The most common way to say 'daughter' in French is fille. But what if you want to express a little more affection, or use a cute nickname? Just like in English, French has a variety of sweet and endearing terms for a daughter. Whether you're a parent looking for a term of endearment, a writer creating characters, or simply a learner expanding your vocabulary, knowing these different expressions will add a touch of authenticity to your French. Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'daughter' in French!

1. The Standard 'Daughter' – La Fille

The word fille is the standard, most common, and essential French term for 'daughter'. If you're talking about family, this is the word you'll use and hear constantly.

However, fille also means 'girl'. This is one of the first major points of confusion for French learners. For example, la fille means 'the girl', while ma fille means 'my daughter'. Distinguishing between the two is crucial.

The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the word right before fille:

• If it's a possessive adjective (ma, ta, sa, notre, votre, leur), it means 'daughter'. Example: C'est sa fille. (That is his/her daughter.)
• If it's a definite/indefinite article (la, une), it almost always means 'girl'. Example: C'est une fille. (That is a girl.)

While the possessive rule is very reliable, context ultimately clarifies any ambiguity. If someone is discussing their children, any mention of fille will be understood as 'daughter'. If they are describing people in a cafe, it will be understood as 'girl'.

The plural is les filles. This can mean 'the girls' or '(my/your/their) daughters'. Again, the possessive makes it clear. J'ai deux filles means 'I have two daughters', whereas Les filles jouent dans le parc means 'The girls are playing in the park'.

💡 * Ma fille s'appelle Sophie. (My daughter's name is Sophie.)

• La fille qui lit un livre est mon amie. (The girl who is reading a book is my friend.)
• Leurs filles sont très intelligentes. (Their daughters are very intelligent.)
• Une jeune fille a demandé son chemin. (A young girl asked for directions.)
• Il est très fier de sa fille. (He is very proud of his daughter.)

The affectionate 'my daughter' – ma fille

The most direct and common meaning of ma fille is simply 'my daughter.' This is the standard term a parent would use to refer to their female child, establishing a direct familial relationship.

Beyond its literal use, ma fille is frequently used as a term of endearment by an older person, often a woman, when speaking to a younger woman or girl to whom she is not related. It conveys a warm, caring, and almost maternal tone.

This affectionate usage is common in informal, friendly interactions. You might hear it from an elderly neighbor, a familiar shopkeeper, or a family friend. It's similar to hearing 'dear' or 'sweetie' in English and signifies a sense of familiarity and kindness.

It is crucial to understand that this term is strictly platonic and paternal/maternal. It is not used between romantic partners. A man would not call his girlfriend or wife ma fille as a term of endearment.

The counterpart for a young man or boy is mon fils ('my son'). It functions in the exact same way, used by an older person to show affection and familiarity towards a younger, unrelated male.

💡 * Bonjour ma fille, comment vas-tu aujourd'hui ? (Hello dear, how are you today?)

• Allez, ne t'inquiète pas, ma fille, tout ira bien. (Come on, don't worry, sweetie, everything will be alright.)
• C'est ma fille, elle s'appelle Chloé. (This is my daughter, her name is Chloé.)
• Merci pour votre aide, ma fille. (Thank you for your help, my dear.)

The endearing 'my little girl' – ma petite fille

The phrase ma petite fille is a common and affectionate French term of endearment. Its literal translation is 'my little girl,' and it's primarily used by parents and grandparents to express love and tenderness towards their daughter or granddaughter.

This phrase has two main meanings that depend on context and a subtle grammatical cue. It can mean 'my little daughter' or 'my granddaughter.' The distinction often becomes clearer with the use of a hyphen.

Pay close attention to the hyphen, as it clarifies the relationship. Officially, ma petite-fille (with a hyphen) specifically means 'my granddaughter.' In contrast, ma petite fille (without a hyphen) typically refers to 'my little daughter.' However, in casual conversation, French speakers might use ma petite fille to refer to their granddaughter as well.

