What does en in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word en in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use en in French.

The word en in French means about it, of them, there, -, in, to, in, in, [noun as adjective], in, in, by, in, while + [present participle], École Normale, education, against the light, drop-dead, if is to be believed, judging by, breathlessly, headed, letterhead, high in fibre, when boarding , in the process of boarding, no doubt, doubtlessly, endless, never-ending, to be handed over in person, be full of, read-write access, be into, welcome into its midst, bulk buying, wholesale purchasing, online purchase, buy on a shared ownership basis, buy in bulk, pay for in cash, buy in the sales, buy at sale price, listed share, listed stock, lawsuit, action in abatement, liability action, pursuit of damages, make a TV adaptation of, current case, ongoing case, case in progress, gold mine, work in tandem with, online help, watertight alibi, canned food, continuous supply, continuous feed, direct current, direct power supply, power supply, form feed, go to hell, burn in hell, go from bad to worse, improve, fly, go to a club, go clubbing, go to school, go to lessons, go to class, go on a field trip to the seaside, go on a school skiing trip, go on a field trip to the countryside, go to hell, take legal action, go to prison, go to jail, get better, go on holiday, go into town, be hasty, Let's go!, lost soul, upstream, upstream from, in advance, unrestrained animal, free-range animal, free-ranging animal, stray animal, wild animal, feral animal, soft toy, cuddly toy, stuffed toy, endangered animal, penthouse flat, penthouse apartment, penthouse, ground floor apartment, triplex flat, flat set over three floors, missed call, reverse-charge call, appeal to, make a reverse-charge call, place a reverse-charge call, overhead camshaft, Lancet arch, rainbow, rainbow-coloured, come to, turn up like clockwork, arrive early, arrive in force, arrive in numbers, arrive late, special offer, reduced item, be divided into , be organized into, paper plate, summons to attend urgent proceedings, be good at, sue for libel, take libel action against, make an emergency landing, emergency landing, smooth landing, soft landing, it's all just hot air, it's nothing but hot air, Gone With the Wind, downstream in, downstream, afterwards, benefit, benefit in kind, fringe benefit, If wishes were horses, beggars would ride., paper plane, have well under control, have well in hand, have faith in, have faith in, have self-confidence. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word en

about it

pronom (de cela) (fact)

J'ai fait du gâteau : tu en veux ? - Tu vas à la fête de Sophie ? - Je n'en sais rien.
I've made a cake. Do you want some?

of them

pronom (d'eux, d'entre eux)

Tous les enfants ne sont pas là, il en manque trois. - Tu veux des pommes ? - Oui, j'en veux.
Not all the children are here. Three are missing.

there

adverbe (de là)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Mon collègue est encore à Paris, il n'en est pas parti.
My colleague is in Paris; he hasn't left.

-

adverbe (à ce point)

J'en suis là. Où en es-tu de ton travail ?
I'm here. Where are you with your work?

in

préposition (indique une localisation)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Nous habitons en ville. J'ai habité en Normandie, en France, puis en Galice, en Espagne et finalement en Bavière, en Allemagne.
We live in town. I've lived in Normandy in France, then in Galicia in Spain, and finally in Bavaria in Germany.

to

préposition (indique une direction)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Nous pensons aller en Italie pour les vacances de printemps.
We are thinking of going to Italy for spring break.

in

préposition (indique une période, un mois)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
En 2012, nous sommes partis en Grèce en avril. Nous ne partions pas au printemps mais en été.
In 2012, we went to Greece in April. We're not leaving in spring but in summer.

in

préposition (indique un laps de temps)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
J'ai fait mes devoirs en une heure.
I did my homework in an hour.

