A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I have one child" in French
Say 'J'ai un enfant' to state you have one child in French.
J'ai un enfant.
zhay uhn ahn-FAHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone asks about your family size or if you have siblings. It's a straightforward answer in casual conversation.
Alternatives
- Je n'ai qu'un enfant.Use this to emphasize that you *only* have one child.
- J'ai un garçon / une fille.Use this if you want to specify the gender of your child.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'enfant'
The 'en' is a nasal vowel, and the 't' is silent; avoid pronouncing it like the English word 'enchant'.
Confusing 'un' and 'une'
'Un' is used before masculine nouns like 'enfant', while 'une' is for feminine nouns.
A small cultural note
While 'enfant' is neutral, French speakers might also use 'mon fils' (my son) or 'ma fille' (my daughter) if the gender is known and relevant.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I have one kid in French?
The most direct translation is 'J'ai un enfant.' This works for both sons and daughters.
Is 'enfant' masculine or feminine?
'Enfant' is a masculine noun, so you use 'un' before it. However, it can refer to a boy or a girl.
What if I have only one child?
To emphasize you have only one, you can say 'Je n'ai qu'un enfant.' The 'ne...que' construction means 'only'.
