mon chum
casual, Quebec
In Quebec the everyday word for a boyfriend is chum, so you say mon chum. Mon copain and mon petit ami are the standard French options and are understood everywhere.
Meaning: male romantic partner (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| mon chum | casual, Quebec |
| mon copain | neutral |
| mon petit ami | neutral |
Chum is very common in spoken Quebec French and also appears in the media. It is casual but not rude.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France chum is not used for a partner, so it is a good sign of Quebec speech. For a girlfriend Quebecers say ma blonde, whatever the woman's hair color.
Did you know?
- In Quebec ma blonde means girlfriend and has nothing to do with hair color.
Examples in context
- Son copain travaille à Laval.Her boyfriend works in Laval.
- Mon petit ami arrive ce soir.My boyfriend arrives tonight.
Example conversation
Léa introduces her boyfriend Antoine to her friend Maude at a café in Montreal.
- LéaMaude, je te présente mon chum, Antoine.Maude, this is my boyfriend, Antoine.
- MaudeEnchantée, Antoine!Nice to meet you, Antoine!
- AntoineMoi aussi, Léa parle beaucoup de toi.Likewise, Léa talks about you a lot.
