The most common and direct way to say 'husband' in French is mari. It's the word you'll learn in every textbook. But what if you want to sound more like a native speaker, or express a different shade of meaning? French, like any language, is rich with options! Whether you're talking about your spouse in a formal setting, affectionately calling out to your partner, or using a bit of slang, there's a term for it. Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'husband' in French, from the classic to the colloquial!

The standard 'husband' – mari

The most common and standard French word for 'husband' is mari.

Mari is the direct equivalent of the English word 'husband'. It specifically refers to a male spouse in a marriage and is the term you'll encounter most frequently.

The word is masculine and its form is straightforward:

• un mari: a husband (singular)
• des maris: husbands (plural)

It's important to note that the singular mari and the plural maris are pronounced exactly the same, as the final 's' is silent.

Mari is a versatile word used in all situations, from everyday casual conversation (Mon mari adore le foot. - My husband loves soccer.) to more formal settings. It's the default term you'll hear and use most often.

You might also encounter the word époux, which translates to 'spouse'. While époux can also mean husband, it is much more formal and is often used in administrative, legal, or very traditional contexts (e.g., on a wedding invitation). For everyday use, mari is always the better choice.

In conversation, French speakers almost always use a possessive adjective with mari. You'll constantly hear phrases like mon mari (my husband), son mari (her husband), or le mari de Sophie (Sophie's husband).

💡 * Je vais au cinéma avec mon mari ce soir.

• Son mari est médecin.
• Le mari de ma sœur est très sympathique.
• C'est qui, cet homme ? C'est mon mari.

The formal 'spouse' – époux/épouse

For the most formal contexts, especially legal or administrative ones, the French word for 'spouse' is époux (masculine) or épouse (feminine).

The term époux/épouse directly translates to 'spouse' and carries a strong legal and official connotation. You'll frequently encounter it on government forms, in wedding ceremonies, and in legal documents related to marriage.

While mari (husband) and femme (wife) are the common, everyday terms, époux/épouse is the preferred term when a neutral, official designation is needed. It emphasizes the legal status of the union over the personal relationship.

For instance, a mayor officiating a wedding might say, 'Je vous déclare donc mari et femme' (I now pronounce you husband and wife), but the official paperwork will refer to the couple as les époux (the spouses).

The masculine plural form, les époux, is used to refer to the married couple as a single unit. For example, 'Les époux sont priés de signer ici' means 'The spouses are requested to sign here.'

Ultimately, using époux/épouse elevates the conversation from a casual mention of a husband or wife to a formal acknowledgment of a legal spouse. It’s a term of respect and officialdom.

💡 * Sur le formulaire, veuillez indiquer le nom de votre époux.

• La reine et son époux assisteront à la cérémonie.
• Les époux ont échangé leurs vœux devant leurs familles.
• Elle a présenté son épouse à ses collègues lors de la soirée d'entreprise.

The affectionate 'my man' – mon homme

Literally translating to 'my man,' mon homme is a common and affectionate term a woman uses in French to refer to her significant other, be it her husband, long-term boyfriend, or partner.

This phrase goes beyond a simple title; it carries a strong sense of affection, pride, and belonging. Using mon homme emphasizes the deep emotional connection and the central role the man plays in the speaker's life. It’s more intimate and personal than the more neutral mon mari (my husband) or mon copain (my boyfriend).

You will typically hear mon homme in informal, everyday conversations. A woman might use it when talking about her partner to friends or family. It signals a serious, established, and loving relationship.

It's crucial to know that mon homme is almost exclusively used by women to refer to their male partners. The direct equivalent for a man, ma femme (my woman/wife), is also common and affectionate but doesn't carry the exact same popular nuance as mon homme.

💡 * Je sors avec mon homme ce soir. (I'm going out with my man tonight.)

• Mon homme est le meilleur, il m'a préparé le petit-déjeuner. (My man is the best, he made me breakfast.)
• C'est lui, mon homme, celui dont je t'ai parlé. (That's him, my man, the one I told you about.)
• Je suis si fière de mon homme. (I am so proud of my man.)

