Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| conférence | /kɔ̃.fe.ʁɑ̃s/ | feminine |
| cours magistral | /kuʁ ma.ʒis.tʁal/ | masculine |
In French, you can use different terms depending on the specific type of spoken lesson. conférence is a common, generic term for a lecture or talk given to a public audience. In university settings, a formal lecture delivered by a professor or expert is specifically called a cours magistral. Other related terms include présentation, which can refer to a formal presentation or lecture and causerie, which is used for a more informal lecture or a talk on a specific topic.
Which one should you use?
Use conférence when referring to a presentation or a talk given to a public audience. Use cours magistral specifically for a formal, one-way academic lecture delivered by a professor in a university setting.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say you are 'teaching' a lecture, you use the verbal phrases donner une conférence or donner un cours magistral.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ̃.fe.ʁɑ̃s/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the French word lecture to mean a spoken lesson. In French, lecture means 'reading'. Additionally, when saying you are attending a lecture, use the verb phrase assister à rather than attendre, as attendre means 'to wait for'.
Did you know?
- The word magistral in the phrase cours magistral shares a linguistic ancestor with the word 'mistral', the famous cold wind that blows through southern France.
- The term cours magistral comes from the Latin magister, meaning 'master'. It literally describes a lesson delivered by a master to students who are expected to listen without interrupting.
Examples in context
- Peu de gens vinrent à la conférence.Few people came to the lecture.This sentence shows the use of conférence to describe the number of people at a lecture.Tatoeba #12119 by nimfeo, translation #47943 by CK
- J'aimerais assister à cette conférence.I would like to attend that lecture.This sentence demonstrates how to express a desire to attend a conférence.Tatoeba #3258108 by nimfeo, translation #3258109 by CK
- Sa conférence a attiré un large public.His lecture had a large audience.This sentence illustrates how a conférence can attract a large audience.Tatoeba #11512124 by Aiji, translation #286313 by CK
- J'assiste à une conférence sur l'histoire de l'art.I am attending a lecture on art history.
- Le professeur dispense un cours magistral sur l'économie.The professor is giving a lecture on economics.
- J'ai assisté à une causerie sur l'écologie hier soir.I attended a lecture on ecology last night.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking about their university schedule.
- LéaTu vas à la conférence de demain ?Are you going to tomorrow's lecture?
- NathanOui, Nathan sera là pour l'écouter.Yes, Nathan will be there to listen to it.
- LéaC'est une conférence très intéressante.It is a very interesting lecture.
- NathanD'accord, on s'y retrouve à midi.Okay, we'll meet there at noon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lecture” translations and entries conférence, cours magistral, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conférence, cours, magistral, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
