cousin
/ku.zɛ̃/masculine
The French word for cousin is cousin. Wiktionary also lists cousine.
Meaning: child of a person’s parent’s brother or sister (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cousin | /ku.zɛ̃/ | masculine |
| cousine | /ku.zin/ | feminine |
The term refers to the child of a person’s parent’s brother or sister.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, French requires you to choose a form based on gender: use the masculine cousin for a male cousin and the feminine cousine for a female cousin.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to multiple cousins, use the masculine plural cousins for a group of male cousins or a mixed-gender group. Use the feminine plural cousines exclusively for a group consisting only of female cousins.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku.zɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The word cousin may actually share an unexpected history with the word for a mosquito, stemming from the Latin culicīnus.
- In some historical contexts, the word cousin was used as a polite way to address a person of high rank or a royal relative, regardless of their actual kinship.
- French doesn't have separate words for 'first cousin' or 'second cousin'. To specify the distance of the relation, speakers must add a phrase like au deuxième degré.
Examples in context
- Il épousa ma cousine.He married my cousin.This sentence shows the use of the feminine form cousine.Tatoeba #1013059 by sacredceltic, translation #297739 by CK
- C'est un mien cousin.This is my cousin.This sentence shows the use of the masculine form cousin.Tatoeba #1916935 by Rovo, translation #61487 by CK
- Tom, c'est mon cousin.Tom, this is my cousin.Tatoeba #5857667 by Aiji, translation #5565265 by CK
- Je suis ravi de vous présenter mon cousin, Pierre.I am pleased to introduce my cousin, Pierre.
- Salut cousin ! Comment ça va ?Hi cousin! How are you?
- J'ai vu le cousin de PaulI saw Paul's cousin
- Je vais chez les cousinsI'm going to the cousins
- les cousinsThe cousins
- 125 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are talking about a family reunion.
- GabrielTu as vu mon cousin récemment ?Have you seen my cousin recently?
- ChloéNon, je ne l'ai pas vu.No, I haven't seen him.
- GabrielIl vient à la fête de famille.He is coming to the family party.
- ChloéC'est une bonne nouvelle !That is good news!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cousin” translations and entries cousin, cousine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cousin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