The neutral 'partner' – conjoint

The word conjoint is a formal and neutral term in French that translates to 'spouse' or 'partner'. It is particularly useful in official contexts as it refers to a legally recognized partner without specifying gender in its general application.

You'll most often encounter conjoint in administrative, legal, or official documents. It's the standard term on tax forms, insurance papers, and other formal paperwork when referring to a person's spouse or partner in a civil union (PACS).

While the term is conceptually neutral, it has grammatical gender. Conjoint is the masculine form used to refer to a male spouse/partner. The feminine form is conjointe, used for a female spouse/partner.

💡 * Veuillez indiquer le nom de votre conjoint sur le formulaire. (Please indicate your spouse's name on the form.)

• Ma conjointe est avocate. (My partner/spouse is a lawyer.)
• Les deux conjoints doivent signer le contrat de vente. (Both spouses must sign the sales contract.)
• Il est venu à la réception avec son conjoint. (He came to the reception with his partner.)

The sweet 'my other half' – ma moitié

One of the most romantic and sincere French terms of endearment is ma moitié, which literally translates to "my half."

This phrase is the direct equivalent of the English "my other half" or "my better half." It's used to refer to a spouse or a long-term, serious partner, conveying a deep sense of completeness and partnership.

The tone is intimate, loving, and heartfelt. While it's a very personal expression, it's suitable for both private and public situations when talking about a committed relationship. It's not considered slang but rather a classic, poetic term of affection.

The word moitié is feminine, so it is always preceded by the feminine possessive adjective ma, ta, or sa, regardless of the speaker's or the partner's gender. For example, a man referring to his wife says ma moitié, and a woman referring to her husband also says ma moitié.

Use ma moitié when you want to express that your partner truly completes you. It's a step beyond more common pet names and signifies a profound, established bond.

💡 * Je vais au cinéma avec ma moitié ce soir. (I'm going to the movies with my other half tonight.)

• Il m'a présenté sa moitié lors de la fête. (He introduced me to his better half at the party.)
• Comment va ta moitié ? Je ne l'ai pas vue depuis longtemps. (How is your other half? I haven't seen her in a long time.)
• Ma moitié est la personne la plus importante dans ma vie. (My other half is the most important person in my life.)

The endearing 'my dear and tender one' – mon cher et tendre

The phrase mon cher et tendre is a classic French term of endearment that literally translates to 'my dear and tender one.' It's a warm, affectionate way to refer to a significant other, similar to 'my beloved' in English.

This expression is predominantly used by a woman when speaking about her husband or long-term male partner. It implies a deep, established, and loving relationship. Using it for a new or casual partner would sound out of place.

The tone of mon cher et tendre is affectionate and can feel a bit traditional or even slightly formal. Depending on the context, it can be used sincerely or with a touch of gentle, humorous irony, much like calling a husband 'my old man' or 'my better half'.

While the masculine form is the most common, a feminine version, ma chère et tendre, also exists for a female partner. However, you will hear mon cher et tendre used far more frequently in everyday French.

💡 * Je sors dîner avec mon cher et tendre ce soir.

• Mon cher et tendre m'a offert des fleurs pour notre anniversaire.
• Attends, je dois demander l'avis de mon cher et tendre.
• C'est mon cher et tendre qui a préparé ce délicieux gâteau.

The informal 'my guy' – mon mec

Mon mec is a very common and informal slang term in French for "my boyfriend." It literally translates to "my guy" and is used frequently in casual, everyday conversations, especially among younger generations.

While mon copain is the standard way to say "my boyfriend," mon mec is more colloquial and familiar, much like saying "my man" or "my dude" in English. You would use it with friends but might choose mon copain in a more formal setting or when speaking with older people.

The female equivalent for a girlfriend is ma meuf, which is also very informal slang. It's important to note that un mec on its own just means "a guy," so context is key. For example, C'est un mec sympa means "He's a nice guy."

