copine/kɔ.pɛ̃/
noun · A2 · Frequency 616
nounmasculine
Meanings
female friend, companion, pal
Informal term for a close female friend or companion, without necessarily implying a romantic relationship; can refer to a classmate, colleague, or buddy.
girlfriend, romantic female partner
Very common in speech to mean a romantic female partner; usually refers to someone in a stable relationship, but can also be a current dating partner. Context generally makes the romantic meaning clear.
Examples
Ma nouvelle copine m'accompagne souvent à la bibliothèque.
My new female friend often accompanies me to the library.
Une copine m'a prêté son vélo pour le week-end.
A female friend lent me her bicycle for the weekend.
Sa copine viendra dîner avec nous samedi soir.
His girlfriend will have dinner with us on Saturday evening.
Collocations
- une copine de classea female classmate
- avoir une copinehave a girlfriend
Common mistakes
Ma copine est très gentille.
Ma petite amie est très gentille.
“copine” can mean female friend informally, but for formal or written contexts referring to a romantic partner, “petite amie” or “girlfriend” is more precise.
Je vais voir ma copine à l'école.
Je vais voir mon amie à l'école.
“copine” is informal; in writing, use “amie” to refer to a female friend.
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
female friend, companion, pal
Informal term for a close female friend or companion, without necessarily implying a romantic relationship; can refer to a classmate, colleague, or buddy.
girlfriend, romantic female partner
Very common in speech to mean a romantic female partner; usually refers to someone in a stable relationship, but can also be a current dating partner. Context generally makes the romantic meaning clear.
Examples
Ma nouvelle copine m'accompagne souvent à la bibliothèque.
My new female friend often accompanies me to the library.
Une copine m'a prêté son vélo pour le week-end.
A female friend lent me her bicycle for the weekend.
Sa copine viendra dîner avec nous samedi soir.
His girlfriend will have dinner with us on Saturday evening.
Collocations
- une copine de classea female classmate
- avoir une copinehave a girlfriend
Common mistakes
Ma copine est très gentille.
Ma petite amie est très gentille.
“copine” can mean female friend informally, but for formal or written contexts referring to a romantic partner, “petite amie” or “girlfriend” is more precise.
Je vais voir ma copine à l'école.
Je vais voir mon amie à l'école.
“copine” is informal; in writing, use “amie” to refer to a female friend.
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
female friend, companion, pal
Informal term for a close female friend or companion, without necessarily implying a romantic relationship; can refer to a classmate, colleague, or buddy.
girlfriend, romantic female partner
Very common in speech to mean a romantic female partner; usually refers to someone in a stable relationship, but can also be a current dating partner. Context generally makes the romantic meaning clear.
Examples
Mes copines de faculté ont réservé une table pour le déjeuner.
My female college friends booked a table for lunch.
Ses copines l'attendaient devant le cinéma après les cours.
Her female friends were waiting for her outside the cinema after class.
Les copines des deux frères ont organisé un dîner surprise.
The two brothers' girlfriends organized a surprise dinner.