pote
/pɔt/masculine
In French, the word for buddy is pote. Wiktionary also lists compagnon and copain.
Meaning: friend or casual acquaintance (pron)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pote | /pɔt/ | masculine |
| compagnon | /kɔ̃.pa.ɲɔ̃/ | masculine |
| copain | /kɔ.pɛ̃/ | masculine |
While pote and copain are used for friends, compagnon carries a much more serious or professional weight.
Which one should you use?
Pote is a colloquial term for a mate or buddy. Copain can mean a buddy or pal, but it is very frequently used to mean boyfriend. To avoid this romantic ambiguity, you can use pote instead. In contrast, compagnon is much more formal and often refers to a life partner or a professional associate rather than a casual buddy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Pote and copain are both informal terms. Mec is also an informal term, similar to 'dude' in English. Compagnon is the formal option, used for partners or associates.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'buddies', use potes.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɔt/
Did you know?
- The relationship between copain and 'bread' is identical to the relationship between 'companion' and 'bread', as both come from the Late Latin 'compāniō'.
- The French concept of a 'buddy' is rooted in the Germanic tradition of a 'messmate', someone who eats from the same loaf.
Examples in context
- Merci, mon pote !Thanks, buddy!This sentence shows how to use pote when thanking someone.Tatoeba #8984264 by Micsmithel, translation #2730963 by Hybrid
- Tom est un copain à moi.Tom is a buddy of mine.This sentence demonstrates the use of copain to describe a person.Tatoeba #549363 by qdii, translation #3733198 by CK
- Quoi que tu dises, mon pote.Whatever you say, buddy.This sentence shows how pote can be used in a conversational way.Tatoeba #2164847 by sacredceltic, translation #11011800 by shekitten
- Je suis ravi d'être à nouveau avec toi, mon ami.I'm delighted to be with you again, my friend.
- Merci de m'accompagner, camarade.Thank you for accompanying me, comrade.
- Salut, copain ! Ça fait longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas vus.Hey, buddy! It's been a while since we last saw each other.
- Viens voir, j'ai quelque chose à te montrer, mon pote.Come and see, I have something to show you, mate.
- Hé, mec, tu veux aller prendre un verre après le travail ?Hey, dude, do you want to grab a drink after work?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about a mutual acquaintance.
- ManonTu connais Lucas ? C'est un pote à moi.Do you know Lucas? He's a buddy of mine.
- NathanAh oui, je l'ai vu hier au cinéma.Oh yes, I saw him yesterday at the cinema.
- ManonIl est vraiment sympa, ce pote.That buddy is really nice.
- NathanJe suis d'accord avec toi, Manon.I agree with you, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buddy” translations and entries pote, compagnon, copain, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compagnon, copain, pote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
