nounnoun

la copine (ami)

friend · boyfriend

C'est une personne avec qui on aime passer du temps et partager des activités.

Meaning in English

  • Friend / buddy / pal: copain is a common, informal word for a (usually close) friend.
  • By extension, it can also mean boyfriend/partner in some contexts, though this is often clarified by context and may sound a bit casual.

Examples (English sense)

  • un copain d’école → a school friend / classmate (informal)
  • mon copain → my friend / my boyfriend (depending on context)

Parts / form

  • copain (masculine singular)
  • copine (feminine singular) = female friend / girlfriend
  • copains / copines (plural)

French synonyms

Depending on the sense:

  • ami / amie (more neutral, general “friend”)
  • pote (very informal: “mate”)
  • camarade (comrade; often “classmate” or “teammate”)
  • compagnon (partner/companion; can be more serious than copain in the romantic sense)

French antonyms (when applicable)

There isn’t a perfect direct antonym, but common opposites by meaning include:

  • ennemi (enemy)
  • adversaire (opponent)
  • rival (rival)

Make “copain” part of your vocabulary.

Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Examples

Mon copain viendra ce soir.noun

My friend will come tonight.

Ton copain habite près d'ici.noun

Your friend lives near here.

Ses copains jouent au foot devant l'école.noun

His friends are playing soccer in front of the school.

Mes copains sont allés à la plage ce week-end.noun

My friends went to the beach this weekend.

Elle parle avec ses copains chaque matin.noun

She talks with her friends every morning.

Keep exploring French

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).