animal de compagnie
/a.ni.mal də kɔ̃.pa.ɲi/masculine
The English phrase 'pet' is translated into French as animal de compagnie. Wiktionary also lists animal familier and animal domestique.
Meaning: an animal kept as a companion (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| animal de compagnie | /a.ni.mal də kɔ̃.pa.ɲi/ | masculine |
| animal familier | masculine | |
| animal domestique | /a.ni.mal dɔ.mɛs.tik/ | masculine |
The terms used to describe a pet all refer to an animal kept as a companion.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase animal de compagnie literally translates to 'animal of company'.
Which one should you use?
While animal de compagnie specifically refers to animals kept for companionship, animal domestique translates to 'domestic animal' and can refer to both household pets and livestock or animals that have been domesticated (like cows or sheep).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using compagnon to mean a pet. In French, compagnon usually refers to a human partner or companion.
Did you know?
- The word compagnie in the phrase animal de compagnie shares a root with the word 'company', but it actually comes from the Latin words for 'bread' and 'with'.
- French speakers often use the word toutou as a childish or affectionate term for a pet dog, which functions similarly to 'doggy' in English.
- The word familier in animal familier is a cognate of the English 'familiar', which historically referred to an attendant or a spirit.
Examples in context
- As-tu un animal domestique ?Do you have a pet?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they have an animal domestique.Tatoeba #1342152 by sacredceltic, translation #953189 by CK
- As-tu un animal de compagnie ?Have you got a pet?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they have an animal de compagnie.Tatoeba #9973819 by felix63, translation #2612091 by sundown
- Nous avons un animal domestique.We have a pet.This sentence is useful for stating that you have an animal domestique.Tatoeba #8239474 by felix63, translation #13190565 by rul
- J'ai un petit minou qui adore chasser les souris.I have a little cat who loves to hunt mice.
- Mon animal de compagnie m'apporte tellement de joie au quotidien.My pet brings me so much joy every day.
- Je me suis fait un nouvel ami à quatre pattes.I made a new four-legged friend.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their living situations at home.
- ManonEst-ce que tu as un animal de compagnie ?Do you have a pet?
- HugoNon, je n'ai pas d'animal de compagnie.No, I don't have a pet.
- ManonC'est dommage, j'adore les animaux.That's a shame, I love animals.
- HugoMoi aussi, mais mon appartement est trop petit.Me too, but my apartment is too small.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pet” translations and entries animal de compagnie, animal domestique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries animal, compagnie, de, domestique, familier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
