French Conversation · Level 9
88 words
French word
femme
Pronunciation
IPA/fam/
Meaning
- feminine nounwoman
Example
La femme traverse la rue.
The woman is crossing the street.
More examples
Une femme lit un livre.
A woman is reading a book.
Core concept
One adult female person, with the possibility that this person is being identified specifically as someone's wife.
Common phrases
une femme
a woman
jeune femme
young woman
femme enceinte
pregnant woman
Similar words
madame: A polite title for a woman, especially in formal or first encounters.
fille: A girl or young woman.
épouse: A woman who is someone's wife.
compagne: A woman in a romantic partnership or shared household.
Definition in French
Désigne une personne adulte de sexe féminin ; peut aussi, selon le contexte, désigner l'épouse.
Word origin
French inherited femme from Latin femina through Old French feme, while the spelling later acquired its present double m.
Usage tips
- Femme is not the normal form of direct address; madame or the person's name is used instead.