autoritaire
/o.tɔ.ʁi.tɛʁ/
The French word for bossy is autoritaire.
autoritaire is used to describe someone who tends to give orders to others. It carries a strong connotation of being authoritarian or dictatorial, suggesting a person who imposes their will on others.
Meaning: tending to give orders to others (adj)
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'bossy' can sometimes be used playfully or colloquially, autoritaire carries a stronger connotation of being authoritarian or dictatorial. If you want to describe someone's management style or personality using a slightly softer term, you can use directif or directive.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective autoritaire is invariable in gender, so it has the same form whether it describes a masculine or feminine subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/o.tɔ.ʁi.tɛʁ/
Did you know?
- While autoritaire is a personality trait, a person who is habitually bossy or likes to give orders is often called a petit chef, which literally means 'small boss'.
- French has the expression faire la loi, which means 'to make the law', used to describe someone acting bossy in a domestic or social setting.
- In French, the concept of being 'bossy' is often tied to the noun autorité, which is a highly respected concept in many French social and educational settings.
Examples in context
- Tu es autoritaire, non ?You're being bossy, aren't you?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they are being bossy.Tatoeba #1114882 by sacredceltic, translation #39579 by CK
- Tu es tellement autoritaire !You're so bossy.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is very bossy.Tatoeba #1998641 by sacredceltic, translation #1895570 by CK
- un homme autoritaireAn authoritarian man
- une femme autoritaireAn authoritarian woman
- Il est très autoritaire.He is very bossy.
- Elle devient tyrannique quand elle est sous pression.She becomes bossy when under pressure.
- C'est un despote au travail.He/She is a despot at work.
- La meneuse de l'équipe est parfois un peu tyrannique.The team leader is sometimes a bit tyrannical.
- Le nouveau directeur est très autoritaire.The new director is very bossy.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing their group project.
- LéaLéa, ne sois pas si autoritaire !Léa, don't be so bossy!
- NathanJe veux juste que tout soit parfait.I just want everything to be perfect.
- LéaMais tu décides tout toute seule.But you decide everything by yourself.
- NathanDésolée, je vais essayer de m' calmer.Sorry, I will try to calm down.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry autoritaire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