💡 * Je vais au cinéma avec mon mec ce soir. (I'm going to the movies with my boyfriend tonight.)

• Mon mec est très drôle, tu vas l'adorer. (My guy is very funny, you're going to love him.)
• C'est qui ce mec là-bas ? Je ne le connais pas. (Who's that guy over there? I don't know him.)
• Elle a présenté son mec à ses parents. (She introduced her boyfriend to her parents.)

The life partner 'companion' – mon compagnon / ma compagne

The terms mon compagnon (for a man) or ma compagne (for a woman) are the modern standard for referring to a life partner. It translates directly to 'my companion' but is used in the same way English speakers use 'my partner'.

Using compagnon or compagne implies a serious, committed, and often long-term relationship where the couple typically lives together. It is the default term for unmarried life partners, filling the gap between petit ami (boyfriend) and mari (husband).

This term is neutral and widely accepted in all social situations, from casual conversation to formal administrative documents. It's a respectful way to describe a significant other without specifying marital status, reflecting the modern reality of many French couples.

While its primary use with mon/ma is for a life partner, be aware that compagnon can also be used platonically, such as un compagnon de route (a fellow traveler) or un compagnon de travail (a workmate). Context is key.

💡 * Je vis avec mon compagnon depuis dix ans. (I have been living with my partner for ten years.)

• Elle va présenter sa compagne à sa famille ce week-end. (She is going to introduce her partner to her family this weekend.)
• Mon compagnon et moi partageons les mêmes valeurs. (My partner and I share the same values.)
• C'est le compagnon de Sophie. (That's Sophie's partner.)

1. The Old-Fashioned Slang: Mon Jules

A charming and somewhat old-fashioned French slang term you might hear is mon Jules. This endearing expression is a colloquial way to refer to one's boyfriend, partner, or husband. While it's considered a bit dated today, it's still widely understood, particularly among older generations, and carries a sweet, slightly nostalgic tone. It is exclusively used by a woman to refer to her male partner.

The origin of 'mon Jules' is believed to have gained popularity in the early 20th century. The name Jules was extremely common at the time, and the expression likely evolved from this prevalence, becoming a generic, affectionate term for a male partner, much like 'my man' or 'my guy' in English.

In contemporary French, you won't hear mon Jules used as frequently by younger generations, who tend to prefer terms like mon mec (my guy) or mon copain (my boyfriend). However, it's a term you might still encounter in movies, books, or when hearing older French speakers talk. Using it today can sound a bit humorous, ironic, or retro.

💡 * Je sors ce soir avec mon Jules. (I'm going out with my boyfriend tonight.)

• Elle a enfin présenté son Jules à ses parents. (She finally introduced her partner to her parents.)
• Mon Jules m'a offert un magnifique bouquet de fleurs. (My Jules gave me a magnificent bouquet of flowers.)
• Alors, comment va ton Jules ? (So, how is your boyfriend doing?)

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

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

Our list covers the most essential and widely used terms for “husband” in French. But like any living language, French has a variety of other words, from affectionate pet names to regionalisms and even some humorous slang that you might hear in movies or among close friends.

You can uncover more regional terms by doing an online search for phrases like “comment dire mari en québécois” or by exploring forums where native French speakers discuss language.

When you discover a new word for “husband,” always check its connotation and context. A term like mon homme (my man) is intimate and informal, and wouldn't be used in a formal setting where mon mari or mon époux is more appropriate.

Pay attention when you watch French films or TV series. The way characters refer to their partners can reveal a lot about their relationship, social class, and the overall tone of the conversation. It's a fantastic way to learn organically.

For a deeper dive into related vocabulary, such as terms for 'spouse,' 'partner,' or other family relationships, exploring the Larousse or WordReference dictionary entries for mari and époux can be very insightful.

I hope this article has helped you understand the different ways to refer to a husband in French. To finish, here is a lovely quote from French writer André Maurois: Un mariage heureux est une longue conversation qui semble toujours trop brève. (A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.)