Marianne
/ma.ʁjan/
Marianne is the French term for the national personification of the French Republic.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /ma.ʁjan/.
When do people say it?
As the national personification of France, Marianne is frequently depicted in town halls and appears on official government seals.
Did you know?
- The Phrygian cap, often worn by Marianne in paintings, was originally worn by freed slaves in Ancient Rome to symbolize their liberty.
- While Marianne is the face of the Republic, France has a male counterpart called Génie de la Liberté who often appears alongside her in revolutionary art.
- The name Marianne was chosen during the French Revolution because it was a common name among the working class, making the Republic feel accessible to ordinary people.
Examples in context
- On voit souvent le buste de Marianne dans les mairies.We often see the bust of Marianne in town halls.
- Le symbole de la République est Marianne.The symbol of the Republic is Marianne.
- Marianne figure sur les timbres français.Marianne appears on French stamps.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are visiting a local town hall.
- ChloéRegarde, il y a un portrait de Marianne ici.Look, there is a portrait of Marianne here.
- HugoElle est très élégante sur cette image.She is very elegant in this image.
- ChloéC'est un symbole important pour la France.It is an important symbol for France.
- HugoC'est vrai, elle représente la liberté.That's true, she represents liberty.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Marianne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
