Joyeuse Fête des Pères: French Vocabulary for Father's Day

Father’s Day is coming up, and if you’re like me, you still don’t know what to get your dad. He’s probably difficult to shop for because he already has everything he needs. 

But why not try learning some French vocabulary for Father’s Day? This way, you can surprise him with a heartfelt message in his native language. Keep reading to learn how to say “dad” in French. 

What Are Some Basic French Words for Father’s Day?

Some of the most important French vocabulary to know for Father’s Day like “father” in French and Bonne Fête Papa quotes are:

• la Fête des Pères – Father’s Day
• papa – dad / daddy
• père – father 
• une carte – a card
• un cadeau – a present
• Bonne Fête Papa ! – Happy Father’s Day !
• Bonne Fête des Pères ! – Happy Father’s Day !

We’ll give you some more suggestions of basic French vocabulary to memorize for the occasion later on in this post, too. The best way to learn all those French words? Take lessons! You can sign up for French lessons and learn all of these fun words and sayings, plus what’s covered in the video below (and more): 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mi5fCEDSmE 

What Do the French Call Father’s Day?

Whereas France and the U.S. celebrate Mother’s Day on different days in May, both countries celebrate Father’s Day on the same day every year: the third Sunday of June.

Known in France as Fête des Pères, young children often show appreciation for their fathers by making crafty items, such as ties and bow ties made out of paper and cardboard picture frames made from cereal boxes. Older children, like those in the U.S., will often buy their father a gift that they know he’d love.

Needless to say, Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your dad how much you appreciate all that he does for you. And if you want to celebrate this holiday in the French fashion, you will need this French vocabulary for Father’s Day to show your father how much care you for him!

What Are Some Sayings for Father’s Day?

Father’s day is coming up, and if you’re looking for a way to show your dad some love, why not try out some of the French words and phrases below?

With just a few simple phrases, you can show your dad how much you care and impress your friends at the same time. So what are you waiting for? Start learning today!

French Words to Describe Your Family

Just like in English, the French have two words to describe fathers. Père is the French equivalent of “father,”. The less formal version (or the same as the English word “dad”) is actually one that we often use in English: papa. It is just one of the many words that the English language has borrowed from French.

When a father talks about his children, he refers to his son as “mon fils.” For a daughter, he will say “ma fille.” Finally, if the children’s mother was involved in helping the children prepare gifts, the father would thank “ma femme,” or “my wife.”

Here is a basic French vocabulary list for Father’s Day:

• la Fête des Pères – Father’s Day
• papa – dad / daddy
• paternel (m) – fatherly
• l’autorité – authority
• protéger – to protect
• s’occuper de – to take care of
• la tendresse – tenderness
• aimer – to like/love
• de tout mon cœur – with all my heart
• le meilleur (m) – the best

French Gifts for Father’s Day

Sometimes it can be tricky to find a gift for your dad on Father’s Day, but France has several customary gifts that are frequently shared for this special occasion. Here is a bit of French vocabulary for Father’s Day that will help you talk about the gifts that you can give to your father.

A stereotypical French gift is the tie (or necktie), known as a cravate. This should be at the top of the list for French clothing vocabulary words to know on Father’s Day!

Additionally, the French give roses to their fathers. If your father is still alive, you give him roses rouges, or red roses (actually, the direct translation is “roses red”). If your father has passed away, you deliver roses blanches, or white roses, to his grave.

Of course, the best gift for Father’s Day is to give him your time, or temps. There is nothing like taking your dad out to a nice French meal and telling him how much you love and appreciate him!

Here is a list of French vocabulary words for common gifts:

• une carte – a card
• un cadeau – a present
• un ordinateur – a computer
• l’eau de Cologne – Cologne
• la pêche – fishing
• une équipe – a team
• bon d’achat – gift card 
• le maillot de foot – football shirt / soccer jersey
• les chaussettes – socks
• une boîte à outils – a tool box
• une canne à pêche – a fishing rod

French Food Vocabulary for Father’s Day