avocat
/a.vɔ.ka/informal, masculine
The French word for lawyer is avocat. If unsure, use avocat. Wiktionary also lists homme de loi and femme de loi.
Meaning: professional person qualified (as by a law degree or bar exam) and authorized to practice law as an attorney-at-law, solicitor, advocate, barrister or equivalent, i.e. represent parties in lawsuits or trials and give legal advice (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| avocat | /a.vɔ.ka/ | informal, masculine |
| homme de loi | /ɔm də lwa/ | masculine |
| femme de loi | feminine | |
| avocate | /a.vɔ.kat/ | feminine, informal |
The term refers to a professional qualified and authorized to practice law, such as an attorney, solicitor or barrister, who provides legal advice and represents clients in court.
Which one should you use?
While avocat and avocate are the standard terms for a lawyer, homme de loi or femme de loi are more literary or elevated ways to refer to a legal professional.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is avocate. The plural form of avocat is avocats.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /a.vɔ.ka/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word avocat is a homonym in French, sharing the exact same spelling and pronunciation as the word for 'avocado'.
- The word femme in femme de loi comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'the one nursing or breastfeeding'.
- In French, the term avocat can be used for both a barrister and a solicitor, whereas English distinguishes between these roles.
Examples in context
- Je veux un avocat.I want a lawyer.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire for a lawyer using avocat.Tatoeba #1997920 by sacredceltic, translation #1887872 by CK
- Ma mère est avocat.My mother is a lawyer.This sentence is useful for stating a profession using avocat.Tatoeba #2136869 by sacredceltic, translation #1771641 by Zaphod
- Où est mon avocat ?Where's my lawyer?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of a lawyer using avocat.Tatoeba #2354737 by Amastan, translation #2254642 by CK
- 262 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is telling Chloé about his new job.
- ChloéTu travailles dans quel domaine ?What field do you work in?
- LucasJe suis enfin avocat.I am finally a lawyer.
- ChloéFélicitations pour ton nouveau métier !Congratulations on your new job!
- LucasMerci beaucoup, Chloé.Thank you very much, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lawyer” translations and entries avocat, homme de loi, avocate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avocat, de, femme, homme, loi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
