French · Family & People

enfant

child

Beginnernoun · m

Definition

A young human being below the age of puberty.

Example

L'enfant joue dans le jardin.

The child plays in the garden.

Etymology

'Enfant' derives from the Latin 'infans,' meaning 'not speaking,' which has morphed into the contemporary French term for child.

How & Where It’s Used

Commonly used in all contexts, it refers to children in both spoken and written forms, significant in legal, educational, and social settings.

Literary Heritage

Notable references include 'L'Enfant et les sortilèges' by Maurice Ravel, a one-act opera exploring childhood.

Watch “child” pronunciation on YouTube
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