The speaker's age and the situation are your best guides. If a grandparent is speaking, ma petite fille almost always means 'my granddaughter.' A parent uses it to refer to their daughter, often nostalgically, even if she is an adult. The tone is always one of deep affection.

For completeness, the masculine equivalent for 'grandson' is mon petit-fils. The term for 'my little boy' or 'my son' is mon petit garçon.

💡 * Ma petite-fille vient me rendre visite tous les dimanches. (My granddaughter comes to visit me every Sunday.)

• Regarde comme ma petite fille a grandi ! (Look how my little girl has grown!)
• Même si elle est adulte, elle restera toujours ma petite fille. (Even though she's an adult, she will always be my little girl.)
• Le grand-père est très fier de sa petite-fille. (The grandfather is very proud of his granddaughter.)

1. The Sweet Term of Endearment: Ma Chérie

One of the most classic and widely used French terms of endearment is ma chérie, which translates directly to 'my darling' or 'my sweetheart.' It's a warm and affectionate term used to express love and fondness for someone.

It's crucial to note that ma chérie is used exclusively when addressing a female. The masculine equivalent, used for a male, is mon chéri. The possessive adjective (ma vs. mon) and the ending of the noun (chérie vs. chéri) change according to the gender of the person you are addressing.

This term is most commonly used between romantic partners, but it's also frequently used by parents or grandparents when speaking to a female child or grandchild. It carries a tone of deep affection and is reserved for close, personal relationships.

💡 * Bonjour ma chérie, tu as bien dormi ? (Hello my darling, did you sleep well?)

• Mon chéri, peux-tu m'aider s'il te plaît ? (My darling, can you help me please?)
• Ma chérie, tu me manques. (My darling, I miss you.)
• C'est un cadeau pour toi, mon chéri. (This is a gift for you, my darling.)

1. The Cute 'My Little One' – Ma Petite

One of the most common and sweet French terms of endearment is ma petite.

Literally, ma petite translates to "my little one" or "my small one." It’s a phrase packed with affection, warmth, and intimacy.

This term is most frequently used by someone older when speaking to a younger female. Think of a parent talking to their daughter or a grandparent to their granddaughter. It's also commonly used in romantic relationships, where a man might call his female partner ma petite.

The phrase is inherently feminine, using the feminine possessive ma and the feminine adjective petite. It is used exclusively for girls and women. The direct male equivalent is mon petit.

The tone is always tender, caring, and informal. Using ma petite conveys a sense of gentle protection and deep affection, much like calling someone "sweetheart" or "my dear" in English.

💡 * Bonjour ma petite, tu as bien dormi ? (Hello my little one, did you sleep well?)

• Ne t'inquiète pas, ma petite, tout ira bien. (Don't worry, my dear, everything will be alright.)
• Ma petite, viens me faire un câlin. (My little one, come give me a hug.)

The fairy-tale 'my princess' – ma princesse

In French, ma princesse literally translates to 'my princess.' It's a very common and affectionate term of endearment, primarily used in two contexts: by a man for his romantic partner or by parents for their young daughter.

When used by a romantic partner, ma princesse is a term of deep affection and adoration. It implies that the speaker sees their partner as precious, beautiful, and someone to be cherished and protected. It carries a fairy-tale, chivalrous charm and is considered very sweet.

It is extremely common for parents, especially fathers, to call their little girls ma princesse. This usage highlights the child's preciousness and the parent's overwhelming love. It’s a heartwarming term that reinforces a strong, protective family bond.

Unlike some slang terms, ma princesse is not restricted by age or social group and is almost universally understood as a positive and loving expression. While it reinforces traditional romantic ideals, it is rarely seen as condescending and is almost always received as a heartfelt compliment.

💡 * Bonjour ma princesse, tu as bien dormi ? (Hello my princess, did you sleep well?)

• Tu es la plus belle de toutes, ma princesse. (You are the most beautiful of all, my princess.)
• Papa est là pour te protéger, ma princesse. (Daddy is here to protect you, my princess.)

The precious 'my treasure' – mon trésor

A deeply affectionate term of endearment in French is mon trésor, which literally translates to 'my treasure'.

