Nicos Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I've been called both...who likes me the most????? [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suze01 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 IMO a copain/copine is a closer friend than an 'ami(e)'.Copain derived from co 'pain' ie sharing of the bread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polremy Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Wow, another bread thingy!I never thought of that one either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Copain = pal, mate, chum. Also means boyfriend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suze01 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [quote user="Sunday Driver"]Copain = pal, mate, chum. Also means boyfriend. [/quote]So does ami: petit ami/petite amie - boyfriend/girlfriend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 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 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 What about "ma blonde" is that a really outdated expression for a sweetheart?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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [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 = boyfriendPetite 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 " 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 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [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 meSue [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polremy Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 [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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Yes, it is, now it is mainly used in French speaking Quebec.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 "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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 You're welcome , glad it helped ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Polremy - currently reading 'The story of French' by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow/ Portico ISBN 978-1-905798-19-3Chapter 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 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] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoverfrog Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 "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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Un monsieur, un homme, une personne... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 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] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Hi Nicos, to some people you can be une amie ( hope you do !!) = you are very close, they know they can rely on you etcOr 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 , ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 Une nana????...but I'm not THAT old Frenchie!!!!!![:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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