parent

noun pah-RAHN Common

Origin: From Latin parentem, accusative of parens (one who gives birth).

Also means

relative

Usage Note

Parent in the plural les parents most commonly means 'parents' (mother and father), but in singular or in other contexts it can mean any relative. Un parent éloigné is a distant relative. French does not have a separate everyday word for 'parents' as a pair — les parents does both jobs, so context matters.

Examples

"Mes parents habitent à Lyon."

Natural Translation

My parents live in Lyon.

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