French word

bébé

Pronunciation

IPA/bebe/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbaby

Example

Ton bébé dort bien ?

Does your baby sleep well?

Illustration for bébé (baby)

More examples

Le bébé pleure le soir.

The baby cries in the evening.

Core concept

A small loved one kept near and cared for, a model that can also describe something especially treasured.

Common phrases

  • un bébé

    a baby

  • avoir un bébé

    have a baby

Similar words

enfant: A young child, generally over two, who can walk and talk.
nouveau-né: A baby born very recently.
nourrisson: A baby a few months old who mainly needs feeding and close care.

Definition in French

Désigne un très jeune enfant; le mot est aussi employé familièrement comme terme affectueux pour une personne ou un objet chéri.

Word origin

French adopted bébé from English baby; the English form is a child-language formation built on repeated syllables.

Usage tips

  • As a term of endearment, bébé can address a partner or another cherished person, but its suitability depends on familiarity and context.

Other meanings

  • infantnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word