bon ami
The phrase "good friend" in French is translated as bon ami.
The term is used to describe a person who is a close and trusted companion. If you specifically want to emphasize that the person is a trusted friend, you can use the phrase ami(e) de confiance.
Which one should you use?
The terms copain and copine are informal ways of referring to a friend and can also describe a boyfriend or girlfriend.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the friend, using the feminine form bonne amie for a female friend. The plural form for a group of male friends or a mixed-gender group is bons amis. The plural form for a group of female friends is bonnes amies.
Did you know?
- While bon ami is a close companion, the informal copain actually comes from the word pain, meaning 'bread'. It literally describes someone you share bread with.
- If a French speaker refers to mon ami in a certain tone, it can sometimes be used condescendingly to a stranger, similar to saying 'my friend' in English during an argument.
- If you want to call someone a 'best friend' in a very informal way, you might use mon meilleur pote instead of mon bon ami.
Examples in context
- Tom est un bon ami.Tom is a good friend.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is a good friend.Tatoeba #2624085 by Rovo, translation #1868240 by CK
- T'es vraiment un bon ami.You're a real good friend.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that someone is a real good friend.Tatoeba #12037816 by zogwarg, translation #6267039 by CK
- Mon bon ami habite au Chili.My good friend lives in Chile.This sentence is useful for describing where a good friend lives.Tatoeba #10463076 by pkill, translation #10463128 by shekitten
- Marie et Laura sont de très bonnes amies depuis leur enfance.Marie and Laura have been good friends since childhood.
- Jean est un ami cher sur qui je peux toujours compter.Jean is a dear friend whom I can always rely on.
- Isabelle est une amie de confiance à qui je peux tout confier.Isabelle is a trusted friend to whom I can confide everything.
- J'ai passé la soirée avec mes potes hier.I spent the evening with my buddies yesterday.
- Sophie est ma meilleure copine depuis le lycée.Sophie is my best pal since high school.
- Maxime est un ami proche avec qui j'ai partagé de nombreux souvenirs.Maxime is a close friend with whom I have shared many memories.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are talking about a mutual acquaintance at a cafe.
- ChloéTu connais Marc ?Do you know Marc?
- LucasOui, c'est un bon ami.Yes, he is a good friend.
- ChloéIl est très gentil avec toi.He is very kind to you.
- LucasIl est toujours là pour moi.He is always there for me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