[noun as adjective]

préposition (indique la matière)

J'ai acheté un beau foulard en soie. // Et ces masques, ils sont en quoi ?
What are these masks made of?

in

préposition (indique un état)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Pierre est rentré en sueur de l'entraînement.
Peter came home in a sweat after his training session.

in

préposition (précise l'agencement, la composition)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Les élèves se mettent en rang. Les troupes sont disposées en quinconce.
The pupils get themselves in a row. The troops are positioned in staggered rows.

by

préposition (indique un moyen)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Nous partirons en voiture.
We're going by car.

in

préposition (indique un domaine)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
En affaires, tous les coups sont permis.
In business, no holds are barred.

while + [present participle]

préposition (tout en)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
J'aime bien travailler en écoutant de la musique.
I like working while listening to music.

École Normale

nom féminin invariable (abréviation écrite, France (École Normale) (higher education)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Notre fils fait ses études à l'EN.
Our son is studying at the École Normale.

education

nom féminin invariable (abréviation écrite, France (Éducation Nationale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ministre de l'EN est toujours un poste délicat.
Education Minister is always a tricky post.

against the light

locution adverbiale (éclairé par l'arrière)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Attends, change de place, on ne te voit pas, tu es à contre-jour. On ne distingue pas bien les objets en contre-jour.

drop-dead

locution adverbiale (familier (énormément) (informal, figurative)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

if is to be believed

locution adverbiale (selon [qqn])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À en croire ce journal, le loup est de retour dans le cœur de la France.
If this newspaper is to be believed, wolves have reestablished themselves in the central regions of France.

judging by

(selon, d'après)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

breathlessly

locution adverbiale (à en perdre le souffle, trop vite)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il parla à en perdre haleine pendant 2 heures.

headed, letterhead

locution adjectivale (papier : avec logo)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

high in fibre

locution adverbiale (riche en fibres) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

when boarding , in the process of boarding

locution adverbiale (en montant à bord de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il faut se tenir courbé à la montée en hélicoptère.

no doubt, doubtlessly

locution adverbiale (très certainement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
No doubt Robert's cold was also due to his lack of sleep.

endless, never-ending

locution adjectivale (qui se prolonge, interminable)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
The presidential candidate's speech went on ad nauseam.

to be handed over in person

locution adverbiale (à donner directement à la personne)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cette convocation est à remettre en mains propres.

be full of

verbe transitif indirect (détenir beaucoup de [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le dictionnaire WR abonde d'exemples utiles.
The WR dictionary is full of good examples.

read-write access

nom masculin (informatique : droit de modification) (IT: access permissions)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

be into

verbe transitif indirect (familier (être intéressé) (informal, figurative)

Mathieu a toujours accroché en mathématiques.
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. I'd like to get into yoga, but I need to find a good class first.

welcome into its midst

locution verbale (soutenu (héberger, comprendre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La cité internationale universitaire de Paris accueille en son sein des étudiants du monde entier.

bulk buying, wholesale purchasing

nom masculin (achat en grande quantité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

online purchase

nom masculin (achat via Internet)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

buy on a shared ownership basis

locution verbale (acheter une partie d'un bien commun)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ils ont acheté leur appartement en copropriété et gèrent les parties communes avec les autres propriétaires de l'immeuble.

buy in bulk

locution verbale (acheter en grosse quantité)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

pay for in cash

locution verbale (acheter en monnaie)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon père n'a ni carte ni chéquier et achète tout en liquide.

buy in the sales, buy at sale price

locution verbale (acheter un produit bradé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Patricia achète toujours ses maillots de bain en solde.

listed share, listed stock

nom féminin (action soumise au marché boursier)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lawsuit

nom féminin (droit : requête)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

action in abatement

locution adverbiale (contestation d'héritage) (Law)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
S'estimant lésé, il a intenté une action en réduction.

liability action, pursuit of damages

nom féminin (droit européen : action en justice) (Law)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Une action en responsabilité vise un membre de la communauté européenne qui n'aurait pas respecté ses engagements.

make a TV adaptation of

verbe transitif (transposer [qch] pour la télé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

current case, ongoing case, case in progress

nom féminin (dossier en cours de traitement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

gold mine

nom féminin (affaire très avantageuse) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce nouveau concept est une affaire en or.

