A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My parents live in" in French
Tell people where your parents live in French, a simple way to share family details.
Mes parents habitent à
mez pa-RAHN ah-BEET ahneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when asked about your family, for example, if someone asks 'Où sont tes parents ?' (Where are your parents?). It's a straightforward way to provide location information.
Alternatives
- Mes parents vivent àSlightly more formal, 'vivent' is a good alternative to 'habitent'.
- Mes parents sont àMore general, implies they are currently there rather than residing.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'habitent'
The 'h' is silent in French, so it sounds like 'ah-beet', not 'ha-beet'.
Gender agreement
While 'parents' is plural, the verb 'habitent' doesn't change for gender here.
A small cultural note
In France, it's common for adult children to live relatively close to their parents, so mentioning their location is a natural part of conversation.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say my parents live in Paris?
You would say 'Mes parents habitent à Paris.' Remember the 'h' in 'habitent' is silent.
What's the difference between habitent and vivent?
'Habitent' implies a more permanent residence, while 'vivent' can also mean 'live' in a broader sense of existence. Both are fine for where parents reside.
Do I need to say 'mes' or 'mon'?
Since 'parents' is plural, you always use 'mes'. 'Mon' is used for singular masculine nouns (e.g., 'mon père').
