ayant droit
/ɛ.jɑ̃ dʁwa/masculine
The English phrase 'entitled' can be translated into French as ayant droit.
ayant droit is used to denote a person who has a legal claim or a specific right to a benefit, typically within a legal, administrative or formal context. To express the idea of 'to have the right to' in a formal setting, you can also use the phrase Avoir droit à. For more formal writing or legal documents, the expression Prétendre à can be used to mean 'to claim a right'.
Meaning: having a right to something (adj)
Which one should you use?
There is a significant distinction between having a legal right and having an entitled personality. If you want to describe someone's 'entitled' personality (acting as if they are above the rules), do not use ayant droit. Instead, use the expression se croire tout permis.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ.jɑ̃ dʁwa/
Did you know?
- In French, the word for 'right' (droit) is also the word for 'straight'. This is why a 'straight line' is called une ligne droite.
- The word droit is a doublet of the English word 'direct'. They both descend from the same Latin root, but 'droit' evolved through a shortened form meaning 'straight'.
- In legal documents, instead of saying someone is 'entitled', you might see the verb prétendre à. This does not mean 'to pretend' in the modern sense, but rather 'to claim' a right.
Examples in context
- Les citoyens ont droit à un procès équitable.Citizens have the right to a fair trial.
- Les employés ont droit à des congés payés.Employees are entitled to paid leave.
- Il se croit tout permis depuis qu'il est promu.He acts entitled since he got promoted.
- Elle se croit tout permis parce qu'elle est célèbre.She acts entitled because she's famous.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are discussing an insurance claim.
- EmmaQui est l'ayant droit pour ce dossier ?Who is the entitled person for this file?
- LucasC'est moi, je suis l'ayant droit.It is me, I am the entitled person.
- EmmaD'accord, Lucas, pouvez-vous signer ici ?Alright, Lucas, can you sign here?
- LucasOui, je le fais tout de suite.Yes, I will do it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “entitled” translations and entries ayant droit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ayant, ayant droit, droit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
