French · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Pet" in French: animal de compagnie

l'animal de compagnie

Say it: lah-nee-MAHL duh kohm-pah-NYEEmasculine · l'animal de compagnienoun/la.ni.mal də kɔ̃.pa.ɲi/

A pet in French is l'animal de compagnie, masculine. Avoir un animal de compagnie means to have a pet. People also say mon chat / mon chien once the animal is named.

Apartment rules

Les animaux de compagnie sont autorisés ici.
Pets are allowed here.
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How to pronounce animal de compagnie

Say it

lah-nee-MAHL duh kohm-pah-NYEE

/la.ni.mal də kɔ̃.pa.ɲi/

ah-nee-MAHL duh kohm-pah-NYEE. Keep the full phrase on forms and first mentions.

"Pet" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
l'animal de compagniethe pet

Full default phrase.

un animal de compagniea pet

Indefinite.

avoir un animal de compagnieto have a pet

Yes/no questions.

animaux de compagniepets

Plural.

How to use animal de compagnie in real life

  1. 1Apartment rules

    Les animaux de compagnie sont autorisés ici.

    Pets are allowed here.

    Animaux de compagnie.

  2. 2Meeting someone

    Tu as un animal de compagnie ?

    Do you have a pet?

    Un animal de compagnie.

  3. 3Vet form

    Décrivez votre animal de compagnie en quelques mots.

    Describe your pet in a few words.

    Votre animal de compagnie.

Mistakes English speakers make with animal de compagnie

Incorrect: Mon pet.

Correct: Mon animal de compagnie (or mon chien / mon chat).

Pet is not French; use animal de compagnie.

Incorrect: Une animal de compagnie.

Correct: Un animal de compagnie.

Animal is masculine.

Good to know

Leashes, parks, and building rules talk animaux de compagnie. Once you know the species, French switches fast to mon chien or mon chat.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

New neighbor chat

  1. ChatPal

    Tu as un animal de compagnie ?

    Do you have a pet?

  2. You

    Oui, un animal de compagnie très calme : un chat.

    Yes, a very calm pet: a cat.

  3. ChatPal

    Il peut venir dans la cour ?

    Can he come into the courtyard?

  4. You

    Bien sûr, avec son harnais.

    Of course, with his harness.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Pet" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Pet" in French

How do you say pet in French?

L'animal de compagnie.

How do you say do you have a pet?

Tu as un animal de compagnie ?

Plural?

Les animaux de compagnie.

Can I just say mon chien?

Yes once the pet is known.

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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