"Enfant," "gamin," and "gosse" all mean "child" or "kid" in French, but they differ in tone, formality, and regional usage. "Enfant" is the standard, neutral term used in formal and informal contexts. "Gamin" is more informal and playful, often used in Paris and northern France to describe a lively or mischievous boy (though it can be used generically). "Gosse" is a colloquial term common in everyday speech, with "gosse" being standard in many regions and "gosse" appearing in slangy or familiar contexts. Using the appropriate term depends on the social setting and desired nuance.
Enfant
"Enfant" is the standard French word for "child." It is used in both formal and informal contexts and can refer to a child of any gender (enfant is gender-neutral; specify "fille" for girl or "garçon" for boy if needed).
Usage
- Formal and neutral: suitable for all contexts.
- Used in education, legal, and clinical settings.
- Plural form: "enfants."
Examples
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| L'enfant joue dans le jardin. | The child is playing in the garden. |
| Les enfants vont à l'école. | The children go to school. |
| Cet enfant est très poli. | This child is very polite. |
Gamin
"Gamin" is an informal term meaning "kid" or "urchin," often with a playful or mischievous connotation. It traditionally refers to boys but can be used more generally in casual speech.
Usage
- Informal and colloquial.
- Common in Paris and northern France.
- Suggests liveliness, street-smarts, or mischief.
- Feminine form: "gamine."
- Plural: "gamins" or "gamines."
Examples
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Le gamin court dans la rue. | The kid is running in the street. |
| Quand j'étais gamin, je grimpais aux arbres. | When I was a kid, I used to climb trees. |
| Cette gamine est très espiègle. | This girl is very mischievous. |
Cette ___ est très espiègle.
gamine
'Gamine' is the feminine form of 'gamin,' suitable for describing a mischievous girl.
Gosse
"Gosse" is a colloquial and familiar term for "kid," widely used in spoken French across many regions. It is neutral in gender (though plural is "gosses") and can refer to children of any age up to adolescence.
Usage
- Colloquial and familiar.
- Very common in everyday conversation.
- Neutral in meaning but less formal than "enfant."
- Sometimes considered slightly slangy.
- Plural form: "gosses."
Examples
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| J'ai deux gosses à la maison. | I have two kids at home. |
| C'est un bon gosse, toujours prêt à aider. | He's a good kid, always ready to help. |
| Les gosses font beaucoup de bruit. | The kids make a lot of noise. |
C'est un bon ___, toujours prêt à aider.
gosse
'Gosse' is a familiar term that fits the casual tone of the sentence.
Summary
- Enfant = standard, neutral, used in all contexts.
- Gamin = informal, playful, often refers to a mischievous boy (can be used for girls as "gamine").
- Gosse = colloquial, familiar, common in spoken French for "kid."
Choose the term based on the level of formality and the nuance you want to convey.
Flashcards (1 of 9)
- English Example: The child is playing in the garden.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
