What is 'the special friend' in French?

"L'ami spécial" in the masculine or "l'amie spéciale" in the feminine are French equivalents of "the special friend."

The masculine/feminine definite article "l"* means "the." The masculine singular noun "ami" and the feminine "amie" mean "friend." The masculine singular adjective "spécial" and the feminine "spéciale" mean "special."

The pronunciation is "lah-mee speh-syahl."

*The masculine form actually is "le," and the feminine "la." But the "e" in "le" and the "a" in "la" drop before a noun that begins with a vowel. The temporary nature of the drop is indicated by an apostrophe.