French Conversation · Level 160
30 words
French word
enfanter
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃fɑ̃te/
Meaning
- verbgive birth to
Example
La chatte a enfanté cinq chatons.
The cat gave birth to five kittens.
More examples
Le bulletin médical indique qu'elle a enfanté sans complication.
The medical report indicates that she gave birth without complications.
Core concept
A mother bringing a child or litter from her body into the world.
Similar words
accoucher: To give birth to a baby.
naître: To be born from a mother's body.
mettre au monde: To bring a baby into the world.
Definition in French
Donner naissance à un enfant ou à des petits; action par laquelle une mère met au monde ses petits.
Word origin
Enfanter comes from Old French enfaunter, built on enfant with the verbal ending -er.
Usage tips
- Enfanter is more literary than everyday French, while accoucher is usual for a person and mettre bas is usual for an animal.