Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bordel | /bɔʁ.dɛl/ | masculine |
| boxon | /bɔk.sɔ̃/ | masculine |
| lupanar | /ly.pa.naʁ/ | masculine |
| maison close | /mɛ.zɔ̃ kloz/ /me.zɔ̃ kloz/ |
feminine |
| maison de tolérance | /mɛ.zɔ̃ də tɔ.le.ʁɑ̃s/ /me.zɔ̃ də tɔ.le.ʁɑ̃s/ |
feminine |
| privé | /pʁi.ve/ | Belgium, masculine |
The primary meaning of these terms is a house of prostitution. Outside of this sexual context, the informal term bordel is frequently used to describe a state of total disorder, a mess or chaos.
Which one should you use?
While bordel is an informal way to refer to a brothel, lupanar is a highly literary or historical term often used when discussing ancient Rome. maison close is a more formal or literary expression, whereas maison de tolérance is a highly formal, euphemistic administrative term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bordel is an informal word. It can also function as a vulgar exclamation to denote mess or chaos. For more formal or literary contexts, use maison close. For a highly formal, administrative euphemism, use maison de tolérance.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgium, the term privé is used to refer to a brothel.
How does it change in a sentence?
bordel, boxon, lupanar and privé are masculine nouns. maison close and maison de tolérance are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of bordel is /bɔʁ.dɛl/.
Did you know?
- The word lupanar comes from the Latin word for 'she-wolf', as Roman brothels were often jokingly compared to dens of wolves.
- In Belgium, you might see the sign privé on a building, which is a common local euphemism for a brothel rather than a sign for a 'private' establishment.
- The word bordel originally referred to a 'small hut' or a simple shack before it became an association with houses of prostitution.
Examples in context
- Sami tenait un bordel.Sami ran a brothel.This sentence shows how to use bordel to indicate someone running a brothel.Tatoeba #14033179 by Myrano_, translation #6717564 by OsoHombre
- C’est une maison close.It's a brothel.This sentence uses maison close to identify a brothel.Tatoeba #10689838 by AutoBot, translation #10689832 by AutoBot
- Ceci est un hôtel, pas un bordel.This is a hotel, not a brothel.This sentence uses bordel to distinguish a hotel from a brothel.Tatoeba #4867345 by Amastan, translation #4887680 by venticello
- L'ouverture d'une nouvelle maison close a suscité un débat animé.The opening of a new brothel sparked a heated debate.
- De nombreux pays ont adopté des lois pour réglementer les établissements de prostitution.Many countries have implemented laws to regulate brothels.
- On dit qu'il y avait un bordel discret au bout de cette rue.It is said that there was a discreet brothel at the end of this street.
- Je ne comprends vraiment pas pourquoi les hommes fréquentent les maisons de plaisir.I really don't understand why men visit brothels.
- Les maisons de passe étaient légales jusqu'en 1985 au Québec.Brothels were legal in Quebec until 1985.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are walking through a dark alleyway.
- GabrielRegarde ce vieux bordel au bout de la rue.Look at that old brothel at the end of the street.
- ManonC'est un endroit vraiment mal famé.It is a really disreputable place.
- GabrielIl ne faut pas s'en approcher.We shouldn't go near it.
- ManonTu as raison, continuons notre chemin.You are right, let's keep walking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brothel” translations and entries bordel, boxon, lupanar, maison close, maison de tolérance, privé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bordel, lupanar, maison, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
