messe
/mɛs/
The English word 'mass' in French is messe.
The term L'office religieux can be used more broadly to refer to any religious service, including mass.
Meaning: physics: quantity of matter which a body contains (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between messe and masse. messe refers specifically to the religious service, whereas masse is the term used for 'mass' in the context of physics or the quantity of matter within a body.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal variation la messe d'ce soir can be used to mean 'mass tonight'.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛs/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the word masse when they actually mean the religious service messe.
When do people say it?
During the service, a common response used is Gloire à Dieu au plus haut des cieux, which means 'Glory to God in the highest'.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase la messe est dite literally means 'mass is said', but it is commonly used as an idiom to mean that a situation is finished and there is no hope for a different outcome.
- In French, the term masse can refer to a heavy sledgehammer, creating a homophone with the religious messe that can lead to humorous misunderstandings in spoken French.
- The word messe comes from the Latin missum, which refers to the act of sending or dismissing the congregation at the end of the service.
Examples in context
- La messe est dite.The mass is over.This sentence is useful for stating that the mass is over.Tatoeba #789330 by U2FS, translation #1737629 by belgavox
- La messe n'est pas encore dite.The mass has not yet been said.This sentence is useful for stating that the mass has not yet been said.Tatoeba #2433779 by nimfeo, translation #3230235 by mervert1
- La messe était dite autrefois en latin.The mass used to be said in Latin.This sentence is useful for noting that the mass used to be said in Latin.Tatoeba #808950 by sacredceltic, translation #678342 by darinmex
- Nous allons à la messe tous les dimanches.We go to mass every Sunday.
- On va à la messe dominicale ensemble ?Shall we go to Sunday mass together?
- Tu as assisté à la messe du dimanche dernier ?Did you attend last Sunday's mass?
- Aujourd'hui, nous allons à la messe en français québécois.Today, we're going to mass in Quebec French.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are studying for a physics test.
- LucasQuelle est la messe de cet objet ?What is the mass of this object?
- ChloéJe ne sais pas, Lucas.I don't know, Lucas.
- LucasUtilisons la balance pour mesurer la messe.Let's use the scale to measure the mass.
- ChloéC'est une bonne idée, Chloé est d'accord.That's a good idea, Chloé agrees.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry messe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries messe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
