French · People & Family
"Child" in French: enfant
l'enfant
Child in French is l'enfant, masculine as a noun even for a girl in formal grammar — though people also say une petite fille. Un enfant means a child; des enfants are children.
Park
L'enfant joue près du toboggan.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce enfant
Say it
lahn-FAHN
/lɑ̃.fɑ̃/
Enfant is ahn-FAHN with two nasals. L'enfant is lahn-FAHN after elision.
"Child" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'enfant | the child Default with elision. | Default with elision. |
| un enfant / une enfant | a child Une enfant exists but un enfant is common generically. | Une enfant exists but un enfant is common generically. |
| des enfants | children Plural. | Plural. |
| enfant unique | only child Family status. | Family status. |
How to use enfant in real life
- 1Park
L'enfant joue près du toboggan.
The child is playing near the slide.
L'enfant.
- 2School gate
Tous les enfants sortent à seize heures.
All the children leave at four.
Les enfants.
- 3Form
Avez-vous un enfant à charge ?
Do you have a dependent child?
Un enfant.
Mistakes English speakers make with enfant
Incorrect: Le enfant.
Correct: L'enfant.
Use elision: l'enfant.
Incorrect: Les childs.
Correct: Les enfants.
Use enfants.
Good to know
In everyday speech, people often specify un garçon or une fille. Enfant stays useful on forms, signs, and when age matters more than gender.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Waiting outside a school
ChatPal
Ton enfant finit à quelle heure ?
What time does your child finish?
You
À seize heures. L'enfant adore son institutrice.
At four. The child loves their teacher.
ChatPal
Tu veux un café en attendant ?
Want a coffee while you wait?
You
Oui, avec plaisir.
Yes, gladly.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Child" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Child" in French
How do you say child in French?
L'enfant.
What is the plural?
Les enfants.
Why l'enfant not le enfant?
Elision before a vowel: l'enfant.
How do you pronounce enfant?
Ahn-FAHN.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
