Bruxelles
/bʁy.sɛl/
Bruxelles is the French name for the English phrase Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.
Bruxelles is used to refer specifically to the capital city of Belgium.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /bʁy.sɛl/.
Did you know?
- Belgium has no single official 'capital' by law, though Bruxelles is treated as such by international custom and convention.
- The name Bruxelles comes from the Germanic words for 'marsh' and 'building', describing the swampy terrain where the city was founded.
- In French legal and administrative contexts, Bruxelles is often divided into 19 separate municipalities, each with its own mayor and administration.
Examples in context
- Je vais à Bruxelles.I'm going to Brussels.
- J'ai un rendez-vous à Bruxelles demain.I have an appointment in Brussels tomorrow.
- Elle habite à Bruxelles depuis trois ans.She has lived in Brussels for three years.
- Est-ce que tu vas bientôt à Bruxelles ?Are you going to Brussels soon?
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are planning a trip together.
- HugoOù veux-tu aller pour les vacances ?Where do you want to go for the holidays?
- EmmaJe veux visiter Bruxelles.I want to visit Brussels.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée, Emma !That is an excellent idea, Emma!
- EmmaOn réserve les billets demain ?Shall we book the tickets tomorrow?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Bruxelles, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bruxelles, CC BY-SA 4.0.