work in tandem with

(agir ensemble)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

online help

nom féminin (support technique sur internet) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'aide en ligne de ce logiciel est très bien faite.

watertight alibi

nom masculin (familier (raison solide invoquée par un suspect)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On a vérifié les déclarations du suspect : il a un alibi en béton.

canned food

nom masculin (aliment en conserve)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les aliments en boîte permettent une conservation plus longue.

continuous supply, continuous feed

nom féminin (alimentation ininterrompue)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette imprimante offre un système d'encre en alimentation en continu.

direct current, direct power supply

nom féminin (alimentation en courant continu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Des lampes à alimentation en continu comme en alternatif sont disponibles.

power supply

nom féminin (branchement sur source électrique) (electric)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

form feed

nom féminin (dispositif de machine à impression)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La photocopieuse est en panne : l'alimentation en feuilles est défaillante.

go to hell, burn in hell

locution verbale (maudire quelqu'un)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go from bad to worse

locution verbale (empirer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

improve

locution verbale (s'améliorer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

fly

locution verbale (voyager par avion)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Je préfère aller à Londres en avion plutôt qu'en Eurostar.

go to a club, go clubbing

locution verbale (familier (sortir en boîte de nuit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go to school, go to lessons, go to class

locution verbale (aller en cours, à l'école)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Va en classe, je viens te chercher à la sortie de l'école.

go on a field trip to the seaside

locution verbale (partir en sortie scolaire en bord de mer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les enfants vont en classe de mer, ils vont apprendre à faire de la voile.

go on a school skiing trip

locution verbale (partir en sortie scolaire à la neige)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go on a field trip to the countryside

locution verbale (partir en sortie scolaire dans la nature)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go to hell

locution verbale (être damné)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

take legal action

locution verbale (intenter une action en justice)

go to prison, go to jail

locution verbale (être emprisonné)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il va en prison suite à la condamnation du tribunal.

get better

locution verbale (s'arranger)

go on holiday

locution verbale (partir en vacances) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
On va en vacances à la mer cet été.

go into town

locution verbale (flâner ou faire des courses en ville)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be hasty

locution verbale (conclure trop hâtivement)

Let's go!

interjection (Partons !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

lost soul

nom féminin (personne triste)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tu es bien triste aujourd'hui, on dirait une âme en peine !

upstream

locution adverbiale (vers la source)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je suis sûr qu'on trouvera de l'eau plus claire en amont.
I'm sure we will find clearer water upstream.

upstream from

(vers la source) (along a watercourse)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Orléans est en amont de Saumur sur la Loire. C'est en amont de la rivière que l'eau est le plus clair.
The water is clearest in the upstream part of the river.

in advance

locution adverbiale (figuré (avant, plus tôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
C'est le genre de détail auquel il faut penser en amont. Le problème doit être réglé en amont.
The problem needs to be resolve beforehand.

unrestrained animal

nom masculin (animal sans laisse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free-range animal, free-ranging animal

nom masculin (animal sans surveillance) (farming)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stray animal

nom masculin (animal errant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

wild animal, feral animal

nom masculin (animal sauvage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

soft toy, cuddly toy, stuffed toy

nom masculin (peluche en forme d'animal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On peut gagner des animaux en peluche à la fête foraine.

endangered animal

nom masculin (animal menacé d'extinction)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En Europe, le vison est un animal en voie de disparition.

penthouse flat, penthouse apartment, penthouse

nom masculin (habitation d'immeuble avec terrasse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ils n'ont pas de jardin, mais c'est un appartement en attique.

ground floor apartment

nom masculin (appartement de plain-pied)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

triplex flat, flat set over three floors

nom masculin (logement sur 3 niveaux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ils habitent un appartement en triplex, conçu en hauteur.

missed call

nom masculin (appel téléphonique raté)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
À mon retour de vacances, mon téléphone affichait 30 appels en absence.

reverse-charge call

nom masculin (appel où l'appelé paye) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

appeal to

verbe transitif indirect (s'en remettre à)

J'en appelle à votre clémence.
I appeal to your mercy.

make a reverse-charge call, place a reverse-charge call

locution verbale (appeler en faisant payer l'appelé) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai appelé mes parents en PCV car je n'avais plus de monnaie.

overhead camshaft

nom masculin (dispositif mécanique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'arbre à cames en tête agit sur l'ouverture des soupapes par un mouvement longitudinal.

