monsieur/mə.sjø/
noun · A1 · Frequency 204
nounmasculine
Meanings
mister, sir
Commonly used in formal or polite contexts, can be used alone or with a surname.
man (polite term), gentleman
Refers to a polite and well-mannered man, often used to describe a person's character.
Examples
Monsieur, pourriez-vous signer ce formulaire, s'il vous plaît ?
Sir, could you sign this form, please?
J'ai demandé à monsieur Martin de nous rejoindre dans la salle de réunion.
I asked Mr Martin to join us in the meeting room.
C'est un monsieur discret qui aide toujours ses voisins.
He is a discreet gentleman who always helps his neighbors.
Collocations
- Monsieur DupontMr. Dupont
- un vrai monsieura true gentleman
Common mistakes
monsieur est arrivé
le monsieur est arrivé
In French, nouns usually require an article before them; when using monsieur alone as a form of address, the use of the article should be considered.
un monsieur poli
un homme poli
Monsieur is more commonly used as a form of address; when describing a polite man, homme is more natural.
Related words
synonymgentlemangentleman
nounmasculine
Meanings
Mr.; sir
Used on its own as a polite form of address, or before a surname; common in French, with an abbreviated written form also used.
Historically, the title of the French king's brother
Restricted to historical contexts; refers to a specific royal title and is not used in modern everyday address.
Examples
Monsieur, votre manteau est resté dans le vestiaire.
Sir, your coat was left in the cloakroom.
Le réceptionniste a demandé à Monsieur de patienter quelques minutes.
The receptionist asked the gentleman to wait a few minutes.
Sous l'Ancien Régime, Monsieur désignait le frère cadet du roi de France.
Under the Ancien Régime, Monsieur designated the younger brother of the king of France.
Collocations
- Monsieur le PrésidentMr. President
Common mistakes
Monsieur est venu
Le Monsieur est venu
Monsieur as a noun usually requires an article before it.
Le Monsieur royal
Le Monsieur royal (archaïque)
Sense_02 is archaic and not used in modern contexts.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
mister, sir
Commonly used in formal or polite contexts, can be used alone or with a surname.
man (polite term), gentleman
Refers to a polite and well-mannered man, often used to describe a person's character.
Examples
Messieurs, veuillez patienter quelques instants dans le hall.
Gentlemen, please wait in the lobby for a few moments.
Les messieurs de l'accueil nous ont indiqué le chemin vers la salle de réunion.
The gentlemen at the reception desk showed us the way to the meeting room.
Les messieurs ont cédé leur place aux personnes âgées dans le bus.
The gentlemen gave up their seats to elderly people on the bus.
Collocations
- Monsieur DupontMr. Dupont
- un vrai monsieura true gentleman
Common mistakes
monsieur est arrivé
le monsieur est arrivé
In French, nouns usually require an article before them; when using monsieur alone as a form of address, the use of the article should be considered.
un monsieur poli
un homme poli
Monsieur is more commonly used as a form of address; when describing a polite man, homme is more natural.
Related words
synonymgentlemangentleman
nounmasculine
Meanings
Mr.; sir
Used on its own as a polite form of address, or before a surname; common in French, with an abbreviated written form also used.
Historically, the title of the French king's brother
Restricted to historical contexts; refers to a specific royal title and is not used in modern everyday address.
Examples
Messieurs, veuillez prendre place avant le début de la réunion.
Gentlemen, please take your seats before the meeting begins.
Les Messieurs invités attendent dans le salon depuis dix minutes.
The invited gentlemen have been waiting in the sitting room for ten minutes.
Les historiens expliquent que Messieurs désignait autrefois le frère du roi de France.
Historians explain that Messieurs once referred to the French king's brother.