une enseignante
The English phrase "a female teacher" is translated into French as une enseignante.
The term enseignante is a general word for a teacher and is frequently used in formal or administrative contexts.
Which one should you use?
Use un enseignant to refer to a male teacher, while une enseignante refers specifically to a female teacher. For primary school settings, une institutrice specifically refers to a female primary school teacher.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun enseignante is the feminine form of enseignant.
Did you know?
- For decades, the French Academy resisted feminizing job titles, meaning professeur was officially used for both men and women regardless of gender.
- In France, you may see enseignant·e or professeur·e written with a middle dot to include both genders in a single word.
- In Quebec, the feminization of job titles like enseignante was adopted and popularized much more aggressively and earlier than in France.
Examples in context
- Madame Dupont est une professeure de français très compétenteMadame Dupont is a very competent French teacher
- L'enseignante de sciences est très dévouéeThe science teacher is very dedicated
- Ma prof de musique est jeune et dynamiqueMy music teacher is young and dynamic
- Mon instit de maternelle était comme une deuxième mamanMy kindergarten teacher was like a second mom
- Ma petite sœur adore sa maîtresse d'écoleMy little sister loves her school teacher
- Je cherche une enseignante pour mon fils.I am looking for a female teacher for my son.
- C'est une enseignante de français talentueuse.She is a talented French teacher.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are talking about a new school hire.
- HugoQui est la nouvelle personne à l'école ?Who is the new person at the school?
- EmmaC'est une enseignante qui vient de Lyon.She is a teacher who comes from Lyon.
- HugoElle enseigne quelle matière ?What subject does she teach?
- EmmaElle est une enseignante de français.She is a French teacher.
