French Conversation · Level 43
75 words
French word
gamin
Pronunciation
IPA/gamɛ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounkid
Example
Regarde ce gamin qui joue dans la rue.
Look at that kid playing in the street.
More examples
Il fait le gamin pour attirer l'attention.
He acts childish to attract attention.
Core concept
A lively, cheeky child, often pictured playing or roaming in the street.
Common phrases
un gamin
a child
faire le gamin
act childish
le gamin des rues
street child
Similar words
enfant: A person who is not yet an adult, regardless of age or gender.
gosse: A familiar, informal term for a child in casual speech.
môme: A familiar, colloquial term for a small child.
garçon: A young male child or boy.
Definition in French
Terme familier pour désigner un enfant (généralement un garçon), énergique ou espiègle, et parfois un enfant des rues.
Word origin
French gamin has been used since earlier stages of French, but its ultimate origin remains uncertain.
Usage tips
- The feminine form is gamine, and either form can sound affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Other meanings
- mischievous boynoun
- street urchinnoun
Opposites
- adulteadultnoun
Related words
- gaminemischievous girlnoun
- gamineriechildish behaviornoun