fluffy tree Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I was wondering if the french have a word equivalent to 'partner' where couples are living together, but not actually married? We are in our 50's so I'm assuming we're probably a little too crumbly for the french boyfriend/girlfriend of petit(e) ami(e) - but I'm unsure how to explain our relationship when my partner is referred to as my husband! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I have heard "compagnon/e" which I was told was quite a good description as the word has something to do with eating bread together. Doesn't mean you are restricted to just eating your meals en semble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Compagnon(e) seems to be the norm for non-marrieds of any age here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 concubin/ine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 conjoint (e) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 In the right context I see nothing wrong in being or having a petit(e) ami(e) at any age! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 My amie is very petite but not as small as the third bedroom of my uncle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote user="woolybanana"]My amie is very petite but not as small as the third bedroom of my uncle![/quote][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Compagnon, / concubin(e) and the lady will always be addressed by her man, as 'ma femme' anyway. It is what she calls him that I would be in doubt about. Nous habitons ensemble sounds fine to me. As someone who lived 'in sin' years ago, when it was, at least where I lived, very severely frowned upon and my mother not speaking to me for years (not a bad thing) and from my point of view 'naughty but nice', know that in an unmarried state one is a lover? man friend? lady friend? Partner? NEVER! It sounds like it means something, has some 'rights' attached to it, which it doesn't. We have friends, not young, who work together and now live together and they work for the MOD and have noted on their personnel files LIL, which sounds OK to me too. As I qualify as a grumpy old woman now, I hate 'partner' used as it is now a days, with a passion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Nous sommes pacsé? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 But are they Pacse? My have I heard a story about that recently concerning people I know, which I will not share on here, but things were not done 'honestly' is all I will say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frecossais Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Is there a French expression for "significant other" (cf Del Boy and Raquel)? Mon autre important? Other half? Ma chere moitie?I think I'd settle for compagnon myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I did once introduce my visiting Dogson as my rentboy, which caused a distinct fluttering amongst those with no humour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 What is wrong with "amant" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 There is never anything wrong with an amant(e). Love that word, two people drawn together, wonderful![:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 "Amant" could seem to imply lots going on in the bedroom department [:D]. Depends how much of your life you want to reveal to people..."Copain / copine" would be suitable perhaps?Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy tree Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Plenty of suggestions to choose from! In the UK I'll say boyfriend, partner or other half depending on the situation, so it's good to know there's a similar variety here. I'm very happy to be described as 'petite' anything these days as it's been a while, and yes, we do more than bake bread together, but maybe we won't introduce ourselves by implying that we've just popped out of the bedroom for some fresh air! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 [quote user="Loiseau"]"Amant" could seem to imply lots going on in the bedroom department [:D]. Depends how much of your life you want to reveal to people..."Copain / copine" would be suitable perhaps?Angela[/quote] Well if amant is not applicable, then copain is just the word, isn't it!I am married, what does that imply then? How much am I giving away?[:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyinfrance Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Last year I met the neighbours next to my friend's house in Vaucluse: they are both elderly (he's over 80) and when I asked how long they'd been married she replied "we're not married - we're lovers".Perfectly reasonable, although it sounded a little unusual to the English ear.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Great, good for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I have been taken to task by an intellectual French friend over the use of "copain" in the context of this thread.He says it should be "ami", or "ami de coeur". [kiss]Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Another alternative is to say your names and nous vivons ensemble, that'd cover it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroTrash Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 The stock phrase I've heard many times from French people explaining their (non)marital status is "J'ai un(e) partenaire avec qui je vis". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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