Femme is undoubtedly the most common and direct way to say "woman" in French. But just like in English, there are many other words and expressions you can use, each carrying its own nuance and context.

Knowing these alternatives will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you understand and express yourself more precisely when referring to women in various situations, from casual conversations to formal settings.

Let's dive into 9 different ways to say "woman" in French and discover when to use each one!

The standard 'woman' or 'wife' – femme

The standard “woman” or “wife” – femme

Femme is the primary and most common French word for both “woman” and “wife.”

Its most straightforward translation is “woman,” referring to an adult female. This is its general and most frequently encountered meaning.

However, femme also commonly means “wife,” referring to a married woman in relation to her spouse.

To discern whether femme means “woman” or “wife,” context is crucial. If it's used with an indefinite article (une femme) or a general descriptor, it typically means “a woman.” If used with a possessive adjective (ma femme, sa femme), it almost always means “my wife,” “his wife,” or “her wife.”

Femme is always a feminine noun. Its singular form is femme, and its plural form is femmes (pronounced similarly, but often distinguished by accompanying articles or verbs).

When a man refers to ma femme, it is the standard and most natural way to say “my wife” in everyday conversation. It is not considered informal or derogatory.

For more formal contexts, or in legal documents, the word épouse (wife) can be used. However, femme remains perfectly acceptable in most situations, even formal ones.

The dual meaning of femme reflects a historical linguistic tradition where a woman's primary social role was often tied to her marital status. While society has evolved, the word femme retains both meanings, with context guiding interpretation.

Femme appears in several common French expressions, such as femme au foyer (housewife) or femme d'affaires (businesswoman), highlighting its versatility.

💡 * Elle est une femme forte. (She is a strong woman.)

Ma femme travaille à l'hôpital. (My wife works at the hospital.)

J'ai vu une femme élégante dans la rue. (I saw an elegant woman in the street.)

C'est la femme de mon frère. (She is my brother's wife.)

Les femmes ont le droit de voter depuis 1944 en France. (Women have had the right to vote since 1944 in France.)

The polite 'lady' – dame

The polite “lady” – dame

The French word dame directly translates to “lady” in English, and it carries a similar connotation of politeness, respect, and often, a certain formality.

While madame is the standard formal address, dame can be used in certain polite expressions or when referring to a woman respectfully, especially an older woman or one of a certain social standing.

Unlike femme, which broadly means "woman" or "wife" and can be quite informal, dame specifically highlights a woman's dignity and social standing, often implying maturity or grace.

You'll often encounter dame in fixed expressions, such as Notre-Dame (Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary), une vieille dame (an old lady, often used with affection or respect), or la Dame de fer (the Iron Lady, referring to Margaret Thatcher).

In modern French, dame is less frequently used as a direct descriptor for any woman compared to femme, but it retains its significance in formal contexts, specific titles, and respectful references.

Ultimately, using dame implies a level of deference and politeness, suggesting respect for the woman's age, position, or general demeanor.

💡 * C'est une grande dame. (She's a great lady/woman of distinction.)

Excusez-moi, madame, cette dame a laissé tomber son portefeuille. (Excuse me, madam, this lady dropped her wallet.)

Les dames d'honneur sont arrivées. (The bridesmaids/ladies-in-waiting have arrived.)

La jeune dame a souri poliment. (The young lady smiled politely.)

Il a salué toutes les dames présentes. (He greeted all the ladies present.)

The 'girl' or 'young woman' – fille

The French word fille is fundamental for learners, primarily meaning 'girl' or 'daughter'.

As a feminine noun, fille is used to refer to a young female human. Its plural form is filles, meaning 'girls' or 'daughters'.

Depending on context, fille can denote a female child (a girl) or one's female offspring (a daughter).

In more informal or colloquial settings, fille can extend its meaning to 'young woman', particularly when referring to an adult female in a casual way.

When paired with a possessive pronoun, such as ma (my), ta (your), or sa (his/her), fille almost exclusively translates to 'daughter' (e.g., ma fille - my daughter).