Lancet arch

nom masculin (type de voûte) (Architecture)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les arcs en ogive sont des éléments caractéristiques des églises gothiques.

rainbow

nom masculin (phénomène météorologique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un arc-en-ciel se compose de 7 couleurs.
A rainbow is made up of seven colors.

rainbow-coloured

adjectif invariable (chamarré, multicolore) (UK)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Ce pull arc-en-ciel va très bien avec ce pantalon noir.
This rainbow-coloured jumper goes really well with these black trousers.

come to

(aborder : un sujet,...)

Nous arrivons à la question des licenciements. Et maintenant, j'en arrive à la question des primes.
Now I'm getting to the matter of bonuses.

turn up like clockwork

locution verbale (être inéluctable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

arrive early

locution verbale (arriver plus tôt)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

arrive in force, arrive in numbers

locution verbale (venir en grand nombre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Vu l'importance de l'évènement, la police arrivera en force pour éviter tout débordement.

arrive late

locution verbale (arriver plus tard)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

special offer, reduced item

nom masculin (article en promotion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les articles en réclame se trouvent sur les gondoles jaunes.

be divided into , be organized into

(se décomposer en [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette formation s'articule en plusieurs phases.
This training is divided into (or: is organized into) several phases.

paper plate

nom féminin (vaisselle jetable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

summons to attend urgent proceedings

nom féminin (citation en urgence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

be good at

(familier (être compétent)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai travaillé avec Pierre sur ce devoir parce qu'il assure en maths.
I worked on this homework with Peter because he's good at maths.

sue for libel, take libel action against

locution verbale (accuser de mensonge en justice)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Suite aux attaques de la presse, il a décidé d'attaquer le journal en diffamation.

make an emergency landing

locution verbale (se poser d'urgence)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

emergency landing

nom masculin (avion : arrêt d'urgence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

smooth landing, soft landing

nom masculin (avion : arrêt agréable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

it's all just hot air, it's nothing but hot air

(figuré (qualifie de vaines promesses) (figurative, informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu parles, autant en emporte le vent !

Gone With the Wind

nom propre (célèbre film) (film)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
« Autant en emporte le vent » est le film préféré de ma grand-mère.

downstream in

(en contrebas)

Plus on est en aval du fleuve, plus on se rapproche de la mer.
The further downstream you are in the river, the closer you are to the sea.

downstream

locution adverbiale (en contrebas)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je connais bien cette rivière. Je sais qu'en aval, on trouve tout un coin à poissons.
I know this river well. I know that we'll find a place full of fish downstream.

afterwards

locution adverbiale (figuré (après)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ce genre de détail sera étudié en aval. Ce problème se répercutera en aval.
The problem will have repercussions later.

benefit, benefit in kind, fringe benefit

nom masculin (bénéfice matériel)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

(figuré (Tout est possible avec des si)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

paper plane

nom masculin (origami en forme d'avion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les élèves dissipés lançaient des avions en papier en plein cours.

have well under control, have well in hand

locution verbale (maîtriser, contrôler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce jeune chef d'orchestre a ses musiciens bien en main.

have faith in

locution verbale (être serein au sujet de [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai confiance en mes capacités pour cet examen.
I have faith in my ability to do well in this exam.

have faith in

locution verbale (croire en [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai confiance en mon médecin et ferai cette opération.
I have faith in my doctor and will undergo this operation.

have self-confidence

locution verbale (croire en ses capacités)

Aie confiance en toi ! Tu vas y arriver.

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So now that you know more about the meaning of en in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

Related words of en

Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.