French · People & Family

"Partner" in French: compagnon / compagne

le compagnon / la compagne

Say it: kom-pa-NYOHN / kom-PAN-yuhmasculine / feminine · le compagnon / la compagnenoun/kɔ̃.pa.ɲɔ̃/ /kɔ̃.paɲ/

Note: also: le/la partenaire

Partner (romantic) in French is often le compagnon or la compagne. Le / la partenaire works for business, dance, or sports, and sometimes for couples too.

Introducing someone

Je te présente mon compagnon, Éric.
I'd like you to meet my partner, Éric.
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How to pronounce compagnon / compagne

Say it

kom-pa-NYOHN / kom-PAN-yuh

/kɔ̃.pa.ɲɔ̃/ /kɔ̃.paɲ/

Compagnon: kom-pa-NYOHN. Compagne: kom-PAN-yuh. Soft gn like ny.

"Partner" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
le compagnon / la compagnepartner (life / romantic)

Common for a partner.

le / la partenairepartner

Work, sports, dance; also couples.

mon compagnonmy partner

With mon.

en couplein a relationship

Status phrase.

How to use compagnon / compagne in real life

  1. 1Introducing someone

    Je te présente mon compagnon, Éric.

    I'd like you to meet my partner, Éric.

    Mon compagnon.

  2. 2Weekend plans

    Ma compagne et moi partons à Lille.

    My partner and I are going to Lille.

    Ma compagne.

  3. 3Dinner invite

    Ton compagnon vient aussi ce soir ?

    Is your partner coming tonight too?

    Space before ?

Mistakes English speakers make with compagnon / compagne

Incorrect: Ma compagnon.

Correct: Mon compagnon. / Ma compagne.

Match gender of the noun and the person.

Incorrect: Mon partner.

Correct: Mon compagnon / ma partenaire.

Use French words.

Good to know

French bureaucracy and forms often say conjoint(e) or partenaire. In friendly speech, compagnon / compagne or partenaire both appear; pick what feels natural for your relationship.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Planning a dinner for four

  1. ChatPal

    Ton compagnon mange de la viande ?

    Does your partner eat meat?

  2. You

    Oui. Et ta compagne, elle est végétarienne ?

    Yes. And your partner—is she vegetarian?

  3. ChatPal

    Exact. Je prépare deux menus.

    Exactly. I'll prepare two menus.

  4. You

    Super. On apporte le dessert.

    Great. We'll bring dessert.

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"Partner" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Partner" in French

Compagnon or partenaire?

Compagnon/compagne often for life partners; partenaire is wider (work/sports too).

How do I say my partner?

Mon compagnon / ma compagne / mon/ma partenaire.

Is partenaire gendered?

The article changes: le/la partenaire.

Pronunciation of compagnon?

Kom-pa-NYOHN.

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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