A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My younger sister" in French
Learn to say 'my younger sister' in French with 'ma sœur cadette' and understand its usage.
ma sœur cadette
mah SUR kah-DETneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're introducing your sister or talking about your family structure. It's the standard way to specify the younger one.
Alternatives
- ma petite sœurThis is more informal and affectionate, like 'my little sister'.
- ma sœur benjamineThis emphasizes she's the youngest of several siblings.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'cadette' like 'cad-ET'
The final 'e' is silent, so it sounds like 'kah-DET'.
Confusing 'sœur' and 'soeur'
'Sœur' means sister; 'soeur' is not a word. The circumflex accent is important.
A small cultural note
While 'cadette' is standard, in very casual settings, 'ma petite sœur' is common even if she's not that little anymore.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say my sister in French?
You can say 'ma sœur'. If you want to specify she's younger, use 'ma sœur cadette'.
What is the difference between 'cadette' and 'petite sœur'?
'Cadette' is the more formal and precise term for younger sister. 'Petite sœur' is more informal and affectionate.
Is 'cadette' used for the youngest child?
Yes, 'cadette' specifically means the younger sister. If she's the absolute youngest of all siblings, you might also hear 'la benjamine'.
