A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My child is missing" in French
Use 'Mon enfant a disparu' when reporting a missing child to authorities in France.
Mon enfant a disparu.
mohn ahn-FAHN ah dee-spah-ROOneutral
French TTS · 0:01
This is the phrase to use when you need to immediately report a missing child to the police or gendarmerie. It's a direct and urgent statement for emergency services.
Alternatives
- J'ai perdu mon enfant.This is a bit softer, implying you've lost sight of them rather than they've vanished.
- Où est mon enfant ?Use this if you're asking for help finding them nearby, not necessarily reporting them missing to police.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'disparu'
The final 'u' is pronounced, and the 'r' is soft, not a hard English 'r'.
Gender agreement
'Disparu' is masculine; if the child were a girl, you'd say 'disparue' (though 'Mon enfant' is neutral here).
A small cultural note
In France, the police and gendarmerie are well-equipped to handle missing persons reports, so don't hesitate to use this phrase if the situation is serious.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'disparu' and 'perdu'?
'Disparu' implies a more serious vanishing, often suggesting foul play or a significant disappearance. 'Perdu' is more like 'lost' or 'misplaced'.
Should I say 'mon enfant' or 'mon fils'/'ma fille'?
'Mon enfant' is a general term for 'my child' and works for either gender. Use 'mon fils' for 'my son' or 'ma fille' for 'my daughter' if you want to be specific.
How quickly should I report a missing child in France?
If you believe your child is in danger or has genuinely disappeared, report it to the authorities immediately. French police take these reports very seriously.
