If you're learning French, one of the first phrases you'll want to learn is how to say "dog" in French. After all, you probably have a four-legged friend at home, and it's important to be able to communicate with them in their native language. Fortunately, this is an easy phrase to remember.
The French word for "dog" is chien. This is pronounced "shee-ehn" with a soft "sh" sound at the beginning. In addition to the singular, the plural is also quite simple: chiens. This is pronounced the same way, but with an extra "s" at the end.
In French, the word for "dog" is one of the most common animal words. This means that you will hear it used in many different contexts. For example, if you hear someone talking about a chien, they might be talking about a pet dog, a breed of dog, or even a fictional character. It's a very versatile word.
In addition to the French word for "dog," there are several other phrases that you may come across. For example, the French word for "puppy" is chiot. This is pronounced "shee-oh" with the same soft "sh" sound at the beginning. The plural of this word is chiots, which is pronounced the same way, but with an extra "s" at the end.
You may also hear the phrase chienne used in French. This is the feminine form of "dog" and is pronounced "shee-ehn." The plural of this word is chiennes, which is pronounced the same way, but with an extra "s" at the end.
How to Use the Word "Dog" in French
Now that you know how to say "dog" in French, let's take a look at how you can use it in a sentence. One of the most common phrases you'll hear is j'ai un chien. This translates to "I have a dog" in English. You can also use the feminine form of the word if you have a female dog: j'ai une chienne.
You can also use the plural form of the word if you have more than one dog: j'ai des chiens or j'ai des chiennes. This translates to "I have dogs" or "I have female dogs," respectively.
If you are talking about a specific breed of dog, you can use the word chien in front of the breed name. For example, chien labrador translates to "Labrador dog" in English.
Common Expressions with the Word "Dog" in French
In addition to the phrases above, there are several common expressions that you may come across when talking about dogs in French. For example, avoir un chien de garde translates to "to have a guard dog" in English. This phrase is used to describe someone who is always looking out for potential problems or threats.
Another common expression is faire le chien, which translates to "to act like a dog" in English. This phrase is used to describe someone who is acting in a silly or playful way.
Finally, you may come across the phrase être le chien de quelqu'un, which translates to "to be someone's dog" in English. This phrase is used to describe someone who is totally devoted to someone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the French word for "dog"?
The French word for "dog" is chien. This is pronounced "shee-ehn" with a soft "sh" sound at the beginning.
What is the plural of "chien"?
The plural of "chien" is chiens. This is pronounced the same way, but with an extra "s" at the end.
What is the French word for "puppy"?
The French word for "puppy" is chiot. This is pronounced "shee-oh" with the same soft "sh" sound at the beginning.
What does "j'ai un chien" mean in English?
"J'ai un chien" translates to "I have a dog" in English.
What does "avoir un chien de garde" mean in English?
"Avoir un chien de garde" translates to "to have a guard dog" in English.
What does "faire le chien" mean in English?
"Faire le chien" translates to "to act like a dog" in English.
What does "être le chien de quelqu'un" mean in English?
"Être le chien de quelqu'un" translates to "to be someone's dog" in English.
Is the word "chien" masculine or feminine?
The word "chien" is masculine in French. The feminine form of the word is "chienne."
What is the plural of "chiot"?
The plural of "chiot" is chiots, which is pronounced the same way, but with an extra "s" at the end.
Can I use the word "chien" to talk about a specific breed of dog?
Yes, you can use the word "chien" in front of the breed name. For example, chien labrador translates to "Labrador dog" in English.
How do I say "I have a female dog" in French?
To say "I have a female dog" in French, you can use the phrase j'ai une chienne.
How do I say "I have more than one dog" in French?
To say "I have more than one dog" in French, you can use the phrase j'ai des chiens or j'ai des chiennes, depending on the gender of the dogs.
What is the French phrase for "to act like a dog"?
The French phrase for "to act like a dog" is faire le chien.
What is the French phrase for "to be someone's dog"?
The French phrase for "to be someone's dog" is être le chien de quelqu'un.