lien
/ljɛ̃/
The French word for bond (meaning an emotional link, connection or union) is lien.
lien refers to an emotional link, connection or union. To describe the process of building or forging connections or relationships, the idiomatic expression tisser des liens is used, which literally means to weave bonds.
Meaning: emotional link, connection or union (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ljɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The word lien is also the standard French term for a 'hyperlink' on the internet, treating a digital connection as a structural bond.
- The English word 'alliance' and the French word alliance can both refer to a bond, but in French, it often refers specifically to a wedding ring.
- The word lien shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ligament', as both stem from the Latin 'ligare', meaning 'to bind'.
Examples in context
- Il y a un lien fort entre les frères.There is a strong bond between the brothers.Tatoeba #966639 by sacredceltic, translation #48590 by CM
- Il y a un fort lien d'affection entre eux.There is a strong bond of affection between them.Tatoeba #335766 by TRANG, translation #306376 by CM
- L'année dernière, le président américain Donald Trump a participé ici au défilé du 14 juillet, lors d'une visite qui a permis de tisser des liens personnels avec son homologue français, Emmanuel Macron.Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump was at the Bastille Day parade here in a visit that forged a personal bond with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.Tatoeba #8915345 by lbdx, translation #6994555 by Hybrid
- Le lien qui unit les membres de cette famille est indéniable.The bond that unites the members of this family is undeniable.
- Notre lien d'amitié est indestructible.Our bond of friendship is indestructible.
- J'ai tout de suite senti une affinité avec elle.I immediately felt a bond with her.
- Il y a un lien spécial entre ces deux frères.There is a special bond between these two brothers.
- Malgré les différences culturelles, ils ont développé un lien d'amitié sincère.Despite cultural differences, they developed a genuine bond of friendship.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their relationship with a new coworker.
- ChloéIl y a un lien de confiance entre eux.There is a bond of trust between them.
- LucasC'est vrai, ils travaillent très bien ensemble.It's true, they work very well together.
- ChloéCe lien est essentiel pour l'équipe.This bond is essential for the team.
- LucasJe suis d'accord avec toi, Chloé.I agree with you, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bond” translations and entries lien, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
