French word

nièce

Pronunciation

IPA/njɛs/

Meaning

  • feminine nounniece

Example

Ma nièce a six ans.

My niece is six years old.

Illustration for nièce (niece)

More examples

J'ai invité ma nièce pour le week-end.

I invited my niece for the weekend.

Core concept

A female family member in the generation below a sibling.

Common phrases

  • ma nièce

    my niece

  • une nièce

    a niece

Similar words

cousine: A female cousin.
neveu: A son of one's sibling.
tante: A female aunt, either a parent's sister or a parent's brother's wife.
sœur: A sister who shares one or both parents.

Definition in French

La fille du frère ou de la sœur d'une personne.

Word origin

The word entered French through Old French niece from Latin neptia, a term for a niece or granddaughter.

Usage tips

  • Nièce applies to an adult as well as a child, so its meaning does not imply a young age.

Opposites

Word lists with this word