majuscule
/ma.ʒys.kyl/feminine
The French phrase for "capital letter" is majuscule.
majuscule refers to an upper-case letter. To describe the action of capitalizing a letter, you use the phrase mettre une majuscule. If you want to say that something is written entirely in capital letters, use the phrase en majuscules.
Meaning: upper-case letter (noun)
Which one should you use?
The opposite of majuscule is minuscule, which refers to a lower-case letter.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word majuscule is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.ʒys.kyl/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, French does not capitalize the days of the week or the months of the year.
- While English uses 'capital' for both letters and cities, in French, majuscule only refers to the letters. A capital city is called a capitale.
- The word majuscule comes from the Latin 'majus', meaning 'larger'. This is the same root found in the English word 'major'.
Examples in context
- Une phrase commence par une majuscule.The beginning of a sentence starts with a capital letter.This sentence shows that a sentence begins with a majuscule.Tatoeba #11034878 by lbdx, translation #2503305 by Dejo
- Les phrases commencent par une majuscule.Sentences begin with a capital letter.This sentence demonstrates that sentences begin with a majuscule.Tatoeba #134981 by sacredceltic, translation #320027 by CK
- On met des majuscules en début de phrase.A capital letter is used at the beginning of a sentence.This sentence explains that one uses majuscule at the start of a sentence.Tatoeba #4060722 by sak_sm, translation #320024 by CK
Example conversation
A teacher is helping a student correct their handwriting.
- LéaN'oublie pas la majuscule ici.Don't forget the capital letter here.
- HugoEst-ce que c'est une majuscule ?Is that a capital letter?
- LéaOui, il faut une majuscule pour ton prénom.Yes, you need a capital letter for your first name.
- HugoD'accord, je vais la rajouter.Okay, I will add it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “capital letter” translations and entries majuscule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries majuscule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
