A comparison of the French nouns "enfant," "gamin," and "gosse," explaining their meanings, usage, formality levels, and regional differences.
In French, there are several words for “child” or “kid,” but enfant, gamin, and gosse have different nuances, levels of formality, and regional uses. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right word depending on context and tone.
- enfant is the standard, neutral term used in all settings.
- gamin is informal and often used in Paris and the north of France.
- gosse is also informal and common in spoken French, especially in the south and among younger speakers.
- Be aware of register and region when using gamin or gosse to avoid sounding odd or overly casual.
Meanings and Nuances
All three words mean “child” or “kid,” but with subtle differences:
| Word | Meaning | Connotation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| enfant | child | Neutral, standard, can be formal or informal | C’est un enfant sage. (He’s a well-behaved child.) |
| gamin | kid, youngster | Informal, playful, sometimes a bit mischievous | Ce gamin est très vif. (This kid is very lively.) |
| gosse | kid, child | Informal, familiar, used affectionately or colloquially | Cette gosse est drôle. (This kid is funny.) |
- enfant can refer to any child, including in writing, official contexts, and polite speech.
- gamin often implies a street-smart or cheeky boy (though it can be used for girls as “gamine”), and is more common in certain regions.
- gosse is a very casual, everyday term for “kid,” used by many adults when speaking informally.
Which French word for 'child' can be considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings?
enfant
'Enfant' is the neutral, standard term that is appropriate in all registers, including formal contexts.
Usage and Context
Here’s when and where you might hear each word:
| Word | Context | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| enfant | school, family, medical, formal writing | Neutral to formal | L’enfant a besoin de repos. (The child needs rest.) |
| gamin | casual conversation among friends, storytelling | Informal | Hey, ce gamin connait tous les raccourcis. (Hey, this kid knows all the shortcuts.) |
| gosse | family talk, friends, informal speech — especially in the south | Informal, familiar | J’ai laissé les gosses chez ma sœur. (I left the kids at my sister’s.) |
- Avoid using gamin or gosse in formal writing or with strangers to maintain politeness.
- gamins can sometimes carry a slightly cheeky or naughty implication.
- gosses is very common in everyday spoken French, especially among parents talking about their children.
Gender and Plurals
| Word | Singular | Plural | Female Form? |
|---|---|---|---|
| enfant | un enfant (m/f) | des enfants | No (same for boys and girls) |
| gamin | un gamin (m), une gamine (f) | des gamins/gamines | Yes (gamin/gamine) |
| gosse | un gosse (m/f) | des gosses | No (same form for both) |
- enfant is gender-neutral: context or articles clarify boy/girl (un or une).
- gamin/gamine distinguishes boy and girl.
- gosse is the same for both genders in singular and plural.
Regional Differences
- gamin is especially common in Paris and northern France.
- gosse is widespread but particularly frequent in southern France and among younger generations.
- enfant is universally understood and used throughout all French-speaking regions.
Examples in Context
| Sentence | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mon enfant dort encore. | My child is still sleeping. | Neutral, standard |
| Ce gamin court partout ! | That kid is running everywhere! | Informal, possibly Parisian |
| J’ai deux gosses. | I have two kids. | Informal, colloquial |
| La gamine a perdu son doudou. | The little girl lost her cuddly toy. | Informal, “gamine” = girl |
| Les enfants jouent dans le jardin. | The children are playing in the garden. | Neutral, standard |
Summary
| Word | Meaning | Register | Region | Gender | Use When ... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| enfant | child | Neutral/formal | Everywhere | Neutral (un/une) | Talking neutrally or formally about a child |
| gamin | kid, youngster | Informal | Paris/north | gamin/gamine | Speaking casually, especially in northern France |
| gosse | kid, child | Informal/familiar | South/common | Neutral | Talking casually about kids in everyday speech |
Choosing the right word:
- Use enfant for a safe, neutral choice in any situation.
- Use gamin/gamine for informal, lively conversation—especially if you’re in Paris or northern France.
- Use gosse for a warm, familiar tone, common in family settings and many parts of France.
Which of the following is a correct summary of the usage for 'enfant,' 'gamin,' and 'gosse'?
'enfant' is neutral/formal, 'gamin' is informal/northern, 'gosse' is informal/familiar/southern
'Enfant' is the neutral and formal option; 'gamin' is informal and common in northern France; 'gosse' is informal, familiar, and especially frequent in the south.
Which pair correctly matches the male and female forms?
gamin / gamine
'Gamin' (boy) and 'gamine' (girl) are the correct gendered pair; 'enfant' and 'gosse' do not change form for gender.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
