sœur jumelle
The English phrase "twin sister" is translated into French as sœur jumelle.
Use sœur jumelle to refer to a sister who was born at the same time as another sibling from the same pregnancy.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sœur (sister) and jumelle (twin, feminine form).
Which one should you use?
While sœur jumelle is used for a twin sister, you should use frère jumeau when referring to a twin brother.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express the plural "twin sisters", both the noun and the adjective must take an s to become sœurs jumelles.
Did you know?
- The word jumelle also means 'binoculars' in French. This is because binoculars are essentially a pair of identical lenses acting as twins.
- In French literature and folklore, the concept of l'âme sœur translates to 'soul mate', using the word for sister to describe a deep spiritual connection regardless of gender.
- When describing twins who are not identical, French speakers use the term faux jumeaux meaning 'false twins'.
Examples in context
- J'ai une sœur jumelle.I have a twin sister.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a sœur jumelle.Tatoeba #5613307 by nimfeo, translation #1541447 by CM
- As-tu une sœur jumelle ?Do you have a twin sister?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a sœur jumelle.Tatoeba #2252328 by sacredceltic, translation #2240443 by Hybrid
- Pouvez-vous différencier Jane de sa sœur jumelle ?Can you tell Jane from her twin sister?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can tell one person apart from their sœur jumelle.Tatoeba #1405151 by Aiji, translation #53838 by CN
- Je suis fier de ma sœur jumelleI am proud of my twin sister
- Ma sœur qui est jumelle travaille dans la financeMy sister, who is a twin, works in finance
- Ma jumelle et moi, nous partageons toutMy twin sister and I share everything
- Ma sœur jumelle et moi sommes inséparables depuis notre enfanceMy twin sister and I have been inseparable since our childhood
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are talking about their families at a café.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as une sœur jumelle ?Do you have a twin sister?
- LéaOui, ma sœur jumelle s'appelle Marie.Yes, my twin sister's name is Marie.
- GabrielEst-ce que vous vous ressemblez beaucoup ?Do you two look very much alike?
- LéaNon, elle est plus grande que moi.No, she is taller than me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
