How can my partner and I practice pregnancy-related French together?

Use flashcards with French pregnancy terms and quiz each other regularly. Watch French-language videos about pregnancy and childbirth together. Discuss your hopes and fears for the pregnancy using the new vocabulary to connect emotionally and reinforce learning.

What are some popular French lullabies I can sing to my baby?

Popular choices include 'Au clair de la lune', 'Fais dodo, Colas mon petit frère', and 'Frère Jacques'. Look up the lyrics and practice the pronunciation as a couple. Singing to your baby in French from an early age can help them develop an ear for the language.

How do I tell my parents I'm pregnant in French?

A simple and direct way is 'Je suis enceinte' (I am pregnant) or 'Nous allons avoir un bébé' (We are going to have a baby). You could also say 'Nous avons une annonce à vous faire: nous allons être parents/grands-parents' (We have an announcement: we are going to be parents/grandparents). Practice with your partner beforehand.

What's the difference between 'enceinte' and 'attendre un enfant'?

Both 'enceinte' and 'attendre un enfant' mean 'pregnant' in French. 'Enceinte' is the more common and direct term. 'Attendre un enfant' (to wait for a child) is a more descriptive and slightly more formal way of saying it. Both are perfectly acceptable.

How do I ask my doctor in French about prenatal vitamins?

You can ask 'Quelles vitamines prénatales me conseillez-vous?' (Which prenatal vitamins do you recommend?). Or 'Avez-vous des recommandations concernant les compléments alimentaires pendant la grossesse?' (Do you have any recommendations regarding dietary supplements during pregnancy?). It's useful for couples to prepare questions together.

French Baby & Pregnancy Vocabulary: Essential Words for Expecting Couples

Essential French baby and pregnancy vocabulary for expecting couples. From doctor visits to nursery setup, learn it all.

Expecting a bébé with your French-speaking partner is an exciting journey. Learning the essential bébé and pregnancy vocabulary in French will help you participate fully in doctor visits, shopping for the chambre de bébé, and those precious first conversations with your little one.

For everyday communication with your partner, check out our guide on essential French phrases for couples.

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Phrase to Learn

bébé

baby

[ bay-bay ]

The most important word for your growing family.

Essential Pregnancy Vocabulary

enceinte pregnant

Pronunciation: ahn-sehnt

"Ma femme est enceinte de six mois."

French	English	Context
bébé	baby	Your little one
enceinte	pregnant	The condition
attendre un bébé	expecting	Anticipating baby
date prévue	due date	When baby arrives
échographie	ultrasound	Seeing baby
chambre de bébé	nursery	Baby's room
couche	diaper	Essential item
biberon	bottle	For feeding
poussette	stroller	For walks
berceau	crib	Baby's bed

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French Pregnancy Traditions

In French-speaking cultures, pregnancy is often celebrated with specific traditions. Baby showers, gender reveals, and family gatherings are common ways to welcome the new arrival. It's traditional to wait until after birth to buy certain items.

Announcing the News

Sharing the news of a new arrival is a milestone that requires specific linguistic nuance in French. The way you frame the announcement depends heavily on the relationship dynamic and the setting, whether it is a formal dinner or a casual get-together. Using the correct verbs for "expecting" or "being pregnant" ensures that your message is clear and culturally appropriate for those receiving the news.

This section explores the specific phrasing used when speaking To Your Partner’s Family, where traditional terms often prevail, as well as the more relaxed expressions suited To Friends. You will find vocabulary for various announcement styles, ranging from direct statements about the due date to more creative ways of sharing the surprise with those closest to you.

la grossesse the pregnancy

Pronunciation: la gro-sess

"Elle a annoncé sa grossesse à toute la famille lors du dîner."

To Your Partner's Family

«Nous attendons un bébé !» — The classic direct announcement
«Vous allez être grands-parents !» — For the parents; warm and joyful
«On a une grande nouvelle !» — Use this to build anticipation before revealing the news

To Friends

«On attend un bébé !» — Direct and joyful; works in any casual setting
«Notre famille s'agrandit !» — A gentle, inclusive way to share the news
«Un petit bout de chou est en route !» — Charming informal phrase; bout de chou is a common French term of endearment for a young child

attendre un bébé expecting

Pronunciation: ah-tahnd-ruh un bay-bay

"Nous attendons un bébé au printemps !"

