je suis enfant unique
To say "I have no siblings" in French, use je suis enfant unique.
This phrase is used to state that a person is an only child.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je suis enfant unique literally translates to "I am an only child".
Which one should you use?
While je suis enfant unique is the most natural way to express being an only child, je n'ai pas de frères et sœurs is a more literal way to say "I have no siblings".
How does it change in a sentence?
While je suis enfant unique is the standard idiomatic way to say it, adding the article une is also grammatically correct for a female speaker, as in je suis une enfant unique.
Did you know?
- The word enfant is derived from the Latin īnfantem, which literally means 'one who cannot speak'.
- In French culture, being an enfant unique is often associated with a specific psychological profile, sometimes jokingly referred to as 'le syndrome de l'enfant unique'.
- In French, the concept of 'siblings' has no single word like the English one, which is why speakers must say frères et sœurs (brothers and sisters).
Examples in context
- Je suis enfant unique, donc je n'ai pas de frères ou de sœurs.I am an only child, so I have no brothers or sisters.
- Ma famille est petite car je suis enfant unique.My family is small because I am an only child.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are talking about their families.
- GabrielTu as des frères ou des sœurs, Léa ?Do you have any brothers or sisters, Léa?
- LéaNon, je suis enfant unique.No, I am an only child.
- GabrielAh bon ! C'est comment d'être seule ?Oh really! What is it like being alone?
- LéaC'est calme, mais parfois je m'ennuie.It is quiet, but sometimes I get bored.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enfant, je, suis, unique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
