When you think of the word for 'wife' in French, 'femme' is probably the first word that comes to mind. And you're right! It's the most direct and common translation. But just like in English, where you might say 'my better half' or 'my spouse,' French offers a variety of beautiful, affectionate, and sometimes formal ways to refer to one's wife.

Whether you're describing your relationship to a new French friend or just want to add a little romance to your vocabulary, knowing these different terms can make your French sound much more natural and heartfelt.

Let’s explore 9 ways to say “wife” in French, from the classic to the poetic!

1. The Standard and Most Common Term: ma femme

The most common, standard, and widely used way to say “my wife” in French is ma femme. You will hear this in virtually every context, from casual chats to formal settings.

Literally, une femme means “a woman”. Therefore, ma femme translates directly to “my woman”. While this might sound slightly blunt or possessive in English, it is completely neutral and standard in French. It's the default term and carries no negative connotations.

The key to understanding the meaning is the possessive adjective (ma, ta, sa, etc.). On its own, femme refers to a woman in general. When paired with a possessive, it almost always signifies a wife. For example, C'est sa femme means “She is his wife,” while C'est une femme simply means “She is a woman.”

You can confidently use ma femme in any situation. Whether you're filling out official paperwork, talking to your boss, or chatting with friends, this is the appropriate and expected term. There is no need to search for a more formal alternative in most situations.

💡 * Ma femme et moi, nous partons en vacances en Italie.

• Comment va ta femme ?
• Il a rencontré sa femme à l'université.
• Je dois appeler ma femme pour lui dire que je serai en retard.

The formal term – mon épouse

For a very formal way to say 'my wife', you can use mon épouse.

Épouse is the French word for a female 'spouse'. When used with a possessive adjective like mon ('my'), it specifically means 'my wife'. This term is highly formal and is often found in legal documents, official ceremonies, or used by older generations.

The masculine equivalent is mon époux, meaning 'my husband'. Both époux and épouse are derived from the verb épouser, which means 'to marry'.

You will rarely hear a young person introduce their partner as mon épouse in a casual setting, as it can sound a bit distant or overly traditional. In everyday life, ma femme is far more common and conveys a sense of warmth and partnership.

So, when would you use it? Think of situations like filling out official paperwork, a formal speech at a wedding, or when speaking in a very professional or administrative context. It emphasizes the legal and official status of the marriage.

In short, while ma femme is the go-to term for 'my wife' in daily conversation, mon épouse serves as its formal, official counterpart, reserved for moments that call for a higher level of decorum.

💡 * Je vous présente mon épouse, Catherine. (I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Catherine.)

• Le formulaire demande le nom de votre époux ou épouse. (The form asks for the name of your husband or wife.)
• Il a parlé avec tendresse de son épouse lors de la cérémonie. (He spoke tenderly of his wife during the ceremony.)
• Mon époux est médecin à l'hôpital central. (My husband is a doctor at the central hospital.)

The 'other half' – ma moitié

A very common and affectionate term you’ll hear for a romantic partner in French is ma moitié. Literally translating to “my half,” this term is the direct equivalent of the English expression “my other half.”

Ma moitié is used to refer to a serious, long-term romantic partner, such as a spouse, fiancé(e), or a partner you live with. It implies a deep connection and the idea that the two of you make a whole.

This is a term of endearment that is both sweet and widely understood. It’s not slang but rather a heartfelt way to refer to your significant other in both casual and slightly more formal contexts.

It’s important to note that the word moitié is feminine, so you will always use the feminine possessive adjective ma (or sa, ta, etc.), regardless of the gender of the person speaking or the person being referred to. It’s always ma moitié.

💡 * Je te présente Marc, ma moitié. (I'd like you to meet Marc, my other half.)

• Ma moitié et moi, nous avons acheté une maison ensemble. (My other half and I bought a house together.)
• Il parle toujours de sa moitié avec beaucoup d'amour. (He always speaks about his other half with a lot of love.)
• Comment va ta moitié ? (How is your other half?)

The long-term partner – ma compagne

For a serious, long-term partner, the French use ma compagne (for a female partner) or mon compagnon (for a male partner).

The term compagne (or compagnon) signifies a deeper level of commitment than copine or copain. It's the equivalent of 'partner' in English and often implies that the couple lives together, though they are not necessarily married.

While ma femme explicitly means 'my wife,' ma compagne is used for a life partner in an established relationship without the legal bond of marriage. It conveys seriousness and stability.

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

• Mon compagnon et moi avons adopté un chien. (My partner and I adopted a dog.)
• Elle a présenté sa compagne à toute sa famille. (She introduced her partner to her whole family.)
• Nous ne sommes pas mariés, c'est ma compagne. (We are not married, she is my partner.)

1. The Administrative Term: Ma Conjointe

Beyond everyday terms, French uses ma conjointe as a formal, administrative term for a female partner.

Conjointe is the official term for a female spouse or partner in a legally recognized relationship, like marriage or a civil partnership (PACS). It is the direct feminine equivalent of conjoint.

This word belongs to a formal and administrative register. It's not typically used in casual conversation, where it might sound detached or overly official. Its primary function is to denote a legal partnership status.

You will most frequently see or use ma conjointe on legal documents, tax forms, bank applications, and in other official settings. For example, a form might ask for the Nom du conjoint / de la conjointe (Name of spouse/partner).

In daily life, it's far more common to say ma femme (my wife) if married or ma copine (my girlfriend) if in a relationship. Using ma conjointe in a casual chat with a friend would be unusual.

