sœur cadette
In French, "middle sister" is expressed as sœur cadette.
The phrase refers to a sister who is younger than the eldest sibling.
Which one should you use?
While sœur cadette is the standard term, Frangine du milieu is an informal alternative used to describe a middle sister.
Did you know?
- The word cadette comes from the Latin 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'. Historically, it described a child who 'fell' into the family after the firstborn.
- The informal frangine is part of a broader category of French slang called 'argot', which historically evolved from the secret languages of the underworld in Paris.
- In some formal French contexts, cadet refers to the second-born son who historically did not inherit the family estate, unlike the 'primogéniture' of the first-born.
Examples in context
- Je vais passer ma soirée avec ma frangine du milieu.I'm going to spend my evening with my middle sister.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are looking at family photos.
- LucasQui est-ce sur cette photo ?Who is this in this photo?
- EmmaC'est ma sœur cadette, Emma.This is my middle sister, Emma.
- LucasElle te ressemble beaucoup.She looks a lot like you.
- EmmaOui, ma sœur cadette est mon portrait craché.Yes, my middle sister is my spitting image.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sœur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
