French · People & Family
"Father-in-law" in French: beau-père
le beau-père
Father-in-law in French is le beau-père, masculine. Mon beau-père is my father-in-law. Belle-mère is mother-in-law; the pair is often mes beaux-parents.
Weekend plans
On mange chez mon beau-père dimanche.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce beau-père
Say it
boh-PAIR
/bo.pɛʁ/
boh-PAIR. Beau like "bo". Père is PAIR with an open ê.
"Father-in-law" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le beau-père | father-in-law / stepfather In-law is default in marriage talk; context can mean stepfather. | In-law is default in marriage talk; context can mean stepfather. |
| mon beau-père | my father-in-law Possessive. | Possessive. |
| les beaux-parents | parents-in-law Both parents together. | Both parents together. |
| chez mon beau-père | at my father-in-law's Visiting. | Visiting. |
How to use beau-père in real life
- 1Weekend plans
On mange chez mon beau-père dimanche.
We're eating at my father-in-law's on Sunday.
Chez + person.
- 2Introducing people
Je te présente mon beau-père, Michel.
This is my father-in-law, Michel.
Je te présente for intros.
- 3Phone call
Mon beau-père m'a rappelé tout à l'heure.
My father-in-law called me back earlier.
Mon with masculine beau-père.
Mistakes English speakers make with beau-père
Incorrect: Ma beau-père arrive.
Correct: Mon beau-père arrive.
Beau-père is masculine: mon, not ma.
Incorrect: Mon father-in-law cuisine.
Correct: Mon beau-père cuisine.
Use beau-père, not the English phrase.
Good to know
Beau-père can mean father-in-law or stepfather; marriage and family context usually makes it clear. Beaux-parents is the usual plural for both in-laws. Formal dinners still use vous with older in-laws until they offer tu.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning a family dinner
ChatPal
Ton beau-père vient ce soir ?
Is your father-in-law coming tonight?
You
Oui, mon beau-père adore ton gratin.
Yes, my father-in-law loves your gratin.
ChatPal
Parfait. Je mets une place pour ton beau-père.
Perfect. I'll set a place for your father-in-law.
You
Merci, il arrive vers vingt heures.
Thanks, he's arriving around eight.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Father-in-law" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Father-in-law" in French
How do I say my father-in-law?
Mon beau-père.
What is belle-mère?
Mother-in-law (or stepmother).
How do I say parents-in-law?
Les beaux-parents.
Can beau-père mean stepfather?
Yes; context decides.
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
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