la famille
The English phrase "the family" is translated into French as la famille.
This phrase refers to a group of people who are related by blood or marriage.
Which one should you use?
While la famille is the standard term, you may encounter la fam or la tribu in different contexts. La fam is a shortened version, and la tribu is used to refer to the family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun famille is feminine, which is why it must be preceded by the feminine definite article la. To say "the families" in the plural, use les familles.
Did you know?
- The word famille descends from the Latin familia, which originally referred to the entire household, including servants and slaves, not just blood relatives.
- In many French-speaking cultures, the concept of 'la famille' is often treated as an extended network where 'cousins' can include many people who are not actually related by blood.
- While la famille means 'the family', the expression en famille is used as an adverb to describe doing something in a private, intimate setting with relatives.
Examples in context
- Comment va la famille ?How is the family doing?This sentence is useful for asking how members of the family are doing using la famille.Tatoeba #730255 by U2FS, translation #730098 by CK
- Connais-tu la famille ?Do you know the family?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows a specific family using la famille.Tatoeba #1160357 by sacredceltic, translation #1160346 by cntrational
- La famille regarde un film.The family is watching a movie together.This sentence is useful for describing an action the family is performing using la famille.Tatoeba #1215033 by sacredceltic, translation #682372 by Source_VOA
- La famille est très importante pour moi.The family is very important to me.
- Les membres de la famille sont tous réunis pour les fêtes.The family members are all gathered for the holidays.
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are looking at an old photograph.
- HugoC'est toute la famille sur cette photo.That is the whole family in this photo.
- ManonOui, la famille était très nombreuse.Yes, the family was very large.
- HugoOù est la famille maintenant ?Where is the family now?
- ManonLa famille habite encore à Lyon.The family still lives in Lyon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries famille, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
