👥 How to Say Friend in French (Without Sounding Like a Textbook)
So, you want to say friend in French? The most straightforward translation is ami. But—as with many things in French—it’s not quite that simple. Depending on the context, the closeness of the relationship, or even your age, there are a few different words you might use.
Let’s take a little tour through French friendship vocabulary—and I promise, no boring grammar drills!
🧑🤝🧑 Ami / Amie – The Classic
The word ami (or amie for a female friend) is your go-to when you’re talking about someone you’ve known for a while and genuinely get along with.
— Tu connais Théo ?
— Oui, c’est un ami.
(Do you know Théo?
Yes, he’s a friend.)
You might also hear it in songs, like this classic by Françoise Hardy:
🎵 Mon amie la rose (1965) – Listen here
⚠️ A small but important note:
Try to avoid saying Bonjour, mon ami ! It might sound natural in English (“Hello, my friend!”), but in French, it can feel awkward or overly formal—almost like you’re trying too hard. A simple Bonjour, ça va ? sounds much more natural.
Spending time with friends? Make a toast by learning how to say cheers in French for your next celebration.
🧒 Copain / Copine – The Friendly Favorite
A bit more casual than ami, copain (or copine) is very commonly used, especially by younger people. It’s kind of the everyday word for “friend.”
— Tu vas où ?
— Chez un copain.
(Where are you going?
To a friend’s place.*)
And here’s a catchy throwback to get the word stuck in your head:
🎶 Vous les copains by Sheila – Watch here
Note: Copain/copine can also mean “boyfriend/girlfriend,” depending on the context. Gotta love French ambiguity, right?
🧢 Pote – The Slangy Pal
Now we’re getting even more familiar. Pote is super casual and friendly, like saying “buddy” or “mate” in English.
— Qui sont tous ces gens sur la photo ?
— Ce sont mes potes de l’université.
(Who are all these people in the photo?
They’re my college buddies.*)
It’s used all the time in spoken French, especially among friends of any age.
🧑🏫 Camarade – Classmate or… Comrade?
This one’s a bit more niche. Camarade is often used in school settings, especially for kids.
— Qui est Lucie ?
— C’est une camarade de classe.
(Who’s Lucie?
She’s a classmate.*)
But be aware: in political contexts, camarade can also mean “comrade,” with all the revolutionary flair that entails.
💎 “Best Friend” in French
Want to talk about your BFF? You’ll say:
👉 meilleur ami (for a guy) or meilleure amie (for a girl)
Adèle ? C’est ma meilleure amie.
(Adèle? She’s my best friend.)
👥 Levels of Friendship (French Edition)
Here’s a handy little scale to describe different kinds of friendships in French:
- Une connaissance – an acquaintance
(Martin ? C’est… une connaissance.) - Un pote / Une pote – a buddy, a pal
- Un copain / Une copine – a friend
- Un bon ami / Une bonne amie – a good friend
- Un cher ami / Une chère amie – a dear friend
- Un ami intime / Une amie intime – a close friend
- Un ami d’enfance / Une amie d’enfance – a childhood friend
- Un meilleur ami / Une meilleure amie – a best friend
For more examples with friends. Have a look here.
Talking about friends also means celebrating them—discover how to say happy birthday in French.
✨ A Final Thought
There’s a lovely French saying that goes:
Les amis de mes amis sont mes amis.
(The friends of my friends are my friends.)Got it? Great! Now you’re one step closer to speaking French like a local—and making some amis along the way.
If you can talk about your friends, you might also want to learn how to ask questions with what in French.
When meeting new people, it helps to know how to introduce yourself—check out our article on what is your name in French.
When talking about friends, it’s nice to give compliments—learn how to say beautiful in French to make your conversations warmer.