To accurately understand whether fille refers to a girl, a daughter, or a young woman, always consider the surrounding context of the conversation or text.

💡 *Ma fille adore lire des livres. (My daughter loves to read books.)
*Regarde cette petite fille qui joue. (Look at that little girl playing.)
*Elle est sortie avec les filles ce soir. (She went out with the girls tonight.)
*C'est une fille très intelligente. (She's a very intelligent young woman.)
*J'ai deux fils et une fille. (I have two sons and one daughter.)

The polite 'Mrs.' or 'Madam' – Madame

The polite term of address for an adult woman in French is Madame, which translates to 'Mrs.' or 'Madam' in English.

Madame is used to politely address any adult woman, regardless of her marital status, in formal or semi-formal situations, or when speaking to someone you don't know well. It conveys respect.

The plural form of Madame is Mesdames, used when addressing multiple women, often seen in formal greetings like Mesdames et Messieurs ('Ladies and Gentlemen').

When referring to a specific woman, Madame is placed before her last name, for example, Madame Dubois, to show respect.

💡 * Bonjour, Madame. (Hello, Madam.)

Excusez-moi, Madame, où est la gare ? (Excuse me, Madam, where is the station?)

Mesdames et Messieurs, bienvenue ! (Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!)

Madame Dupont est absente aujourd'hui. (Mrs. Dupont is absent today.)

The 'Miss' (historically for unmarried women) – Mademoiselle

Historically, Mademoiselle was the traditional French title used to address or refer to an unmarried woman, equivalent to 'Miss' in English.

It was a formal and polite term, commonly used in social interactions, correspondence, and official settings to distinguish an unmarried woman from a married one (Madame).

Due to evolving societal norms and concerns over gender discrimination, the use of Mademoiselle has largely been phased out in official French documents and government forms since 2012, favoring the universal Madame for all adult women, regardless of marital status.

While its official use has diminished, Mademoiselle might still be informally used to address very young girls or, less commonly, women whose marital status is explicitly known to be unmarried in very traditional or specific social contexts, though this is increasingly rare.

For learners, it is generally recommended to use Madame when addressing any adult woman in French to ensure politeness and avoid potential awkwardness or perceived assumptions about her marital status.

💡 * Bonjour, Mademoiselle. Puis-je vous aider ? (Hello, Miss. Can I help you?)

Elle a signé le document en tant que Mademoiselle Dupont. (She signed the document as Miss Dupont.)

De nos jours, il est préférable d'utiliser 'Madame' pour toutes les femmes. (Nowadays, it is preferable to use 'Madame' for all women.)

On n'utilise presque plus le titre 'Mademoiselle' dans les administrations. (We almost no longer use the title 'Mademoiselle' in administrations.)

The informal 'chick' or 'gal' – nana

The French word nana is an informal term often translated as 'chick' or 'gal' in English. It refers to a woman or a young woman in a casual, sometimes familiar, context.

Nana is widely used in everyday spoken French, especially among younger people or in informal settings. While generally neutral, its connotation can subtly shift based on tone and context, ranging from affectionate to slightly dismissive. It's a common feature in contemporary French slang and popular culture.

Unlike the more formal femme (woman) or the general fille (girl/daughter), nana distinctly marks a casual register. It's less about the literal age and more about the informal attitude of the speaker towards the person, similar to how 'gal' or 'chick' functions in English.

You'll often hear nana in friendly conversations among peers, in song lyrics, or informal media. However, it's generally not suitable for professional or formal situations. While often harmless, some might find it a bit too casual or even slightly disrespectful depending on the speaker, context, and the relationship with the person being referred to.

💡 * C'est une super nana ! (She's a great chick/gal!)

Il sort avec une nana de son travail. (He's dating a gal from his work.)

Regarde ces nanas, elles s'amusent bien. (Look at those chicks, they're having fun.)

Entre nanas, on se comprend. (Between us girls, we understand each other.)

The more colloquial 'broad' or 'woman' (sometimes derogatory) – gonzesse

The French word gonzesse is a highly colloquial and informal term used to refer to a woman or a girl.

