Which one should you use?
While maison is the standard term, other words can be used depending on the context. In formal contexts, demeure is often used to denote a grand or stately home or mansion and résidence is used to refer to a formal residence or dwelling, which may be a house or an apartment. In informal settings, you might hear bâtisse used to refer to a house in certain areas of France.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the countryside of some areas in France, the word bâtisse might be used informally to refer to a house. In Normandy and parts of Brittany, the word masure is a regional variation used to describe an old or rundown house in a rural setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun maison is feminine. Because of this, it is used with the feminine definite article la (la maison, the house) and the feminine indefinite article une (une maison, a house). To indicate possession, such as Marie's house, you would say la maison de Marie.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /mɛ.zɔ̃/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The French word maison is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'mansion'. Both words share the same Latin ancestor, meaning 'to stay' or 'to remain'.
- In French, the word maison can also refer to a commercial establishment or a business, such as a 'maison de couture' (fashion house).
- The word maison is used in the phrase fait maison to describe food that is homemade, similar to how English uses 'homemade' for both crafts and cooking.
Examples in context
- J'habite dans une grande maison.I live in a big house.
- Cette maison est très belle.This house is very beautiful.
- Nous avons acheté une maison à la campagne.We bought a house in the countryside.
- Je vais chez toi demain soir.I'm coming to your place tomorrow evening.
- Cette maison est très grande.This house is very large.
- Ma maison est près du parc.My house is near the park.
- Nous achetons une nouvelle maison.We are buying a new house.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are talking about their weekend plans.
- ChloéTu veux venir à la maison ?Do you want to come to my house?
- NathanOui, avec plaisir, Chloé !Yes, I'd love to, Chloé!
- ChloéC'est facile à trouver.It is easy to find.
- NathanEnvoie-moi l'adresse, Nathan.Send me the address, Nathan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maison, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maison, CC BY-SA 4.0.
