Je t’aime ! I love you! Talking about Relationships in French

In this post we’re going to learn vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about relationships in French. First we’ll cover basic vocabulary that you can use to talk about love and relationships. Next, we’ll move on to expressions you can use to talk about someone who’s caught your eye and who you might be interested in getting to know a bit better. After that we’ll look at some vocabulary you can use to talk about taking someone on a date. Then we’ll move on to vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about longer term relationships and marriage. Of course not all relationships end well, so we’ll also see some expressions that are related to not-to-happy relationships and break ups. Finally, we’ll end on a positive note and talk about some nice romantic Valentine’s vibes.

Basic Vocabulary for Love and Relationships in French

First, let’s start with some basics. If you’re talking to your significant other, you might want to use a pet name like chéri(e) sweetheart or mon amour my love.

• Je t’aime.
  I love you.
• Est-ce que tu m’aimes ?
  Do you love me?
• Je l’aime.
  I love him/her.
• C’est mon (petit) copain / ma (petite) copine.
  This is my boyfriend/girlfriend.

• C’est mon mari/ma femme.
  This is my husband/wife.
• Joyeuse Saint-Valentin !
  Happy Valentine’s Day!
• Joyeux anniversaire de mariage.
  Happy Anniversary.
• Tu me manques.
  I miss you.

Talking about Someone You’re Interested In

Next let’s see some vocabulary you can use if someone has caught your eye.

• Il/Elle me plaît vraiment.
  I really like him/her.
• Elle est belle.
  She’s beautiful/good-looking.
• Il est beau.
  He’s handsome/good-looking.
• Il/Elle est drôle.
  He is/She is funny.
• Il/Elle est intéressant(e).
  He is/She is interesting.
• Il/Elle est intelligent(e).
  He is/She is smart.

Talking about Dating and Relationships in French

Now let’s look at some vocabulary related to dating. Maybe there’s a mutual attraction? One way to find out is to ask.

• Voudrais-tu dîner avec moi ?
  Do you want to have dinner with me?
• Voudrais-tu qu’on sorte ensemble ?
  Do you want to go out with me?
• Voudrais-tu prendre un café/verre avec moi ?
  Do you want to have coffee/drinks with me?
• Allons dîner ensemble.
  Let’s have dinner together.
• Je suis vraiment heureux d’avoir fait ta connaissance.
  I really enjoyed getting to know you.
• Ça te dirait de sortir encore/une autre fois ensemble ?
  Do you want to go out again some time?
• J’aimerais te revoir.
  I want to see you again.
• Je veux t’embrasser.
  I want to kiss you.

Talking about Long-Term Relationships in French

Next let’s move on to longer term relationships. If you’re in a long-term relationship, you might want to know how to say:

• Depuis combien de temps êtes-vous ensemble ?
  How long have you two been together?
• Nous sommes ensemble depuis un an.
  We’ve been together for a year.
• Comment vous êtes-vous rencontré(e)s ?
  How did you two meet?
• Nous nous sommes rencontré(e)s au travail/à l’école.
  We met at work/school.
• Nous nous sommes rencontré(e)s à une fête/soirée/dans un bar.
  We met at a party/bar.
• Nous nous sommes rencontré(e)s en ligne.
  We met online.
• Nos ami(e)s/parents nous ont présenté(e)s.
  Our friends/parents introduced us.
• Nous sommes ensemble depuis un an/deux ans/longtemps.
  We’ve been together for a year/two years/a long time.
• Nous vivons ensemble.
  We live together.
• Nous ne sommes pas encore marié(e)s.
  We’re not married yet.
• Nous voulons nous marier, mais nous ne sommes pas prêt(e)s.
  We want to get married, but we’re not ready.

Talking about Marriage

Of course we can’t talk about vocabulary for relationships in French without talking about marriage. If you decide that you want to get married, you might want to say:

• Veux-tu m’épouser ?
  Will you marry me?
• Marions nous.
  Let’s get married.
• Nous sommes fiancé(e)s.
  We’re engaged.
• C’est/Ceci est ma bague de fiançailles.
  This is my engagement ring.
• Voici mon fiancé/ma fiancée.
  This is my fiancé / fiancée.
• Nous préparons notre mariage.
  We’re planning our wedding.
• Notre mariage sera simple et petit.
  Our wedding will be simple and small.
• La mariée est magnifique.
  The bride is beautiful.
• Le marié est beau.
  The groom is handsome.
• Le mariage était magnifique.
  The wedding was beautiful.
• Voici mon mari.
  This is my husband.
• Voici ma femme.
  This is my wife.
• Depuis combien de temps êtes-vous marié(e)s ?
  How long have you been married?
• Aujourd’hui, c’est notre anniversaire de mariage.
  Today is our wedding anniversary.

Talking about Difficulties in Relationships in French

Next let’s move on to less happy vocabulary. Hopefully your relationship is long and strong and full of happiness. But, sometimes things just don’t work out.

• Nous ne sommes plus ensemble.
  We’re not together anymore.
• Ils/Elles ne sont pas heureux/heureuses ensemble.
  They’re not happy together.
• Ils se disputent tout le temps.
  They argue all the time.
• Ils ont une violente dispute.
  They’re having a big fight.
• Ils s’engeulent.
  They’re really going at it. They’re having a (shouting) fight. (fam.)
• Il l’a trompée.
  He cheated on her.
• Elle l’a trompé.
  She cheated on him.
• Il/Elle a une liaison.
  He is/She is having an affair.
• Je veux me séparer.
  I want to break up with you.
• Je veux divorcer.
  I want to get a divorce.
• Ils se sont séparés. / Ils ont rompus.
  They broke up.
• Ils ont divorcé.
  They got divorced.

Joyeuse Saint-Valentin ! Happy Valentine’s Day

Finally, let’s talk about the romance of Valentine’s Day.

• Ces fleurs sont pour toi.
  These flowers are for you.
• Ces chocolats sont pour toi.
  These chocolates are for you.
• Je t’invite à un dîner en amoureux.
  Let’s have a romantic dinner.
• Tu es très important(e) pour moi.
  You’re very important to me.
• Je veux passer le reste de ma vie avec toi.
  I want to spend my life with you.
• Je pense à toi tout le temps.
  I think about you all the time.

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