This phrase is a common term of endearment used by parents for their children or between romantic partners. It conveys a sense of deep affection and value, highlighting that the person is cherished like a precious treasure.

Note that trésor is a masculine noun, so the possessive adjective is always mon, regardless of the speaker's gender or the gender of the person being addressed. You would say mon trésor to a man, a woman, a boy, or a girl.

💡 * Viens ici, mon trésor, et fais un câlin à maman. (Come here, my treasure, and give mommy a hug.)

• Comment s'est passée ta journée, mon trésor ? (How was your day, my treasure?)
• Tu es mon trésor, je t'aime plus que tout. (You are my treasure, I love you more than anything.)

The informal 'my kid' – un/une gosse

The informal 'my kid' – un/une gosse

The word gosse is a very common and informal term for 'kid' in French. It's the equivalent of saying 'kid' instead of 'child' in English. It can be masculine (un gosse) or feminine (une gosse).

While widely used and generally affectionate, gosse belongs firmly in the colloquial register. You'll hear it constantly in everyday conversation among friends and family, but you would avoid it in formal writing or situations.

Be aware of common expressions like sale gosse, which translates to 'brat' or 'spoiled kid'. The meaning depends heavily on the tone and context, ranging from playful teasing to genuine annoyance.

💡 * Mes gosses sont à l'école. (My kids are at school.)

• C'est un gosse très intelligent. (He's a very smart kid.)
• Arrête de faire le gosse ! (Stop acting like a kid!)
• Quelle belle gosse ! (What a beautiful kid/girl!)

The formal 'female descendant' – la descendante

The most formal and direct translation for 'female descendant' in French is la descendante. This noun is the feminine equivalent of le descendant (male descendant) and is used to refer to a person who is descended from a particular ancestor.

The word descendante is derived from the verb descendre, which means 'to descend' or 'to come from.' This connection clearly illustrates the idea of lineage flowing down from one generation to the next.

You will typically encounter la descendante in formal contexts, such as historical texts, legal documents (like wills), genealogical research, and discussions about aristocracy or royalty. It is not a word used in casual, everyday conversation to talk about one's children or grandchildren.

The plural form is les descendantes, used when referring to two or more female descendants. If referring to a group of mixed-gender descendants, the masculine plural les descendants is used.

💡 * Elle est la seule descendante directe de la famille royale. (She is the only direct female descendant of the royal family.)

• La recherche généalogique a prouvé qu'elle était une descendante d'immigrés irlandais. (The genealogical research proved she was a descendant of Irish immigrants.)
• Toutes les descendantes de la fondatrice ont été invitées à la cérémonie. (All the female descendants of the founder were invited to the ceremony.)
• Le notaire recherche la dernière descendante connue pour la succession. (The notary is searching for the last known female descendant for the inheritance.)

Are there other ways to say 'daughter' in French?

Are there other ways to say “daughter” in French?

Our list covers the most common and essential ways to say ‘daughter’ in French. But the French language is full of nuances, and you might encounter other terms, from affectionate nicknames to more formal or even outdated expressions.

You can also do an online search for terms like ‘surnoms affectueux pour sa fille’ (affectionate nicknames for one's daughter) to discover more personal and tender ways French speakers refer to their daughters.

Remember that many alternative terms for ‘daughter’ are terms of endearment. Before using one, it’s best to observe how it’s used in context by native speakers to understand its specific tone and appropriateness.

As you immerse yourself in French culture by watching films, reading books, and listening to native speakers, pay close attention to family dynamics. You’ll naturally pick up on the diverse and heartfelt ways people talk about their daughters.

For a deeper dive into the different meanings and contexts of fille, including its use for ‘daughter’ versus ‘girl’, the WordReference entry for fille is an excellent and reliable resource.

I hope this guide has been helpful in expanding your French vocabulary. To conclude, here’s a classic French proverb that beautifully captures the bond between a mother and daughter: Telle mère, telle fille. (Like mother, like daughter.)