animaux de compagnie
The English phrase "pets" is translated into French as animaux de compagnie.
This phrase refers to animals kept by people as companions or for pleasure. While the standard term is animaux de compagnie, you may also see the term compagnon used to refer to a pet in an affectionate manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "animals of company", where compagnie refers to companionship.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word animal is irregular in its plural form, changing from animal to animaux. The phrase is animaux de compagnie in the plural and animal de compagnie in the singular.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to pluralize the phrase as animaux de compagnies, but compagnie must remain singular in this expression.
Did you know?
- Because the word compagnon comes from the idea of sharing bread, calling a pet a compagnon implies a deep, fundamental bond of survival and presence.
- In French, the term animal de compagnie is used strictly for pets, whereas animal domestique refers to any domesticated animal, including farm livestock.
- In casual French, when referring to a pet, you might hear people use the word toutou for a dog or minou for a cat, rather than the formal animal de compagnie.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous des animaux de compagnie ?Do you have any pets?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has any animaux de compagnie.Tatoeba #6465626 by Aiji, translation #25220 by CK
- Tom n'aime pas les animaux de compagnie.Tom is not fond of pets.This sentence is useful for stating that someone does not like animaux de compagnie.Tatoeba #2004994 by Mutusen, translation #681574 by Source_VOA
- Les chats sont des animaux de compagnie.Cats are pets.This sentence is useful for identifying cats as animaux de compagnie.Tatoeba #12239318 by felix63, translation #12242356 by Miktsoanit
- J'ai un chien.I have a dog.
- J'ai deux chats.I have two cats.
- J'ai des animaux de compagnie.I have pets.
- Mon chien est mon meilleur compagnon.My dog is my best companion.
- Regarde mon toutou, il est trop mignon !Look at my doggy, he's so cute!
- Mon matou aime se prélasser au soleil.My kitty likes to sunbathe.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are talking about their weekend plans.
- LucasLéa, est-ce que tu as des animaux de compagnie ?Léa, do you have any pets?
- LéaOui, j'ai un petit chien très mignon.Yes, I have a very cute little dog.
- LucasC'est super, j'adore les animaux de compagnie !That's great, I love pets!
- LéaMoi aussi, ils sont de très bons compagnons.Me too, they are very good companions.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
