la fillette

The French word "fillette" is a noun that means "little girl" or "young girl."

Meaning:

• Fillette refers specifically to a girl who is a child, usually small or young in age. It is a diminutive form of "fille," which means "girl" or "daughter."
• It often conveys a sense of endearment or tenderness when referring to a young female child.

Word parts:

• Fille = girl/daughter.
• The suffix -ette is a diminutive suffix in French that implies smallness or affection, hence making fillette mean "little girl."

Synonyms:

• Petite fille — little girl.
• Jeune fille (more generally "young girl," though sometimes it refers to a teenager or young woman).
• Enfant (child, although gender-neutral).

Antonyms:

• Garçon — boy.
• Jeune garçon — young boy.
• Garçonnet — a diminutive form meaning "little boy."

Summary:

In essence, fillette is used when specifically talking about a young girl, often in a tender or affectionate sense. It highlights the youth and smallness of the girl compared to fille, which can mean just "girl" without emphasizing age or size.