Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| leader | /li.dœʁ/ | masculine |
| chef | /ʃɛf/ | masculine |
| dirigeant | /di.ʁi.ʒɑ̃/ | masculine |
| chef de file | /ʃɛf də fil/ | masculine |
The term for leader depends on the specific context of authority. You might use it to describe a person in charge of a specific group, a professional executive or a charismatic figure.
Which one should you use?
chef is commonly used to refer to a boss or the head of a specific group, such as a department or a kitchen. leader is a more general term and is often used as an anglicism in business or politics to describe an influential or charismatic person. dirigeant refers specifically to an executive or director, typically within professional or political environments. chef de file is an idiomatic way to describe a frontrunner or a leading figure who serves as a representative of a movement or category.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form chef can be changed to the feminine cheffe to refer to a female leader or boss. Similarly, the masculine dirigeant becomes the feminine dirigeante when referring to a female executive or director.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/li.dœʁ/', 'syllables': 2}
Did you know?
- In French, chef is a doublet of the word cap. Both words share the same ancient root meaning 'head'.
- The term chef de file uses the word file, which in this context refers to a line or a queue, describing someone who stands at the front of the line.
- The word dirigeant comes from the verb diriger, which means 'to direct' or 'to steer', implying a leader is someone who guides a course.
Examples in context
- Tu es le chef.You're the leader.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a leader using chef.Tatoeba #2228993 by sacredceltic, translation #2218429 by CK
- Tom est le chef.Tom is the leader.Tatoeba #12681405 by Olcyx, translation #1415518 by Spamster
- Conduis-moi à ton chef.Take me to your leader.This sentence is useful for requesting to be taken to a leader using chef.Tatoeba #1406933 by sacredceltic, translation #426003 by gall
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a new project at work.
- EmmaQui sera le leader pour ce projet ?Who will be the leader for this project?
- HugoJe pense que Hugo est le meilleur leader.I think Hugo is the best leader.
- EmmaTu en es d'accord, Hugo ?Do you agree, Hugo?
- HugoOui, je peux être le leader.Yes, I can be the leader.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leader” translations and entries leader, chef, dirigeant, chef de file, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chef, de, file, leader, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
