proches
/pʁɔʃ/
The French phrase for relatives is proches.
proches is used to refer to people who are members of the same family, including those who are not closely related by blood. It is more broadly used to mean 'loved ones' or 'those close to you', which may include close friends and not just blood relations.
What does it mean word for word?
The word proches is the plural form of the adjective proche, which literally means 'close' or 'near'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form proche is used as a noun to mean 'a close person' or 'a relative' (e.g., un proche).
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁɔʃ/
Did you know?
- French uses the term belle-famille to describe relatives by marriage, literally meaning 'beautiful family' regardless of the actual family dynamic.
- While proches covers loved ones, the specific term for blood relatives is parents. In French, parents can refer to any ancestor or relative, not just a father and mother.
- When referring to the concept of kinship or the act of being related, French uses the word parenté, which can also describe a perceived resemblance between two unrelated people.
Examples in context
- Je rends souvent visite à mes proches.I often visit my relatives.This sentence shows how to express visiting relatives.Tatoeba #7793888 by Aiji, translation #2174962 by CM
- Je veux contacter mes proches restés au pays.I want to contact my relatives back home.This sentence shows how to express contacting relatives who are in one's home country.Tatoeba #10703579 by lbdx, translation #10701134 by AlanF_US
- Connaissez-vous le numéro de téléphone de vos proches ?Do you know the phone number of your relatives?This sentence shows how to ask for the phone number of someone's relatives.Tatoeba #10699655 by lbdx, translation #10696198 by tokzyk
- J'ai beaucoup de cousins et de cousines.I have many cousins.
- Mon neveu est un petit garçon très énergique.My nephew is a very energetic little boy.
- J'adore passer du temps avec ma nièce.I love spending time with my niece.
- J'ai un beauf très sympa.I have a very nice brother-in-law.
- Ma belle-soeur est une sœur géniale.My sister-in-law is an amazing sister.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are talking about a family gathering.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as invité tes proches ?Did you invite your relatives?
- EmmaOui, mes proches seront là ce soir.Yes, my relatives will be there tonight.
- GabrielC'est super, j'espère qu'ils vont aimer le repas.That's great, I hope they will like the meal.
- EmmaMerci Gabriel, ils apprécieront sûrement ton accueil.Thanks Gabriel, they will surely appreciate your hospitality.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry proches, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
