chauffeur
/ʃo.fœʁ/masculine
The French word for chauffeur is chauffeur. Wiktionary also lists chauffeuse.
Meaning: person employed to drive a motor car (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chauffeur | /ʃo.fœʁ/ | masculine |
| chauffeuse | /ʃo.føz/ | feminine |
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a motor car.
What does it mean word for word?
The term comes from the verb chauffer, meaning 'to heat', making the literal meaning 'one who heats'.
Which one should you use?
chauffeur is the masculine form, while chauffeuse is the feminine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun is chauffeuse.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃo.fœʁ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word chauffeuse is a linguistic trap. While it is the feminine form of chauffeur, it also refers to a small, low, comfortable armchair.
- The word chauffeur was originally used for the people who tended the boilers of early steam-powered cars to keep the water hot.
- The verb chauffer is used in French slang to mean 'to provoke' or 'to tease' someone, often by trying to make them angry.
Examples in context
- Il ne me faut pas de chauffeur.I don't need a chauffeur.This sentence shows how to express that you do not need a chauffeur.Tatoeba #7998408 by Micsmithel, translation #6269567 by CK
- Le chauffeur a ouvert la portière.The chauffeur opened the door.This sentence describes the action of a chauffeur opening a door.Tatoeba #12019490 by lbdx, translation #6052880 by Hybrid
- J'ai embauché un nouveau chauffeur.I've hired a new chauffeur.This sentence is useful for describing the act of hiring a new chauffeur.Tatoeba #12232921 by Aiji, translation #8069554 by CK
- Je vais réserver un service de chauffeur privé pour notre client.I'm going to book a private chauffeur service for our client.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A luxury hotel lobby.
- ManonOù est le chauffeur ?Where is the chauffeur?
- GabrielLe chauffeur vous attend devant l'hôtel.The chauffeur is waiting for you in front of the hotel.
- ManonEst-ce un bon chauffeur ?Is he a good chauffeur?
- GabrielOui, il est très professionnel.Yes, he is very professional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chauffeur” translations and entries chauffeur, chauffeuse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chauffeur, chauffeuse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