At the Doctor's Office

Essential phrases for prenatal appointments:

French	English	When to Use
date prévue	due date	Asking about timeline
échographie	ultrasound	For the scan
enceinte	pregnant	Medical discussions
bébé en bonne santé	healthy baby	Good news from the doctor
attendre un bébé	expecting	General context

Questions to Ask

«Quelle est la date prévue ?» — Ask this at your first prenatal visit to confirm the due date
«Est-ce que le bébé est en bonne santé ?» — The key health question after any scan
«Quand est la prochaine échographie ?» — Use this to schedule the next ultrasound appointment

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Medical Appointments

In French-speaking healthcare settings, prenatal care may follow specific schedules. Having your partner help translate during appointments is invaluable, or bring a translation app as backup.

Nursery and Baby Items

Preparing a home for a newborn involves navigating a specialized set of vocabulary related to la puériculture, the French term for childcare and baby products. From large furniture pieces to tiny essential accessories, knowing the specific names for these items is necessary when reading assembly instructions or browsing French retail websites for high-quality gear.

Below, we cover the essentials for Setting Up the chambre de bébé, focusing on the primary furniture and textile items needed for a functional and safe nursery. Additionally, the Shopping Vocabulary subsection provides the terms necessary for navigating baby stores, comparing different models of strollers, and understanding the metric-based sizing common in French infant clothing.

le berceau the cradle/crib

Pronunciation: luh bair-so

"Le nouveau-né dort paisiblement dans son berceau."

Setting Up the chambre de bébé

French	English	Description
berceau	crib	Baby's sleeping place
poussette	stroller	For transportation
couche	diaper	Essential supplies
biberon	bottle	Feeding equipment
chambre de bébé	nursery	Baby's room

Shopping Vocabulary

«On a besoin de couches.» — "We need diapers." A phrase you will use constantly in the early weeks
«Où sont les biberons ?» — "Where are the bottles?" Handy for navigating baby stores
«Ce berceau est parfait !» — "This crib is perfect!" Use when choosing nursery furniture
«La poussette est pratique et légère.» — "The stroller is practical and lightweight." French baby stores often stock premium European brands like Bugaboo and Babyzen

chambre de bébé nursery / baby's room

Pronunciation: shahm-bruh duh bay-bay

"Nous décorons la chambre de bébé."

Talking to Your Baby

Speaking French to your baby from the very beginning builds an ear for the language. These phrases are natural, tender, and easy to memorize:

French Phrase	English	Moment
Bonjour, mon petit bébé.	Hello, my little baby.	First greeting
Je t'aime, mon cœur.	I love you, my heart.	Any tender moment
Dors bien, mon ange.	Sleep well, my angel.	Bedtime
Tu es si beau / si belle.	You are so beautiful.	Admiration

Baby Shower Vocabulary

French	English	Context
la baby shower	baby shower	The celebration (borrowed term; also called fête prénatale)
un cadeau pour le bébé	a gift for the baby	Presenting presents at the party
Félicitations !	Congratulations!	Standard well-wish for expecting parents
la chambre de bébé	the nursery	Showing off the prepared room

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Baby Naming

In French-speaking cultures, baby names often carry family significance or honor loved ones. Discuss naming traditions with your partner early, as choosing a name that works in both languages can be important.

After the Baby Arrives

First moments vocabulary:

At the Hospital

«Le bébé est arrivé !» — The announcement you've been waiting to make
«Le bébé est en bonne santé !» — Share the good news with waiting family
«Qu'il est beau / qu'elle est belle !» — First reactions; adjust the adjective for a boy or girl

First Days Home

«Il faut changer la couche.» — "Time to change the diaper." The most frequent phrase of new parenthood
«Le bébé a faim.» — "The baby is hungry." Use this to signal feeding time to your partner
«Chut, le bébé dort.» — "Shh, the baby is sleeping." Essential for protecting precious nap time

For more family vocabulary, explore our guide on meeting your French partner's family.

Quick Reference Card

Need	Vocabulary
Announcement	Nous attendons un bébé !
Doctor visit	date prévue, échographie
Shopping	berceau, couche, biberon
Daily care	bébé, couche, biberon

Your journey into parenthood in two languages will give your bébé the beautiful gift of bilingualism. Every word you learn in French strengthens your family bond.