French word

orphelin

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔʁfəlɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounorphan

Example

Les orphelins jouent dans la cour.

The orphans are playing in the courtyard.

Illustration for orphelin (orphan)

More examples

Les orphelins attendent l'arrivée des bénévoles.

The orphans are waiting for the volunteers to arrive.

Core concept

A child at a family table with one parent's place empty.

Common phrases

  • un orphelin

    an orphan

  • les orphelins

    orphans

  • un orphelin sans famille

    an orphan without a family

Similar words

pupille: A child protected and cared for by the state or a guardian.
enfant abandonné: A child abandoned or neglected by their parents.
enfant trouvé: A baby or child found abandoned in a public place or institution.
orphelinat: An institution that houses and cares for orphaned children.

Definition in French

Personne, en particulier un enfant, qui a perdu un ou ses parents.

Word origin

Orphelin comes through Old French from Latin orphanus, borrowed from Greek orphanos, meaning bereft of parents.

Usage tips

  • As a noun, orphelin is masculine and orpheline is feminine, so une orpheline refers to a female orphan.

Related words

Word lists with this word