chrétien

Christian

adjective noun kreh-TYAHN Less Common

Origin: Latin christianus

Usage Note

Chrétien is both the adjective (Christian values) and the noun (a Christian). The feminine is chrétienne. The broader term christianisme is the religion itself. Note that in old French, chrétien was sometimes used simply to mean 'person' or 'soul', a trace that survives in some regional expressions.

Examples

"Il est issu d'une famille chrétienne pratiquante."

Natural Translation

He comes from a practising Christian family.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Le, La, Un, Du: French Articles Made Simple

Le, la, un, du, des made simple: pick the French article family by meaning, the form by gender, and dodge the two mistakes English speakers always make.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

How to Say "I Miss You" in French (Without Errors)

"I miss you" in French is Tu me manques, not Je te manque. Learn the subject-flip behind manquer so you never text the opposite of what you mean.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French False Friends: 25 Faux Amis to Avoid

French false friends look like English words but mean something else: actuellement is not actually, sensible means sensitive. Here are 25 faux amis to avoid.

June 3, 2026 5 min read