jeune homme
/ʒœ.n‿ɔm/
The English phrase "young man" is translated into French as jeune homme.
jeune homme refers to a male person who is no longer a child but is not yet old. When used to address someone directly, the phrase can sound patronizing or authoritative depending on the tone. It is often used by elders to reprimand or direct a younger male.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective jeune (young) and the noun homme (man).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the colloquial term gars is commonly used to mean "guy" or "young man".
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒœ.n‿ɔm/
Did you know?
- The word homme actually shares a distant ancestor with the word for 'earth', the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰmṓ, suggesting a concept of humans as 'earthlings'.
- In very formal or old-fashioned French literature, jeune homme is often used as a trope for a naive or romantic protagonist.
- Because the 'h' in homme is silent, the 'e' at the end of jeune is dropped and the two words flow together as one sound.
Examples in context
- Viens ici, jeune homme.Come here, young man.This sentence shows how to use jeune homme as a direct address.Tatoeba #9576758 by Aiji, translation #2731706 by sharptoothed
- Qui est ce jeune homme ?Who is this young man?This sentence shows how to use jeune homme as a subject in a question.Tatoeba #12431132 by lbdx, translation #3126817 by Hybrid
- Pas si vite, jeune homme !Not so fast, young man!This sentence shows how to use jeune homme in an authoritative way.Tatoeba #4855552 by sacredceltic, translation #2769803 by Hybrid
- Excusez-moi, jeune homme , pourriez-vous m'indiquer où se trouve la salle de réunion?Excuse me, young man, could you tell me where the conference room is?
- Salut, mec ! Tu viens à la fête ce soir?Hey, dude! Are you coming to the party tonight?
- Alors, jeunot , t'as passé une bonne soirée?So, young man, did you have a good evening?
- 87 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are looking at a photo from a family reunion.
- GabrielC'est un très beau jeune homme.He is a very handsome young man.
- LéaOui, il a beaucoup grandi.Yes, he has grown a lot.
- GabrielJe ne reconnais pas ce jeune homme.I don't recognize this young man.
- LéaC'est ton cousin Marc !It is your cousin Marc!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry jeune homme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries homme, jeune, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
