have a best friend like him.
- NathanOui, il est très important pour moi.Yes, he is very important to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “best friend” translations and entries meilleur ami, meilleure amie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ami, amie, meilleur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