While it can sometimes be used neutrally among friends, gonzesse often carries a derogatory or disrespectful connotation, akin to 'broad' or 'chick' in English. It's crucial to understand this nuance as its use can be offensive depending on the context and speaker.

Gonzesse is exclusively a feminine noun (une gonzesse). Due to its strong informal and potentially offensive nature, it's generally not recommended for learners to use unless they are fully aware of the social context and potential implications.

💡 * J'ai vu une gonzesse qui attendait le bus. (I saw a woman waiting for the bus.)

Elle est sortie avec ses gonzesses hier soir. (She went out with her girlfriends last night.)

Qui est cette gonzesse qui nous regarde? (Who's that broad looking at us?)

Attention à cette gonzesse, elle a l'air bizarre. (Watch out for that woman, she looks strange.)

The 'maiden' or 'young lady' (often literary/formal) – demoiselle

The term demoiselle refers to a 'maiden' or 'young lady'. It's often associated with a more traditional or even archaic context, implying a young, unmarried woman.

While once a common address, demoiselle is now largely considered literary, formal, or even poetic. It's rarely used in everyday spoken French, unlike its more common derivative, mademoiselle.

Historically, demoiselle predates mademoiselle. While mademoiselle became the standard polite address for an unmarried woman, demoiselle retained a more specific, often delicate or artistic connotation. Think of it as a 'damsel' in English.

You might still encounter demoiselle in historical novels, poetry, or specific fixed expressions, such as demoiselle d'honneur (bridesmaid) or demoiselle de compagnie (lady's companion), or when referring to certain insects like dragonflies (demoiselle).

💡 *La jeune demoiselle lisait un livre sous l'arbre. (The young maiden was reading a book under the tree.)
*Elle sera ma demoiselle d'honneur au mariage. (She will be my bridesmaid at the wedding.)
*Dans les contes de fées, les chevaliers sauvent souvent les demoiselles en détresse. (In fairy tales, knights often save damsels in distress.)
*Une demoiselle volait gracieusement au-dessus de l'eau. (A dragonfly flew gracefully above the water.)

The informal 'granny' or 'old woman' – mémé

The French term mémé is an informal and often affectionate way to refer to a grandmother or granny. It's equivalent to 'grandma' or 'nana' in English.

Within a family context, mémé is commonly used by grandchildren to address their grandmother, carrying a sense of warmth and familiarity. It's a sweet, personal term.

Beyond family, mémé can also be used informally to refer to any older woman, similar to 'old lady' in English. This usage can be neutral or carry a slightly familiar tone, but it's important to be aware of its nuances.

While often affectionate, mémé can sometimes be used in a derogatory or disrespectful way to describe an old woman, implying she is frail, old-fashioned, or out of touch. Think of it like calling someone an 'old fuddy-duddy' or 'old hag' in English, depending on context and tone.

Given its informal and potentially negative connotations outside of a direct family relationship, it's generally best to avoid using mémé when referring to an older woman you don't know well, or in formal situations. Opt for more polite terms like dame âgée (elderly lady) if you need to describe an older woman respectfully.

💡 * Ma mémé va venir nous voir ce week-end. (My granny is coming to see us this weekend.)

J'ai passé mon enfance chez ma mémé à la campagne. (I spent my childhood at my granny's in the countryside.)

C'est une gentille mémé qui habite en face. (She's a nice old lady who lives across the street.)

Ne sois pas une mémé, essaie de nouvelles choses ! (Don't be an old fuddy-duddy, try new things!)

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

Our list features the most common ways to say 'woman' in French. But there are other terms, from old-fashioned ones, to regional ones, to up-and-coming slang ones this middle-aged author might not even be aware of!

You can also do an online search for 'comment dire femme en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region.

You might find some interesting synonyms for femme on this list. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to talk about women.

And if you’re looking for ways to talk about different kinds of women, or words related to womanhood in French, the WordReference entry for femme is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s what I think is a perfect quote to finish it with, courtesy of Louis Aragon: La femme est l'avenir de l'homme. (Woman is the future of man.)

9 ways to say "woman" in French