Amie or copain

[Nicos]

I've been called both...who likes me the most????? [8-)]

[Suze01]

IMO a copain/copine is a closer friend than an 'ami(e)'.

Copain derived from co 'pain' ie sharing of the bread.

[Polremy]

Wow, another bread thingy!

I never thought of that one either.

[Sunday Driver]

Copain = pal, mate, chum.  Also means boyfriend.

 

 

[Suze01]

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]

Copain = pal, mate, chum.  Also means boyfriend.

 

 

[/quote]

So does ami: petit ami/petite amie - boyfriend/girlfriend

[Callie]

What about "pote" (sorry, I've never seen it written ! !) ?  I've always understood that as "mate or pal".  Perhaps it's the slangy version !

[Cendrillon]

What about "ma blonde" is that a really outdated expression for a sweetheart?

I've come across it in a song "aupres de ma blonde" but never heard it used in day to day chat or in books.

[Clarkkent]

[quote user="Nicos"]I've been called both...who likes me the most????? [8-)]
[/quote]

 

Are you male or female? Amie is feminine and copain is masculine. As to who likes you most ... take your choice.

[Chancer]

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]

Copain = pal, mate, chum.  Also means boyfriend.

[/quote]

Sorry to dissapoint you SD but the man calling you his copain definitely does not class you as his boyfriend.

Petit ami = boyfriend

Petite amie = girlfriend.

As for the differences between ami and copain that differs amongst people, for me ami(e) is a friend, someone I know, make conversation with or may work with, copain(e) is a long time or closer friend.

Pote = mate, I am not sure if there should be a circonflex or if there is a version feminin "potée" perhaps?

From your ami cent percent mec!

 

[Frenchie]

" potée"    How lovely that sounds JR !! [:D]

But you made it up, .. [;-)]

Ok, my perception of things..

As a woman , if I say a person is " un copain" , he is a good mate,  " un ami " is a close friend, someone I can really rely on, you know, the kind of relationship you know will never let you down.

Now , I could say " Mon copain " , or " mon petit ami " ( a bit teenage years) .. then both would mean my boyfriend ..

There's a BIG difference between " un copain "   et " Mon copain" .. Are yu with me ?

[suein56]

[quote user="Frenchie"]

There's a BIG difference between " un copain "   et " Mon copain" .. Are yu with me ? [/quote]

Thanks Frenchie for that superb explanation - the difference has puzzled me for ages; despite the best efforts of our neighbours to enlighten me

Sue [:)]

[odile]

totally agree with Frenchie. I have loads of copains et copines but fewer ami/amies, as they are much closer.

Touche pas a mon pote   is the slogan was one of the main antiracism org. in France. The word copain/copine is a pain though, as if you introduce somebody as 'voici mon copain Pierre'. it's ambiguous. English is much better in this instance.

[Polremy]

But then, English is a far richer language than most others.

Such a shame that most of the English have reduced it to grunts and "you know what I mean"

Don't get me started.

In the other hand, why not?

[Cendrillon]

[quote user="Cendrillon"]What about "ma blonde" is that a really outdated expression for a sweetheart?

I've come across it in a song "aupres de ma blonde" but never heard it used in day to day chat or in books.

[/quote]

Any answers for this one?

[Frenchie]

Yes, it is, now it is mainly used in French speaking Quebec..

 

[Cendrillon]

"Yes, it is, now it is mainly used in French speaking Quebec.."

Thanks for that Frenchie, believe it or not that now actually explains a lot to me.

[Frenchie]

You're welcome , glad it helped !

[odile]

Polremy - currently reading 'The story of French' by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow/  Portico  ISBN 978-1-905798-19-3

Chapter 3, the birth of Purism, explains how malherbe in th early 1600 got rid of regionalisms, archaisms, synonyms and duplicates- and foreign words, which virtually disappeared. This never happened to such an extent in the UK - and I agree with you that it makes English a very rich language.

[Chancer]

Blast.

Something else that I know have to unlearn and then relearn.

All my ami(e)s will now become "copain(e)s and vice versa.

What about "gar" - guy? Fella?

And I hope that "mec" is bloke!

[Frenchie]

Gars, yes, guy, bloke, lad..

Mec is roughly the same, but to me " gars" is originally a  word used in the countryside , whereas mec is  slang..

T'es un bon gars JR , un mec bien !! [:D]

[hoverfrog]

"Gars, yes, guy, bloke, lad..

Mec is roughly the same, but to me " gars" is originally a word used in the countryside , whereas mec is slang..

so if 'gars' is used in the countryside, how does one refer to a male that one knows 'à peine' in polite society?

[Frenchie]

Un monsieur, un homme, une personne...

[Nicos]

Gosh..this is all very interesting!!!! ( much more fun than school French eh???)[:)]

I too thought a copaine was a closer friend then an amie - so I've misunderstood for years ( just think of all those missed opportunities!!![:-))])

Being female can I be called anything in slang .????.obviously not a gars or mec....( no rude comments please folks!!!!!!)[:P]

[Frenchie]

Hi Nicos, to some people you can be  une amie ( hope you do !!) = you are very close, they know they can rely on you etc

Or une copine, the person knows you, appreciates you, you re good mates.

If a man says " voici ma copine " then you have a boyfriend.  If he then says " ma compagne" it is serious, you live together.( But not married)  if you marry him  he would then say " ma femme, "  or " mon épouse "  or " ma moitié " ( rare)

If someone says " voici ma collègue" , then , you work with this person.

In slang, you can be called " une nana" , une " meuf " ( reverse for femme) , une gonzesse , ...

 

[Nicos]

Une nana????...but I'm not THAT old Frenchie!!!!!![:-))]