In short, use ma conjointe when filling out paperwork or in formal situations where the legal status of your relationship is relevant. For everything else, stick to the more common, everyday terms.

💡 * Je dois remplir cette déclaration de revenus avec ma conjointe.

• Ma conjointe est la bénéficiaire de mon assurance.
• Le formulaire demande le nom et la date de naissance de votre conjointe.
• Je suis venu à la mairie avec ma conjointe pour signer les papiers du PACS.

The affectionate term of endearment – mon amour

Perhaps the most classic and universally recognized French term of endearment is mon amour, which literally translates to 'my love'.

Literally meaning 'my love', mon amour is a powerful and intimate term used primarily between romantic partners. It's a staple in French romance and can be used by anyone to address their significant other. Because the word amour (love) is a masculine noun in French, the possessive adjective is always mon, regardless of the gender of the person being addressed.

Beyond romantic love, it's very common for French parents to call their children, regardless of age, mon amour. It carries a deep sense of affection and tenderness, similar to how an English speaker might call their child 'my love' or 'sweetheart'.

Unlike some other pet names, mon amour is almost exclusively reserved for people with whom you have a very close and intimate relationship. You would not use it with a casual friend or acquaintance, as it implies a profound level of affection. It is both timeless and deeply personal.

💡 * Bonjour mon amour, tu as bien dormi ? (Good morning my love, did you sleep well?)

• Je t'aime plus que tout, mon amour. (I love you more than anything, my love.)
• Viens ici mon amour, je vais te lire une histoire. (Come here my love, I'm going to read you a story.)
• Tu me manques tellement, mon amour. (I miss you so much, my love.)

The classic, tender term – ma chère et tendre

The phrase ma chère et tendre is a classic and affectionate French term of endearment. It's a warm way to refer to a significant other, carrying a sense of deep affection and long-standing connection.

Traditionally, this expression is used by a man to refer to his wife or long-term female partner. It translates literally to 'my dear and tender one.' While it can sound a bit formal or even slightly old-fashioned, it's still used sincerely to express love and tenderness.

Note that ma chère et tendre is exclusively feminine. The masculine equivalent, mon cher et tendre, is grammatically possible but very rarely used in practice. The phrase is almost always associated with a man speaking about his female partner.

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

• C'est un cadeau pour ma chère et tendre. (This is a gift for my beloved.)
• Ma chère et tendre m'a préparé une surprise pour mon anniversaire. (My dear wife prepared a surprise for my birthday.)

The old-fashioned 'my lady' – ma dame

The old-fashioned 'my lady' – ma dame

Literally translating to 'my lady', ma dame is an archaic and very formal term of address for a woman. It conveys a strong sense of chivalry, respect, and old-world courtesy, much like its direct English equivalent.

This term is not used in modern, everyday French. You are most likely to encounter ma dame in historical contexts, such as in period films, literature, or plays set in medieval times. It is the origin of the modern word madame, but they are not interchangeable today.

The key distinction is the possessive pronoun 'ma' (my). While madame is a standard formal title (like 'Mrs.' or 'Ma'am'), ma dame implies a more personal, devotional, and subordinate relationship to the woman being addressed, typical of a knight speaking to his queen or noble lady.

💡 * « Oui, ma dame, je vous servirai fidèlement », dit le chevalier. ("Yes, my lady, I will serve you faithfully," said the knight.)

• Ma dame, vos désirs sont des ordres. (My lady, your wishes are my commands.)
• C'est un honneur de vous rencontrer, ma dame. (It is an honor to meet you, my lady.)

The colloquial term – ma petite femme

Literally translating to 'my little woman' or 'my little wife', the phrase ma petite femme is a colloquial term of endearment used by a man, typically a husband, to refer to his wife.

This expression carries a tone of affection and tenderness. However, it's important to note that it can be perceived as old-fashioned or even slightly patronizing in modern French society, as the word petite (little) can imply a diminutive or traditional role. Its use is more common among older generations.

While you might still hear it in films or from older speakers, younger French people are less likely to use this term. More common and neutral terms of endearment for a spouse include mon amour (my love), ma chérie (my darling), or simply referring to her as ma femme (my wife).

💡 * Il est rentré du travail et a demandé : « Où est ma petite femme ? »

• Ma petite femme m'a préparé un gâteau délicieux pour mon anniversaire.
• Le vieil homme parlait de sa petite femme avec des larmes dans les yeux.
• « Comment va ma petite femme ce matin ? » demanda-t-il avec un sourire.

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

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

Our list includes the most common and important ways to say 'wife' in French, from the standard femme to the more formal épouse. But the French language is rich with other expressions, including affectionate pet names, regional slang, and even some old-fashioned terms you might encounter in classic literature.

You can explore further by doing an online search for phrases like “surnoms affectueux pour sa femme” (affectionate nicknames for one's wife) or by looking into the specific slang (argot) of a French-speaking region.

When you discover a new term, pay close attention to its context and connotation. A word like ma moitié (my other half) is tender and loving, while certain slang terms might be inappropriate in polite company. Always try to see a word used by native speakers before using it yourself.

The best way to learn these nuances is through immersion. As you watch French movies, listen to songs, and read books, notice how different people refer to their wives. This will give you a natural feel for which word fits which situation.

If you're looking for more vocabulary related to marriage and relationships, the Larousse dictionary entry for épouse or femme is a great place to start for synonyms and related expressions.

I hope this article has helped you better understand how to talk about this important person in French. Let's end with a beautiful quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “Aimer, ce n'est pas se regarder l'un l'autre, c'est regarder ensemble dans la même direction.” (Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.)