How to Say “Hanging Out With Friends” in French

passer du temps avec des amis
The English phrase "hanging out with friends" can be translated into French as passer du temps avec des amis.
This expression is used to describe spending leisure time in the company of friends.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase passer du temps avec des amis literally translates to "to spend time with friends".

Which one should you use?

Use se retrouver entre amis to emphasize the act of meeting up with friends. For a simpler approach, speakers often use voir des amis, which means "to see friends". If you are specifically talking about going out with buddies, use Sortir avec des potes.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

For a more colloquial or informal tone, you can use traîner avec des amis or Sortir avec des potes.

Did you know?

  • If you use the verb traîner to mean 'hanging out', you are literally saying you are 'dragging' or 'trailing' yourself around with friends.
  • The word avec is not a direct evolution of a single Latin word but likely a fusion of apud ('near') and hoc ('this').
  • In France, using potes for 'buddies' is so informal that using it in a professional setting can be seen as a social faux pas.

Examples in context

  • J'ai passé du temps avec des amis ce week-end.
    I spent time with friends this weekend.
  • On sort avec des potes ce soir ?
    Are we going out with buddies tonight?
  • On se retrouve entre amis devant le cinéma.
    We're meeting up with friends in front of the cinema.
  • prendre un café entre potes
    Grabbing a coffee with buddies
  • faire une soirée entre amis
    Having a get-together with friends
  • J'aime passer du temps avec mes amis le week-end.
    I like hanging out with my friends on the weekend.
  • J'aime passer du temps avec des amis le week-end.
    I love hanging out with friends on the weekend.
  • Elle préfère passer du temps avec des amis au café.
    She prefers spending time with friends at the cafe.
  • On peut passer du temps avec des amis demain ?
    Can we hang out with friends tomorrow?

Example conversation

Chloé and Nathan are discussing their plans for Saturday afternoon.

  1. Chloé

    Tu veux passer du temps avec des amis samedi ?
    Do you want to hang out with friends on Saturday?
  2. Nathan

    Oui, c'est une excellente idée, Chloé.
    Yes, that is an excellent idea, Chloé.
  3. Chloé

    On peut aller au parc avec eux.
    We can go to the park with them.
  4. Nathan

    Parfait, je vais les appeler.
    Perfect, I will call them.

Sources

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Shaun Clifford
Shaun CliffordHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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