proches
/pʁɔʃ/
The English phrase "loved ones" is translated into French as proches.
The term proches refers to the people a person cares about most, including family members and close friends. When referring to these people as a general group, the definite article les is typically used: les proches.
Which one should you use?
Les êtres chers is a formal expression that translates to "loved ones." Les personnes qui me sont chères means "people who are dear to me." The informal phrase Les gens que j'aime translates to "people I love."
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form proches can be used as a noun to mean "loved ones," but the singular form proche functions as an adjective meaning "close" or "near."
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁɔʃ/
Did you know?
- A common mistake for English speakers is to use mes amours to refer to their 'loved ones', but in French, this phrase is almost exclusively reserved for a romantic partner or can even sound slightly theatrical.
- The term les êtres chers is so heavily associated with the concept of 'the departed' that using it to refer to living people can sometimes sound slightly melodramatic or overly poetic in casual conversation.
- The word proche is frequently used in legal and administrative French to define 'next of kin' with no emotional connotation.
Examples in context
- Je tiens à remercier les gens que j'aime pour leur soutien ,I want to thank the people I love for their support.
- Venez, mes chéris, le dîner est prêt ,Come, my darlings, dinner is ready.
- Je souhaite le meilleur à toutes les personnes qui me sont chères ,I wish the best for all the people who are dear to me.
- Il passe beaucoup de temps avec ses proches.He spends a lot of time with his loved ones.
- Il est important de protéger ses proches.It is important to protect one's loved ones.
- Elle veut passer du temps avec ses proches.She wants to spend time with her loved ones.
- Il a beaucoup de respect pour ses proches.He has a lot of respect for his loved ones.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are discussing their holiday plans.
- LucasTu vas voir tes proches pour Noël ?Are you going to see your loved ones for Christmas?
- ManonOui, je pars en Bretagne pour voir ma famille.Yes, I am going to Brittany to see my family.
- LucasC'est super, profite bien de tes proches.That's great, enjoy your loved ones.
- ManonMerci, c'est très gentil de ta part.Thank you, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry proches, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
