Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| petite amie | /pə.ti.t‿a.mi/ | dated, feminine |
| copine | /kɔ.pin/ | feminine |
| petite copine | /pə.tit kɔ.pin/ | dated, feminine |
| blonde | /blɔ̃d/ | Louisiana, New England, Quebec, feminine |
| nana | /na.na/ | feminine |
| meuf | /mœf/ | feminine |
| femme | /fam/ | feminine |
| chérie | /ʃe.ʁi/ | feminine |
| compagne | /kɔ̃.paɲ/ | feminine |
| partenaire | /paʁ.tə.nɛʁ/ | feminine |
The term is used to refer to a female partner in a romantic relationship. While copine is a common way to say girlfriend, it is also the standard word for a female friend. Therefore, context is required to distinguish whether the person is a platonic friend or a romantic partner. To help specify that a copine is a romantic partner, speakers often use the possessive adjective ma (my) instead of une (a).
What does it mean word for word?
petite amie literally translates to little friend.
Which one should you use?
petite amie and petite copine are both dated forms for girlfriend. copine can mean either girlfriend or a female friend depending on the context. compagne is a more formal or serious term used for a long-term domestic partner, implying a stable relationship.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
copine is an informal way to say girlfriend, while petite amie is considered somewhat old-fashioned or formal in modern spoken French. compagne is used in more formal or serious contexts. meuf is very informal slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
blonde is a term used in Louisiana, New-England and Quebec to refer to a girlfriend.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of petite amie is /pə.ti.t‿a.mi/. It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- The slang term meuf is actually 'femme' spelled backwards, a common linguistic practice in French street slang known as verlan.
- The word copine shares its roots with the word 'companion', originating from the Latin 'companio' which literally means 'one who shares bread' with another.
- Using the word femme can mean either 'woman' or 'wife' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- A-t-il une nana ?Does he have a girlfriend?This sentence is useful for asking if a man has a girlfriend using the form nana.Tatoeba #1767901 by sacredceltic, translation #1745738 by Spamster
- Qui est ta nana ?Who's your girlfriend?This sentence is useful for asking who a person's girlfriend is using the form nana.Tatoeba #2254187 by sacredceltic, translation #2240401 by Hybrid
- Tom a une copine.Tom has a girlfriend.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has a girlfriend using the form copine.Tatoeba #5270594 by BabyAzerty, translation #2547596 by CK
- Jean-Pierre a invité sa petite amie au dîner d'affaires.Jean-Pierre invited his girlfriend to the business dinner.
- 404 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are chatting at a café.
- ChloéLucas, est-ce que tu as une petite amie ?Lucas, do you have a girlfriend?
- LucasNon, je n'ai pas de petite amie pour le moment.No, I do not have a girlfriend at the moment.
- ChloéAh, je comprends.Ah, I understand.
- LucasEt toi, Chloé, es-tu célibataire ?And you, Chloé, are you single?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girlfriend” translations and entries petite amie, copine, petite copine, blonde, nana, meuf, femme, chérie, compagne, partenaire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amie, copine, petite amie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
