voisines

Voisines is the feminine plural noun in French that refers to female neighbors—women who live nearby, such as in the same building, on the same street, or within a neighborhood. The singular feminine form is voisine, while the masculine forms are voisin (singular) and voisins (plural). The expression voit souvent des usages locaux, for example dans les phrases mes voisines or les voisines de palier.

Originating from Old French voisine, the word derives from the Latin vicinus (neighbor) and evolved through medieval French into the modern feminine voisine and plural voisines. The masculine counterpart voisin shares the same root, while the broader concept of proximity is captured by voisinage, meaning neighborhood or the social space of nearby residents.

Usage and nuance: Voisines is commonly employed in everyday conversation and in writing to designate women who live near the speaker. Common phrases include mes voisines (my female neighbors) and les voisines de palier (the female neighbors on the same landing). The term can carry neutral, cordial, or affectionate connotations depending on context, and it contrasts with the masculine voisin and the gender-neutral term voisinage, which refers to the overall neighborhood or sense of proximity.

In cultural and social discussions, voisines may be used to illustrate neighborly relations, community life, or gendered experiences within urban or suburban settings. The word remains a standard part of the French lexicon for describing female residents of a given locality.