croupier
/kʁu.pje/
In French, dealer is translated as croupier.
The term croupier is used specifically for a dealer in a casino context, such as at a roulette or blackjack table. For a person who deals in goods or commodities like automobiles or art, the word used is marchand. Other options include vendeur to convey the idea of someone who sells goods, or négociant to describe a dealer in professional, commercial or luxury sectors.
Meaning: one who deals in things, e.g. automobiles (noun)
Which one should you use?
While croupier refers to a casino dealer, marchand is the word used for a person who deals in goods or commodities like automobiles or art. In some regions, revendeur is used interchangeably with marchand to denote a dealer.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /kʁu.pje/.
Did you know?
- The term croupier is unexpectedly linked to the anatomy of a horse. It derives from the word croupe, which refers to the horse's rump or croup.
- In modern French slang, the English word dealer is borrowed directly to describe someone who sells illegal drugs, whereas marchand would sound too formal or old-fashioned for this context.
- While marchand means 'dealer' or 'merchant', the phrase marchand de sable refers to the 'sandman' who brings sleep to children.
Examples in context
- Il est croupier.He's a casino dealer.This sentence shows how to use the word croupier to describe someone's profession.Tatoeba #1902593 by sacredceltic, translation #1894215 by Spamster
- Le marchand d'artThe art dealer
- Le marchand de voituresThe car dealer
- Le vendeur de drogueThe drug dealer
- Le vendeur de pièces détachéesThe spare parts dealer
- Mon pote est dealer.My friend is a dealer.
- Attention aux dealers dans cette zone.Watch out for the dealers in this area.
- Le revendeur de produits électroniquesThe electronics dealer
- Le revendeur de meublesThe furniture dealer
- Le négociant en vinsThe wine dealer
- Le négociant en pierres précieusesThe precious stone dealer
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are at a casino.
- ChloéRegarde, le croupier est très rapide !Look, the dealer is very fast!
- HugoC'est vrai, il a beaucoup d'expérience.That's true, he has a lot of experience.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu connais ce croupier, Hugo ?Do you know this dealer, Hugo?
- HugoNon, je ne l'ai jamais vu ici.No, I have never seen him here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry croupier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries croupier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
