boulanger
/bu.lɑ̃.ʒe/masculine
In French, the word for baker is boulanger. Wiktionary also lists pâtissier.
Meaning: person who bakes and sells bread, etc (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| boulanger | /bu.lɑ̃.ʒe/ | masculine |
| pâtissier | /pa.ti.sje/ /pɑ.ti.sje/ |
masculine |
A boulanger is a person who bakes and sells bread. The shop where a boulanger works is called a boulangerie.
Which one should you use?
While boulanger refers specifically to a bread baker, pâtissier refers to a person who specializes in pastries and sweets.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of boulanger is boulangère.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /bu.lɑ̃.ʒe/.
Did you know?
- In France, you cannot legally call a shop a boulangerie unless the baker actually kneads and bakes the bread on the premises.
- The word boulanger shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'bun', both stemming from a Germanic root for a small loaf.
- While a boulanger makes bread, a pâtissier focuses on pâtes, which can mean 'pastry' or 'pasta' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Le boulanger est âgé.The baker is old.This sentence is useful for describing the age of the boulanger.Tatoeba #6152125 by felix63, translation #12975215 by rul
- Je connais le boulanger.I know the baker.This sentence is useful for expressing that you know the boulanger.Tatoeba #8580846 by felix63, translation #10855038 by Taikian
- Ziri est devenu boulanger.Ziri became a baker.This sentence is useful for stating a person's profession as a boulanger.Tatoeba #11764045 by Amastan, translation #10209406 by Amastan
- J'ai l'intention de devenir pâtissier.I intend to become a pastry chef/baker.
- Le pâtissier est réputé pour ses gâteaux exquis.The pastry chef/baker is renowned for his exquisite cakes.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are standing in front of a bakery.
- NathanEst-ce que le boulanger est là ?Is the baker there?
- ChloéOui, il prépare le pain.Yes, he is preparing the bread.
- NathanLe boulanger travaille très tôt.The baker works very early.
- ChloéC'est vrai, mais son pain est délicieux.It's true, but his bread is delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baker” translations and entries boulanger, pâtissier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boulanger, pâtissier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
