avec le père
avec the father
Literally: with the father
Use it to describe being with a specific father figure who was previously mentioned.
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'with the father' in a literal, physical sense.
- Used when the father's identity is already known in conversation.
- Neutral tone suitable for family, friends, or school contexts.
Meaning
This phrase simply means 'with the father.' It is used to describe doing an activity or being in the company of a specific father figure mentioned in a conversation.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining where the kids are
Les enfants sont au cinéma avec le père.
The children are at the cinema with the father.
A teacher talking to a mother
J'ai rendez-vous demain avec le père de Lucas.
I have a meeting tomorrow with Lucas's father.
Texting a friend about a neighbor
Je suis au café avec le père de Marc.
I am at the cafe with Marc's father.
Cultural Background
The term 'le père' carries a sense of authority and tradition in French culture. While modern families are diverse, the phrase still evokes the image of the 'père de famille' (head of the household). In religious contexts, it is also how one refers to a priest, showing the word's deep roots in social structure.
The 'Mon' vs 'Le' Secret
If you are talking about your own dad to a friend, always use 'mon père'. Using 'le père' makes it sound like you're talking about a character in a book!
Watch the Priest Context
If you are in a church, 'le Père' refers to the priest. Don't be confused if someone says they are meeting 'le Père' and they don't have a child with them!
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'with the father' in a literal, physical sense.
- Used when the father's identity is already known in conversation.
- Neutral tone suitable for family, friends, or school contexts.
What It Means
Avec le père is a straightforward way to say you are with a father. It is not usually used for your own father unless you are speaking very generally. It points to a specific man who holds the role of 'father' in the current context. Think of it as a building block for your sentences.
How To Use It
You place this phrase after a verb to show companionship. If you are walking, eating, or working, you just add avec le père at the end. It functions as a prepositional phrase. It is very common when talking about family logistics. You might hear it when discussing who is looking after the kids.
When To Use It
Use this when the identity of the father is already clear. For example, if you are talking about your friend Julie’s family, you can say you are 'with the father.' It is perfect for casual updates or explaining a situation. You will use it at school gates, family reunions, or when texting a friend about your plans. It is a neutral, safe phrase for any daily interaction.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this if you are talking directly to your own father. You would say avec toi (with you) instead. Also, if you want to sound warm and affectionate about your own dad to others, use mon père or papa. Le père can sometimes sound a bit clinical or detached. Do not use it if you are unsure which father you are talking about, as it requires a specific reference.
Cultural Background
In France, family structures are highly respected, and the 'père' often has a distinct role in traditional logic. Sunday lunches are a big deal. Mentioning you are 'with the father' often implies a structured family activity. Interestingly, in some rural areas or older generations, people might refer to their own father as le père followed by his name, but this is becoming rare.
Common Variations
You will often hear avec mon père (with my father) or avec son père (with his/her father). For a much softer tone, people use avec papa. If you are talking about a priest, avec le Père (capitalized) is also used. In slang, some might say avec le daron, but stick to le père for now to stay safe!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and grammatically simple. Ensure the listener knows which 'father' you are referring to, otherwise use a possessive like 'mon' or 'son'.
The 'Mon' vs 'Le' Secret
If you are talking about your own dad to a friend, always use 'mon père'. Using 'le père' makes it sound like you're talking about a character in a book!
Watch the Priest Context
If you are in a church, 'le Père' refers to the priest. Don't be confused if someone says they are meeting 'le Père' and they don't have a child with them!
The 'Daron' Alternative
In very casual French youth slang, 'le père' becomes 'le daron'. It's cool, but don't use it in a job interview!
Examples
6Les enfants sont au cinéma avec le père.
The children are at the cinema with the father.
Here, 'le père' refers to the children's father, known to the listener.
J'ai rendez-vous demain avec le père de Lucas.
I have a meeting tomorrow with Lucas's father.
A professional way to identify which parent is attending.
Je suis au café avec le père de Marc.
I am at the cafe with Marc's father.
Short and clear for a quick status update.
Bonne chance pour la discussion avec le père !
Good luck with the discussion with the father!
Using 'le père' adds a slightly dramatic, humorous weight.
Il veut passer du temps avec le père cet été.
He wants to spend time with the father this summer.
Refers to a specific relationship dynamic being repaired.
Est-ce qu'elle est partie avec le père ?
Did she leave with the father?
A simple question to confirm who someone is with.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to say 'I am eating with the father.'
Je mange ___ ___ ___.
The preposition 'avec' is used for 'with' in French.
Which word means 'father' in this phrase?
Avec le ___.
'Père' means father, while 'frère' means brother and 'fils' means son.
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Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Avec le père'
Using 'le daron' or 'papa'.
Avec mon papa.
Standard way to refer to a father.
Avec le père.
Using full titles or surnames.
Avec Monsieur le père de l'élève.
Where to use 'Avec le père'
School Meeting
Talking to a teacher.
Family Lunch
Explaining who is sitting where.
Texting
Quickly saying who you are with.
Church
Referring to a priest.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou can, but it sounds a bit distant. It's much more natural to say avec mon père (with my father) or avec papa (with dad).
No, it is not rude. It is a neutral, descriptive way to refer to someone's father in the third person.
Père is the formal/neutral word for 'father,' while papa is the affectionate word for 'dad' or 'daddy.'
Yes, it would become avec les pères (with the fathers), though this is much less common in daily speech.
You simply swap the noun: avec la mère. Note that 'mère' is feminine, so 'le' changes to 'la'.
Yes, it is very common in schools or medical offices when referring to a child's father, like avec le père de l'enfant.
Yes, in a religious context, le Père is the standard way to refer to a priest, often followed by his name.
In French, nouns almost always need an article. You must say le père, un père, or mon père.
Absolutely. It's a quick way to identify who you are with if the person you're texting knows who 'the father' is.
Usually, you would say avec le beau-père. Using le père specifically implies the biological or primary legal father.
Related Phrases
avec la mère (with the mother)
avec mon père (with my father)
le père de famille (the head of the family)
de père en fils (from father to son)
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